Hey, this is just too cool

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

John Kerry is on the wall of the war museum in Ho Chi Minh City. He's honored for his help in defeating the U.S. in Vietnam.

By the way, the source of the photos and information on the museum is a member of the Swift Boat Veterans group. While you may not like the site, it is kind of hard to ignore the fact that the North Vietnamese Communists honor John Kerry on the wall of their war museum as a major contributor to the defeat of the United States.

Anyone have anything that proves this to be false?

[Sandman]

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/staticpages/index.php?page=20040531140357545

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Yes, that's it. The link didn't take. Probably a hiccup in the net, massive thunderstorms here in the area.

But what do you think of it?

[Sandman]

I'm not sure it matters one way or the other. Kerry protested against the war. Ending the war was as beneficial to the Vietnamese as it was to the U.S.

I don't see the controversy.

[Shuckins]

Does this mean he's guilty of "giving aid and comfort" to the enemy?  He's entitled to his own opinions of course, but there are a lot of Vietnam veterans who disapprove of Kerry's actions.

[Sandman]

If dissent equates to aid and comfort, we're going to have to find another country to live in.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Sandman
If dissent equates to aid and comfort, we're going to have to find another country to live in.

On the otherhand, he was wearing the uniform of his country, being paid to serve it, and after the fact, running for public office on the basis of being a "war hero".

As a private citizen, he's entitled to all the free speech and dissent he can stand.

 But as a soldier, he's under sworn oath to the Constitution and the CIC, he has his orders, and he's sworn his loyalty. If he did in fact protest the war while in uniform and while an active member of the regular forces OR the reserve, then that changes everything. Oh, and if he lied under oath to Congress while in that uniform, that's a major problem as well.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
But as a soldier, he's under sworn oath to the Constitution and the CIC, he has his orders, and he's sworn his loyalty. If he did in fact protest the war while in uniform and while an active member of the regular forces OR the reserve, then that changes everything. Oh, and if he lied under oath to Congress while in that uniform, that's a major problem as well.

Protest while in uniform while on active duty? That's difficult to believe.

As far as participating in political protest, active duty are indeed citizens and the Constitution still applies. They are free to demonstrate like any other citizen.

Lied under oath? Got proof?

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Sandman
Protest while in uniform while on active duty? That's difficult to believe.

As far as participating in political protest, active duty are indeed citizens and the Constitution still applies. They are free to demonstrate like any other citizen.

Lied under oath? Got proof?

I said "IF". There are many who question not only Kerry's testimony to Congress, but also reports he wrote while on duty in Vietnam. This includes those who served directly with Kerry, in the incidents he cited in testimony under oath.

Political protest is a little different than directly protesting military action.

Again, I said "IF", as in I've heard that he did, and that he didn't. hence the "IF".

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts

Political protest is a little different than directly protesting military action.

Not at all different. Military action is political.

[Dead Man Flying]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Again, I said "IF", as in I've heard that he did, and that he didn't. hence the "IF".

You heard that he did... and he didn't?  You're such a flip-flopper.

-- Todd/Leviathn

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Sandman
Not at all different. Military action is political.

It may be if you are in uniform and on active duty. At least at one point, the Uniform Code of Military Justice did at one time establish a difference, or so a few members of the military told me. I don't know.

They declined my offer of my services. Something about 3 knee surgeries before the age of 18. They said they made enough health problems on their own and did not need me to bring any in. So I did not serve and as such I am not an expert on the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Far from it.

[Gunslinger]

my opinion on the subject is this.  John Kerry did more for North Veitnam after he left service than he did for the US while on active duty.  

Alot of PEACE activists will never agnowlege that more people in that region died beciase of "peace" than ever in the entire conflict.  JUST LIKE IRAQ....more Iraqies died and would have died under sadam than if the coalitian had invaded.   OR if the US pulls out now.

I'm not calling John Kerry a traitor but I will say he did more for the enemy (in terms of publicity) than he ever did for the US Navy.

[storch]

Originally posted by Sandman
I'm not sure it matters one way or the other. Kerry protested against the war. Ending the war was as beneficial to the Vietnamese as it was to the U.S.

I don't see the controversy.

[Shuckins]

Making political statements of any kind, while in uniform, is frowned upon by the government.

You could ask Douglas MacArthur about it, if he were available for comment.

Regards, Shuckins/Leggern