For a guy who started his presidential campaign focused on his military service, John Kerry sure doesn’t mind leaving that service record shrouded in mystery.
There is controversy about every single aspect of Kerry’s service – from the time he signed up for duty, to his brief command of a Navy swiftboat in Vietnam, to his commendations, to his medical records, to his departure from Vietnam and, now, even the question of whether he was honorably discharged.
With the presidential election only 11 days away, there is only one way we’ll get answers to the many questions surrounding Kerry’s service – and that is if the senator himself releases those records.
Don’t hold your breath.
It is increasingly clear that Kerry wants to offer the American people only the most sanitized version of events involving his military record. He wants to revise history to portray himself as a hero, rather than a traitor.
As someone who had the misfortune of rubbing shoulders with John Kerry, Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden and the rest of their ilk back in the early 1970s, I can tell you Kerry is intentionally deceiving the American public about who he is and was.
He doesn’t want you to know he was a reluctant warrior.
He doesn’t want you to know he was a malcontent from the day he took on the swiftboat assignment.
He doesn’t want you to know he padded his resume to glorify his own role in every action.
He doesn’t want you to know he got medals for self-inflicted wounds.
He doesn’t want you to know how and why he left Vietnam after only four months.
He doesn’t want you to know how he changed sides in the war after coming home and embraced the enemy.
He doesn’t want you to know how he maligned his comrades – falsely accusing them of war crimes and racism.
He doesn’t want you to know how he “negotiated” with the enemy on foreign soil and came back promoting their political agenda.
He doesn’t want you to know how he marched under the Viet Cong flag and the upside-down American flag.
He doesn’t want you to know how he sold his country down the river.
He doesn’t want you to know how he sold out the hopes and dreams of freedom for millions of Vietnamese.
He doesn’t want you to know how he contributed to the holocaust that followed in Southeast Asia.
He doesn’t want you to know …
He doesn’t want you to remember …
I remember. I will never forget. And I know there are millions of other Americans who will never forget.
It’s time for you to share those memories. Americans are a forgetful people. Many younger Americans have not been told the truth about Vietnam. Those of us who know the truth have just over a week to share it with those who don’t.
Yes, Kerry is wrong for America because of his constantly evolving and heavily nuanced positions on all sides of issues.
Yes, Kerry is wrong for America because of his notorious track record in the Senate.
Yes, Kerry is wrong for America because of his failed character.
But, most of all, Kerry is wrong for America because of his treason in 1971. His treachery should disqualify him from consideration for the presidency. His sedition should disqualify him from serving in the U.S. Senate.
He has never apologized. He has never acknowledged he made a mistake. He has never asked for forgiveness. He has never tried to repair the damage he has done. Instead he has compounded the lies.
And that record of deceit should disqualify him even from respectable company among decent Americans.
