Unpatriotic

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism," George Washington once warned. Patriotism is defined as a love and devotion to one's country. But to love something, one must have an understanding of what that thing is, its nature and its values. During an election year, one should look at the candidates-separately, not in a comparison but in an evaluation that takes only that person into account. One must consider a candidate's true character outside of the "photo-op" moments that are staged to make him look charismatic, wholesome, passionate or "a man of the people."

Voters must put all that aside and ask themselves if the candidate really is a patriot, whether he can remain true to the principles that men like George Washington built a new nation upon and whether he is truly an heir to the same.

A petition being circulated by The Federalist, which claims to be "the most widely read e-journal in America," considers John Kerry in this manner. It presents evidence however that Kerry is not even eligible to hold his current position as senator.

According to The Federalist petition, which can be found at www.kerry-04.com, Kerry's 1970 meeting in Paris with North Vietnamese Army Communists violates the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 104 part 904. The article states that "any person who without proper authority, knowingly...communicates or corresponds with or holds any intercourse with the enemy, either directly or indirectly...shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct."

Such an infraction clearly violates the sworn oath Kerry took when he became a military officer, to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies " and to "bear true faith and allegiance to the same."

Yet despite that fact, he was voted into the Senate, which The Federalist says is a position he is not legally entitled to hold. According to the 14th Amendment, "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President ... having previously taken an oath... to support the Constitution of the United States, (who has) engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

The words "given comfort" could take the form of giving supplies to a country that may help during a war, but the most powerful form of support any human could give another is moral support-to grant him confirmation that the cause he is fighting for is just. But rather than giving such support to his fellow troops during the Vietnam war, Kerry was granting it to their enemy, in violation of military law.

There are many other claims that draw to attention his reprehensible conduct during the Vietnam War, from accusing his fellow soldiers of horrible war crimes to tossing medals on the White House lawn to founding an organization that would later plot the assassination of pro-war Congress-men during that time. While these things are discussed on such Web sites as http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com, there may be some who are skeptical of Web sites and even letters written by soldiers who fought beside him.

For those who are skeptical or may dismiss his antics as being "in the past," the sad truth is Kerry is still capable of such dishonorable acts-and is still performing them.

On Feb. 8 the Tehran Times published an e-mail sent by the Kerry campaign promising that, as president, Kerry would try to restore relations "at risk" due to "the actions and attitudes" of the Bush administration. "Disappointment with the current U.S. leadership is widespread," the e-mail said, "extending not just to the corridors of power and politics, but to the man and woman on the street as well."

The Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran was appalled. In its official response to Kerry, the committee wrote: "Senator, by sending such a message directly to the organs and megaphones of the dictatorial Islamic regime, you have given them credibility, comfort and embraced this odious theocracy. You have encouraged and emboldened a tyrannical regime to use this as propaganda and declare 'open season' on the freedom fighters in Iran."

Given the facts, it would seem that The Federalist's petition to remove Sen. Kerry from office is appropriate. Further, it would seem that Kerry does not even qualify as a presidential candidate, according to the Constitution. By violating his oath and the laws of military officers and statesmen, Kerry has proven himself a traitor. Though traitors are no longer given the fate of "a long rope and a short drop," the least he deserves is to be removed from office and prohibited from ever occupying such posts.

Given the facts, it would seem that The Federalist's petition to remove Sen. Kerry from office is appropriate.

It may be appropriate, but it's a waste of time and energy because it's isn't going anywhere. Better to work very hard to get out the Republican vote this November.

My tagline until the election:
A vote for Kerry-Edwards is a vote for Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Jacques Chirac, the UN, International Criminal Court, and Hollyweirdos.
Failure to vote, or a vote for a minority party, is a vote for Kerry-Edwards (unless you’re a liberal/Leftist who’ll vote Nader, a minority party, or stay home).

Kerry Says He Will Repair Damage If He Wins Election
http://www.tehrantimes.com/archives.asp
February 8, 2004

WASHINGTON (Mehr News Agency) -- The office of Senator John Kerry, the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary in the U.S., sent the Mehr News Agency an e-email saying that Kerry will try to repair the damage done by the incumbent president if he wins the election. The text of the e-mail follows.

As Americans who have lived and worked extensively overseas, we have personally witnessed the high regard with which people around the world have historically viewed the United States. Sadly, we are also painfully aware of how the actions and the attitudes demonstrated by the U.S. government over the past three years have threatened the goodwill earned by presidents of both parties over many decades and put many of our international relationships at risk.

It is in the urgent interests of the people of the United States to restore our country's credibility in the eyes of the world. America needs the kind of leadership that will repair alliances with countries on every continent that have been so damaged in the past few years, as well as build new friendships and overcome tensions with others.

We are convinced that John Kerry is the candidate best qualified to meet this challenge. Senator Kerry has the diplomatic skill and temperament as well as a lifetime of accomplishments in field of international affairs. He believes that collaboration with other countries is crucial to efforts to win the war on terror and make America safer.

An understanding of global affairs is essential in these times, and central to this campaign Kerry has the experience and the understanding necessary to successfully restore the United States to its position of respect within the community of nations. He has the judgment and vision necessary to assure that the United States fulfills a leadership role in meeting the challenges we face throughout the world.

The current Administration's policies of unilateralism and rejection of important international initiatives, from the Kyoto Accords to the Biological Weapons Convention, have alienated much of the world and squandered remarkable reserves of support after 9/11. This climate of hostility affects us all, but most especially impacts those who reside overseas. Disappointment with current U.S. leadership is widespread, extending not just to the corridors of power and politics, but to the man and woman on the street as well.

We believe John Kerry is the Democrat who can go toe-to-toe against the current Administration on national security and defense issues. We also remain convinced that John Kerry has the best chance of beating the incumbent in November, and putting America on a new course that will lead to a safer, more secure, and more stable world.

P.S. Gig 'em! '65

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