Volume III. No. 02
 08-24-04
 George Bush Is Caught Standing 
 On The Sidelines, Yet Again...
 author: Vance Cureton
 © Copyright 2004
 

 The well-orchestrated political smear campaign against John Kerry is in
 high-gear as practically all of the Sunday morning talk shows featured 
 a discussion about Senator Kerry's disputed military service in Vietnam. 
 And the maestros of the competing cable talk circuit are fanning the 
 flames of the controversy for their own cynical purposes. 

 It is somewhat hard to imagine but the defining moment of the presidential 
 campaign may be at hand, even before the Republican convention has 
 taken place. As the vitriolic attacks by the curiously-named group "Swift 
 Boat Veterans For Truth" have certainly done damage to Kerry's campaign 
 - and have totally redirected the focus of presidential politics in this country
from a discussion of current worries to events that are some 35 years old.. 

 This is politics at its absolute dirtiest. The "Swift Boat Veterans For 
 Truth" are such "haters" that not only are they willing to smear John Kerry 
 to keep him out of the White House, but these "republicans in disguise"
 apparently have little concern that the mudslinging has called into question 
 not only their own military service, but that of other brave men who served 
 - and in some cases died - in Vietnam.

 The anti-Kerry campaign of the "Swift Boaters" is yet another example of 
 how conservatives play the political game. They play hard, fast, and dirty. 
 It is a no-holds-barred fight to the end. In other words, they play to win

 It does not matter to these kind of short-sighted political muckrakers that 
 the soul of the nation is rent in the process. Ironically, the "Swift Boaters" 
 truth is their own truth. A conservative world view in opposition to a liberal
 one. Thus, the cultural divide that perhaps began in the Vietnam era, is 
 now revealed as raw to the core. A wound that although covered over 
 with fancy bandages and cloths, is a horrific cancer that will not heal.

 This is what George Bush needs to win. The politics of visceral emotions
 and poorly camouflaged hatred. In this atmosphere there will be little 
 discussion of the economy, or health care, or the nearly bankrupt social 
 security system. 

 All Bush weaknesses. 

 The political conservatives in this country are running an  "US" vs. "THEM." 
 campaign. It began with the failed Gay Marriage Admendment, and now continues 
 with the ill-tempered mudslinging "Swift Boaters." And as this nation-rending 
 political war rages on our so-called Commander In Chief sits on the sidelines 
 mute as a dumb rock. He is but a mere witness, more unwilling than unable to 
 bring the dirty campaign of the Swift Boaters to an end. 

 Our President merely has to denounce the specific political ads that question 
 John Kerry's military service. But he is too short-sighted and cynical to speak
 forthrightly against the unjust things that are done on behalf of his candidacy.

 It is the kind of thing a stand-up guy would put a stop to.

 But, George Bush is an old hand at watching and waiting as others duke it 
 out. The Vanishing National Guardsman has vanished, yet again.
 

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