CHCH News - Military Madness

It strikes me as odd that John Kerry likes to point out that he served in Viet Nam, as though that were a prerequisite to being elected to the Presidency. I served over there too, and, upon reviewing my acquired skills, it seems that a lot of what I learned and practiced would be of more use to me as the "President" of some banana republic. He talks about his days on a swift boat, the attacks, the wounds, the valor he demonstrated, but I can't seem to get a handle on what it all means. If he were to be elected, did he plan to run a gunboat up and down the Potomac, attacking Viet Republicong villages? Did anyone tell Mr. Kerry that you don't get a Purple Heart for a paper cut received while sifting through documents in the Oval Office? Perhaps Mr. Kerry is enamored of his past glory (real or imaginary) and likes to relive the experiences of his youth, but they don't have a lot to do with the office he's vying for.

Fact of the matter is, while we've had a military man or two running the country from the Oval Office, I can't really say they did a whole lot better or worse than those who filled the position without a military background.

George Bush served in the Air National Guard (ANG). Now a lot of questions have been brought up about the period(s) of time in which he served, and where it was that he served. Frankly, going over the idea mentally, it strikes me that ANG service is no more an indicator of how well a man will function in the White House than being a Vet is. Now Mr. Bush is a pilot, and, were he to be re-elected, he wouldn't be concerned about a third term anyway. Perhaps he'd like to have Air Force One outfitted with missiles and machine guns, so he can personally fly it to Massachusetts and launch an air-to-ground attack on Ted Kennedy. (Don't use incendiaries, George, there's a lotta grain alcohol in that target!)

Anyway, the Liberals seem determined to hound Bush for his ANG service, question where and when he served, demand records accounting for every minute that he served, and generally make an issue of what is, essentially, a non-issue.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives are questioning the length of Kerry's service in Nam, how much of a hero he was, and whether or not he really earned those Purple Hearts. (You know, the ones he threw away that he didn't throw away.)

Well, I have a NEWSFLASH for Kerry, Bush, Kerry bashers, Bush bashers, and anyone sitting on the fence and watching the circus while egging both sides on. The Viet Nam War is over. It has been over for more than a quarter of a century.

Since the war ended, I have finished my career in the military, raised six children, seen 12 grandchildren come to be, graduated from college, an d held several interesting jobs. I carry a lot of memories of Viet Nam, and they effect the way I react to some situations, they effect my attitude about a lot of things, they cause me to look at things from a different perspective. What they don't do is make me presidential material. (Unless you want a Press who understands urban/rural deconstruction and population readjustment.)

So, Senator Kerry, President Bush, please sit down for a moment. I have some serious comments and questions for the two of you.

Regarding the economy: I've seen improvement over the past year and a half, and the tax cuts have helped me and numerous people I know.

What specifically will either of you do to stay out of the way and let the economy improve still further?

Again, regarding the economy, what specific plans do you have to simplify or eliminate the income tax?

How do you plan to strengthen our intelligence agencies?

What specific steps will you take to strengthen our armed forces?

What specific steps will you take to seal our borders?

What specific steps will you take to find and remove all illegal immigrants from within our borders?

Which of the current government agencies or Departments not called for in the Constitution will you eliminate first?

What specific steps will you take to increase the pressure on terrorists, terrorist organizations, and the nations that support them?

How will you work to persuade businesses to develop further new fuel-efficient means of transportation?

How will you get technology and ecology to work together to develop our energy resources and reduce our dependence on foreign oil?

Gentlemen, these questions represent the tip of the iceberg. A growing informed public has more questions like these for you. Stop talking, and start listening.

And stop living in Viet Nam and start addressing the 21st century.

NOTE: Copyright 08/04/04 by Dave Hoffman. Use granted to all who identify author.

Beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere.