Hi Guys
I decided to stay out of this until I saw the 60 min. piece which presented Kerry's side as well as Klann's and the Vietnamese. It was a tragic story, which raises some old questions we who worked in the legal system have faced time and time again. I find I believe Klann, after seeing Kerry, and understand Kerry's reluctance to deal with this painful act of his youth.
The dilema is, how can we continue to bring Nazi criminals to justice, and seek justice against Serbian war criminals, if we do not deal with the possible criminal actions of our soldiers as well.
I would say that the testimony on the show raised enogh question to warrent a hearing. It was certainly what would be described as a prima facie case that an atrocity took place.
What do we say to William Callie, if we do not hold a hearing, - sorry Bill, you where the scape goat for all our sins, and if one waits long enough to be found out, he is exhonerated by time?
I don't know what the sentence should be, if in fact he lined up women and children and killed them. But, as my mother's people were also killed, by a war machine, bent on making targets of civilians, I would reluctantly say, that in order that as a nation, we do not make this part of the way we conduct our selves in war, if in fact he did do this, a price should be paid. Perhaps, if found guilty beyond a resonable doupt, in an enlightend future, he would be sentenced to aid in the removal of the landmines we left in Veit Nam, so that both communities could come together over this, rather than a trial be an open wound.
Finally Doug - many many protesters went to jail. Some of us did not go to Canada, but became - as I did combat photographers, to show our convictions were not born of fear - but rather, a desire not to be put in the possition Mr. Kerry was put in, by a country whoes government did not deserve trust. I would have to say I could only hope McNamara and Kissinger were co-defendants in any trial, but well, I'm an idealist.
Truely, the best to all,
Larry