Kerry Needs To Answer
By Gary Aldrich (03/12/04)
The voters’ most important decision during this year’s presidential campaign is to choose which candidate more efficiently handles national security and defense. Pocketbook issues are important as well, but these two matters are quite closely linked.
The 9/11 perpetrators, who repeatedly warned of their intentions to kill as many Americans as possible and slammed passenger-laden airliners into buildings housing tens of thousands of our citizens, answered for us our own questions about how we should deal with terrorists. We must remain strong and respond smartly to attacks against American interests. We cannot simply open a new FBI investigation – we tried that tactic before, and it proved a deadly failure.
Three-thousand killed should provide sufficient “DNA evidence” supporting George W. Bush’s military approach. But if remarkable human carnage is not enough, and American voters need more reasons, they should consider the economic impact of the attack. Our country was thrown into a financial tailspin. We nearly lost the entire airline and tourism industry. One estimate had the total loss at $700 billion. Without a doubt, the aftermath of 9/11/01 dramatically deepened Bush’s inherited recession.
Polling and focus groups have established that voters want a president who understands how to stop future attacks. To create an image that is “tough on terror”, Senator John Kerry’s political team chose to highlight his short tour in Vietnam and amplify his experience there – in spite of rumors that Kerry’s wounds amounted to quite little, and his medals may have exaggerated his real courage.
Questions linger, and ordinary citizens have a right to know the truth. If it turns out Soldier Kerry truly distinguished himself in battle, and didn’t opt for an early-out simply because he’d accumulated sufficient Purple Hearts from minor injuries, then those who have beat this drum owe Kerry an apology.
And they should, as soon as President Bush receives an apology from those responsible for the ridiculous allegations forcing him to produce dental records to prove his National Guard attendance. While they’re at it, they can also apologize for calling the leader of the free world a liar who went AWOL from his military duties.
Americans should not be criticized for asking good questions about Senator Kerry. Years after the worst attack ever launched against America, we are without a single new assault on our homeland, because of this president’s leadership. Despite this level of success, some say it’s time for a change.
Why? Are we tired of being safe? Senator Kerry is soft on national defense, soft on intelligence agency funding and harsh on President Bush’s record. And yet, we seem secured from terrorists. It’s ludicrous to suggest we change presidents. Republicans have always distinguished themselves as being tough on crime, tough on foreign despots, and tough on our nation’s enemies. They aren’t exactly John Wayne clones, but close enough.
Kerry, on the other hand, can best be described as an Alan Alda-type. He says he wants to be the second Black president. Bill Cosby comes to mind. But we need a fighter, not a lover.
Before we can give Senator John Kerry any serious attention, he must prove he can fight terrorism more effectively than George Bush, and that he really is made of brave “stuff”. But not until then.
These serious questions about his war record can easily be answered, if Senator Kerry will simply file a one-page SF-180 federal form to release his military records. That file includes all the necessary details about his wounds and medals.
If Kerry described these events accurately, the records will confirm his valor. If he didn’t, the file will expose John Kerry with a different character – as a prevaricator and an opportunist. Once the public reviews his military file, we can move on to his FBI file, containing details about his anti-Vietnam War, anti-American activities. That file is also easily obtained. But only by Kerry.
Come on, Senator Kerry – request and release the files. You’re the only one who can do so, and if the facts are as you suggest, your credibility is well-established. After that, those who criticize your war exploits and say you were really aligned with America’s enemies after you returned from Vietnam will owe you a big apology.
I’ll bet your critics owe you nothing.
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