Kerry should resign after latest troop insult

You and I have a lot in common. We both were in Vietnam in the late 1960s. You were in the Navy and I was in the Army. I was a combat infantryman and you commanded a swift boat. We share many of the same decorations, although my wounds were not self-inflicted, as you did for two of the three Purple Hearts you claim. But, hey! That was then and this is now.

I paid very close attention to your congressional testimony in the spring of 1971 when you described all the rapes, beheadings, ear collecting, village burnings, random civilian shootings, dope smoking and all the other things you said you personally observed during your three months in Vietnam.

I recall being taken aback by how different your war experience was from mine and my Army colleagues’ in the 101st Airborne Division. Maybe it was the fact that, when walking point on a patrol, you just don’t have that much spare time to take in the "big picture" that you witnessed. But hey! Let bygones be bygones, right?

I couldn’t help but note your most recent observation on those who make up our military fighting forces. I know, I know. You said it was a botched joke, but, come on. This may surprise you, but I have a college degree. I know good jokes - good jokes are friends of mine. You sir, were not making a joke.

(continued)You know what I think, senator? I think that you, like so many from the hippie era, just can’t seem to let go of the good old days. I think you were transported back to the days of the draft when "smart" kids escaped the draft by hiding out in college. I think your "study hard or you’ll end up in Iraq" comment just kind of came out from the deep recesses of a brain running on autopilot - you know, like shouting out "Hell no, we won’t go" or "Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" Stuff like that just slips out at inappropriate times.

News flash! The military is an all-volunteer operation now. Maybe you didn’t get the memo. Those of you who make up the liberal elite have always seemed to have a high level of disdain for groups that don’t fit your mold. You think that the men and women who defend your right to be an idiot are morons. I beg to disagree.

You have managed to insult every man and woman currently wearing the uniform of our nation, every veteran who has ever worn the uniform in past years and every family member of these brave men and women.

Your defiant refusal to apologize, and your lame attempt to demand that President Bush apologize instead, have only served to expose you for the prostitute that you are. I am not going to join the ever-growing chorus of those calling upon you to apologize. I think the only honorable thing to do is to resign your seat and go sailing or whatever it is you billionaires do with your spare time.

I know you are fixated on the Nov. 7 election, but there is another important date coming up this month. It’s called Veteran’s Day and we celebrate it on Nov. 11. Maybe you and Mrs. Kerry could take a walk down to The Wall and look at what real heroic fighting men and women look like. When you see your reflection staring back at you it might be a good time to take a real gut check of your own miserable self.

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