First let me say IMO this thread should have never been posted to this board. Since it was and being a vocal person (not always right tho), here is my vote for Bush and why....
If you want to live in a country that is "free" and "thinks for itself", then vote Bush. If you want a country that looks towards the UN and other countries for approval in deciding our fate and Kerry's one world way of thinking, then vote for him.
BTW: Where does it say the government is to take care of you from cradle to grave??? That's Socialism!!! Me, I'm tired paying for everyone else... let them get out and provide for themselves.
Whether the Viet-Nam War was "right or wrong" is not an issue to be considered. However, my experieces during that time of my life have influenced my political views today.
I was "lucky" enough to have only made it "in country" a few times as a C-141 Crew Chief, in and right out.. in one short hour (if you can even call the flightline at Saigon in country). However, I was stationed at Yokota AB, Japan '70-'76 and worked on many of the C-141 Air Evac missions there... Wes and other Viet-Nam Vets our paths may of crossed there unknowingly. I was the young Crew Chief you didn't notice standing by the large clam shells doors, watching as you were carried off to the Med Evac hospital before being sent on your way home on another flight.
The two things I saw there that will stay with me and forever and influence my views are:
„ The guys being taken off/being put back on those planes laying on that uncomfortable Army green stretcher, some of which were covered completely having passed on while in transit. Without going into detail, most were in bad shape, very bad shape and it was easy to see their pain and suffering.
„ Wes, as you must know and for those that donetc the large metal transport coffins were brought back aboard C-141 cargo transport aircraft. The C-141 has 10 pallet positions, nine on the cargo floor and one the on ramp at the tail of the plane. I've seen many planes go thru Yokota with the coffins aboard mixed in with cargo (at least they were placed at the front of the plane). Only once did I see a plane "fully" loaded with caskets carrying the remains of the fallen... stacked three wide, three high, nine to a pallet. Only the nine pallet positions on the cargo floor were used. 9 caskets to a pallet x 9 pallets... that's a total of 81 souls going home that gave it their all. The coffins where sealed but you could still smell the stench of death onboard those planes wether it carried one or eightyone coffins. It's a sight and smell I will carry with me forever.
For those that served... here's my salute to you. I will NEVER aid in the surrender of this country to the whims of another. Voting for Kerry is the first step in doing just that.........................
Sorry for the soap box vent, but it really gets my goat when a phony bastard like Kerry even gets a shot at being "my" Commander-In-Chief and the president of this country!!!