[RicocheT]

Cleland served and did his duty. Don't attack his service record. If you are in a combat area one minute or one year, you are where any number of things can kill or maim you.

I do disagree with Cleland's political ideas in his post-Vietnam political jobs. You can disagree with those without putting down the Vet's service record. Same deal with Kerry and McCaine.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Cleland served and did his duty. Don't attack his service record. If you are in a combat area one minute or one year, you are where any number of things can kill or maim you.


Absolutely true- and these careless acts can also kill or maim others. The Military, following the example of companies which engage in dangerous activities (oil drilling, aviation, heavy construction, etc etc, now have professional Safety Officers and written procedures to try and avoid some of these pointless and stupid accidents. (Yes, I know that the Navy and Air Force took the lead in this many years ago- but I could still find you dozens of really awful accidents in both services, especially concerning ammunition-handling).
GOOGLE up the "Port Chicago Disaster", or the explosion of the "Mount Hood", for example. Or the LEXINGTON, or on and on and on. Equal time for the Air Force? How about the crash of the B-58 that was run into by a chase plane? Ironically, there for enhanced safety...

The Army was (VERY) late to institute formal safety programs- as I said elsewhere , I saw hundreds of accidental deaths, which were generally considered a "cost of doing business".

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

What does it take to immunize those of us who do not "buy" the official Democrat Party versions of Kerry's and Cleland's service records?
Is a RVCM enough? Or a VSM? Or do we need to have the MOH to make us "qualified" to have an opinion on this forum?

No, I don't think so- after all, practically NONE of the Democrats who are running down George Bushes NG service have ever worn a uniform (excrept perhaps one supplied by a fast-food outfit).

[Chapita]

If you had watched some average soldiers do some really heroic things, and get told that "they were just doing their duty", you may have a different opinion of others [money boys] who were awarded for "just doing their duty".

[Stone Mountain]

I do disagree with Cleland's political ideas in his post-Vietnam political jobs. You can disagree with those without putting down the Vet's service record. Same deal with Kerry and McCaine.

Bingo. It is repulsive and unseemly to see Freepers denigrating people who put their lives on the line for our country because they happen to hold a view that we don't agree with.