I'm thisclose to taking Kerry off my Google Alerts

[LittleClarkie]

One more damn rehash of last week's ruckus and I'm gonna plotz.

One bright spot though was this letter to the editor of the Pocono Record, a NE Pennsylvania newspaper:

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061109/NEWS04/611090308

Because he is more a fellow Vietnam veteran than he is one of my state's senators, I am writing in defense of John Kerry against two letters published on Nov. 8.

I can't help getting the feeling that the outrage in these letters and, indeed, from around the country was more about scoring political points than defending the honor of our troops in Iraq. One writer demanded to hear the entire joke Kerry attempted and botched. Apparently this person only watches Fox TV or reads only right-wing publications because that answer has been broadcast and published extensively. Kerry left out the word "us," thus the punch line should have been "poor study habits gets us stuck in Iraq." He was referring to our commander in chief.

Yes, John Kerry shouldn't attempt humor in public, and he should have apologized immediately rather than later. But I can understand his defensiveness. What Bush's henchmen did to his military record in the 'O4 election was shameful. I can imagine how I would feel if my record was "swiftboated" or denigrated. In fact, I do know. Please remember that Vietnam veterans weren't always regarded as "heroes." "Baby killers" and "drug addicts" were the preferred adjectives for many years by most of the country.

As one anonymous Republican stated, the GOP's biggest fear was that Kerry would apologize and then ask Mr. Bush to also apologize to the troops. Where was the similar outrage when Bush urged the insurgents to "bring it on," or for looking for "WMDs" under a table in the Oval Office? Or how about apologizing for botching the whole war rather than just some silly joke? Of course, calling for that wouldn't support some people's political leanings.

KARL FORD

Beverly, Mass.