Republican Retired Navy Officer thanks SBL helping him vote Kerry

[RamboLiberal]

Great letter in my local paper today. Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

I reject my party's sleazy attacks on John Kerry
I would like to thank the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth for assisting me in my choice for president. As a retired Navy commander who worked on Dick Cheney's Pentagon staff when he was secretary of defense, I saw firsthand how he reacted when the first President Bush lost the election. He almost immediately deserted his post and left the Department of Defense scrambling for a replacement.

Now, he and President Bush have a group of former veterans attempting to defame a man who had the courage to go to Vietnam and fight for his country. Mr. Kerry also had the courage to disagree with the war (along with many other honorable Americans) after his service was completed. I think the right to disagree with the status quo is a right that all Americans have and is one of the rights I defended in my 22 years of military service.

I received several medals for my service. I met the criteria for earning each one, but I know others, in some cases, did much more to earn the same medal. I didn't turn down the medal just because I did less than another military member who earned the same award. Lt. Kerry did not give the medals to himself. They were awarded by his superiors.

As a Republican, I agree with what the party represents but I disagree with the sleazy tactics it is using to try to win an election. I therefore intend (along with my entire family) to vote for John Kerry.

MARTIN MASKIEWICZ
Trafford

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04251/374530.stm

[SharonAnn]

1. Great letter! Thanks for posting it!

[demnan]

2. I'm hoping a lot of vets feel that way

Incidentally I cited a "Veteran for Kerry" bumpersticker in conservative Woodbridge, VA over the weekend.

[luaneryder]

6. I do!

And I'm sporting my "Veteran for Kerry" bumper sticker in TN and NC.

[calimary]

16. Cool! And, by the way, thanks for YOUR service and sacrifice!

I don't know how ANYONE who went into the military and actually showed up every day and actually fulfilled all the requirements and actually can be remembered by other guys who were there and maybe also actually saw combat and perhaps even won a REAL Purple Heart (not the one on the chickenhawks' band-aids) could EVER support bush. I just don't see it. I'm glad you see the truth. Sorry he's putting such a blight on the whole concept of military service.

[Wickerman]

3. Way to go, Martin

glad to see someone has strong critical thinking skills intact.

:thumbsup:

[JI7]

4. WOW , send this to other Republicans and Conservatives you all know

[blm]

5. Interesting that you never hear stories in reverse.

That makes me damn happy.

[Cha]

7. Freakin' Wow! This letter to the Editor should

be blasted across every paper in the Nation and spread far and wide across the internet!

This is how the swift boat liars should effect people who think.

[K8-EEE]

8. KICK KICK KICK!

thanks for the great letter, it really brightened up my morning!

[JohnnyRingo]

9. In the "Post-Gazette"! I bet it killed them to print that letter

From someone so credible.

[RamboLiberal]

17. Post Gazette are good guys

Were you thinking of Dicky Mellon Scaife's paper which is the Tribune Review?

[JohnnyRingo]

18. Heh..Heh...Yeah.....I was

I was high (and outraged).

it won't happen again (thanx)....LOL

[GOPAgainstGW]

10. Thanks for Post!!!!!!

[vickie]

11. Rock on Mr. Maskiewicz!!!

[VolcanoJen]

12. Kick!!

:dem:

[citizen]

13. Right On!

Thanks for posting this!

[citizen]

14. I created a T-shirt with the graphic below on it and....

wore it to a county fair in Ohio this past weekend. I received many favorable comments and 'thumbs-up' signs, but the most fun was hanging around the booth sponsored by the local Republicans. The looks of despair were terrific!

Get out and make a statement!

[cheshire]

15. It's always nice to know there are some repubs. that get it.

[sambird90]

19. rep. adm.

you go admiral!!!!! from one navy veteran to another you rock!!!!!

[Eurotrash]

20. GO MR. MASKIEWICZ!

You are a great American!