I wasn't there and I haven't done exhaustive research on who is telling the truth on this. Like all such things, it is pretty hard to tell who is lying when we can't really trust the media to play it straight. The media-both left and right-have an agenda and there is very little trustworthy journalism around these days. I would be highly reluctant to accuse someone who served of lying because of some press account. I don't want to take issue with Kerry's service, as it is a whole lot more distinguished than my peacetime service and because I was raised to respect those who served. But I'm willing to listen to those who have an educated or informed opinion on the topic. The stakes, unfortunately, are too high not to.
Maybe my thoughts on this issue are colored by the fact that I'm turned off by pols who run on their war records much like I'm turned off by those who wear God on their sleeve. Folks who served during wartime had the opportunity (misfortune?) to have their character revealed that eludes someone who might be just as good or better but didn't, for whatever reason, serve in a war. The politicians running on their war experience say: "I served, he didn't, I'm better." It may be true but it isn't necessarily so. Wartime experience isn't, for example, very instructive on a person's honesty or intelligence-more relevant qualifications for high office IMO. Because a guy bled in a war tells me nothing about his understanding and philosophy of economics or whether he is going to further extend the govt in my life.
The truth is there are Sgt Yorks, Audie Murphys, and Chesty Pullers out there who have never been shot at because of WHEN they were born or other circumstances preventing war service. (I am NOT speaking of W here). They might make great presidents, but we probably would never know if they have the misfortune of running against a prima donna war vet who just can't be questioned.
I've had the privilege to have known well a few family members who were in the thick of it-two in WWII and one in Vietnam. Their experiences scarred them and they didn't talk about it easily. In fact the rare conversation was usually accompanied by tears. They certainly never used it to gain advantage or put down someone else.
Because Kerry talks about his service so easily, almost flippantly, and solely to gain advantage, cheapens it for me and gives me the impression that something stinks somewhere. It also seems to me that Kerry's use of his service differs from the way Bob Dole talked about his. There was "something" more reverent and reserved about the way Dole spoke of Anzio. I don't remember him getting up and saluting a bunch of liberals who would never dream of serving, except for maybe at a Yale keg party, while saying "I'm reporting for duty." Kerry is a cheap lounge act.
