Kerry is an intelligent man with a conscience. He went to serve his country in good faith, and when he got there he found things were not what they were supposed to be. "Rat" is something grade-school kids call each other, a man of conscience does not check that conscience at the door- anywhere. He saw things he thought were wrong, and he said so, I would do the same. Having the courage of one's convictions is admirable, I'm sorry more people don't see that or even grasp the concept. Saying America was wrong for being there was just truth, sorry if it stings sometimes. I love my friends, but I'll still tell them when they're wrong, and I'll take it to heart and give it serious consideration if they tell me I'M wrong. Disagreeing with a decision your government has made does not mean you don't support your country, it may mean you want your country to be it's best.

Being stubborn and inflexible, even in the face of having erred greatly is just stupid. I have no doubt that Kerry would have been better, he would not have undermined the constitution to the degree bush has, and we all lost there. They're both overspoiled aristocrats, but at least Kerry has the ability to think and consider evidence. I like a person who attempts to correct a mistake rather than sticking his fingers in his ears and chanting "I'm right, I'm right, I'm right!"