As the latest act in the swift boat sideshow unfolds
("Ads focus on Kerry anti-war testimony," 8/28/04),
let�s remember a few things:
Let�s remember - Kerry's testimony was directed at the Washington establishment, not the soldiers. And Robert S. McNamara himself, Defense Secretary during the war, finally publicly admitted that the war was unwinnable and a terrible mistake. ("In Retrospect:
The Tragedy & Lessons of Vietnam," 1996) If the Secretary of Defense could admit this much, why was it wrong for a veteran who actually saw combat to speak out against the war?
Let�s remember � Those who now distort Kerry�s words to score cheap political points deprive us all of the opportunity to learn from our history. And those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Let�s remember - 58,000 Americans lost their lives in Vietnam. Was that not enough for some people? Kerry served his country in Vietnam, and served bravely, as even Bush now finally concedes. When Kerry came home he worked to stop the killing and dying.
Let�s remember - Most Americans eventually came to share Kerry's view. When that happened, the war ended. Kerry actually saved the lives of many more Americans through his anti-war efforts than he did as a Navy officer.
Jenny
Worthington, OH