IN CHARACTER;
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Judgment and
Character:
Bob Tyrrell's takedown of Kerry is, of course, spot on. However, I believe he is firing small caliber rounds, easily deflected, when he has a Hellfire available at the push of a button.
Nobody disputes that John Kerry, an officer, left Vietnam at the earliest possible moment permitted by the regs.
This is the most damning evidence of his utter unfitness to command. Or lead. Or, for that matter, dine in the company of decent folk.
A leader does not abandon his men in the field. A leader lies to the doctors about his wounds, severe though they may be, in order to stay with his men. A leader pulls the IV lines out of his arm back in the rear area hospital, sneaks out in the middle of the night and browbeats a copter pilot into flying him back to his unit. A leader's commitment to his people is to the bitter end.
John Kerry is, therefore, indisputably and by his own account, not a fit leader. The rest of the Vietnam tempest, though interesting and no doubt largely not in Mr. Kerry's favor, goes beyond the requirements of judgment.
He gamed the system to desert his men in the field. That's all
anyone needs to know.
-- Paul Kotik
Plantation, Florida
In addition to what RET states I believe there are one or two very telling differences between Dubya and Longshanks. These differences also very much apply to our greatest President -- Nelle's son, Ron -- and Clinton.
Dubya and RR ran for POTUS because they love the United States of America, and all she stands for. They want only the best for her citizens, all of them, and they want America to be safe and secure. Kerry and Clinton covet the power. Where RR & Dubya hold America in their hearts, the other two hold it hostage in their inflated, somewhat unsound, egos.
Look closely at images of all four men during any solemn, serious moment -- the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, at a swearing-in ceremony, etc. -- you'll definitely see a difference in the countenance of each man. Two of them are trying their best to appear grave and sincere, the other two are just acting in a way that's completely natural for them. I don't think I need to point out which men belong to the former & latter categories. And I'm confident the American voter will realize this difference before Nov 2.
So, it looks like the liberals will have yet another four years
to feign shock & concern anytime Dubya makes a verbal miscue.
In the meantime, our very human (thank God for that!) POTUS will be
making us safe and secure from the world's menaces.
-- Jeff Anderson
Richmond, Virginia
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. has, yet again, captured truth when he says that prominent in the 2004 presidential campaign should be John Kerry's demonstrated lack of judgment and character. I agree completely, and his article highlights one of the most frightening aspects of our country today -- that is, about half of Americans simply do not care about such things. To them all that matters is having power back in the hands of those in Washington supporting their special interests.
Permit me to name just a few of those special interests:
abortionists, homosexual activists, trial lawyers, race hustlers,
big labor leaders, gun control advocates, ACLU and other activists
lawyers and judges, atheists, socialists, pacifists, terrorists,
felons for the vote, communists, anarchists, illegal immigration
advocates, actors, musicians, mainstream media, college professors,
class warriors, feminists, radical environmentalist, the French,
etc.
-- Al Reynolds
Chula Vista, California
Judgment and Character? He has none.
With that I should shut up, but I won't. Vietnam will always be a bone of contention. I was there. I remember it like it was yesterday. My hatred for the anti-war suckers remains the same. My thanks goes out to the Swift Boat guys that have come forth on America's behalf. I am up to page 130 of Unfit for Command. It has done nothing for my disposition, but at least affirms what I have felt in my heart for over 30 years.