Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social aspects that directly effects Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1980) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
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I don't entirely agree with the writer with respect to the relevance of Vietnam. While the Vietnam War is certainly not the prism through which I view the world, I do consider it relevant to this election. In looking at the candidates, I think it worthwhile to look at how they conducted themselves during that period and how it has shaped them as future leaders. For Kerry to have returned from the war and conducted himself in a way which undermined the soldiers he left behind in Vietnam shows an appalling lack of character. The fact that he has never repudiated those actions tells even more about his character. His actions since 9/11 are consistent with those of the young Kerry. His willingness to send young soldiers to war coupled with an unwillingness to budget properly for their support echoes his actions during the Vietnam War. It's all part of a larger picture of the man and his fitness to lead. While is isn't necessary to fixate on the 60's, it also isn't necessary to ignore what we can learn from history.
It would be interesting to hear what each candidate learned from that period in our history and how he would apply it to improve our security. Bush appears to have learned from that war. He gives his military command enough autonomy to get the job done, and supports the troops however possible. Kerry, on the other hand, appears not to have learned anything worthwhile - he's still fighting the Vietnam War on some level. He's stuck in the 60's, in his youth.