Conservative Forum — Week of June 7

The GOP and Conservatives

In reference to the [May 24, 2004] cover article, it seems that the Republican Party has turned it's back on conservatives.

The No. 1 criteria on determining which candidate I vote for in any given election is his/her stance on the 2nd Amendment. Regardless of party, the pro-gun candidate gets my vote.

If the candidates are equal on this issue, other conservative issues are considered. The most conservative gets my vote. Using this guideline, I usually vote Republican. Therefore, state records indicate that I am a Republican. Because of this, a constant flow of requests for contributions and "renewal" of membership and annual dues come through the mail. The same survey has been received at least four times. Is this a wise use of campaign funds?

My concern for the conservative movement is great. As a friend put it, "the American people deserve what they get." If we conservatives educate the majority of the balance of the people and get them to vote, we will get what we deserve-a conservative majority in government.

Kerry and the Reality Of Vietnam Combat

I was a combat vet in Vietnam and I am familiar with all the wannabees. Kerry's stories are the stories we all heard in basic training during the Vietnam years. Those of us in combat found out they were all just Army stories and none of that was going on. Only those who were not in combat tell those because, not having been there, they believe that repeating those stories confirms their combat experience. I can tell you in 20 seconds if a vet was really what he says he was and Kerry is a frustrated wannabe combat vet to the core.

His MOS was a boat driver (I call them water busses). That made him a bus driver. And even if they were true, a boat driver can't just decide to be an infantryman and run around the countryside killing people. He has to stick to his bus. That's his job.

His stories are as phony as his medal-throwing ceremony. To those of us who know, we can only shake our heads that no one has explained the reality of his wannabe war stories. He is a joke to us, in that regard. Apparently, there doesn't seem to be a single media person with the personal experience of combat in Vietnam. I volunteer to represent reality to the media. Free of charge. I will even pay my own travel expenses to educate the gullible of our nation.

Fan Mail From An Avid Liberal Reader

I'm an avid reader of humanevents.com despite my liberalism because it's always interesting to see what you all are thinking. Though I've restrained myself from responding before, I feel compelled to comment on your numerous pieces concerning, as you see it, the imminent defeat of Sen. Specter in the Republican primaries. Your support for Toomey is typical and unsurprising considering Specter's record; however, it seems you overlook (or, perhaps, it doesn't occur to you) the practical results of a Toomey victory. Do you realize that Democrats and liberals are hoping for a Toomey ticket? In a swing state like Pennsylvania, an ultra-conservative like Toomey won't stand a chance against the more moderate Joe Hoeffel.

I hope you continue your Specter-bashing; insulting people is what you do best, and it will guarantee another Democrat in the Senate come November. Thanks.

On Sen. Smith's Specter Treatment

In regards to uyor column alleging that Sen. Bob Smith didn't receive the same support from the White House that was provided to Arlen Specter. What you neglect to mention in your column is that John Sununu is also a staunch conservative.

Also, most of the Republican activists here in New Hampshire refused to stand behind Bob Smith because we saw him put his oversized ego above the good of his constituents. He had become a man of Washington and had lost touch with the citizens of this state. This was exemplified by the fact that, shortly after losing his seat, he deserted his "beloved New Hampshire" for the uppity enclaves of Longboat Key, Fla.

The former senator can whine all he wants about not getting any support from the White House, but it wasn't the Bush Administration who tossed him out on his ear. It was his long-neglected constituents who had grown tired of his embarrassing outbursts and decided that we deserved better from our U.S. senator.

We realized that John Sununu was best positioned to beat Jeanne Shaheen, our popular Democratic governor, and that he would represent us with intelligence and dignity. These last two descriptions are not often applied to Sen. Smith.

So, next time you speak with "Longboat Bob," give him our best and remind him not to stay out in the sun too long.