I've avoided commenting on Kerry's statements to Congress concerning war crimes in Viet Nam, but perhaps I can add just a bit of insight into just what John Kerry did.
First of all I'm a pro abortion, anti death penalty Democrat. I'm also a Viet Nam veteran who happened to be "in country" in 1971, the time Kerry was most outspoken against Viet Nam- but understand, by 1971 EVERYBODY was opposed to the war in VN, so it wasn't risky, or controversial, to be opposed to the VN War.
John Kerry stigmatized me, and every other Vet, with his claims we were all war criminals. He painted us to look like sociopathic cowboys, murdering civilians indiscriminately, just to collect an ear for our necklace.
I firmly believe we who served in Viet Nam were no better nor worse than soldiers who have served in any of our other wars... because of John Kerry, and people like him, we were stigmatized to the point where being a Viet Nam vet was something to be ashamed about.
It didn't take courage to denounce the War in 1971- if you're looking for an anti war hero then look at Mohammad Ali, who was stripped of his boxing title and imprisoned for his anti-war stance in 1967- more than four years BEFORE John Kerry came out in opposition to the War.
Basically John Kerry had nothing to lose and a political career to gain by taking what was indeed a populist position by 1971. The annoyance many Vets feel towards Kerry is that he sold all of us out and helped deny us the pride and respect we deserved when we came home.
When I vote for him I'll have to hold my nose.