more on the swiftboat sailors ad

Here is an article out of the sacramento bee, but it's a syndicated item, so it's probably everywhere. one of the most telling statements is from the rear admiral that started this group:

Retired Adm. Roy Hoffmann, head of the Swift Boat group, said they respected McCain's "right to express his opinion and we hope he extends to us the same respect and courtesy, particularly since we served with John Kerry, we knew him well and Sen. McCain did not."

and why is this such a big deal? well, since kerry constantly keeps referring to his vietnam experience, and ignores the years he was in the senate (because his voting record would kill him if it were too closely examined). and he landed in boston harbor on a small boat, with his "band of brothers" with him, trying to capitalize on his war time experiences. that's why. do i give a shit whether he served or not? not really. what did he do for the country in his adult years as a senator? i'll dig up the itemized voting record. i've seen it published once or twice, so i'm sure it is still out there in cyberspace somewhere. but he isn't using his senate experience as a selling point. and for the dems to be so up in arms over who did or didn't serve amuses me more than words can say, considering the major posturing during the clinton (draft dodger) bush I (wwII pilot) and clinton (draft dodger) dole (wwII disabled vet) campaigns. i guess principles are elastic, kind of like monica's skivvies, eh?