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A Letter to the Editor 7/31/2004 8:54:37 AM
A few days ago, a letter appeared in the European edition of the Stars and Stripes, the newspaper for servicemen overseas. The writer stated reasons for voting for Kerry. As relatively few get to see it, I'm posting my response to that letter which is supposed to be published early next week. Needless to say, I disagreed . . . Sir:
In response to "Vote for Kerry" (28 July): first of all, it's ironic that the writer claims that "the polls clearly hint that it will be John Kerry who will be taking the oath of office in January 2005" whereas on page 12 of the same issue, a story states "In barely a month, Kerry has lost ground to President Bush on every top voting issue in this year's election." Further, "The survey found that Kerry and Bush are virtually deadlocked, with 48 percent of registered voters supporting Bush and 46 percent Kerry."
Be that as it may, the writer states "for the sake of America . . . we need to vote for Kerry." There are many reasons not to vote for Kerry, not the least of which is his ultra-liberal Senate voting record. For me, however, one item stands out. I find it incredible that the Democrat Party is highlighting Kerry's Vietnam service and the medals he won in this campaign. The majority of Democrat politicians did whatever they could to torpedo America's efforts in that unfortunate country. More to the point, Mr. Kerry came back from Vietnam and went before the American people and, in essence, painted virtually all the fighting men in Vietnam as war criminals. There he sat, Jane Fonda right behind him, stating that the type of behavior exhibited in My Lai was practically the norm for American servicemen during the war. Then he threw away his medals (actually they were someone else's but he made his point).
I am a Vietnam veteran. I was NOT a war criminal, nor were my buddies or the people I served with over there. Vote for Kerry? Not on your life. I implore all you veterans out there, Vietnam or otherwise, to reject this man.
