KERRY PLAYS A FIERCE DEFENSE

New York Post ^ | 4/17/04 | DEBORAH ORIN

[Senator_Blutarski]

Kerry really confuses me. He criticizes those who did not serve in Viet Nam. But he was against the war and called the US troops criminals and murders. So which side is he on?

Oh that's right. Both sides!

[cricket]

"Why, if Kerry is so proud of his Vietnam record, won't he make all of his service records public? What is he afraid of?"

We know he is not afraid of appearing arrogant. We know humility is not in any of his genes.

One can only conclude; it is the truth that johneffenkerry fears.

[DeaconRed]

"My brother was in Vietnam, 87th Airborne

I think you meant the 82nd AIRBORNE.

[DeaconRed]

"One can only conclude; it is the truth that johneffenkerry fears."

Yes
You hit the nail on the head.

[Senator_Blutarski]

Echoing a point from another thread, why is taking a student a student deferment less patriotic than getting 3 scratches and using a "3 wounds and you're out" policy to avoid futher service?

Kerry didn't get seriously wounded (I get worse wounds changing spark plugs) but used those minor wounds to escape military service. By his own standards, isn't that cowardly and unpatriotic?

[OrioleFan]

He's afraid that the records actually show he only got (notice I didn't say earned) 2 PHs. I think the Boston Globe articles are bringing this out as an issue. The first injury was not as a result of direct fire and his commanding officer rightly turned it down.

[cricket]

"I'm tired of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney and a bunch of people who went out of their way to avoid their chance to serve when they had the chance."

Obviously Kerry sees the White House as only a 'power seat' rather than a 'serving America' opportunity. I surely hope Bush challenges him on this one.

Mr. Ugly; just got uglier and it is no wonder that his campaign is no better.

BTW; Algore we know did a photo-op with security protection. . .how about Bill Richardson; Leon Panetta. . .John Podesta? They all 'serve'? Terry McAulliffe? The hand of Bill Clinton is going to smack this man hard - sooner than later, perhaps

[cricket]

And they were screaming bloody murder about Bush releasing his last month?

You know the ad where there are two Kerry's. . .

Think this format would be great -hearing Kerry's droning voice; using same words that he used challenging Bush on his service record to be disclosed. . .and the 'other' Kerry, not responding.

Could do the same with Kerry's words ie throwing the gauntlet for openess re tax returns - as used against others; and add, 'but his wife just says 'NO'

Come on Repubs; Kerry continues to be his own best enemy; let's continue to USE him!

[JoeGar]

"I've seen how these people in the White House today, in their twisted sense of ethics and morality, don't think twice about challenging John McCain and what happened to him as a [Vietnam] prisoner of war," Kerry said.

What happened to McCain is that, as a POW, he was subjected to psychological torture when his captives played John Kerry anti-American speeches twice a day. It took McCain nearly 20 years to reconcile with Kerry. A lot of former POWs never have.

[oldironsides]

Kerry was in Philadelphia yesterday and the signs held up at the rally and shown on the news programs were interesting.

J.F.K. 2004

[punster]

It sounds like they really drew blood this time. Kerry is squaling like a stuck pig.

[JOE43270]

I may not agree with John McCain but I respect him. john f'ing kerry did not live through the North Vietnamese like McCain did. I really believe I've suffered worse injuries than kerry did in everday life and just kept on going. I don't want this man to be President of our coutry. Bush has to and in my mind will win in 2004. We have to make it happen. IN GOD WE TRUST!

[wingman1]

It's the 82d Airborne and it wasn't easy to EARN medals for valor or gallantry.

You are partly correct in that the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal (without V devices) were awarded for "meritorious service" and were fairly common. Jessica Lynch's BSM falls into this category.

The debate about Kerry, as I predicted a while back, creates the perception that all medals were awarded due to "medal inflation". This is not true.

[The Electrician]

Kerry's Vietnam record also came into question this week from his former commanding officer, who questioned whether Kerry deserved the first of his three Purple Hearts, saying he suffered just a tiny scratch. Kerry says that's wrong.

This is evidently what has unbalanced Kerry. He knows that it's the truth, so he "protests too much" and lashes out. The whole tone of his statements has been unusually sanctimonious (even for Kerry), and completely over the top. Is he perhaps on his way to a mental breakdown? Seriously... I can't believe that a savvy campaign manager would have advised him to go down this path, which makes him look weak and out of control. He truly believes that his Vietnam credentials are going to save him from real scrutiny of his extreme leftist beliefs and voting record, and suddenly the facade is crumbling - after all, the questions about his first Purple Heart were raised, not by Fox News or the Washington Times, but by the Boston Globe, practically in his backyard. That has got to sting.

[R. Scott]

Hanoi John talking about some else’s “twisted sense of ethics and morality”?
If ethics opposite his are “twisted”, I’m glad to announce that I have a “twisted sense of ethics and morality”.

[Robert A Cook PE]

And the headline says "Defense" ....

As if it were Bush that has been "attcking" Kerry for months and months!

[VadeRetro]

This has been going on intermittently for months, pretending to understand questions on his execrable 20 year voting record in the Senate as being whether he served in Vietnam. By November, most people should have realized that if he isn't being dishonest about what he understands then he's an idiot.

[R. Scott]

[Robert A Cook PE]

HIS medals (self-promoted, welf-written, and self-exaggerated) WERE awarded duo to Kerry's own "medal inflation."

[wingman1]

All I've heard is speculation. And I've read many references about how gnerally easy it was to receive medals in RVN. It wasn't.

I can think of nothing worse than to attack someone's military record. The Bush campaign smartly believes likewise.

What Kerry did after returning home is fair game and subject to criticism. Same with his record in Congress.