How to be Wounded in Vietnam, Proper-Like

Kevin Drum points out that part of the GOP's response to Kerry's Purple Heart -- excuse me, Kerry's first Purple Heart -- is "Hmmm, that first injury wasn't very serious." He compares it with their reaction to W's Vietnam-era service (paraphrase of KD's paraphrase: "Shut up".)

I'd also compare it to Ann Coulter's renowed take on Max Cleland:

Cleland lost three limbs in an accident during a routine noncombat mission where he was about to drink beer with friends. He saw a grenade on the ground and picked it up. He could have done that at Fort Dix.

So...Kerry was wounded in battle, but that doesn't count, because he wasn't hurt "so badly". Cleland had 3 limbs blown off, but it doesn't count because he wasn't taking live rounds from the enemy at that moment. I'd say "waddaya hafta do to impress these guys, throw yourself on a grenade?" -- but obviously that's not enough.

Next question: is B.D. a war hero or not?
- posted by Don Porges @ 4/21/2004 09:07:00 PM |