Why are we still in Vietnam? Why aren't we talking about the issues?
We will. We'll talk about the issues plenty. Right now, we're talking about character when it comes to war. One person being in a war and seeing war firsthand. The other avoiding a war in his prime and starting a war when he's past it. And we're talking about it because it's our dividing line between the character of John Kerry and the lack of character of George Bush.
And the Swift Boat Liars are doing everything in Karl Rove's power to erase that difference and bring John Kerry down to George Bush's level. It's a perversion of portrayal - destroying the accomplishments, bravery and chutzpah of your opponent so he's as impotent, undesirable and dishonest as your candidate. This is what it's come to. "Kerry's as bad as our guy!"
So yes. It matters. Kerry served his six years plus one year in the reserves. He served four months in Vietnam and did enough heroics to last a few lifetimes. And when the word "war" passes before him, he sees the horror he witnessed - and will think long and hard before launching ANY attack - pre-emptive or provoked - before sending hundreds of thousands of trusting young souls into certain death for at least a fraction of them.
We say it again, and pay attention. It matters. It's not a video game. It's not a football game on TV. It's real lives with real blood, real death and real nerve- and emotion-ripping ramifications.
IT MATTERS. Okay?
That said, please read the difference between Kerry and AWOL in this great post at the Democratic Underground by Walt Starr. If it opens the eyes of any doubters, it's worth passing along.
