You hit the nail on the head. I was at a FReep of John Edwards arrival in Jacksonville, Fl, this past Monday and I was holding my anti-Kerry Vietnam signs and wearing my "Stop Hanoi John Kerry 2004" . One of the Bush supporters (there were about 65 of us), a lady in her 30's, stated "I don't have a problem with what Kerry did to protest the war. This is America and it's free speech. I don't want him raising my insurance costs and making my business go bankrupt because of trial lawyers and regulation." I about lost it! I emotionally explained to her what Kerry's words and actions did to a whole generation of GI's. About how many lived in shame for many years and some are still living that way. I explained to her how Kerry's using Vietnam as his main qualification is like re-opening those wounds and pouring salt right in there. She could see the look in my eyes. Although she didn't say much after that, I am quite sure she got it.
There was also an young (late 20's) active duty sailor there at the FReep. He said he knows all about Kerry and his betrayal of Vietnam Veterans. He learned it from his dad, whom he said hates Kerry with a passion. I suspect his dad is a lot like me, and I am glad to know that he has taught his children about him. I think Kerry did us all a favor by portraying himself a war hero. It is motivating our whole generation to make our voices heard and tell everyone the TRUTH about Hanoi John!
They need all the help we can give them however.
The nations media refuses to get the point of our argument and is standing in the way. They see it as a partisan attack.
It is personal, but it is not partisan. If Bush had done what Kerry did, he would be on the recieving end of this now. Or, he never would have been elected.