POST WITH HONESTY…ENTER THE FRAY
By Buck Evinger
This is in response to Censor, an obviously thoughtful and well-informed person. Censor you seem are typical of most liberals in that you ignore facts when they don’t support your argument. To call yourself right of center doesn’t seem appropriate.
You say that SOME doubt has been cast about Kerry’s medals and his service record. That is an understatement, and no, not all of Kerry’s shipmates and very few of those who served closely with him corroborate his story. In fact, the vast majority of those who knew and served with Kerry, over 200 men now organized as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, say Kerry is a liar.
In his many years as a senator Kerry NEVER, never sponsored any legislation. He is a follower. Not a leader and his voting record on bills that were put forth score him as the most liberal senator, period.
He voted in support of the war because it was politically expedient to do so. When Howard Dean proved you could gather support by opposing the war, John Kerry started opposing the war. And here’s a good question. If his opposition to the war, as you claim, was only over the lack of proper discretion in making the decision to go to war, why did he vote against funding it and supporting it? The decision was made…It was rally time. I’ll tell you why. He was in the primaries fighting a rising Howard Dean.
You are most certainly correct that there are many liberal ideals that are foreign, nay, incomprehensible to conservatives.
Kerry and anyone else for that matter can be persuaded by argument. The real point is, what does he believe in? What are the core principles that drive his decision making? If those can be argued away then the man is unfit for command.
Yes, I’m sure Kerry will raise taxes, but what does basic human rights have to do with taxes? And responsible spending? Was the $87 billion dollars to prosecute the war in Iraq, provide munitions and body armor for soldiers and help the starving people of Iraq, was that responsible spending? Kerry’s vote against funding the war in Iraq was done to position him favorably in front of the democratic base during the primary season. Have you noticed how tough he’s talking about the war in Iraq now?
And of course, how could you make an argument without calling Bush an idiot. It’s part of the liberal stylebook these days. Bush may be a plainspoken non-intellectual, but I know what he believes and when he says something, he does it. Do you know what John Kerry would do in Iraq? What’s his plan? Will we stay? Will troop levels be reduced? What will he do if things get worse? You’re not voting for Kerry, you’re voting against Bush. Just stay home.
censor Says: August 26th, 2004 at 5:36 pm
Buck, I appreciate your response and I respect your opinions. I call myself center-right because I am a registered Republican and lean right on a few issues. Events over the past four years have caused me to lean more center (if not a little left)
Your initial Point about Kerry is a good one. There is a great deal of conjecture about Kerry’s medals. From what I have read All but 1 of Kerry’s Superior officers on the boat support his claims. Apparently (and I forget Names) some of the more vocal swift boat vets actually made reports at the time that could corroborate his story. A lot of the negative press I’ve seen on TV relates to his testimony (allegedly taken out of context) following the war which seems to have upset some vets. To be honest though, I think Kerry deserves the Kicking he is getting. His military service record is irrelevant today and was just a clever (albeit failed) attempt to embarrass Bush.
Kerry’s history as a senator casts a serious doubt over his leadership qualities. Likewise, Bush’s propensity to lie to fulfill his personal agendas also cast serious doubt as a leader. Between the two, I tend to feel Kerry will act more in the interest of the nation.
Knowing what I know now, I oppose the war in Iraq (I didn’t always). Hindsight is always 20/20 though. I can identify with Kerry on this one.
I disagree with your point that if somebody’s core principles can be argued away, that that man is unfit for command. A rational open-minded person can admit when they are wrong. If I am wrong about something, I hope my folly can be argued away (that is why I am here) I encourage debate. I don’t want to stubbornly and blindly pursue “my way or the highway” no matter what the costs. When I make a decision, I want to know I have considered all the facts. I want to elect somebody who will do the same.
I was never suggesting that it was irresponsible to provide armor, munitions, aid etc. It is, however irresponsible to continue to provide the biggest tax-cuts in history, while racking up the biggest debts in history. As for basic human rights, I health is a basic human right, and not a luxury. Education is a basic human right, not a luxury. Things like these should not be optional on the budget.
I retract my bush-idiot remark. My understanding of Kerry’s Iraq policy is to continue to pursue peace and autonomy of government. There is little else to do, however Kerry says he will attempt to improve diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. As I understand it though, Kerry isn’t currently trying to pick a new fight with Iran.
You are correct that I am voting against Bush. After reading his policies and plans, I have warmed to the man somewhat. Knowing what I know now. I would rather have the devil I don’t know. Kerry isn’t my first choice, Bush isn’t my second. I would be very surprised if supported Bush 100% in his every action.
Until things change dramatically, we will only realistically get a choice to two candidates. These two candidates are inevitably limited to the financial elite and, due to the rising cost of an election campaign, nearly always ripe with corruption. All we can do weigh up the pros and cons, and vote with our hearts. Both you and I will do that this November and for that, once again, I respect you.
censor Says: August 26th, 2004 at 5:41 pm
P.S. Overlooking facts that don’t support one’s argument is easily (and often) done by anyone, regardless of political persuasion. I’m seeking the whole truth and I eagerly await your response.
zoot potatoe Says: August 26th, 2004 at 9:30 pm
the swift boats thing is just a group of conservative veterans saying that kerry sucks. most of these men never knew him.
“Censor you seem are typical of most liberals in that you ignore facts”
lol, your sick stereotypes never get old, buck.
well thats all i Have to say caus i dont want to butt in too much more.
Emory Says: August 26th, 2004 at 10:36 pm
I haven’t read the swift boat veterans’ book, but I’ve heard several of them making some very strong points based both in fact and on their experiences. The swift boat veterans may be sympathetic to the Republican cause (perhaps as a reaction to Kerry’s acerbic remarks about the veterans upon returning from Vietnam), but there’s no way anyone can relegate all their research and experiencial evidence to oh they’re just a bunch of Republicans.
zoot potatoe Says: August 27th, 2004 at 12:29 am
democrat vietnam vetrans use “facts” too as they support kerry, but thats because I believe they are democrats and want to use the fact they served in vietnam to their advantage, as the swift boaters do
I put facts in quotation marks because both parties, from what i read, can be blamed for distorting the truth.