Another LTTE on Repubs voting for Kerry .

[Bunny]

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


I reject my party's sleazy attacks on John Kerry

I would like to thank the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth for assisting me in my choice for president. As a retired Navy commander who worked on Dick Cheney's Pentagon staff when he was secretary of defense, I saw firsthand how he reacted when the first President Bush lost the election. He almost immediately deserted his post and left the Department of Defense scrambling for a replacement.

Now, he and President Bush have a group of former veterans attempting to defame a man who had the courage to go to Vietnam and fight for his country. Mr. Kerry also had the courage to disagree with the war (along with many other honorable Americans) after his service was completed. I think the right to disagree with the status quo is a right that all Americans have and is one of the rights I defended in my 22 years of military service.

I received several medals for my service. I met the criteria for earning each one, but I know others, in some cases, did much more to earn the same medal. I didn't turn down the medal just because I did less than another military member who earned the same award. Lt. Kerry did not give the medals to himself. They were awarded by his superiors.

As a Republican, I agree with what the party represents but I disagree with the sleazy tactics it is using to try to win an election. I therefore intend (along with my entire family) to vote for John Kerry.


MARTIN MASKIEWICZ
Trafford

And, as an added bonus, check out this LTTE:

Medal facts

In her Aug. 31 letter "Kerry Crybabies," Sharon Clifford dismisses Kerry supporters with a reference to "thousands of Vietnam veterans who did not receive medals." Sorry to burst her bubble, but no such person exists.

Anyone who served on active duty during the Vietnam era was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Anyone who actually went to Vietnam was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.

The rest of her letter seems equally long on opinion and short on fact.


GEORGE SANFORD
Greensburg

edited to add link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04251/374530.stm

[liberalnurse]

1. I got tell ya....

People from Western Pa. are bold, brave and say whats on there minds! I love-em!

I just happen to of come from there myself....so it takes one to know one. They make me soooooproud.

[gratuitous]

2. Is the Post-Gazette not Scaife-controlled?

I'm not familiar with all the ins and outs of Pittsburgh politics, but doesn't Scaife pretty much dominate the media outlets in Pittsburgh? I wonder how Maskiewicz' letter got through? Unless someone just read the first sentence, assumed it was pro-Stupidhead, and ran it without reading further.

[Bunny]

4. No, Scaife controls the Pittsburgh Tribune.

Now, THAT's a right-wing rag! The Post-Gazette is generally considered to be the "liberal" paper in town.

[billbuckhead]

5. The Tribune-Review is Scaife's rag

The Post-Gazette is a different company.

[gratuitous]

6. Thanks!

Boy, I wish Portland (which is believe it or not bigger than Pittsburgh) was a two newspaper town.

[EST]

3. If only, if only

the idiots in power had such honesty.