General Patton on Lieutenant Kerry

But it is even more important to tell the
truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
Theodore Roosevelt
Kansas City "Star"
May 7, 1918

Easy for Teddy to say in 1918. I wonder what his opinion would have
been in, say, 1906?

all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

But it is even more important to tell the
truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
Theodore Roosevelt
Kansas City "Star"
May 7, 1918

Easy for Teddy to say in 1918. I wonder what his opinion would have
been in, say, 1906?

Yeah, well, we all know how TR hated getting into fights.
But if he thought that disputing the executive branch harmed the military's
efforts or morale, he picked an odd time to speak out, considering that four of
his sons were at the front.

"Tom Cervo" wrote
Whether his medals or someone else's, the issue is not the ownership,
but the oath--to protect and defend. To obey the lawful orders.
Enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. These are phrases of meaning and relate
to a commissioned officer, who never unless stripped of the rank is
anything less, has an obligation to the President he serves and the
warriors still in the fray. To undermine the support for half a
million fighting men still in harm's way by leading protests against
the duly elected government of his country--that's the sin.

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public
servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is
warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in
rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole.
..snip..
Theodore Roosevelt
Kansas City "Star"
May 7, 1918

Wonderful quote Tom. I don't think Lt. Kerry was protesting the President
though. He was protesting the government, and our forces in battle. Having
done his time, he then banded with a bunch of long-haired scum, who did more
to our flag then any Arab or Persian setting it on fire abroad. He broke faith, and
now he wants to be known as a warrior again. Theodore would have shot him
on sight, and the public would have applauded "Bully!"

On Sun, 1 Feb 2004 08:41:45 -0600, "S. Sampson"
wrote:

"Tom Cervo" wrote
Whether his medals or someone else's, the issue is not the ownership,
but the oath--to protect and defend. To obey the lawful orders.
Enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. These are phrases of meaning and relate
to a commissioned officer, who never unless stripped of the rank is
anything less, has an obligation to the President he serves and the
warriors still in the fray. To undermine the support for half a
million fighting men still in harm's way by leading protests against
the duly elected government of his country--that's the sin.

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public
servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is
warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in
rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole.
..snip..
Theodore Roosevelt
Kansas City "Star"
May 7, 1918

Wonderful quote Tom. I don't think Lt. Kerry was protesting the President
though. He was protesting the government, and our forces in battle. Having
done his time, he then banded with a bunch of long-haired scum, who did more
to our flag then any Arab or Persian setting it on fire abroad. He broke faith, and
now he wants to be known as a warrior again. Theodore would have shot him
on sight, and the public would have applauded "Bully!"


I agree. While Teddy's quote is excellent and very true, it should be
noted that it applies to the citizenry, not the commissioned officer
corps. The idea that the military is free to "support or oppose" as
they judge appropriate is the foundation of anarchy.

Kerry established a position. He did so in the strongest and most
visible of terms. He now should maintain that posture, for better or
for worse without attempting to have it both ways.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8

Tom Cervo wrote:
Whether his medals or someone else's, the issue is not the ownership,
but the oath--to protect and defend. To obey the lawful orders.
Enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. These are phrases of meaning and relate
to a commissioned officer, who never unless stripped of the rank is
anything less, has an obligation to the President he serves and the
warriors still in the fray. To undermine the support for half a
million fighting men still in harm's way by leading protests against
the duly elected government of his country--that's the sin.

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public
servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is
warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency
in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole.
Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell
the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame
him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude
in an American citizen is both base and servile.
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are
to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and
servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the
truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more
important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any
one else."
Theodore Roosevelt
Kansas City "Star"
May 7, 1918

What???? Theodore Roosevelt? Was there a pinko communist by that name in 1918?
No? He was a (gulp) Republican, you say? The one who got elected to President
who was supposed to have said something about speaking softly and carrying a big
stick? That one?

Damn.....that's embarrassing! (^-^)))

George Z.

"Ed Rasimus" wrote in message
...
Whether his medals or someone else's, the issue is not the ownership,
but the oath--to protect and defend. To obey the lawful orders.
Enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. These are phrases of meaning and relate
to a commissioned officer, who never unless stripped of the rank is
anything less, has an obligation to the President he serves and the
warriors still in the fray. To undermine the support for half a
million fighting men still in harm's way by leading protests against
the duly elected government of his country--that's the sin.

So, what is the proper course of conduct for an officer who truely believes
the war is a mistake and that the best course of action is to withdraw as
soon as possible? If that is the case, then undermining support for the war
does not seem to be entirely inappropriate (provided it is a last resort and
care is taken to avoid giving aiding the enemy -- ala Jane Fonda).

On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 09:57:32 -0800, "David Pugh"
-cay wrote:

"Ed Rasimus" wrote in message
.. .
Whether his medals or someone else's, the issue is not the ownership,
but the oath--to protect and defend. To obey the lawful orders.
Enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. These are phrases of meaning and relate
to a commissioned officer, who never unless stripped of the rank is
anything less, has an obligation to the President he serves and the
warriors still in the fray. To undermine the support for half a
million fighting men still in harm's way by leading protests against
the duly elected government of his country--that's the sin.

So, what is the proper course of conduct for an officer who truely believes
the war is a mistake and that the best course of action is to withdraw as
soon as possible? If that is the case, then undermining support for the war
does not seem to be entirely inappropriate (provided it is a last resort and
care is taken to avoid giving aiding the enemy -- ala Jane Fonda).

Resignation of his/her commission is the start. Then removal of the
uniform. Finally, a commitment to restrict the protest to the TRUTH.

Much has been written about the Kerry statements in his senate
testimony and public appearances on behalf of VVAW regarding
atrocities, etc. which has been since proven false.

Once one has done that, there really is no going back and wrapping
oneself in the flag over honorable service. If the war was as evil as
he testified, then he was right in protesting and apologizing for his
service in such an evil endeavor. But, now he seems to seek approval
for his actions, which were in support of an illegal, immoral war.
Seem a bit hypocritical?


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8

He has never had a day job of any kind.

I heard his first filthy rich wife was high maintenance....surely he gets
credit for at least part-time work no?


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"