Same event, different perspectives

The SwiftVet/Kerry blowup about the Kerry’s Bronze medal action can have BOTH sides explained with the following scenario. The Three boat was hit by the underwater mine; the surrounding boats, having been ambushed from shore after such before, immediately began to lay down covering fire to both shores. Kerry’s boat had left, losing a man overboard in the process (something that STILL is not well explained). As they came back, they saw the other boats lighting up the banks; a natural assumption is that incoming fire was taken. The man in the water hears gunfire all around him and certainly isn’t in a position to accurately ascertain source and direction. Kerry’s boat comes roaring back ‘in a hail of fire’ (very likely only outgoing) to retrieve the man they’d lost. The guys in the boats that stayed are in a position to know there was no incoming. Kerry’s boat, coming back, and the man in the water could have easily believed there was incoming. Hence the differing stories, both honestly believed. If tempers will cool down enough, maybe both sides will realize something like this was possible.

However, that does not excuse two Purple Hearts from self-inflicted, extremely minor wounds (not someone I’d want around in a fight), Kerry’s other bizarre behavior over there and a tendency to over-embellish reports. By themselves, these things are forgivable. What is NOT forgivable is Kerry’s clearly false testimony to the Senate and other statements after he returned. Peaceful protest is one thing; activities that can (and were) clearly usable against our men in the field and POWs is very much another. THAT is what is unforgivable and Kerry will get my vote when Hades freezes over AND Satan himself skates the Stanley Cup.