Kerry's lack of political courage

The Boston Globe ^ | February 29, 2004 | Jeff Jacoby

[Cincinatus' Wife]

AND THAT, believe it or not, is from the Times's endorsement of John Kerry in Tuesday's presidential primary. The editorial's wistful words get to the heart of the character issue that troubles so many of those who have looked closely at Kerry's career in public life. The Democratic front-runner is increasingly being described as a "flip-flopper" or a "waffler" or "two-faced." But the real problem with Kerry is something more fundamental. As the Times rightly notes, he lacks political courage. Perhaps that is why he and his campaign talk about it so much.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Stint in Vietnam may backfire - Kerry's military heroics, anti-war stance later may not play well

[harpu]

Everyone on this forum needs to bookmark this post for their reference material when discussing why Kerry is WRONG for the leadership of the this country of ours.

[leprechaun9]

He is a Vietnam veteran, with a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts that attest to his battlefield bravery.

I no longer accept this as I would for any other member of the military with similar service recognition.

THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IS FOR JOHN FREAKIN' KERRY TO RELEASE ALL HIS MILTARY RECORDS. And the "media" should not publish anything more about JF'K until he does so!

[gakrak]

Courage? I sure wouldn't want this guy watching my back!

[mewzilla]

No one doubts Kerry's physical courage.

Actually, I do.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Kerry is no Gandhi on corporate donations - LIBERAL columnist dishes up dirt on Kerry

[Gothmog]

nice summary bttt

[LibLieSlayer]

I like this war cry. The beat of the drum for kerry to release his military records is growing. I intend to point out this secrecy surrounding his records in all of my letters to editors, and media outlets. I will question his reluctance to address the veil in which he has cloaked these records! What is in those records that he wants to keep the world from seeing?

"It's not the nature of the evidence, it's the seriousness of the charge"! President Bush has released his military records, and it is only befitting of his opponent to do likewise! WE HAVE QUESTIONS, SERIOUS QUESTIONS about kerry's service... "Enquiring minds want to know".

LLS

[ReleaseTheHounds]

I agree... And reporters should be asking Vietnam vets to come forward with their opinions of John F'in' Kerry's courage following his service in Vietnam.

And how about tracking down John Kerry's classmates at Yale: how high is their regard this this "stand up guy"?

And then let's ask his fellow Senators and Congressmen: how much courage have you seen this guy demonstrate? My guess is, the interviewees will be running away from the questioner.

[Phlap]

Whatever the demo line, he supports it. He has yet to take a position opposing any democratic or supporting any republican position. He is politicaly dogmatic not politicaly brave.

[Always Right]

This may be the first time that a politician has literally come down on both sides of the fence.

The first time????? Kerry does it all the time. Take gay marriage. He came out hard against the defense of marriage act, calling it hateful and just like banning interracial marriage. Now Kerry is all in favor of a state banning gay marriage, which he considered a bigotted position a few years ago. Look at trade. Kerry favored NAFTA and other free trade agreements, now attacks Bush for all the outsourcing. Look at defense. Kerry proposed some of the biggest cuts in military spending in history, but now criticizes Bush for a weak military. Look at the deficit. Kerry voted against a balance budget agreement numerous times, and now bitches about the deficit. What issue hasn't Kerry been firmly on both sides of the fense????

[gg188]

Did you happen to see Mad TV last night? They did a skit in which the actor playing Kerry, every time he opened his mouth, said, "I am a veteran of the Vietnam War, and I am a war hero..."

[longtermmemmory]

(s) BREAKING!!!!!! In light of the attack on pearl harbor, kerry now support US involvement in WWII. He remains undecided about the goal of John F Kennedy to put a man on the moon before the end of the 60's (/s)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

... sides of the fence.

I think in that phrase he was referring to Israel's security fence.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It will be fun listening to Zell Miller reminisce about Kerry's life in the Senate.

[Warrior Nurse]

You know CW my late father was a Silver Star recipient during the Korean War where he was drafted and spent an entire year in country from 1952-1953. He was from Mississippi and happened to be black. Well he had to do a year there and didn't flinch under fire and killed many communists. But above all his battle field heroics he taught me how to be a man and lit a path of success to me and my brothers. He came home and when they were protesting Viet Nam he didn't like it, he was no fan of Mayor Daley but he got a kick out of the Chicago Police Departments cracking heads in Grant Park back in '68.

My father defined patriotism. John F Kerry deplores patriotism and makes it a lie.

[Always Right]

Yeah, he was talking literally. Figuratively though, Kerry is on the both sides of every fence.

[bimbo]

Kerry behaves so differently from the Vets at the VFW, that I think Kerry's service in Vietnam should come under very strict scrutiny before this campaign is finished. I hope those who know more about the details will come forward. These are things that are a little suspicious to me (and those at the VFW), so I'd like to raise a few questions:

1) A Bronze Star, Silver Star, and 3 Purple Hearts in a few months? This guy was collecting hardware and fruit salad at a rate greater than Alvin York and Audie Murphy?
2) 3 Purple Hearts with hardly a scratch?
3) Using the Purple Hearts to transfer to CONUS a few days after collecting his Silver Star?
4) As CO, did Kerry himself write the after-action report that resulted in the Silver Star?
5) Stateside, he resigns his commission to run for Congress, but seeing that "Military Hero" meant little to MA voters in 1970s, he switched over the the Jane Fonda Antiwar Camp, and "threw the medals away"?
6) Why did he petition Clayborne Pell several times to testify before Congress? ... only to lie and denigrate the service of those Fighting Forces still in Vietnam?

IMHO, this guy has been running for president for 34 years, and that makes me VERY suspicious.

[goldstategop]

The French Waffle makes the French look courageous.