HELP!!!!!!!..

[madmom]

I live in a small town in the n.w. corner of Ohio am in the heard of repug territory.A recent letter to the editor of our local rag talks about Kerry's military record and I need help with some of the "facts" stated within.
1.Kerry first sought a deferment before he joined the Naval Reserves not the regular Navy.
2.Any info on Kerry's talks with the North Vietnamese in Paris.
3. Kerry's commander refused to sign recommendation for his first purple heart.He has no idea how he got it.
4.Kerry's only "real" tour of duty was cut short by his 3rd injury.Any info on the war in the Gulf of Tonkin and Kerry's tour on the USS Gridley.
5. Kerry's picture hanging in war museum in Ho Chi Ming City.
6. Kerry continues opposition to a civil rights bill for those being persecuted in Vietnam.

As you can see I live among some real "winners" here. I know I could find a lot of this on google but every time I do I get mostly repug rhetoric and I really don't have the time to sort through it all, so I thought I'd defer to those who might know some of the real facts. Thanks for any and all help. :dem:

[2Design]

1. time to learn how to do internet searches :)

[cheshire]

2. I don't know where but I would still ask this ass for his/her proof?

[RobertSeattle]

3. A good editor wouldn't let unproven "facts" into a LTE without caveats

I'm sure there are better source, but here is a quick hack:
1. He was in college prior to joining the Navy. It is standard procedure for every male in the US who was in college to request a deferment so it is no big deal - ask VP Cheney for any additioanl details on VietNam era deferments.
2. He wasn't acting in any offical capacity.
3. Commanders aren't required to sign for Purple Hearts.
4. A tour of duty is a tour of duty - 1 second or 12 months.
5. Prove it and so what. Reagan talked to commies too!
6. No clue.

[Paradise]

4. please see replies 1 and 2. your two best bets! ;) n/t

[mckara]

5. I Can Help With #1

I don't know why he would ask for a deferment and then enlist? That doesn't make sense. Kerry went to Navy Officer Candidate School where all officers are commissioned as USNR not Regular Navy. Only Naval Academy graduates are classified as USN upon commissioning. All others must request to change classification through the Navy Bureau of Personnel.