Trial Counselor = Infantry Soldier, I don't think so!

I remember that and felt the same way and still do. The deserters should have gone to jail. I still feel that way.

 

Freedom is earned and maintained by a few and given to many--even to those who don't appreciate it.

 

Your posting was on target. The right-wing just can't stand the truth about Bush or Kerry. It is to be expected!

 

As I said above, you can't handle the truth, which is why you have not reacted to my analysis, based on facts and experience.

Some things you just have to be a pro to know. For instance, when Dan Rather's invented documents about Bush were put on the net, I and every USAF or ANG who had ever authoried one piece of official paperwork knew, or should have known, without any of the other scientific analysys that they were fakes, because they were not written in the proper format--you don't write official documents without using the proper format. As for getting a pilot slot with parental influence--stop the presses, we have discovered that air exists! AS I said before:

Yes, his father helped him get into the Guard, because the young man wanted to fly jets, and that was and is the shortest route to a cockpit. When I was a Flight Commander at Air Force OTS, I had a student who was the son of a state governor, and he had joined the Air Guard in his state for the same reason, that is, that the Guard units are guaranteed so many pilot slots, whereas if you are not ROTC or a Zoomie (academy troop) pilot slots were hard to get. And they did not and do not get a pilot slot to stay out of action--they want to get into the action!

1. First, Bush had several hundred flying hours in those supersonic death traps, the F-102, and he ran several interceptions of Bear bombers--a daily thing during the cold war. He tried to get assigned to a combat fighter unit in Viet Nam, but did not have the seniority or the flying hours. Guys don't go into flying Delta Dart Widowmakers for a soft or safe touch.

As an aircraft maintenance mechanic for 8 years and a maintenance officer for 12.5 years, let me assure you that every time GW got into the cockpit of that rattle-trap (the kind of junk they gave the Guard to fly in the old days) he took his life in his hands. Since he could not get an assignment to a combat unit, his interests wandered. You see, that is one of the things about combat pilots--there are so many of them who wanted to get into action that there iwas and is a waiting list! Yes, fighter jocks really are nuts!

2. More in line with the basic question of this thread, if a guy wears the uniform with honor, the rest is equal.

3. The problems with Kerry were twofold--first, he was reckless on the battlefield, and second, he did despite to the uniform after his service was over. His dishonor of the uniform was the main thing. He played into the hands of the people who murdered millions after we gave in in Southeast Asia, and he contributed to the destruction of the military.

Now those are facts, from personal experience, and not from any Right or Left talking points, as is this, also from an earlier post: As one of those who rebuilt the US military in the 1970s, you have no idea how much guys like Kerry undermined the force and its morale. I will never forget the ashen faces and sick expressions on our faces as we sat and listened over the radio in Jan '77 as Jimmy Carter let the draft dodgers slide--the disgust and the hurt were palpable. We had done the right thing, they had done the wrong thing, and he just let them go. In one action, he turned me from a Democrat with a party heritage going back to 1812 into a Republican. Since the demise of Scoop Jackson the Democrats (such as Congressman Murtha, who slandered our troops with false accusations) have majored in blaming America and siding with our enemies.

 

Kerry told and perpetuated the total lie that our warriors who served in Viet Nam were criminals. He did it to gain the admiration of those in the anti-war movement with whom he had associated. He did it for a chance to testify before Congress to itching ears that liked his lies. He deserted to the scum among men who refused or failed in their duty. He discarded any honor he had received from his brief service. He abused the reputation of millions of men who'd served honorably. Kerry is a sorry example of a veteran. Let him be remembered with the few misfits that come out of war.