Re:
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2004/mariek54.htm
John O'Neill and the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth"
have missed the boat.  In attempting to declare John
Kerry "unfit to be commander-in-chief", they have
actually declared our military to be "unfit to wage
war".

First, they challenge the competency of our military
in assigning command.  Then, Lt. Commander Grant
Hibbard challenges the degree of wisdom exercised in
awarding Purple Hearts.  Unwittingly, they charge the
military court with miscarriage of justice in the case
of Lt. Calley.

If a military record has any bearing at all being "fit
to be commander-in-chief, just showing up puts John
Kerry ahead of Bush and Cheney combined.   Apparently,
Kerry did far more than that.  Although opposed to the
inhumanities committed against the Vietnam people, he
exhibited integrity, and loyalty to fulfilling his
commitment.  He demonstrated discipline in waiting to
exercise his freedom of speech through the proper
channels.  As a young man, led by his own convictions,
took a stand for what he believed-a stand which our
President is now taking only after the news was
delayed two weeks and with the pressure of an upcoming
election.

It seems that the "letter-signers" have more of a
grievance against the military than against Kerry.