My letter to the editor on Swift Boat controversy

[WI_DEM]

I'm sending it to my two local papers--State Journal and Cap Times.

Dear Editor,

The media hype over the exaggerations and outright lies made by a group calling itself the "Switft Boat Veterans for Truth" is appalling.

This is clearly a partisan political attack against John Kerry largely funded by wealthy republicans in Texas. What really galls me is that John Kerry is a man who volunteered to serve his country in a war he didn't support. He requested to go to Vietnam. He served with honor and valor and still carries the scars of that war. He won medals for bravery and heroism.

On the other hand, we have another candidate for president who used political connections to get into the National Guard. He requested not to be sent to Vietnam--even though he supported our policies in southeast Asia. When he got into the Guard he failed to show up for a mandatory medical exam and he was disciplined for this failure. He also took time off from the guard to do political work for a Republican candidate in Alabama. In his final year in the Guard he failed to show up for duty and hasn't adequately answered questions about his whereabouts. Many people believe he was AWOL.

Yet we have the media in a frenzy over outlandish allegations made about a man who actually served his country and served it with honor. I can't believe that the Republicans are allowed to say that there is a liberal media bias in this country. There is a media bias for sure, but it isn't liberal. And what they are doing to John Kerry isn't American either.

Charles Tranberg
Madison, Wi.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. You Are On The Side Of The Angels

DSB

[wurzel]

2. If only they print it! I think it is a little too literate.

No offense. But I think you have the disadvantage of an education.

[RobertSeattle]

3. Good stuff

You could add the quip:

While in the National Guard, Bush took time off from to do political work for a candidate, something many deployed National Guard members in Iraq wish they could do right now.

[WI_DEM]

5. good idea

[cheezus]

4. nice use of "some say"

"Many people believe he was AWOL."