Spend Three Minutes

Spend Three Minutes

Bill Keller
Editor: Conservative Outlook

In what may prove to be the most infamous “call out” in presidential politics, John Edwards invited the nation to “spend three minutes” with the men that served with John Kerry to find out what kind of leader he was and would be if elected.

In hindsight, the Kerry campaign must be shaking its collective head that it even brought up the notion of evaluating John Kerry’s war record. The Swifties have left his boat riddled with holes and drifting in some long lost river in Cambodia through their use of less that 5 minutes of television ads to date describing his military record through the eyes of those that did serve with him (and please, if a boat is in the water with John Kerry’s boat less than 50 yards away, they are serving together).

My own personal evaluation of his military record has been somewhat more confined. He can have all the purple hearts and bronze and silver stars. If the navy did not care enough to place proper value on their issue, I am not going to hammer on John Kerry for figuring out a way to get them awarded. It was a sloppy time for medals and there was a great deal of reliance on personal honor when looking at the submitted paper work, especially the honor of a military officer.

What I evaluate is his leaving early, 8 months early. Yes, I know, three purple hearts and you go home. He was the only one – THE ONLY ONE – during the Swift Boat’s Vietnam history to use that route home. I can’t think of any of us that did not want to go back to “the world” early. But I can not remember anyone who left early because of “boo-boos” on the arm and butt. I can say that for me, personally, returning home was very difficult. The thought of leaving friends behind still plays on me when my mind drifts back to Vietnam. Could I have made a difference if I stayed? The years have closed the door on making a different decision, but the window is still open to the thoughts of other choices.

Based on this event, I know I do not trust him to command the many Scouts from our Boy Scout Troop that have, and are joining the US military. Not to mention my own son. John Kerry does not have the personal courage to lead the United States in today’s dangerous world.

(That took the first minute and a half; let’s use the remaining minute and a half to evaluate his ENTIRE TWENTY YEAR SENATE CAREER.).

You would think from listening to Senator Kerry that he has been a relentless fighter for the people of America.

We hear concerns of taxation on the middle class – so I would expect to see some legislation concerning tax reduction targeting the middle and lower income wage earners.

We hear concerns of the rising deficit – I would expect to see some legislation rolling back government spending.

We hear concerns of the rising cost of health care – I would expect to see some legislation regarding tort reform, legislation providing incentives for drug companies to lower the cost of medicine, legislation providing incentives for insurance companies to lower the cost to subscribers, legislation providing expanded health care for the uninsured and the poor.

We hear concerns about the continued destruction of the environment – I would expect to see some legislation regarding the protection and clean up of the problems we have.

We hear concerns about the dependence on foreign oil and the need for a comprehensive energy plan – I would expect to see some legislation proposing the expansion of alternative fuels and oil exploration.

We hear concerns for our physical security – I would expect to see some legislation that would address border security, transportation security, the proliferation of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical weapons.

We hear concerns about the education of our children – I would expect to see some legislation concerning improving the quality of teaching, the teaching environment and performance expectations.

We hear concerns of our military weakness regarding troop size – I would expect to see some legislation concerning the expansion of our military manning requirements.

Yes, John Kerry has deep and vital concerns regarding the well being of our union. Lets take 1 and a half minutes and review his ENTIRE SENATE CAREER.

Five Bills that have his name:

• S.791: Authorizes $53 million over four years to provide grants to woman-owned small businesses. (1999)
• S.1206: Names a federal building in Waltham, Massachusetts after Frederick C. Murphy, who was killed in action during World War II and awarded (posthumously) the Medal of Honor. (1994)
• S.1636: A save-the-dolphins measure aiming “to improve the program to reduce the incidental taking of marine mammals during the course of commercial fishing operations.” (1994)
• S.1563: Funding the National Sea Grant College Program, which supports university-based research, public education, and other projects “to promote better understanding, conservation and use of America’s coastal resources.” (1991)
• S.423: Granting a visa and admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident to Kil Joon Yu Callahan. (1987)

Two Bills that were altered and finally passed

• H.R.1900 (S.300): Awarded a congressional gold medal to Jackie Robinson (posthumously), and called for a national day of recognition. (2003)
• H.R.1860 (S.856): Increased the maximum research grants for small businesses from $500,000 to $750,000 under the Small Business Technology Transfer Program. (2001)

Four Joint Resolutions

• S.J.Res.158: To make the week of Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 1989 “World Population Awareness Week.” (1989)
• S.J.Res.160: To renew “World Population Awareness Week” for 1991. (1991)
• S.J.Res.318: To make Nov. 13, 1992 “Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day.” (1992)
• S.J.Res.337: To make Sept. 18, 1992 “National POW/MIA Recognition Day." (1992)

Please see Factcheck.org for the complete listing of this legislation.

Two bills, H.R..1860 and S.791 did deal with an apparent concern for the “rich”, providing them more government money for research and grants women owned business grants. That’s it. These are the only bills of John Kerry. These are what must address the many ills John Kerry is claiming is affecting our country the must be fixed and that he will fix when elected President. A total of 11 pieces of legislation in 20 years that can be easily reviewed in 1 and a half minutes.

So, spend three minutes to evaluate warrior and elected official John Kerry. His lack of competence, courage and vision is staggering. By almost any measure, this man is not fit to lead America is this most perilous time.