The Big Picture on Kerry: Dude Saves People's Lives! More than Once!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

In Vietnam! Heimlich Maneuvering Repub. Sen. Chic Hecht!

Think about that for a moment! Not even necessarily as some kind of arguing point for convincing undecideds, just for yourself. It says a lot about what kind of man Kerry is. How many people do you know who have saved ANYONE's life, ever?

Unless you work in medicine/EMT/paramedic, or are a fireman or policeman, precious few I'll bet.

And these are indisputable facts. Dont' even consider the various arguments about flip flopping or whatever.

Kerry is brave. He signed up voluntarily for VN, and again volunteered specifically for in country combat duty.

That says a lot. I stop and think about this once in a while. Even if you think he was planning to run for Pres since high school and only was trying to punch a ticket on his resume, it STILL takes a lot of courage to volunteer for that kind of duty. Lots of shrub/Saxby Chambliss types no doubt had political ambitions early on but had no interest in putting their ass in danger. I spent the majority of my adult life as an active duty military officer with no combat time. I don't know that I would ever have volunteered for the kind of duty Kerry did, with the advantages and options available to him in his situation.

Kerry is a good man. He has saved the lives of others, more than once! Think about that! I do, and it angers me that shrubco runs against him not just disagreeing with his politics, but by making him out to be a BAD MAN, the opposite of what he is.

I remember reading some comment by James Carville about Kerry, saying that, "man to man, he's just a much better MAN than GWB is. No contest." I don't have the exact quote, just paraphrasing. But think about what I've just said about JK, and shrub's life, and Carville's point is obvious.

If someone could more eloquently summarize these thoughts in a digested format, perhaps it could be fitting for an email to communicate them to others. I've been working most of the night, just got home and am rambling a bit.

[bklyncowgirl]

1. Kerry thinks quickly and acts decisively

What I got out of that story about Senator Hecht was that other people were milling around trying to figure out what to do. Kerry came on the scene, evaluated the situation, and went into action thus saving the man's life.

I like those sort of qualities in a leader.

[Bandit]

4. Quickly assessed the situation and went into action immediately

He didn't stand there for seven minutes contemplating his navel. He acted like a true leader.

[bklyncowgirl]

2. Oh yeah and we can't forget the hamster n/t

[noamnety]

3. Letter to Editor/Media Corps talking points

I've just sent this out to local publications:

Former GOP Sen. Hecht owes life to Democratic candidate Kerry

Senator Kerry's quick action to save former Sen. Hecht's life demonstrates Kerry's ability to quickly assess a situation, and take decisive action to resolve it.

In 1988, Sen. Hecht began choking during a Republican luncheon. While others pondered whether he was having a heart attack, or ineffectually thumped him on the back, he passed out. Senator Kerry stepped off the elevator into this situation, and immediately took action, jumping in and performing the Heimlich maneuver.

Dr. Henry Heimlich, who invented the maneuver, told Hecht that had Kerry hesitated just 30 seconds, Hecht might have been in a vegetative state for life.

While the Heimlich maneuver can be learned by anybody, the vision to see to the heart of a problem and the ability to spring to action quickly when required is a gift. Senator Kerry has this gift.