I don't like John Kerry. I think he's a waffler and a straddler. And it especially makes me mad that he continues to insinuate to the crowds that gather around him that President Bush somehow stole the election. It's irresponsible and demagogic.
But this recent media upsurge of interest in his medical records from his service in Viet Nam and how he earned his three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star is just dumb.
Nobody can deny that the man served bravely in combat. Kerry was repeatedly wounded, at least once in the course of going back under heavy enemy fire to rescue a fellow sailor who was stranded in the water. Is anybody denying that?
So what do the Republicans have to gain? Is this payback for the equally indefensible "AWOL scandal" that the Democrats tried to hang on Bush? If so, it's petty. There's plenty of other reasons to go after Kerry. But not this one. The man served with distinction. Let it go.