[Vision2020] Kerry's military record, redux.

[thansen@moscow.com]

In June of 1969 I had just graduated from high school.  My father and I were 
not seeing eye-to-eye on alot of things, basically anything that involved me.  
My draft number was a high number the year before (325, I think) and I was 
afraid that it was going to be alot lower.  I felt that I had to get away from 
home.  So, I went to the local recruiting office.  Being the whimp that I was, 
I first checked with the Army National Guard.  The waiting list was 18 months.  
I then checked with the Navy recruiter.  The waiting list was six months.  So, 
I walked down the hallway and stood between two doorways, one marked "United 
States Marine Corps" and the other marked "United States Army", and flipped a 
coin.  Thirty-six hours later I was in-processing at Fort Ord.

Just some thoughts.

Tom Hansen

> Amen, Joan.  I was ecstatic when I flunked my draft physical in 1969, 
> because my lottery number wasn't too good, and I, along with the majority of 
> the country by then, was opposed to the Vietnam war.  Like Pat Kraut, I had 
> many relatives and friends who used student deferments to keep from going.  
> All well and good.  But I also will never disparage someone who did serve, 
> and, as John Kerry did, serve well.  It's absolutely appalling to hear Dick 
> (I had other priorities) Cheney and other paper war tigers attack John 
> Kerry's military record.  It's downright surrealistic.  Only 27 weeks to go 
> before the election, and the nastiness is just beginning....                 
>                                                                              
>                                                                              
>                                                                              
>                       Carl Westberg Jr.
> 
> 
> >From: "Joan Opyr" <auntiestablishment@hotmail.com>
> >To: "Vision2020 Moscow" <vision2020@moscow.com>
> >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Kerry's military record, redux.
> >Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 09:24:09 -0700
> >
> >Pat tells us:
> >
> > >My brother took a 'college deferment' also...a lot of people did. It was 
> >popular at the time.
> >
> >In politics, everyone throws rocks, but you don't let your ass give 
> >instructions to your elbow.  The point isn't whether or not those eligible 
> >for the draft during Vietnam took a deferment.  The point is that some men 
> >who did not serve, men who in many cases used family money and family 
> >connections, who moved heaven and earth to avoid going, now have the gall 
> >to belittle the military records of men like John Kerry and John McCain.  
> >Dick Cheney says he had "other priorities" than military service during 
> >Vietnam.  That's fine, but who the hell is he now to throw rocks at a man 
> >who earned three Purple Hearts and the Bronze and Silver stars?  Who is 
> >Dick "Five Deferments" Cheney to lecture Lt. John Kerry on the subjects of 
> >strong leadership and courage under fire?
> >
> >Cheney, Limbaugh, DeLay, and etc., are certainly qualified to critique 
> >Kerry's economic plans.  They can and should critique his Senate voting 
> >record, his social stances, and his thinking on the environment.  By all 
> >means, let them crack wise about his hairdo or his Botox.  But as far as 
> >his military service in Vietnam is concerned, they've crossed the line 
> >between legitimate scrutiny and disgraceful, craven, hypocritical insult.
> >
> >Many of us recall the poor treatment Vietnam-era veterans received when 
> >they returned home.  That was the war and they were the soldiers that 
> >everyone wanted to forget.  Well, guess what?  You can still disparage 
> >Vietnam-era service with relative impunity -- if you're a rootin', tootin', 
> >Republican cowboy who likes to play dress-up and who talks a big game.
> >
> >Look under the ten-gallon hat, folks.  I'm willing to bet money that you'll 
> >find no cattle.
> >
> >Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
> >    Get more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : 
> >http://explorer.msn.com
> 
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