Sick of Vietnam, from both sides

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

I know neither Kerry's or Bush's campaign are responsible for this Vietnam nonsense, but does anyone care? I refrained from bashing Kerry on the Swift Boat threads because I could care less whether he served honorably or not, it was almost 35 years ago. Same with Bush. I care about the war on terror, and care absolutely nothing about Vietnam. I am just sick of hearing about it constantly on the news.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm with you Joe!

 

[Galahad]

Same here

 

[caitycaity]

wow joe, i actually agree with you!

i think it's pretty sad that the main issue in this campaign seems to be a war that happened over 30 years ago.

i am personally much more interested in (and wish both candidates would spend more time talking about) what is happening in the here and now.

 

[palmtreegirl]

 

[rcyannacci]

ABSOLUTELY sick of it. Just a bunch of macho BS on both sides. Let's all move on...

 

[BrinxFam]

No, I am not tired of hearing about Vietnam.
It is still affecting people.

 

[LindaG4458]

I lived through it the first time, that was enough. Also lived through all the antiwar demonstrations, Kent State, colleges closing down, Kerry's Senate testimony, and so forth. Don't want to hear it anymore.

 

[GeorgeG]

Well, yes, I'm tired of hearing about it, but it's a sensitive issue for me.

It would normally not be so much of an issue if Kerry didn't try to make it one, but since he did, he deserves the heat. I think the best way to settle this is for John Kerry and Jane Fonda to swing side by side from the gallows.

Okay, go ahead and flame, but that's how I feel.

 

[HollyJoy]

Agree

 

[missypie]

I think it's relevant (I'm on Kerry's side.)

BUT what I find fascinating is that it's such a big deal in this electon, when we're comparing 4 months of service vs. questionable Nat. Guard service ... my memory is hazy, but in the Clinton vs. Dole race, military service didn't seem to be a huge deal, when Clinton admitted avoiding service and Dole sustained permanent war injuries. I guess it's because we weren't at war at the time.

 

[dmadman43]

Then tell Kerry to stop talking about it.

 

[grinningghost]

If I flip on the news and there's ANYTHING about Vietnam and Swift Boat Veterans, 3 Purple Hearts, National Guard - I turn on TV Land.

Bottom line - it's gotten really old. Let's hear what they're going to do NOW.

 

[auntie]

I think they should leave it alone already. It's getting old. Frankly...I don't think either one them has anything to be proud of. Yes, Kerry served.. briefly..but I don't like what he did when he came back...and Bush was also a product of the time...he wasn't the only one who served in the guard...or had a college deferment. It was fairly common and accepted practice at the time. I don't think either one of them should be bragging about their service one way or the other regarding Viet Nam. It has opened old wounds....for no good reason. There was so much hurt durring that time...so many who didn't come home....and so little support for those who did. Sad...to be revisiting that all over again. It seems we've learned very little.

 

[orvilleair]

JoeThaNo1Stunna, in my opinion, I am tired of it too. However, I believe the Swift book is number 1 on the bestseller list and the media is going back and forth over both candidates military careers. Somebody must be interested in it.

 

[currycook]

Yes, as a still undecided lets move on and talk about today.

And if the latest on Bush is a hoax that is a huge negative.

Why do both sides keep going there?

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by orvilleair
JoeThaNo1Stunna, in my opinion, I am tired of it too. However, I believe the Swift book is number 1 on the bestseller list and the media is going back and forth over both candidates military careers. Somebody must be interested in it.

Well, Kerry did say "Bring it on"

 

[Madi100]

With my job I deal with the stories of Vietnam almost everyday. I can understand that Kerry is probably trying to target the Vietnam aged people. He wants them to know that he's one of them. However, from the stories I've heard, I don't think I'd be a fan of Kerry's. I think that bragging about the purple hearts, etc., is a slap in the face to the veterans who served and have some real scars from that war. Does Kerry have any affects from the war? How about the PTSD? Is it hard for him to sleep at night because of the nightmares? I gues I would just think it would be hard for that to be a good thing. He wants people to pat him on the back and cheer him on, yet the real soldiers never received any glory.

It would be interesting to hear from the Vietnam Vets what their thoughts are on this.

 

[GeorgeG]

Well, Madi, I am a Vietnam vet. My Vietnam experience was pretty good compared to a whole lot of others. Coming home to protesters like Kerry was worse.

There's enough testimony from former POWs about how their captors specifically used tapes of Kerry's anti-war speaches to torment them. Any way you shake it, that comes out as giving "aid to the enemy" and that is treason in my book. It's one thing to say you didn't like having to serve and that you personally thought the war was wrong. That's your right as a free American, but Kerry went way beyond that.

I'm happy to say I don't have a Purple Heart, but I am proud of my Vietnam Service Medal and Navy Unit Commendation. At least Jane Fonda eventually apologized for the POWs she caused to be beaten and even killed, not that it makes everything right. All John Kerry has done is run for President. That takes a really huge set...

 

[Madi100]

Originally posted by GeorgeG
Well, Madi, I am a Vietnam vet. My Vietnam experience was pretty good compared to a whole lot of others. Coming home to protesters like Kerry was worse.

There's enough testimony from former POWs about how their captors specifically used tapes of Kerry's anti-war speaches to torment them. Any way you shake it, that comes out as giving "aid to the enemy" and that is treason in my book. It's one thing to say you didn't like having to serve and that you personally thought the war was wrong. That's your right as a free American, but Kerry went way beyond that.

I'm happy to say I don't have a Purple Heart, but I am proud of my Vietnam Service Medal and Navy Unit Commendation. At least Jane Fonda eventually apologized for the POWs she caused to be beaten and even killed, not that it makes everything right. All John Kerry has done is run for President. That takes a really huge set...

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad that you came out of the war without too many ill effects. I've really had my eyes opened to what went on since I started my job. My uncle was in Vietnam and life hasn't been great for him since. He has some serious problems, he can live a normal life, but he does suffer, but he won't get compensation. He feels that he is a lot better off than a lot of guys that came back because he didn't come back in a body bag. So, I'm thinking he'd have a problem with the waving of those three purple hearts too. I'll have to ask him.

And, BTW, Georgeg, thanks for your service and what you did for our country. I have much respect for you.