Kerry called 'Hanoi John' by Republican in US House

NZ Herald ^ | 4-23-04

[jmstein7]

John Kerry was denounced as "Hanoi John" in the US House of Representatives on Thursday as Republicans attacked the Democratic presidential candidate's record as an outspoken foe of the Vietnam War.

One by one, several Republicans, many of them Vietnam veterans, stood and challenged Kerry's patriotism. They did so in marking the 33rd anniversary of Kerry's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as a leader of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

"On this day in 1971, John Kerry showed his true colours, and they are not red, white and blue," said Rep. Sam Johnson, a Texas Republican.

"Before the Senate, before America, and before the world, he blasted our nation, chastised our troops and hurt our morale," said Johnson, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

"Is it any wonder that my comrades from Vietnam and I have a nickname for him similar to 'Hanoi Jane'," the name given to war foe and actress Jane Fonda, Johnson said. "It's called 'Hanoi John'."

Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican, added: "We do not need a 'Jane Fonda' as commander in chief."

Democrats were not in the chamber when Republicans began what one denounced as "a sneak attack," but several rushed in to defend Kerry. They noted he won awards for bravery and heroism in Vietnam as well as three Purple Hearts.

Representative Jim McDermott, a Washington Democrat, took the offensive in speaking up for Kerry by appearing to allude to questions about whether President George W. Bush shirked his duties while a member of the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War.

Without mentioning Bush by name, McDermott said: "For anybody to come out here and attack his (Kerry's) war record, you have to have pretty good credentials."

"If served and showed up for drills at your local National Guard, I think those would be acceptable credentials," McDermott said. "But if your were in the National Guard, and you didn't show up ... you have real nerve to start an attack on John Kerry's character."

Rep. Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican, chaired the House at the time of the heated exchanges and repeatedly pointed out that chamber rules do not permit personal attacks on senators.

Yet the drumbeat of criticism against Senator Kerry of Massachusetts continued.

"John Kerry should apologise," said Representative Cliff Stearns, a Florida Republican.

Representative John Larson, a Connecticut Democrat, said: "What we need is leadership, the kind that John Kerry provided in the fields of Vietnam ... that he will provide as president of the United States."

[kcvl]

McDermott said: "For anybody to come out here and attack his (Kerry's) war record, you have to have pretty good credentials."

Randy "Duke" Cunningham has very "good credentials", so shut up "Baghdad Jim"!

In 1966, at the age of 25, Cunningham joined the U.S. Navy and became one of the most highly decorated pilots in the Vietnam War. As the first fighter ace of the war, Cunningham was nominated for the Medal of Honor, received the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations.

Duke's experience in Vietnam and his background as an educator prepared him well to train fighter pilots at the Navy Fighter Weapons School -- the famed "Top Gun" program at Miramar Naval Air Station. As Commanding Officer of the elite Navy Adversary Squadron, Cunningham flew Russian tactics and formations against America's best combat fighter pilots. Many of his real-life experiences as a Navy aviator and fighter pilot instructor were depicted in the popular movie "Top Gun."

[Libertina]

Every picture on my threads has a red x in tongight... what's the problem?

[deport]

Every picture on my threads has a red x in tongight... what's the problem?

---

Shush...... It's a secret for the time being.....

[MarkL]

By the way does anyone know McDermotts record?

IIRC, he was a very strong supporter of Sadaam Hussien... Didn't he pretty much call the President a liar on world wide TV while he was visiting his buddie in Bagdahd?

Mark

[justanotherday]

I believe I win that title. Kerry and Kennedy are my "elected" representatives.

[nopardons]

Benedict Arnold was a far superior WAR HERO,than Hanoi John can ever lay claim to,but Arnold was also a traitor.So is Hanoi John...a traitor.

[SoDak]

Is it making him cry?

[Dan from Michigan]

I have to wonder. Was Viper (Tom Skerrit's character) based on Cunnningham?

[cripplecreek]

I'll trade you two Levins and a Stabenow for the McDermot.

[pookie18]

Hope not...some then might mistake him for a compassionate Conservative ;-)

[F.J. Mitchell]

If the only leadership credentials Kerry has in his resume is a few months in Nam. as a junior grade officer, he is far from qualified for promotion to Commander-in-Chief, 33 years of professional gigolo and playboy experience later.

[SoDak]

No worries, Chrissy won't ever get mistaken for any kind of conservative.

[onedoug]

McDermott and Bonoir both claimed to be Vietnam veterans when thy came back from stroking Saddam, pre-war.

Liars and Traitors, both.

[kcvl]

I bet Chris Matthews didn't mention the service of either of the Reps who called pansy Kerry names either. They didn't get their medals for scratches in less than four months either. I hope they cram Kerry's medals down his lying throat. Kerry started the crap not President Bush or anyone else in the Republican party.

*****

After growing up in Dallas and graduating from Southern Methodist University, Johnson began his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. In the Korean War, he flew F-86s in 62 combat missions.

In the Vietnam War, Johnson flew F-4s. While flying his 25th combat mission in 1966, he was shot down over North Vietnam. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war, half of that time in solitary confinement. Fellow POW Capt. James Mulligan, USN (Ret.) recalled the day Johnson was allowed to return to a joint cell. He walked into the room with the two other detained American officers, "stood at attention with tears in his eyes, and said simply, 'Lieutenant Colonel Sam Johnson reporting for duty, sir'...after he had not talked to or directly been with an American for three full years." Johnson recounts the details of his POW experience in his autobiography, Captive Warriors.

A decorated war hero, Johnson was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards.

[Joee]

Great Grit for "Letters to the Editor!"

[GretchenM]

FYI. I don't believe I've ever seen the likes of this.

So glad the veterans are standing up to their stateside oppressor.

[GeronL]

Hooah!!

Salute to our PROUD veterans who didn't commit atrocities =o)

[Two-Bits]

Nah I win, Boxer and Feinstein are my representatives....

[get'emall]

We've got Dennis Kucinich in Ohio. What a proud day when that twerp was elected.

[GretchenM]

fyi