I’d been considering this whole scuffle over who did what during Vietnam as an annoying distraction at best, given that there wasn’t a proverbial snow-ball’s chance that I’d vote for John Kerry.  But the latest statement  (link via Instapundit) from Democrat “strategist” Mary Anne Marsh has opened up a whole new can of worms.

“George Bush betrayed his country by sending us to war on false pretenses, and George Bush betrayed his country by not fighting in Vietnam.”

I’ve never thought that someone has to have served in the military to be qualified for President.  What really matters are character and honor (neither of which I think Kerry has).  I’ve also thought that the whole “chickenhawk” thing was particularly odious.  I think it’s a cynical attempt by the left to quickly squash any dissent, and I immediately discount anything else that someone says after I hear that word.

I graduated high school in 1988.  I had high ASVAB scores and had several recruiters trying to get me to enter the service (I would have surely had to have done a bit of extra PT, but it wasn’t out of realm of possiblity when I was a senior).  I was interested and gave it due consideration, but ultimately decided to go directly to college.  If I had gone into the service, though, I would have likely been in position to have been sent to Desert Storm I in 1991 (one of my classmates was there). 

If we extrapolate this to its logical conclusion, it would seem to mean that anyone who doesn’t go fight in whatever war they’re eligible for has also betrayed their country (and let’s not even consider that some people might have been sent to noncombat areas even if they were in the service).

I guess this means that I have to confess that I have betrayed my country by not going to fight in Desert Storm. 

Actually this means that I have to say a hearty fuck you to the Democrats and especially to that bitch Mary Anne Marsh.  It was bad enough that the Democrat party got hijacked by the hardcore socialists and their destructive agenda.  Given my thoughts and feelings on socialism, I didn’t think it was possible to dislike the Dems any more than I already do.  Well, Mary Anne, you’ve managed to do it.  I’ve gone from an enemy of the Democrat party to a permanent, implacable foe.  I had at one time hoped for sanity to return to the Dems (I used to be one, a long time ago), but at this point I don’t give a damn.  You’re dead to me. 

This may have just decided my vote for me (even if I have to hold my nose to do it).