Dole Reprises Role as Crotchety Old Man
Oh, the levels some politicians will stoop to reek vengeance on former political opposition parties that smothered them in past elections. Most commentators on TV, radio, and print expressed shock over Dole's public reaction to the Swift Boat Veterans charges against John Kerry. Dole's comments clearly showed that unless a limb was rendered useless, you have no right to comment on a war you participated in. Dole stated, "And here's, you know, a good guy, a good friend. I respect his record. But three Purple Hearts and never bled that I know of. I mean, they're all superficial wounds."
The question, Mr. Dole, is what is your criteria for being wounded in action. "Wounded in action" seems to be a maleable term depending on who is running against whom. We only have to mention former Senator Max Cleland to make this point. According to Navy records, Kerry still has a souvenir from his Vietnam days in the form a piece of shrapnel that has, up to the date of this posting, yet to be removed.
In fact, upon seeing Dole's statement on TV live, if listened to carefully, Dole completely contadicts himself to make him seem as if he has the higher ground. The ex-senator and Viagra spokesman says he respects Kerry's "record" and calls him "a good friend." But in the same breath, he disrecpects Kerry's war record by questioning his Purple Hearts by making his wounds sound as if they were mere scratches, as if Dole himself had been a witness to the event. Further, would a "good friend" embrace the dubious claims of a shadowy group such as the Swiftboat Vets over the word of a longtime colleague and the Military Record?
CNN.com - Dole suggests Kerry apologize - Aug 23%2C 2004
posted by Jimbo Trout @ Monday, August 23, 2004