The know-nothings who pass for reporters in the mainstream, prestige press are making a mockery of journalism in their questioning of Kerrey. They are an embarrassment to me both as a reporter and a veteran. Bear in mind that Bob Kerrey went on the win a Medal of Honor over there, losing a leg in the process. If any living man can be said to have sacrificed for his country, Kerrey is that man. The only component of the battlefield that cannot easily co-exist are men under arms.
Men are young and vibrant one second and blown to bits the next.
I think every member of the press corps ought to be forced to read the complete works of Ernie Pyle before they are set loose to question men who have experienced battle. No writer ever touched me more with tales of the battlefield than Ernie. It is among the best examples of news writing in the English language. I pondered that remark and this sad reality occurred to me. But Ted Fonda's boys got in another dig at the military, which is what they wanted to do in the first place.