Move Over GI Joe Make Room for Hanoi John

Kaye Grogan

My head is going around in circles trying to sort out what is the truth or just "gibberish" rhetoric-- fantasized by Senator John Kerry as the truth surrounding his tenure in Viet Nam. GI Joe should certainly step aside and let Hanoi John take center stage. I see a Kerry doll already in the mold getting ready for the kiln, to sear his prominent features into a doll collector’s dream. Compared to John Kerry’s recap of his adventures in Viet Nam and Cambodia–Alice’s experience in Wonderland falls way short of being adventurous-- by comparison.

Since there seems to be so many John Kerry personalities, there is probably not any danger the real one will ever stand up. We’ll never have to worry about what you see is what you get with Kerry. While I believe in giving everyone the benefit of a doubt–for the life of me, I can’t get past the doubt of John Kerry’s recount of his war stories and give them much validity. I’ve tried–but there’s always that ole’ gut wrenching malady. Something keeps gnawing away, and gut instincts are usually right on.

John Kerry has a lot of baggage, too much for even former President Bill Clinton to help him carry. Kerry reminds me of a “Chameleon”--he’s always changing colors. But I have to give him an A+ for hanging in there–when he’s been hung out-to-dry so many times before. He’s a natural when it comes to rebounds, in fact, he’s better than any pro basketball player I’ve ever watched play--including Michael Jordan.

It’s ironic that John Kerry wants the 527 ads pulled by Bush, while Kerry’s proactive “bashing the president” group-- just keeps running like the ever ready battery’s bunny. This is hypocrisy at its worst.

Next, John Kerry will want President Bush to campaign for him, and forget about his own campaign for reelection. It’s amazing what rich boys expect out of life. Many who brazenly dared to shoot for the moon in the past--ended up with just a bullet hole in the foot or another superficial wound.

It takes a real gambler to run for president with skeletal bones falling out of every closet. But we have to remember past bad deeds only matter if one is a Republican or a conservative–all others get a free pass for bad behavior. I bet Democrat Gary Hart wishes he had waited to run for the presidency in today’s botched up society, where it’s now macho to be involved in extra marital affairs--for many.

Another area where the Democrats think they are the only ones to have the stamp of approval, and no one else has the right to free speech or the right to endorse candidates-- is in churches. Former President Bill Clinton made one of his usual church stopovers in Harlem–to push the Democratic agenda, while wife Hillary promoted herself by flitting to as many television talk shows she could “control” to bash the Republican convention. My how she bites the hand that helps to feed her constituents. Think of all the revenue this convention will bring to the economy in New York City.

But I’m really waiting with bated breath, for Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of the group: Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, to hit the talk shows this week protesting the Democrats using churches to push their liberal agenda. But I guess Mr. Lynn is too preoccupied with Dr. Jerry Falwell and what he thinks he might be doing in his church on the conservative end, to be bothered with the Democrats inseparable ties to politicking in churches. Nothing like having center stage or a pulpit to combat the separation of church and state when the need arises--at least for the Democrats.

I hope Bill O' Reilly does not mind my using his popular phrase: "What say you. . .Mr. Lynn?

And surely, Lynn can’t ignore how Senator Ted Kennedy wants to combine church and state to try and get his “hate” crime bill passed. Hopefully, while Kennedy is shooting for hate crimes–maybe he will find it in his heart to support a hate crime bill for Christians who are the most hated in all the world-- for their beliefs. If I didn’t know better--I would think we are in China, where Christians are persecuted and many killed for their beliefs on a daily basis. Is America headed to the same anti-Christian stance?

Maybe someday the Democrats can regain their credibility if they come back into the real world and realize being liberal does not define the actions of some of today’s liberals. And they would really benefit if they could only bring themselves to remember and accept: "what is good for the goose. . . is also good for the gander."

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Kaye Grogan is a freelance writer who lives in Virginia. She writes, produces, and hosts a daily commentary called “Viewpoint” on her local radio station. She has written op-eds and articles for the Daily Republican newspaper. She also writes editorials for online newspapers and local papers. Kaye has many published poems, one published book, and has been featured in a popular woman’s national magazine. She is currently working on two books for children. Her hobbies include photography and she has won photo contests all over the world.

kayeg@adelphia.net