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."

[Jim Robinson]

Bump!

[prairiebreeze]

My sincere condolensces for your loss. Your husband's service was and remains, much appreciated by me and many others.

Prairie

[Kate of Spice Island]

LOL funny, and of course, Baghdad Jim McDermott was there on the spot to defend old Flipper. ********************************8

I thought this was the Wizard of OZ...pay no attention to those facts behind the curtain.

[deport]

LOL.......... Yes those reboots help a lot especially if you're using one of the MS operating systems..... Also sometimes by holding your mouse over the square area and right clicking and selecting show picture will bring it up, but not always....

[Kate of Spice Island]

Jim McDermott's Military Record: U.S. Navy Medical Corps, Lieutenant Commander, Chief Psychiatrist, Long Beach Naval Station, California, 1968-70.

**********************************************

Doctor, heal thyself!

[dstarr]

I have a shadow-box full of medals that my husband received but he was very modest about them. He didn't brag about any of them.

[daybreakcoming]

Tears in my eyes for your loss and for the country's loss of obviously a good man. Thank you for sharing and bless you.

[kcvl]

You will be in my prayers. He is MY HERO too!

[Damagro]

lol, good turn of phrase there Agnes

[dstarr]

I just get mad at Ketchup man for his use of whoever's medals he has and the fact that he was one of those who would have been there throwing the rotten vegetables.

[ohioWfan]

Prayers for you for your grief and loss. May God wrap His loving arms around you.

Your husband was a HERO.

[kcvl]

ROFLOL! I don't think there is any hope for "Baghdad Jim".

[dstarr]

We were both at the Freep here in Fayetteville last month and enjoyed the Viet Nam Veterans signs. I think my sister got a couple of them.

[patriciaruth]

Thanks for the ping.

Here's another good thread.:-)

An Opportunity to Help our Wounded Servicemen and Women

[rogue yam]

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

Eh, that's nothin'. I'll see yer Boxer an' Feinstein an' raise ya a Pelosi.

[hchutch]

Probably "Maverick" - he got the three kills and used the move that took down Tomb.

[bitt]

He should sue for definition of character.
//////////////////////

schweeeeet!

[Robert Warren Linville]

Please add me to your Ping List, Great Going, I'm proud to be a Freeper

[Flightdeck]

Don't forget Jim Traficant. My former shameful district gave him 15% of the vote...from prison; sentenced to 8 years for 11 counts of racketeering and basically being in the mob. Did I mention he is a democrat?

[easonc52]

God bless you and your family. I appreciate the fact that you indicated that you both enjoyed what you were doing.

My experience is a little different in that before my mother died, she went back to school, learned and exceeded in art, and touched many lives.

I miss her dearly, but am glad her last years meant so much to her.

God bless your husbands service.