Chutzpah

Didn't he throw those medals in the garbage? They must not have meant that much to him.

McG
Taking thigs out of context as usual I see.

What Bush was doing while Kerrey was earning those medals.

I believe Bush retrived his medals from the garbage.

I think about the time John Kerry was earning his 3 Purple Hearts and 1 Bronze Star for service to his country in Vietnam, Bush was earning drunk driving tickets near the family compound in Maine.

Once again, he threw the ribbons, not the medals.
It was the princple of the thing.

That's only because he was looking for a little backwash in an empty beer can, and perhaps a french fry.

Someone young does something symbolic and there's an attempt to rub his face in it which I believe will backfire and leave them all with crow to dine on.

LW

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As much as it pains me it appears to be working with Joe Sixpack. They it would appear, generally get their political beliefs and understanding from ads. Such is the depth of a substantial part of the American electorate

It's preaching to the choir but I don't believe the entire choir is that dumb. It will convince as many independent on-the-fence voters that it's a mean spirited revenge for making Bush release his weak evidence that he served his country with honor.

Are you defending Bush or Kerry with this statement? It could apply to either, couldn't it?

McG
I don't think LW is talking about the drunken bum.

It could indeed McG....what's the world coming to when I agree with you?

What did Bush do that was symbolic -- show up on a carrier wearing a flight suit? Backfire.

Thank my animal spirit guide that I'm not American.

[] OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

A Sterling Record

By WESLEY K. CLARK

Published: April 28, 2004
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
When John Kerry released his military records to the public last week, Americans learned a lot about Mr. Kerry's exceptional service in Vietnam. They also learned a lot about the Republican attack machine.
The evaluations were uniformly glowing. One commander wrote that Mr. Kerry ranked among "the top few" in three categories: initiative, cooperation and personal behavior. Another commander wrote, "In a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action, Lt. j.g. Kerry was unsurpassed." The citation for Mr. Kerry's Bronze Star praises his "calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire."
In the United States military, there's no ideology — there are no labels, Republican or Democrat — when superiors evaluate a man or woman's service to country. Mr. Kerry's commander for a brief time, Grant Hibbard, now a Republican, gave Mr. Kerry top marks 36 years ago.
Now the standards are those of politics, not the military. Despite his positive evaluations, Mr. Hibbard recently questioned whether Mr. Kerry deserved one of his three Purple Hearts.
In the heat of a political campaign, attacks come from all directions. That's why John Kerry's military records are so compelling; they measure the man before his critics or his supporters saw him through a political lens. These military records show that John Kerry served his country with valor, and that those who served with him and above him held him in high regard. That's honor enough for any veteran.
Yet the Republican attack machine follows a pattern we've seen before, whether the target is Senator John McCain in South Carolina in 2000 or Senator Max Cleland in Georgia in 2002. The latest manifestation of these tactics is the controversy over Mr. Kerry's medals.
John Kerry was awarded three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star for his service in Vietnam. In April 1971, as part of a protest against the war, he threw some ribbons over the fence of the United States Capitol.
Republicans have tried to use this event to question his patriotism and his truthfulness, claiming he has been inconsistent in saying whether he threw away his medals or ribbons. This is no more than a political smear. After risking his life in Vietnam to save others, John Kerry earned the right to speak out against a war he believed was wrong. Make no mistake: it is that bravery these Republicans are now attacking.
Although President Bush has not engaged personally in such accusations, he has done nothing to stop others from making them. I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve — often under the most dangerous conditions, with bravery and, yes, with undeniable patriotism.

Wesley K. Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate, was commander of NATO forces from 1997 to 2000.



How do the chickenhawks measure up against a real hero. IE. Our president who fought the battle of Alabama and the bottle and Cheney with his succession of deferments.

come on guys give george II. a break. so he made a few mistakes, like driving under the influence, not taking any precautions before 9-11 despite repeated warnings, and getting into iraq mess. haven't we all made some mistakes in our lifes?

Quote No. 1

"If George Bush wants to make national security an issue in this campaign, I have three words for him that I know he'll understand. Bring it on!"--John Kerry, quoted in the New York Times, Feb. 1

Quote No. 2

"Call off the Republican attack dogs."--Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, responding to Dick Cheney's speech on John Kerry's defense record, quoted by the Associated Press, April 26