Bush AWOL?
Well, I said
previously that this would not go away. Suddenly the Democratic party, after so many years of being the anti-Vietnam War party are now embracing it and bashing Bush for serving in the National Guard. Of course in 1992, it was Bill Clinton's lack of service that was an issue with the Republicans raising the issue. Interesting how these things go, isn't it.
I have great respect for John Kerry and anyone who went to Vietnam and fought. Now, looking back on events, I also respect his opposition upon his return. He served and had every right to do so. I also now respect those who opposed and fled the country or suffered imprisonment. More should be done to honor their sacrifices for what they thought was right.
My wish is still the same and it seems it was John Kerry's wish at one time too. Let's heal the country about Vietnam and not continue to divide. Reportedly he gave a speech in 1992 after Bob Kerrey, running for president that year, criticized Clinton over his lack of military service.
Here are some of his
reported comments from that speech:
"I am saddened by the fact that Vietnam has yet again been inserted into the campaign, and that it has been inserted in what I feel to be the worst possible way. By that I mean that yesterday, during this presidential campaign, and even throughout recent times, Vietnam has been discussed and written about without an adequate statement of its full meaning."
"The race for the White House should be about leadership, and leadership requires that one help heal the wounds of Vietnam, not reopen them; that one help identify the positive things that we learned about ourselves and about our nation, not play to the divisions and differences of that crucible of our generation.
"We do not need to divide America over who served and how. I have personally always believed that many served in many different ways. Someone who was deeply against the war in 1969 or 1970 may well have served their country with equal passion and patriotism by opposing the war as by fighting in it. Are we now, 20 years or 30 years later, to forget the difficulties of that time, of families that were literally torn apart, of brothers who ceased to talk to brothers, of fathers who disowned their sons, of people who felt compelled to leave the country and forget their own future and turn against the will of their own aspirations?
"Are we now to descend, like latter-day Spiro Agnews, and play, as he did, to the worst instincts of divisiveness and reaction that still haunt America? Are we now going to create a new scarlet letter in the context of Vietnam?"
"I would like to make a simple and straightforward appeal, an appeal from my heart, as well as from my head. To all those currently pursuing the presidency in both parties, I would plead that they simply look at America. We are a nation crying out for leadership, for someone who will bring us together and raise our sights. We are a nation looking for someone who will lift our spirits and give us confidence that together we can grow out of this recession and conquer the myriad of social ills we have at home.
"We do not need more division. We certainly do not need something as complex and emotional as Vietnam reduced to simple campaign rhetoric."
I can only hope as Kerry becomes the nominee that he will heed his own words and urge those in his party to do so. And that the Republicans will cease trying to turn Kerry into something less than he is--one who served with distinction and even valor.
Posted by Dean
at 1:57 PM CST