[techweenie]

Thanks for your considered response.

In combat, awards are thrown around like confetti. I think I read there were three times as many medals awarded in the Grenada attack as there were participants.

So I can agree with some of what you say. However, other guys who served with Kerry are actively campaigning for him, so this isn't exactly the 'everyone who knew him' kind of thing the Republicans are pushing. I can get you some links, if you like.

I'm just looking for some balance here. 'Not observed on base' is not equivalent to a Silver Star. Using connections to get into the National Guard vs. volunteering for Vietnam is not equivalent.

It's reasonable to argue the relative merits of serving your country and whether it provides useful underpinnings to the job of being commander in chief.

But let's not argue that staying stateside and reporting (or not) to training is as meritorious as putting yourself in harm's way for your country.