Posted on 09/12/2004 7:36:19 PM PDT by Tail Gunner John
Edited on 09/12/2004 7:48:19 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
The following is an apology to be published in my local newspaper, The Bracken County News:
AN APOLOGY:
Dear Bracken County neighbors,
As you know I have a penchant for looking foolish at times. With most people this wouldn’t be of any concern to you. Unfortunately, I can look foolish on a county-wide basis. Last week I looked very foolish. I fear I did this at your expense. For this I am truly sorry.
On Wednesday, in Cincinnati, I confronted John Kerry. The manner in which I did this was both inappropriate and rude. I contend, however, that my actions were sanctioned completely by the First Amendment.
I was interviewed by an Associated Press correspondent who asked me if I had run for office in Bracken County. I truthfully told him that I had. This became part of his story. If my actions that day were in any way associated with the good people of Bracken County, I apologize.
I respect Senator Kerry for having worn the uniform. I have not. I respect Senator Kerry for having fought for this country. I have not. I respect Senator Kerry for going to Vietnam as I respect every Vietnam Veteran I have ever known in my life. My uncles Jimmy and Joe both did full tours in Vietnam. My brothers-in-law Fritz and Bruce served honorably in Vietnam as well.
When John Kerry came home from Vietnam he committed the grave and unforgivable sin of betraying his comrades in arms. Senator Kerry slandered all who served in Vietnam when he testified in the U.S. Senate on April 22, 1971. Senator Kerry’s statement included the following: “War crimes were committed in Southeast Asia, not isolated incidents but crimes committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command. Veterans said they had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in a fashion reminiscent of Ghengis Khan, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and generally ravaged the countryside of South Vietnam.”
How dare you! Senator Kerry, how dare you slander my relatives like this!
As a young boy one of my best friends was Steve Crawford. I grew up four doors down from Steve. Steve was five years older than me and somewhat of a big brother to me. My friend taught me how to play baseball. Senator Kerry, by the time you testified before the Senate, world, and Steve Crawford’s family, we had received Stevie home in box.
How dare you smear the memory of this poor boy! Stevie died that day not a war criminal but just a scared kid.
On April 18, 1971 John Kerry appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press. The correspondent from the Washington Evening Star asked, “Mr. Kerry, do you consider that you personally as a Naval officer committed atrocities in Vietnam or crimes punishable by law in this country?”
Mr. Kerry: “There are all kinds of atrocities, and I would have to say that yes, yes, I committed the same kinds of atrocities as thousands of other soldiers in the burning of villages. All of this is contrary to the laws of warfare, all of this is contrary to the Geneva Convention.”
Again, I say: “How many villages did you burn Senator?” Or was it all a lie concocted for political gain?
Given the opportunity to exercise my inappropriate and rude free speech rights with the Senator again, I would. I would not be surprised, however, if my two union brothers decided to express their inappropriate and rude free speech by throttling me once again.
Why bother? Kerry won't apologize, why should you?
Please tell me you have been lurkin for awhile before joining FR. Welcome.
I hope your letter doesn't get 'edited', if you know what I mean.
How did this all go down???
Nothing rude or inappropriate here.
I commend your bravery to express your opinions in hostile "indian" country. You knew the "hits" were coming and you did not flinch from exercising your rights of free speech. Good for you. Duck next time and maybe run a little faster. ;-)
Thank you for asking a question the annointed pansy press is afraid to ask.
John, you seem a little suspicious.
Never trust a newbie. :-P
Seems strange to me too....he didn't stick around to give any specifics on what this is all about.
this is BS. This guy went nuts at a rally and now will claim to be a "freeper" who did it. well, he went nuts on Kerry BEFORE he signed up at FR.
I smell a RAT trying to give FR a bad name.
Maybe I should go bonkers on Bush at a rally and then apologize later to the media saying I belong to DU? See my point?
Something stinks.
That apology is like apologizing to your brother by saying you are sorry you called him a rotten skunk when you meant to call him a rotten weasel.
Someone is hijacking your name.
Maybe instead the title of the thread should have the name "freeper" removed.
We already ID'd the guy from the rally.
Kerry camp says it was a SBVT, and that was a lie that has already been proven.
This is definately an attempt to link.
Follow Kerry's example
What in heavens name are you apoligizing for??? Hummmmm?
Go ahead and speak truth, they can't handle that!
They don't give a rip for your apology.
Or are you just trying to get on our/their good side? ;-)
You don't have too.
So welcome!
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