Weighing in on John Kerry's Military Record

It's been a while since I wrote. All apologies; I started reading mcsweeneys.com and realized my blog would never be as good so I might as well stop. But this issue is bothering me, so I thought I'd say something.

Personally, I always thought the Kerry campaign was harping too much on Kerry's military service. With good reason, though; it seemed the one issue on which Bush could never match him, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how hard he fought, no matter what happened.

Boy, was I wrong. Politically naive as I am, I forgot about the Lie Factor.

Now here's the thing. I had satisfied myself that Kerry's assertions about his military service were true, based on statements by other veterans and the official Navy accounts of his actions. And, unlike the general public, I applaud Kerry for taking a stance against the Vietnam War. In fact, I think it's stupid that he should get criticized for that, because it's a pretty well-accepted fact now that Vietnam was a mistake in many ways. He certainly had a right to say what he did.

But all of a sudden, it's like everything about those heroic incidents have come into question, and still I haven't yet heard an assertion against Kerry's activities that makes any sense. At least, not one that comes from an impartial and believable source. I am willing to grant that people had different perceptions of what was going on at the time. I expect that. But all these allegations seem so spurious and silly and without evidence that I can't believe the idiots out there actually believe them.

No, wait, I can. What am I saying? It seems like the Republicans are trying to manipulate us, again, without taking responsibility for it. They can take an incident that once seemed clear-cut and turn it into some crazy, unbelievable conspiracy, all in the name of re-election. Sounds just like 9/11 to me.

I'm not saying Democrats always take the high road. Clearly, they don't. But this is low, really low. Spectacularly low, even. It just goes to show that given enough money, effective propaganda, and a stupid American public, you can do anything.

Top 10 Alan Keyes Rejected Campaign Slogans

1. Dude, Where’s My House?
2. The Sacrificial Lamb Stops Here
3. We’re All Out of Guys Named Ryan
4. Yes, It’s Nonsense, But It’s ARTICULATE Nonsense
5. The “Golden Sombrero” Tour
6. Making Limbaugh Look Moderate
7. You Can Forget About the Free Ice Cream
8. It’s All About the Mapquest!
9. I’m Way More Qualified Than The Guy In The Lederhosen
10. Sex Clubs? I Don’t Even Like Club Sandwiches!

I can't take credit for this one. My husband was inspired. He's a very funny man.