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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
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To: spiral3 who wrote (59236)8/10/2004 3:39:21 PM
From: Andrew N. Cothran  Read Replies (2) of 793781
 
A Notable Difference: Kerry vs Boorda

In 1996, a left-wing news service raised questions about two small "V" clips that Michael Boorda, the chief of Naval operations, wore over two of the medals on a chest which was full of them. The clips are awarded for valor under fire, and there was some doubt about whether Boorda's two tours in Vietnam aboard combat ships qualified him for the awards, although the Washington Post reported that a 1965 Navy manual appeared to support Boorda's right to wear the clips. Unlike Kerry, the awards did not provide grounds for Boorda to shorten his tours of duty.

Hours before he was scheduled to meet with Newsweek reporters to discuss the controversy, the admiral went to his home at the Navy Yard and shot himself in the chest. The CNO had been in command of the Navy during a troubled period and his leadership was being criticized by its senior officers. Still, among the notes he left was one to "the sailors" expressing his fear that the controversy over his decorations might harm the Navy. Boorda had lied about his age to join the Navy and was the first CNO to rise through the enlisted ranks.

What drove Boorda to suicide: A sense of shame that he was even suspected of "misrepresenting" his military duty combined with a deep respect for his comrades in arms.

And now John Kerry and his four month tour of duty: why does this story reverberate now in the face of Kerry's
alleged and most probably soon to be proven misrepresentations?

Because it shows us what one man of honor chose to do in the face of critical questioning of his military service.

Boorda committed suicide.

Kerry has most likely committed political suicide if what the Swiftboat veterans allege is true.

And Kerry and the Democrats are determined as a matter of political necessity to turn the Swiftboat veterans into liars and criminals for daring to question the pseudo-hero who would be President.
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