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HEROES DON'T SHOUT
New York Post ^ | 8/24/04 | RALPH PETERS

Posted on 08/24/2004 1:19:15 AM PDT by kattracks

[snip]

John Kerry doesn't show a trace of integrity. Those constant flip-flops to suit the prevailing political winds are more troubling to military folks than many of the issues themselves.

Integrity matters to those in uniform. You have to be able to depend on the guy in the next foxhole — or swift boat. Trust is more important than any technology.

And John Kerry just doesn't seem trustworthy.

Finally — and this is the one the pundits have trouble grasping, given the self-promoting nature of today's culture — real heroes don't call themselves heroes. Honorable soldiers or sailors don't brag. They let their deeds speak for themselves. Some of the most off-putting words any veteran can utter are "I'm a war hero."

Real heroes (and I've been honored to know some) never portray their service in grandiose terms, telling TV cameras that they're reporting for duty. Real heroes may be proud of the sacrifices they offered, but they don't shout for attention.

This is so profoundly a part of the military code of behavior that it cannot be over-emphasized. The rule is that those who brag about being heroes usually aren't heroes at all. Bragging is for drunks at the end of the bar, not for real vets. And certainly not for anyone who wishes to trade on his service to become our commander-in-chief.

[snip]

Kerry says many of the right things. But I can't believe a word of it. I just can't trust John Kerry. I can't trust him to lead, I can't trust him to fight — and I can't trust him to make the right kind of peace.

I have reservations about voting for George W. Bush. But I have no reservations about voting against John Kerry. And I'm not alone.


(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: kerry; ralphpeters; swiftboatveterans
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1 posted on 08/24/2004 1:19:15 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks

Great editorial! You should read it all.


2 posted on 08/24/2004 1:23:09 AM PDT by dennisw (Allah FUBAR!)
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To: dennisw

Ralph is on target..and Kerry is in the crosshairs!


3 posted on 08/24/2004 1:24:52 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: dennisw

Apparently, Peters is not a Bush fan, so this editorial can't be depicted as just a hit on Kerry from a Bush sycophant.


4 posted on 08/24/2004 1:36:34 AM PDT by kattracks (http://www.swiftvets.com/)
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To: kattracks

bttt


5 posted on 08/24/2004 1:37:01 AM PDT by lainde (Heads up...We're coming and we've got tongue blades!!)
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To: kattracks

Correct. Ralph Peter's hardly a fan of GWBush. Notice the nutty dig he gets in at the end over Cheney-Haliburton. It's a Michael Moore talking point.


6 posted on 08/24/2004 1:39:00 AM PDT by dennisw (Allah FUBAR!)
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To: MEG33

7 posted on 08/24/2004 1:40:00 AM PDT by dennisw (Allah FUBAR!)
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To: kattracks
...it's nonetheless stunning for so many vets to denounce a former comrade publicly. It just doesn't happen unless something's really wrong.

That says it all doesn`t it? Never in my life have I known any vet to trash another vet like this, unless it was someone who said they went to Nam but never did. He`s right, it just doesn`t happen no matter how different their politics may be. Kerry took sides directly against the Viet vets and lied in that book. If there`s nothing that pi**es a vet more, it`s someone who lies about their service. I remember where I use to work I use to see this one legged guy who use to panhandle for cash in the street and he would have a sign that said "Vietnam Vet, please help" and every once in a while you would see a real Vietnam Vet come up and ask him about it, and would TOTALLY curse the guy out when he found out he was lying, that he never went to `Nam. I mean go completely ape-sh*t on the bum. I think that`s what is p-ssing off the Swift boat Vets more than anything.

8 posted on 08/24/2004 1:40:06 AM PDT by Imaverygooddriver (I`m John Kerry and I approve this message: "I am a pinko punk azz")
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To: dennisw

I just posted this editorial on a forum where Carter is thought to be the best President and Bush the worst by the lefties. A few brave conservatives post really good things...I just do articles...I can't talk to people who consider Carter one of our greatest Presidents.


9 posted on 08/24/2004 1:47:03 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: kattracks
What domestic policies do you think Peter's is appalled by? Taxation, the enviornment or what?

I did read one of Peter's books on terrorism, and oddly enough he made several references to a woman's right to choose in that book. The context of those references, IIRC, deliberated on parallels between the Islamic affinity for the suppression of women, and the American Christians gloom and doom view of society.

Then and now, I thought his rallying to the cause of 'choice' to be oddly inserted and gratuitous. But back to my question; appalled is a strong word, so I'd like to know specifically what he's referring to. Wish he would have elaborated.

10 posted on 08/24/2004 1:48:14 AM PDT by AlbionGirl
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To: Imaverygooddriver

One vet said he had a flash back hearing Kerry say Ghenghis Khan on the tape from 71...It was played to him in a POW camp in Vietnam and he recognized the pronunciation...I despise Kerry for his after service harm done to his comrades in arms....I am glad the vets have a chance to be heard.....

He is a HYPOCRITE, a liar and he slandered his own military mates...and reenacted his heroics and had them filmed...Gag.


11 posted on 08/24/2004 1:55:05 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: kattracks

P-o-w-e-r-f-u-l editorial, even with the Cheney-Halliburton dig near the end. Kerry is indeed, the drunk at the end of the bar, shouting for attention. And America is beginning to see through it.


12 posted on 08/24/2004 1:57:16 AM PDT by 7.62 x 51mm (• Veni • Vidi • Vino • Visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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To: kattracks

BTTT. My husband says the same thing. Real heroes aren't interested in the medals either. They did what they had to do and most just want to forget about it. My husband turned down a Purple Heart. He didn't want it. He wouldn't wear the Bronze Star either.


13 posted on 08/24/2004 1:58:47 AM PDT by ETERNAL WARMING (He is faithful!)
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To: Imaverygooddriver
I think another reason for the very strong emotions is the treatment many Vietnam vets received when they returned. Kerry and his peacenik ilk were responsible for the hideous treatment these men had to endure. Aside from the hardships they had to overcome as fighting men, they had to face the hostile rejection of many "Americans" when the came home.

And now Kerry expects they will forget the lies and slander and quietly accept the fact that this lowlife thinks he deserves to become CIC.

14 posted on 08/24/2004 1:58:52 AM PDT by kattracks (http://www.swiftvets.com/)
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To: kattracks

Ralph Peters is NOT a pro-Bush shill. But its clear he thinks John F*ckin's a certifiable liar and is unfit to command our military. Its again pertinent to recall the Pittsburgh Steeler's great Jack Hamm's famous observation here: "True greatness does not need to be defined or explained." Kerry keeps having to explain to people who he is. And besides his lies, he has incessantly violated for political advantage the one part of military decorum soldiers, sailors and airmen all subscribe to, whether in uniform or back in civilian life: don't be a braggart. There's something off-putting about a guy who has to draw attention to his medals and wartime exploits. Quite simply, besides getting us all killed, Kerry does not have the integrity to be President. End of story.


15 posted on 08/24/2004 2:00:46 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: dennisw; prairiebreeze; onyx; Texasforever; CyberAnt; BigSkyFreeper; Tamsey; mrs tiggywinkle; ...
Kerry says many of the right things. But I can't believe a word of it. I just can't trust John Kerry. I can't trust him to lead, I can't trust him to fight — and I can't trust him to make the right kind of peace.

I have reservations about voting for George W. Bush. But I have no reservations about voting against John Kerry. And I'm not alone.

It comes down to .. who do you trust with your life

It sure ain't John Kerry

16 posted on 08/24/2004 2:05:33 AM PDT by Mo1 (FR NEWS ALERT .... John Kerry over dosed on Botox and thinks he's Bob KerrEy)
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To: kattracks
I'm frankly not all that impressed with this article. Leave aside the trash-talking about Bush/Cheney, he sneaks in a few Democrat talking points as if they're fact.

Yes, Kerry deserves credit for serving, whether he volunteered out of patriotism or because he had cast himself as the "next JFK," with a swift boat subbing for PT-109.

But what if he "volunteered" only because his attempted draft deferment to go study in Paris (far dodgier than Cheney getting a deferment for having a child, which 9 million other Americans also received a deferment for) failed, and he was faced with a choice between "volunteering" for the Naval Reserve, or being drafted into the far more dangerous Army? Because if that's the case, as the Swiftvets allege and Kerry's own admissions demonstrate, then why is him running for cover in the Naval Reserve any more valorous than Bush supposedly running for cover in the National Guard? The only difference is that Kerry happened to get called in, and Bush didn't... but it could just as easily have gone the other way. In fact, in one of life's greater ironies, it was more -likely- to have gone the other way, or at least that's what was evident at the time they each chose their paths.

Qwinn

17 posted on 08/24/2004 2:24:05 AM PDT by Qwinn2
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To: kattracks

Kerry's "reporting for duty" as if he had been released from the Hanoi Hilton the week before was really over the top. I think historians will agree that that was the turning point where Kerry lost the election (like Dukakis in the tank and Gore ranting at the debate). That he could throw away his medals (excuse me, ribbons) and then hide behind his medals and not see any contradiction in this tells me all I need to know about Kerry.


18 posted on 08/24/2004 2:47:37 AM PDT by Wilhelm Tell (Lurking since 1997!)
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To: Qwinn2

One never hears that part of the story...I thank anyone who served for their service...
I do not question that he was in danger and did some good things...

I just do not understand why he embellishes(lies) and made it a centerpiece of his qualification for CIC.... considering how he wanted us to believe he threw his medals away at one time and called those serving and himself war criminals...

NOW "he's reporting for duty"? Where's he been on defense the last 20 years in the Senate?

HYPOCRISY..unseemly,untrustworthy, unfit to command


19 posted on 08/24/2004 2:54:31 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: Mo1
It comes down to .. who do you trust with your life

Thats what this year's election is shaping up to be. Bush talks about keeping that strong resolve going forward, while Kerry keeps yapping about forging alliances, while collectively as a nation we are told to sit on our hands waiting for the next 9/11 to occur.

20 posted on 08/24/2004 3:18:40 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (Real gun control is - all shots inside the ten ring)
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