Kerry Sees a Little Vietnam in Louisiana Coastline

Yahoo! News ^ | 4/21/04 | Patricia Wilson - Reuters

[NormsRevenge]

ST. BERNARD, La. (Reuters) -

The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet is a long way from the Mekong Delta, but it brought back memories for Democratic presidential hopeful and Vietnam War veteran John Kerry (news - web sites) on Wednesday.

Standing at the bow of a 25-foot power craft called "Fishing Magician" inspecting coastal erosion in southern Louisiana reminded Kerry of his days as commander of a Navy "swift" boat 35 years ago.

"I looked out at the shoreline and I commented that parts of it looked a lot like the rivers and coastline that I went through in Vietnam," the Massachusetts senator said.

He told about 100 supporters sweltering in the heat on the banks of the Mississippi that he had spent a lot of time "in a habitat that looked a little like this" as a young Naval officer. He said the 50-foot gunboat he commanded was built "right here in Louisiana."

But Kerry made no mention of the controversy over release of his full Navy records and questions about the first of three Purple Hearts he was awarded.

Under fire from Republicans, his campaign released some of his military records late Tuesday and Wednesday after questions were raised about the war wounds he suffered to earn his first Purple Heart.

Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said on "Meet the Press" on Sunday that he would release all of his military records, following the example of President Bush (news - web sites).

He has made his military service during the Vietnam War a focus of his campaign, and said last week Republicans like Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) and White House political adviser Karl Rove who never served in the military should not question his patriotism by criticizing his defense record.

SEVERITY OF WOUND

Kerry served as a swift boat commander in Vietnam's Mekong Delta in 1968 and 1969. His former commanding officer, Lt. Commander Grant Hibbard, has said he raised questions at the time about Kerry's first Purple Heart and the severity of the wound.

The documents released by the campaign include Kerry's Purple Heart citations. Purple Heart requirements do not specify the severity of the wound.

Kerry's visit to Shell Beach was tied to a three-day campaign swing through Florida, Louisiana and Texas focusing on the environment and fund-raising.

The son of a diplomat who graduated from Yale, joined the Navy, became a prosecutor and has served in the Senate for almost two decades, Kerry declared an affinity with the people of the tiny town of St. Bernard.

"We're both fishing people, we're both people of the sea," he said.

Kerry blasted Bush's environmental record and said the president had cut funding for coastal programs and refused to release the results of a study in Louisiana that was to outline a comprehensive plan to address the rapidly depleting coastline.

"Today, a piece of land the size of a football field sinks into the Gulf of Mexico on average every half hour," he said. "And coastal erosion isn't just swallowing your beaches, it's drowning your economy."

Kerry vowed to make coastline protection an environmental priority and said he would redirect part of offshore oil and gas revenues to a coastal conservation fund.

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., second from left, chats with fisherman Ken Campo, left, as U.S. Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record), D-La., second right, and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (news, bio, voting record), D-La., right, look on aboard a fishing boat off the coast of Shell Beach, La., Wednesday, April 21, 2004. Kerry toured areas of coastal erosion. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

[ilgipper]

GAG

Kerry sees a little bit of Vietnam in everything.

[The Lumster]

He didn't shoot any civilians this time did he?

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., shows off a necklace of shrimp boots and shrimp presented to him at a campaign stop at Shell Beach, La., Wednesday, April 21, 2004. Kerry was surveying Louisiana's coastal erosion problems. Kerry was presented the gift by Kenny Campo in place of a key to the city of Shell Beach, La. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

[Dog Gone]

At some point the voters are going to puke if they hear the word Vietnam coming from his lips one more time.

[uncitizen]

He didn't burn the village this time did he?

[Joe 6-pack]

"I looked out at the shoreline and I commented that parts of it looked a lot like the rivers and coastline that I went through in Vietnam," the Massachusetts senator said."

I wonder if he earned any Purple Hearts during his trip to Louisiana....

[68skylark]

"Parts of it looked a lot like the rivers and coastline that I went through in Vietnam," the Massachusetts senator said.

* groan *

It's going to be a long 6 months, boys and girls, with this guy as the candidate.

The only consolation is that the time is going to be even more painful for the Democrats who have to listen to this guy and pretend they really like him.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

He doesn't have much of a back to flash to does he?

That is the longest 4 months any of have ever had.

[Sofa King]

Nah. Too many rednecks with guns down here. Someone would shoot back :)

[Chinito]

"I looked out at the shoreline and I commented that parts of it looked a lot like the rivers and coastline that I went through in Vietnam," the Massachusetts senator said.

OMG - Now he's having flash-backs....

[Sofa King]

"The son of a diplomat who graduated from Yale, joined the Navy, became a prosecutor and has served in the Senate for almost two decades, Kerry declared an affinity with the people of the tiny town of St. Bernard."

LOL! Either this author is a bit slow, or this is intentional.

[Army Air Corps]

Did he burn the homes of Cajuns and terrorize their children while there? Did a crawfish bite him so that he could award a medal to himself?

[pogo101]

Kerry served in Vietnam?? Who knew?

[Bogey78O]

New Orleans is home to the 8th largest population of Vietnamese in America. Most of them came from families that fled the NVA victory. Wonder how many were there to support him.

[Army Air Corps]

Another thing, I know someone who served in a PBR in Vietnam. He is a history professor and has talked about riverine operations in Vietnam. The Swiftboats rarely went down rivers. They were employed mostly on coastal patrol where their size and speed could be used to greater advantage.

[Sofa King]

"Did a crawfish bite him so that he could award a medal to himself?"

HA! Good one!

[Howlin]

FYI.

[Pukin Dog]

I know a few Navy Vietnam vets here in Miramar, and for each one of them, getting them to talk about Vietnam is like pulling teeth. Kerry is out of control. A poser with a 4 month service record, coming off as if he were the next Gen Patton. He makes me ill.