Regarding the letter "President uses vets to re-fight old war" (Aug. 27): It never ceases to amaze me how the liberal Democrats twist the truth to suit their purpose. John Kerry was the vet who raised the issue of his service in Vietnam, not President Bush. Other Vietnam vets have challenged his lies because they suffered serious wounds, or were captured and tortured - but unlike Kerry refused to betray their country.

Those of us with our eyes and minds open see Kerry for what he is - a lifelong opportunist. He knew how to get out of Vietnam safely, and use the system to enhance his future political ambitions.

Cynthia Maxwell Union, Ky.

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Swift boat ads money leads back to Texas

I was pleasantly surprised by the editorial "Attack ads anything but 'swift'" (Aug. 24), but only until your statement "Kerry may have opened his particular can of worms with his 'reporting for duty' stint at the Democratic National Convention, making his Vietnam service a campaign theme - and fair game."

Kerry did report for duty to heroically serve our country, despite the fact it was a mismanaged political action, not a war; and then did the honorable thing of correctly and truthfully reporting atrocities.

For President Bush to now stuff his hands in his pockets and do the "Aw shucks, it wasn't me" routine is just another example of his lack of decision-making and leadership. The money trail from the "Swift Boat" campaign leads right back to Texas and Bush's cronies.

So no, Kerry didn't "start it," as your editorial implies. Kerry simply reiterated the fact that he has bravely served in live combat and his opponent has not. The facts stand alone.

Kimberly Sullivan

Mariemont

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Investigate extent of Kerry's service

Jim Borgman's Aug. 24 cartoon depiction of a young George Bush serving his country by offering up a beer keg was neither funny nor respectful. What would make me laugh is a cartoon showing a young John Kerry throwing his medals away in the '70s, then frantically trying to find them again in 2004 in order to gain favor with voters.

Also, regarding the editorial "Attack ads anything but 'swift'"(Aug. 24): The editorial board misses the whole point regarding service in Vietnam. This issue speaks volumes about Kerry's character. Rather than dismiss the topic as being irrelevant, how about investigating to what extent Kerry's Vietnam era awards resulted from self-nomination?

Glenn McAndrews Lebanon

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After skipping 'Nam, Bush led us to war

By refusing to condemn the two recent political ads by "The Smear Boat Captains for Untruth," the Bush campaign hit a new low, even by its standards. It claims it has no connection to this group, but the group's leader, its primary financial contributor, its creative ad agency and its creative adviser all have strong ties to Bush.

This president, whose own military records cannot be found, uses surrogates to attack his opponent's well-documented heroism in Vietnam. The irony is that 35 years after he avoided that war, Bush's own arrogance has landed us into a nearly identical quagmire in Iraq.

Jerry Baker

Evendale

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Swift boat controversy hurts current troops

Lost in the sound and fury over the so-called "Swift boat veterans for truth" ad campaign is a fundamental and important question: What message are we sending to our troops in combat overseas?

Regrettably, we are telling them that, should they be fortunate enough to come home with medals or combat experience and choose to enter politics or public service, we will tear that service down, pick it apart, lie about and invalidate it, all in the name of politics. The result: Fewer good people will be willing to risk their lives for an ungrateful country, and fewer people will be willing to run for office.

Enough is enough: President Bush must make a stronger statement against "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" so that the current presidential campaign can get back to the issues that really matter to most Americans - jobs, health care, education and national security.

David Bell

Clifton