Regarding David L. Johnson's piece appearing in The Forum's opinion page dated Feb. 17, he refers to President Bush as "cowardly" and a "deserter" because of the president's past National Guard service. Although one who climbs into the cockpit of a jet fighter plane and takes off with it, in my mind, hardly fits the title of a coward. I, too, am an ex-Marine as is Johnson, albeit my service was prior to the Vietnam era.
As with most liberals these days, Johnson is highly critical of President Bush's military service record -- almost to a point of hatred for the man. This brings a question to my mind that I would like to direct to Johnson, from one Marine to another: What do you think of President Clinton's Vietnam era truancy from military service to our country? I would bet that Johnson was much less critical of Clinton, and is that fair, considering his disdain for our current president's military service?
Keith D. Nordgaard
Lake Park, Minn.
