William F. Buckley Jr.'s June 8, 1971, West Point Commencement Address [Regarding Kerry]

Let Us Talk of Many Things : The Collected Speeches ^ | June 8, 1971 | William F. Buckley, Jr.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Is it really possible that Kerry's speech escaped the tape recorder??

Kerry's nomination for the presidency could be a godsend if its functions as an occasion for younger generations who didn't live through Vietnam--and I was stunned when I realized, many years ago, that youngsters thought of Vietnam like I thought of WWI, as ancient history--to learn what the Democratic Party actually did back then.

The huge commitment of men, the heavy casualties, all with no plan for victory. And the turning against their own creation, and blaming the Republicans for being unwilling to dishonor the memory of the fallen by cutting and running.

[Eva]

I am sure that parts of it were televised. It was such a big deal, the Democrats used it to demonize Nixon, the returning military for the next ten years.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for finding and posting this !

bttt to finish reading later:

"To attempt to justify the loss of one American life in Vietnam, Cambodia ...

[okie01]

William F. Buckley, Jr., we, who are about to kick John Kerry's ass, salute you.

[The Raven]

Excellent

[Aeronaut]

Very few went relative to previous classes, and most of those who went came home. US ground forces were almost completely out of Vietnam by 1971;

Isn't this about the time that Reserve Officer Bush completed his flight training? If "Major Combat Actions" were concluded before he was fully trained why would it be some sort of dishonor (in the dimocrat mind) for GWB not to serve 'in country?'

[William McKinley]

Kerry regarding Iraq, circa 1998

[William McKinley]

More Kerry re: Iraq circa 1998

[Lando Lincoln]

This is powerful stuff. Thank you.

Lando

[Eva]

John Kerry's assault on this country did not rise fullblown in his mind, like Venus from the Cypriot Sea. It is the crystallization of an assault upon America which has been fostered over the years by an intellectual class given over to self-doubt and self-hatred, driven by a cultural disgust with the uses to which so many people put their freedom.

"He had it right 33 years ago and no one paid attention. Now look where we are."

People were too distracted by the Watergate proceedings against Nixon, and wanted the whole chapter closed. The left had won an important victory and Kerry is about to ask them to show their gratitude, by electing him president. This is probably what Jane Fonda promised him back in 1970.

[William McKinley]

Kerry's 1970 interview with the Crimson

With Antiwar Role, More Visibility (Kerry: A Candidate in the Making)

[William McKinley]

Kerry me back

[wtc911]

We still had an average of 135,000 in VN in 1971. It was down by two thirds from the peak but still quite a few. '72-'73 saw these pull out.

[William McKinley]

What families of MIA/POWs say about Kerry

[William McKinley]

Protesting America