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Kerry enlisted, because the draft board turned down his request to go study in Paris instead, and when you volunteered, you got a choice, while if they drafted you, you didn't (as I understand).

This is the quote from the original interview with Kerry in the Harvard Crimson, 1970:

"When he approached his draft board for permission to study for a year in Paris, the draft board refused and Kerry decided to enlist in the Navy."

Then there is a question about why wasn't Kerry court-marshalled, when he refused a direct order from his superiors. (from same article)

"One time Kerry was ordered to destroy a Viet Cong village but disobeyed orders and suggested that the Navy Command simply send in a Psychological Warfare team to be friend the villagers with food, hospital supplies, and better educational facilities. "

John Kerry: A Navy Dove Runs for Congress [Original Interiew]
Harvard Crimson ^ | 2/18/1970 | Crimosn Staff Writer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1075941/posts

"When he approached his draft board for permission to study for a year in Paris, the draft board refused and Kerry decided to enlist in the Navy."

Then there is a question about why wasn't Kerry court-marshalled, when he refused a direct order from his superiors. (from same article)

"One time Kerry was ordered to destroy a Viet Cong village but disobeyed orders and suggested that the Navy Command simply send in a Psychological Warfare team to be friend the villagers with food, hospital supplies, and better educational facilities. "

It's obvious that in their hysteria to get "Anyone Who Could Beat Bush", the DNC forgot to vet Kerry. Whoops ! The research being done in Freeperville in just a few days,is awesome. Freepers have put the mainstream press to shame.As usual. Last night,on Nightline,Stan Greenberg,DNC pollster,said that Kerry's Vietnam service was going to be " the issue" which propels him to the WH. Ho Chi Kerry was 25 and saw combat in Vietnam for 120 days.I can't imagine electing anyone President of the United States on the basis of what they did, for 4 months, when they were 25 yrs old.
Rudy,the 72 yr old contestant from "Survivor" was in Vietnam a whole year,as a SEAL,so,by the DNC standards,he should jump ahead of Ho Chi and be the new Democrat front runner.