Vietnam War, Peace Pivotal in Kerry's Life

[isbister]

By Edward Walsh
Washington Post

In November 2000, the twilight of his presidency, Bill Clinton traveled to Vietnam, a place that he and thousands of other young Americans tried to avoid in the 1960s. He spoke at the Vietnam National University of Hanoi, and among those in the audience that he singled out for recognition was a tall man from New England who had been to Vietnam many times before.

His name was John F. Kerry, and he had played a key role in bringing about the first visit to Vietnam by an American president since Richard M. Nixon briefly met with U.S. troops there in 1969.

The Vietnam War was the defining event in Kerry's life, as it was for so many others of his generation. Today, as the Massachusetts senator seeks the Democratic presidential nomination, the war provides a critical underpinning for his candidacy. Kerry, a decorated combat veteran, would not easily be portrayed by President Bush and the Republicans as soft on national security issues.

...the rest of the story

[BeyondGeography]

1. Kerry is a true American hero

Great article.

Imagine a man of Kerry's stature having his value to the Democratic Party implicitly questioned by a comparative non-entity like Howard Dean and his band of neophyte followers? That's politics. What I like about Kerry is that he's strong enough not to personalize things, as this article makes clear. But maybe this healthy detachment doesn't always serve him well politically.

Whatever. Give me a nation of John Kerry's any day of the week.

[adadem]

2. Very true. n/t

[Raya]

9. Not surprising Kerry seems Uncomfortable on same stage as Dean

[WiseMen]

3. Thank for Post. Good to be Reminded who the Real Heroes Are.

God speed in IOWA great Senator.

[maddezmom]

4. nice article

:)

[mouse7]

5. Kerry living off legacy of earlier days

Kerry had a great track record entering the early 90's.

Something about Kerry changed. He completely changed since then. Pointing to the stands Kerry took a decade ago doesn't get any traction with me. I don't believe that Kerry is the same Kerry that's running for President.

Maybe it was Teresa that did it to him. Who knows.

[zulchzulu]

8. What specifically are you talking about?

I'm sure you're talking about his IWR vote, which Dean agreed with at the time the vote would have been made if Dean was in a position to vote.

Other than that, what specifics do you have? How would THK (who is a very intelligent philantropist with causes such as protesting the environment, human rights and other great causes) make him any different?

I doubt you can back up your accusations, but who knows. Maybe you do have something legitimate to say.

[blm]

10. Oh...you don't agree with the Kyoto Protocol

that Kerry worked on throughout the 90s and 2000?

You don't agree with his book about The New War that alerted on the international funding of terrorism. Did you disagree with his legislation to target the funders of terrorism and the international banking system that allowed it?

You don't agree with his Hate Crimes legislation?

You don't agree with his CHIPS legislation that he and Kennedy worked on to expand healthcare to uninsured children in EVERY state including Vermont?

You don't agree with the public financing of campaigns legislation he advocated with Wellstone?

You don't agree with his advocacy to return voting rightds to those who did their time?

There is so much more that he did. Too bad you disagree with what he did the last ten years.

[Monte Carlo]

11. Well, you haven't been paying attention, then.

... close enough, that is.

Kerry has led filibusters against radical nominees and radical legislation, pushed good economic/business bills and great environmental and energy initiatives during his time in the Senate recently. Take a step back.

[sandnsea]

6. This is impressive

"John, on behalf of this nation, brought us back to Vietnam with our heads held high," said former senator Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), who lost part of a leg and was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Navy Seal in Vietnam. "I think only John could have done it."

While things in Vietnam have a ways to go, it will be a sure sign of the power of the human spirit if we can accomplish through peaceful engagement what we could not accomplish through war. The amazing thing is his humility about it. One of the greatest achievements by the United States in recent years and he generally mentions it in passing. Truly the sign of a giant among men.

[blm]

12. That is important...McCain has said the same.

The people who have WORKED with Kerry on tough issues have every confidence in him. No wonder that Clinton went to him often on key issues.

[JI7]

13. yes, clinton said kerry can beat bush

clinton knows kerry well. and knows kerry can take bush on , on any issue bush wants to run on and beat him at it.

[oasis]

7. Send them a president.

[adadem]

14. with experience n/t