I was born in 1962 and I used to believe that the TV News told us the truth. Until recently I believed that the Media was now full of liars, but that during my formative years they were more honest.
Now, I am sure that the Media was full of liars all along, and I hate them for it. Everything I used to believe was true is now suspect. I am having to relearn much of what I thought I already knew.
I suspect that many Americans are in the same boat. I applaud the SwiftVets for telling the truth, I hope they find inner peace.
I, too, was born in 1962. I know exactly where you're coming from. I could have written your post myself.
I've met a few "Viet Nam Vets" who were totally screwed up in the head because of "what our government made them do." It was always confusing to me to hear their stories, because it was so completely different from the experiences of the few Vets I knew personally. Strange how the few I knew personally were so well adjusted, but the many I barely knew were so screwed up. I'm just now figuring out they were imposters. I remember kerry's testimoy before the Senate in 1971. I was too young then to understand most of it, but the shocking stuff really sunk in. A nine year old girl doesn't forget the image of her heroes cutting off the enemies' ears, and electrocuting their genitals.