Well said Justin......

I stay out of these now, they just aggravate me. My decision was made a long time ago, and any point I make, right, wrong, or indifferent, is not going to change someone's mind if it's already made up.

Most of the hardcore from either party will vote their ticket regardless of what their candidate's position, or lack there of, is on any platform.

 

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a life long Republican, and have never served in any branch of the military. I am humbled by the knowledge that my life has been enriched as a result of the efforts of others who have been willing to serve. I also do what I can as a single citizen to support the military, I am an active participant and contributor to the efforts that you can see described at www.anysoldier.us and I would encourage all to take a look at what these fine folks are doing.

I do not believe that any of us can know what is in a man’s heart, nor what motivates him to do what he does. Despite that belief it is readily apparent that it is human nature to speculate. It is a simple fact that Kerry went to Vietnam when that was not a particularly popular thing to do. It is also a simple fact that Bush did not. I also do not believe that honorable military service is an absolute prerequisite for the presidency.

Like many of you I do find it curious that J.K. went to Vietnam, collected medals faster than Audie Murphy, apparently managed to accumulate three purple hearts without missing a day of active duty, and then used those medals as the basis for a transfer stateside. He further has managed to legitimately keep his military record out of the public domain, in the face of intense public and media curiosity as to the particulars of his four months in country. But, as I said that is only a curiosity it is not an indictment.

Kerry and Bush both have long records of public service that are open to analysis. Both candidates stand for a particular political philosophy that is generally understood by the voting public. I understand why Bush would do what he could to avoid going to Vietnam just like I understand why Kerry was in a hurry to leave. These are individuals that probably dislike being shot at, and that is not hard to understand. They made their choices just like thousands of Americans did, and tens of thousands of Americans had no choice. To all who did what they did to support our country in that trying time, whether as a volunteer or draftee, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

Any way you slice it we still have the freedom to choose, and we have the freedom to choose based on rational thought and study or we can choose based on media hype and empty promises. I have chosen Bush, and not because of anything that Kerry did or did not do while in Vietnam. If I ever meet Kerry, I will thank him for being there when he was.

If we have to go back thirty years to explain why Kerry is a poor choice for president, he must not be that bad. I certainly would not want that amount of media scrutiny on what I was doing thirty years ago, I know that I have changed.

 

Hohn,

Man your're right on target! Wish I could express myself as well as you have. I am of the opinion that users of the DTR network have more common sense than most and have a well-tuned BS antenna that lets them hear the BS of an argument. Now, if you ever run for public office, I'll move to your state and vote for you!

 

Hohn, very well thought out, and very well written. I'm in the same boat as Pop-Pop I wish I could express myself as well as you just did.