Thanking those who are speaking out against SwiftLiars

[Jane Austin]

It has taken some real courage for men like Mr. Rood to come out of their privacy and back up the validity of Sen Kerry's experience in Viet Nam.

Here's a note my husband, formerly a rerporter, has sent.

Perhaps others would like to let him know of our appreciateion, too. You know he's going to hear from the other side on this.


[e-mail]

Dear Mr. Rood -

We justly celebrate those who demonstrate courage in battle in defense of
our nation. It seems to me that even greater honors are due to men like you
who remain willing to show the same bravery in defending your nation - and
your comrades - against those who would use despicable tactics to dishonor
courage itself for a temporary political advantage.

They are as much a threat to America as any external enemy and I am proud
and grateful that people of honor still exist to stand against them.

Sincerely,

[John Q. Citizen]

1. props to your husband and to Rood

[Career Prole]

2. Good letter!

I sent one off yesterday as soon as the story broke here. I had been soooo waiting for a voice like that to speak up. He's a patriot, is Mr. Rood. In the good sense of the word...the pre * sense.

[Indiana_Dem]

3. Just sent a quick thank you! n/t

[TahitiNut]

4. I emailed him yesterday ...

Dear Mr. Rood ...

Thanks for 'coming out' on the story regarding Kerry's service in Viet Nam in 1969. As a Viet Nam veteran who was stationed at Long Binh (USARV HQ) throughout 1969, I'm all too aware of the hostilities that month. (We repelled an attack of an augmented NVA battalion along our southern perimeter less than a week before you and others encountered the bushwhacking in the Mekong.)

There's almost nothing that pains me more than the slanders and libels regarding the honorable service of those of us who served in Viet Nam. While I'm also well aware of the atrocious behavior of a small minority (and the complicity of some in command), painting honorable and courageous service with the corrupt brush of blind partisanship is a syndrome that harms us all.

Welcome home, bro'!
<signed>

[TahitiNut]

5. Just a meta-quibble about "defense of our nation" ...

While nearly all of us (me, at least) bought into the notion of 'duty' and 'defense,' we all know now that the war was mostly based on a fraud (Tonkin Gulf) and specious 'theories' (dominoes anyone?). At the same time, I and most others truly wanted the best for the Vietnamese people. While we surely thought we were helping them stay 'free,' it's pretty clear that many of them disagreed.

In some sense, we were the Boy Scouts helping the old lady cross the street ... even though she didn't want to go. I don't think this was lost upon the Vietnamese, either. I'm pretty sure that some of the women who were maids in our hooches and offices ('mama-sans') and clerks in other offices were actually VC by night. At the same time, I have little doubt they liked many of us personally. (I think of two in particular who were extremely kind to me.)

The seeds of my realization of this were planted when I was present during part of the medical treatment and interrogation of a couple of 'NVA soldiers' (about 15 years old) after Tet'69. I realize now that I felt almost a greater kinship to them than I felt toward our "leaders." This, of course, is the root of "class consciousness" that rightfully transcends ethnicity and nationality.


It is, however, secondary whether a 'threat' is real in assessing COURAGE and HONOR. While some misguidedly interpret "Quixotic" in a disparaging manner, it must be realized that Don Quixote was courageous. While there is no courage in not realizing a threat, there is no lack of courage when one feels threatened and "does the right thing" as best they can anyway. Superman wasn't courageous - because he was invulnerable. Don Quixote was courageous. I'd have been proud to call him 'friend.'

It does take courage to confront the monster under the bed. Please, don't ever forget this. Indeed, it's probably the courage that counts the most.

[nomatrix]

8. TahitiNut, you made my night

[Jane Austin]

6. Kick!

n/t

[imax2268]

7. My letter...

please let me know what you think of it before I send it...

Mr Rood,

I just wanted to express my thanks to you for standing up to the dispicable actions by the other "Swift Boat Vets" and their attack on John Kerry. I respect all veterans, I myself am a veteran of the first Gulf war, and my father is a veteran who served 20 years for the Air Force aboard Air Force One. I think that it is terrible how these men are behaving and they should be ashamed of themselves. They are not only humiliating themselves but are discrediting and dishonoring all vets of the VietNam war with their lies.
I salute you sir for your courage and your bravery for fighting in VietNam, and again for taking the courage and bravery to stand up to these men who have one goal in mind, help George Bush get re-elected to office by discrediting John Kerry.

Thank you sir, you are a truely a man of honor,

[Jane Austin]

9. Great letter. eom

[imax2268]

10. thanks...

just sent it...!

[Guaranteed]

11. My letter

You're a great man, Mr. Rood.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up against the Bush smear machine.

You know, you don't have to be in active military service to be a hero to your country.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Nathan Speed

[imax2268]

12. kicking

:kick: