In an essay in the New York Times on the White House’s attempted smear of John Kerry’s service record, Gen. Wesley Clark defends Kerry’s “sterling record”, reminding readers that — despite later viewing of the soldier’s record through the lens of politics — at the time of the evaluation, “…there’s no ideology — there are no labels, Republican or Democrat — when superiors evaluate a man or woman’s service to country…”
He finishes his defense of Kerry (and John McCain and Max Cleland) with this wonderful paragraph (bolded text mine):
Although President Bush has not engaged personally in such accusations, he has done nothing to stop others from making them. I believe those who didn’t serve, or didn’t show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve — often under the most dangerous conditions, with bravery and, yes, with undeniable patriotism.
Keep the spotlights shining!
