EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter to the editor from Roland Gauvin of Cumberland, which ran Friday on Page B-2 headlined Local vet knows how Kerry feels, prompted this sharp response from another Vietnam veteran.

Mr. Gauvin, in 1969, a year after I graduated, I received my draft notice but I did not consider it a dilemma. My country did not draft me for my opinions on a war, it drafted me for my service. I studied history all through high school, and no war is popular but it is the reality of living in a world full of people who hate other people. It is one thing to voice your opinion about a war as a civilian, but once you put on a uniform and that war is still being fought, you should respect your fellow soldiers and not make an issue of the war. Your organization was a propaganda tool for the enemy, and there is documented statements from POWs that your movement added to their cruel treatment, and for that you should be held accountable. If you were against the war you should have waited till it was resolved and the POWs and fellow soldiers had returned home before voicing your dissention. John Kerry and the rest of your group owe the POWs and other Vietnam veterans an apology for aiding and abetting the enemy. As for your fellow brother in dissent, I challenge the Democratic National Committee and John Kerry himself to face me in a national debate, or sue me so we can go before a jury of our peers and go over his military record. I have over 12 years experience in Army regulations and the awarding of decorations, and I served one year in Vietnam at a base next to the Swift Boats in IV Corps and traveled throughout the Mekong Delta. I, too, have a Purple Heart, but true heroes don't brag about their medals, Heroes are humble, and others have their name on the wall of the memorial in Washington or live with the disabilities the war gave them without complaint.

AMEN!

I remember being interviewed by Laura Ingraham months ago on her radio show and telling her then that Kerry was a "baldfaced liar" and that same week Kerry saying that he may have exaggerated what he said about the "mass atrocities" committed in Viet Nam.

The clown lied about the "mass atrocities" and his service to receive his commendations, his crew mates know he lied, his C.O. knows lied and now we know he lied.

I only hope and pray that Americans do not add insult to injury by electing a lying traitor to be POTUS like they elected and reelected a draft dodger.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

PS There are some fish in the Pacific with my name on them looking for me so I'll bid you all a happy holiday.

Road to White House runs through Vietnam (Letters to
San Jose Mercury News - Sept 4, 2004)

I am distressed by the effectiveness of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads. It is causing me to lose faith in our democracy. Something must be done.

My suggestion may seem radical, but sometimes big problems require big changes. We should set up a special court of federal judges to determine the merit of accusations against any candidate running for national office before these charges can be leveled in television, print, or radio ads. Laws do not protect candidates from libel -- especially when the candidate is running for president. The prize is too great and the consequences too small.

Jennifer Zilliac
Palo Alto

You're right in saying that John Kerry's war record should be ``fair game to fair criticism'' (Opinion, Aug. 24). What we have seen this year so far has not been ``fair criticism.'' We have seen ad hominem attacks on Kerry's record that are not ``fair'' by any objective standards.

Anyone who has followed the debate on Kerry's medals closely knows that the charges brought against him were unsubstantial at best, and at worst deliberate lies. Yes, Kerry should be ready to defend his record against ``fair criticism,'' but so far no such challenge exists.

Marty Dart
Los Gatos

As a Vietnam era veteran, I view John Kerry's war record from the perspective of one who served in this country's armed forces during that challenging time.

Kerry demonstrated how little he valued his comrades in arms (who were still engaged with the enemies of this country) when he spoke against them and joined with people and organizations actively working against their efforts and this country. Kerry revealed himself to be a turncoat after he returned from Vietnam. His Senate voting record over the last 19 years serves only to prove that he is no friend of this country's military.

Kerry is unfit to be the commander-in-chief of the United States.

Robert A. Huckaby
San Jose

I just returned from a week in Canada. I saw a Canadian TV news update on the Swift Boat/Texas National Guard controversy, after which one broadcaster said to the other, ``It looks like they are going to run the entire election on things that did or didn't happen 35 years ago.'' The other broadcaster replied, ``Incredible, isn't it?'' Then they both shook their heads in disbelief.

My feelings exactly.

Mark Nelson
San Jose

I wonder if the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth realize what they are doing.

If we are to believe that John Kerry is not entitled to his medals, we must accept that the officers in charge of determining eligibility for an award were careless. If that were the case, it places in doubt the validity of all medals awarded during the Vietnam conflict.

Although atrocities were committed by some of our troops, most who served in Vietnam did so honorably and are entitled to whatever awards they received.

Kerry had every right to report the war as he experienced it. All veterans have that right. But they should not cast aspersions on others whose experiences were different from their own.

Irene Thomas
Aptos

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/9581093.htm

THE UNDOCUMENTED CANDIDATE

Every official document requested from President Bush has been released.

John Kerry has avoided releasing any of his official documents relating to:

1. Attendance in private and public intelligence meetings.

2. Attendance when the senate was in session.

3. His and his wife’s IRS returns.

4. His military records.

Come on already, we even have President Bush’s dental records when he was in the Texas Air National Guard.

If anyone asks a question about “the wrong” candidate they are attacked and smeared by the news media. Who is the news media working for in this country? This isn’t the news media of my father’s generation. What has happened to them? Where have they gone? Today’s news media seem to be working in “lock step” with each other for an agenda that is not in the best interest of our great country, America. The people of America are waking up and they do not like what they are seeing.

It gives me GREAT PRIDE when Vietnam vets publicly stand up to Hanoi John!

One of the BIG reasons that Kerry has tanked in the polls is because of the Swiftees killer ads!

You can bet the DemocRAT 'smear the Swiftees' campaign will be kicked up to a whole new level now.

Support for the Swiftees is crucial right now, so they can get these ads on the air on REGULAR TV in battleground states.

FReepers are key in getting the word out about the righteousness of the SBVFT by exposing Kerry's FRAUD.

These Swiftee window stickers get the word out to the driving public, display public support for the SBVFT, as well as displaying the website address!

Swiftee window sticker thread - get yours! Freep mail for details.

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