Cherry Kelly wrote:
Conspiracy -- I suggestyou look up the V V A W and all the lies put forth by them -- the very lies that Kerry later stated in the Senate as being truths. LOOK them up - its enough to turn your stomach when you find out that some of the so-called statements put forth were done by people who had NEVER been there - who made claims they were mlitary officers - but turns out they weren't -- how they were paid to make testimonies -- its disgusting.
Yes, there were a lot of crazy radicals in that movement. I don't know about individuals Kerry was quoting, I just know what he spoke of DID go on, and far more than what he said. I do not condemn the soldiers who did it. My own brother participated in atrocities. The only reason I didn't was because I was on an aircraft carrier offshore. But, I talked to plenty of marines at the time, since Marines are part of the Navy. And, despite the stereotype, sailors & marines were always friendly with each other. We didn't get into fights, and tended to listen to what each other had to say.
The war was fought in a way that no end was ever in sight. That kept the economy going rather well. Were it not for the protests, we'd still be there. Treason? I don't know what you'd have thought about me distributing anti-war literature aboard ship when no one was looking, or the 100 officers on the USS Hancock who sponsored a full-page protest ad in the San Francisco Chronicle. We didn't talk to the NVA, but I'm sure many of us would have if given the opportunity. You did what you had to do to undermine support for the war. The only thing I will say was unjustified was Jane Fonda ratting out a POW who tried to sneak her a note saying they were being beaten. Other than that, if liberties were taken, they were justified if they helped end the war 30 years earlier than it would have ended.
Cherry Kelly wrote:
Sorry -- but what you said doesn't cut the mustard when you start looking up MILITARY LAW -- whether its a declared war or not - you DO NOT CONSORT WITH THE ENEMY - period. When you are still IN the military- you do NOT meet with leaders of the "enemy" whether its a war, police action, etc. It IS a violation of military law.
I'm not sure who he met with, but it sounds as if he tried to talk to the peace negotiators in Paris. Many other groups did the same thing, and no one was ever charged. By that time, most believed Nixon was the real enemy. From a legal standpoint you may be correct, though. Sometimes the law has to be nullified through individual and group action.