Kerry's Medical Records

[phantom]

Cleeland Interview

I'm not familar with this web site. Has anyone seen this story in more prominent media?

But the interview is pretty entertaining. If it's all true, I'd be interested in knowing more of the truth. Kerry has asked for it by bringing up Vietnam ever other sentence.

[FAR52]

I think it is a non-issue. Kerry put himself in a position to be wounded in the first place. The fact that the wounds may have been minor should not diminish his decision to enter combat in the first place.

Thanks

[hkyfan]

Sorry Kerry's wounds from Vietnam weren't more significant.

How do they compare to Dubya's Vietnam era wounds?

[Trigfunctions]

I love this stuff. These Republican hawks are showing not only their disrespect for our military, but their ignorance as well, with each article like this.

This right-wing asshat Steve Malzberg is pestering Cleland that Kerry's injuries that resulted in Purple Hearts were "minor", while Cleland suffered terrible injuries and didn't get a purple heart, basically asking shouldn't Clelend be upset about that.

Malzberg must not know that Purple Hearts are only given when the injuries are inflicted directly by the enemy. (He should be reading this forum to learn things like that).

Of course, Cleland doesn't take the bait, and slaps Malzberg with

CLELAND: May I just say, when he was the skipper of his boat with five enlisted men in that situation - going into the jaws of death every day - he had to rely on his instincts for survival. And he and his crew were one. They were a band of brothers. Now, under that situation they saved each others' lives. He also saved the life of a Special Forces officer out of the Mekong Delta River, Jim Rassmussen [sic]. And he is campaigning around America for Kerry even though he's a Republican.

The point being, we've been there, done that, gotten a few holes in our T-shirt and we've come back to America to say war is the last resort, not the first resort.

[lazydaze]

disrespect for our military, but their ignorance as well

Trig,
Yuo are right, this story is ludicris.

I guess, my question is what is the difference between some crap like this and suggesting that the National Guard is almost like dodging the draft? Or implying that the commander ans chief was AWOL, when he recieved an honorable discharge?

[Damtoft]

>>what is the difference between some crap like this and suggesting that the National Guard is almost like dodging the draft? Or implying that the commander ans chief was AWOL, when he recieved an honorable discharge?<<

That's an excellent question I'd love to hear answered also.

[hkyfan]

Originally posted by Damtoft@Mar 2 2004, 12:33 PM
>>what is the difference between some crap like this and suggesting that the National Guard is almost like dodging the draft? Or implying that the commander ans chief was AWOL, when he recieved an honorable discharge?<<

That's an excellent question I'd love to hear answered also.

The National Guard is an honorable alternative to regular military service.

Having daddy pull some strings to help avoid duty in Vietnam during the 60's by placing you in the National Guard is not so honorable.

But I really don't see this issue as all that significant.

I think there's much more on Dubya's plate that will prove to be a problem.

[Trigfunctions]

Originally posted by lazydaze@Mar 2 2004, 12:29 PM
I guess, my question is what is the difference between some crap like this and
1. suggesting that the National Guard is almost like dodging the draft?

2. Or implying that the commander ans chief was AWOL, when he recieved an honorable discharge?

1. That would be an unfair comparison, and anyone making that suggestion should be criticized. However, to point out that GWB was a hawk during Viet Nam (and politically campaigned for a hawk) from the safety of his guard unit, while Kerry volunteered to go to Viet Nam is valid when so many Republicans are slamming Kerry's patriotism and backbone. In addition, both Bush's campaign chair and Bush's State Department web pages have recently been exposed as blatantly lying about Bush's service - greatly exaggerating his experience. Also, the cavalier way Bush treated his guard service shows how little he really valued his service to his country.

2. It is valid to question whether Bush met the official definition of AWOL while serving in the guard, even if he received an honorable discharge. He received quite a bit of special treatment during his guard service - I don't think people who finished with the lowest possible passing score on the exams were routinely put on the top of the list - so it is valid to wonder if he received more special treatment in being allowed to be AWOL.

[phantom]

First, any serious candidate should reveal his medical history since he could be President. That goes into the decision for voters.

I'm not trying to diminish Kerry's service. He should be respected for it. But I do think he ,himself, has diminished his own service by bringing it up SO much. And if he's going to talk about how he went to war and got purple hearts, is it unreasonable to expect him to be specific about his injuries? I'm just curious.

[moedrabowsky]

First, any serious candidate should reveal his medical history since he could be President.

It should be a requirement.

And military records should be released for any candidate that served.

[kah2523]

Wow. How disgusting. Questioning Kerry's Purple Hearts because his wounds weren't major enough. Whenever I think the Republican Party can't stoop any lower, they prove me wrong. But in a way, I don't mind...if the GOP wants to keep reminding people Kerry got three Purple Hearts, let them.

And lazydaze, obviously, is deliberately confusing the National Guard issue. The issue isn't the fact that Bush joined the Guard, it's that he deserted from it, in time of war. And the "honorable discharge" line proves not a damn thing about whether or not Bush did or did not desert his unit.

[FAR52]

Originally posted by kah2523@Mar 2 2004, 03:07 PM
Wow. How disgusting. Questioning Kerry's Purple Hearts because his wounds weren't major enough. Whenever I think the Republican Party can't stoop any lower, they prove me wrong. But in a way, I don't mind...if the GOP wants to keep reminding people Kerry got three Purple Hearts, let them.

And lazydaze, obviously, is deliberately confusing the National Guard issue. The issue isn't the fact that Bush joined the Guard, it's that he deserted from it, in time of war. And the "honorable discharge" line proves not a damn thing about whether or not Bush did or did not desert his unit.

Kah,

Each party has a share of its own extremo quacks. I think it is unfair to lump the entire Republican party into your sentiment.

Thanks

[Trigfunctions]

Originally posted by kah2523@Mar 2 2004, 03:07 PM
Wow. How disgusting. Questioning Kerry's Purple Hearts because his wounds weren't major enough. Whenever I think the Republican Party can't stoop any lower, they prove me wrong.

Agreed 100%. And don't forget, kah - they pulled this exact type of crap on McCain - a member of their own party!

I really think it shows not just a lack of respect, but actual contempt for the military from the Bush administration.

[lazydaze]

I don't mind...if the GOP wants to keep reminding people Kerry got three Purple Hearts, let them

Obviously you do mind.

And lazydaze, obviously, is deliberately confusing the National Guard issue.  The issue isn't the fact that Bush joined the Guard, it's that he deserted from it, in time of war.  And the "honorable discharge" line proves not a damn thing about whether or not Bush did or did not desert his unit

I look forward to that debate when John Kerry, a war hero with a chest full of medals, is standing next to George Bush, a man who was AWOL in the Alabama National Guard," Mr. McAuliffe said in an interview on the ABC News program "This Week." "George Bush never served in our military in our country.(ABC's "This Week,"2/1/04)

[Damtoft]

Those pesky facts again.