JANIS NARK: I'm glad I've come late to the fray as I have enjoyed reading all your views. I agree that what these two gentlemen did during Vietnam was a result of their individual placement in society, age, probably income bracket or connections, and some serendipity. Very little of what they did or did not do in that conflict will have any bearing on the job they will face in leading our country in the years to come. In considering what the American people think is important in today's world, I would venture to say that they are more concerned about their jobs, their family, education, medical care and the environment than they are about what these guys did 30 years ago in the military. While there is great concern, especially after 9/11, about terrorism and homeland security, I believe the vast number of Americans were not touched personally andconsider it much farther down on their list of "What's Important to Me Today."
Having said that, let me add, my heart swelled with pride when I saw our CINC [commander in chief] in that flight suit on the carrier and again when he made the surprise visit to the troops in Iraq for Thanksgiving. As a nurse I know firsthand the effect that these actions had on the morale of our troops and these were both awesome displays of our president's commitment to our men and women in uniform. |
