Henry Kissinger said...

Today, a member of our list sent an email mentioning Senator Kerry’s public gaff which has been characterized by some as an insult to the troops.

Now, I’m a registered Independent voter, and I don’t have much confidence in politicians in general -- regardless of party affiliation. In no way to I want this to be taken as a defense of Kerry. In short, I think we can all believe that as a comedian, John Kerry is clearly incompetent.

Somehow, however, I’m able to give him the benefit of the doubt and accept that he botched a “joke” aimed at George Bush’s policy and the Iraq War. Kerry served in the military during the Vietnam War, and if he were casting aspersions on military personnel, he would be including himself in the general grouping. To his credit, Kerry apologized publicly to any whom he had offended.

It does remind me, however, of a statement made by a man who has advised several US Presidents, including the present resident of the White House. The man is Henry Kissinger.

Henry Kissinger said: "Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy."

I don’t think this was the punch line to a botched joke. I think he meant it, and that in this quote, Henry Kissinger revealed the attitude of most politicians eager to wage war in the name of the people of the United States of America.

I venture a guess that the members of this sadly exclusive club, consisting of family and friends of military members killed while on active duty, will find Henry Kissinger’s statement to be far more offensive than Kerry’s. Let us work together to prove to the powerful in our government that they must change their attitude about the young people who are willing to fight and die in our country’s name.

In that vein, the US Military must begin to take the investigation of suspicious non-combat deaths as a serious matter.

Braveheart