It's the whole package that has some folks legitimately
questioning Kerry's status as a "war hero". I can
understand why some folks question it.
I cannot recall anyone, including any politician who has
personally & through surrogates relentlessly mention
Kerry's Vietnam service & all of his medals, always
reminding us Kerry was a "war hero". I've read it in
newspapers & it's common to hear it on TV many times every
day. Hell, even Bush & other Admin officials frequently
say Kerry was a "war hero".
I say Kerry was a "war hero" based on his service to the
country.
However, when I look at the whole picture, including all
of Kerry's conduct during his service & his anti-war
activities, I'm inclined to conclude there is a large
disparity regarding what it takes to be a "war hero".
Clearly some "war heroes" stand head & shoulders above
others. Clearly, some have tarnished their "war hero"
status. Just as clearly, some "war heroes" are more
willing to use their status for personal gain than others.
When I read about other "war heroes" who fought in Vietnam
questioning Kerry's conduct in Vietnam, I am willing to
listen. They are very bit as worthy as Kerry in my book.
If what they say is true, perhaps Kerry wasn't a "war
hero" 24/7 while he served. Perhaps some folks do have
legitimate reasons to doubt Kerry's "war hero" status.
Kerry claimed that he had committed war crimes in Vietnam,
then suggested he was merely following orders's. Following
orders, however, does not absolve someone of guilt for
committing war crimes.
Kerry may have shot an unarmed, wounded enemy soldier & in
the process jeopardized the crew he commanded. Those
actions might warrant prosecution, not medals for heroic
conduct. Some of Kerry's military peers go further into
his conduct & find other serious problems.
Kerry's anti-war activities are mostly "off limits" to the
liberal media & it seems to be one of the DNC talking
points too. It is not off limits to me.
Kerry's anti-war activities happened while tens of
thousands of soldiers were in harms way in Vietnam. You
spout off about the good, you open yourself to inspection
of the bad.
BTW, who's medals did Kerry throw over the wall & why did
he throw them away? I think that's fair to ask.
If what I've read about Kerry's anti-war activities is
true, he essentially gave aid & comfort to the enemy.
Former POW's, including a couple Senators, have asserted
they were tortured by their captors who said guys like
Kerry were going to win the war for them.
Kerry claimed that almost unprecedented war crimes were
not simply rampant, but committed as a matter of U.S.
policy. There is evidence suggesting that many of the
atrocities routinely alleged by VVAW & Kerry were made up.
Kerry's anti-war legacy is long, well documented & less
than honorable IMO. I think Kerry harmed America & placed
our troops at greater risk because of his actions. That
Kerry was dishonest in so many of his allegations is a
serious breech of trust & places his credibility in
question. And it tarnishes his "war hero" status with me. |
