Kerry's Confusing Claims

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: Aug 20, 2004

Kerry's Confusing Claims

August 20, 2004

John Kerry addressed the veterans of foreign wars on Wednesday.

He criticized President Bush for proposing a troop pullout from Europe and South Korea. Kerry says that is irresponsible if we are to effectively fight terrorism.

Yet Kerry has also said he will bring U.S. forces home from Iraq as soon as possible.

I'm a little confused.

If it is necessary to maintain troops in Europe and South Korea in order to fight terrorism, why isn't an American presence in Iraq necessary for the same reason?

Troop deployment in Korea began more than fifty years ago in the Korean War. South Korea is strong enough to defend itself.

As for Europe, those troops were put there to offset Soviet troop strength and threats in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union is no more and France and Germany can do for themselves.

This is what we have come to expect from John Kerry -- trying to have it both ways.

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.


Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

 

 

Kerry's Confusing Claims