Yesterday I turned on my radio in time to listen to what sounded like a latter day John Kerry describing the war crimes he had taken part in in Vietnam. It took me a little while to track down what I was listening to (and I still don’t know why NPR was broadcasting it), but it was an excerpt from the Winter Soldier hearings at the National Labor College. Here’s an excerpt of the testimony that I heard:
One wonders how our men and women in Iraq would feel knowing how their views are being represented back home. By what right can the former servicemen and women of Winter Soldier disgrace and dishonor those who are faithfully and legally discharging their duties?
It boggles the mind that a soldier would personally abuse prisoners, and then complain about how ‘Americans’ behave themselves overseas. It sounds like an attempt to lessen guilt pangs by fantasizing that many others are equally guilty. If this serviceman is really troubled that these events happen ‘in our name,’ it’s a pity that didn’t occur to him before he committed them. And to claim that ‘each and every’ American is responsible for his unlawful actions is an extraordinary example of blame shifting. It’s stunning that 30 years after John Kerry disgraced himself and his comrades, others are willing to come forward and do the same. Are we headed for another round of ‘Swift Boat’ debates when this generation becomes old enough to seek the presidency? Michelle Malkin put together a roundup of bloggers who covered the recent hearing.
