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No one is attacking Kerry's Vietnam record. In fact he probably gets more respect from conservatives than from liberals about that part of his resume.

But just because he served with distinction doesn't mean his political ideas are sound or that he'd make a good president. George McGovern was a bomber pilot in WWII, does that mean that no non-veterans had the moral authority to vote against him in 1972? Adolf Hitler won several medals for valor while serving in the German army in WWI. Does that mean his political views are above criticism by anyone other than highly decorated war veterans?

I live in Massachusetts. According to your logic, I should not be allowed to say anything bad about my junior senator because I've never served in the armed forces. Sorry, if it makes me a "chickenhawk" to say this, but I think he is a patrician snob and he'd be a lousy president.

Did I say anything about supporting Kerry because of his military record? I just wanted to point out that unlike some Democrat politicians of our acquaintance, John Kerry did not sit his tour out in a Saigon hotel. His military service and his courage in battle have nothing to do with his political beliefs.

Yep McGovern flew 35 missions in South Central Europe from North Africa and Italy. He semi crash landed his B-24 on a small Brit controlled isle off Yugoslavia after a bombing run over Vienna. He earned a DFC.

But his valor aside, his politics are about the worst this nation has ever seen.

Military valor often contributes to political wisdom but not always.