For the next several days, I am going to wade into some lies and/or conspiracies that were spread to discredit, dishonor and destroy some upstanding people. My intention is to publish one of these stories each day. I am not sure why more information never came out or at least why I was not more aware of the lies concerning these people. It seems the mainstream media did nothing to help dispel the vicious slander and lies that were spread about these men and women. Even today, the for-profit media does nothing to discredit the numerous lies and conspiracy theories spread by the current administration. The following is a another man who was targeted for such lies.
John F. Kerry served with distinction when he was in Vietnam in 1966. Many people say his war record was faked, and that he did not deserve his medals. Was he a hero or a fake?
The allegations against John Kerry regarding his service in Vietnam have been the subject of significant political controversy, particularly during his 2004 presidential campaign. To answer the question—Was John Kerry a hero or a fake?—we need to separate verified facts from politically motivated accusations.
Documented Facts About Kerry’s Vietnam Service
Military Record:
- Kerry served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970.
- He commanded a Swift Boat (PCF-94) in the Mekong Delta in 1968–69.
- He received five medals:
- Silver Star (for gallantry)
- Bronze Star
- Three Purple Hearts (for wounds in combat)
After the War:
Kerry became a prominent anti-war activist, testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971, and criticizing U.S. actions in Vietnam.
His speeches included claims that some U.S. troops had committed war crimes—statements that drew strong reactions both then and decades later.
The 2004 “Swift Boat” Allegations
- During his 2004 campaign, a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT) launched a media campaign accusing Kerry of:
- Exaggerating or fabricating his military service
- Not deserving some of his medals
- Lying about his actions during combat
Analysis of the Allegations:
The SBVT claims were refuted by official Navy records and many of Kerry’s fellow crewmates, who supported his version of events.
Multiple independent fact-checkers (FactCheck.org, the Washington Post, and others) concluded that the SBVT campaign was misleading or false.
The campaign is now widely seen as an early and powerful example of a politically motivated smear, giving rise to the term “swift boating” as a synonym for dishonest political attacks.
Bottom Line: Hero or Fake?
Hero: According to military records, eyewitness accounts, and official commendations, John Kerry served with distinction, was wounded in action, and showed bravery.
Not a Fake: The allegations of fraud or exaggeration have been widely discredited and were part of a partisan effort to undermine his credibility in a political campaign.
Controversial: Kerry’s anti-war activism, including his Senate testimony, was divisive and remains controversial—but that does not negate his military service. Even today when I attend some activities at Veteran Centers throughout Pinal County, I find veterans who suggest that we should have won the Vietnam War but we were “stabbed” in the back by hippies, liberals and war protestors. Of course, then as now most war protestors are labeled as communist sympathizers or simply cowards.
Aging Capriciously 
Aug 02, 2025 @ 12:59:41
Interesting that someone who served in action for 4 years and then had legitimate concerns about whether his country should have been destroying a country far away, based on firsthand experience, should be demeaned, as opposed to someone who avoided service with a fake medical excuse.
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Aug 03, 2025 @ 08:12:48
Yes Jane, it does seem strange. I am always reminded of Ben Franklins comment that “Patriotism is the last refuge for a scoundrel.” The USA has become more militaristic than any country I can think of in recent history. Our police no longer look like they are there to “Protect and Serve” but to provide the same support for a corrupt government that the SS did for Nazi Germany. You know how large our military budget is and they just bumped it up more. And now we have a new army besides the Space Patrol, we have made the Border Patrol into a defacto army.
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Aug 03, 2025 @ 09:22:12
🥵💔
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Aug 03, 2025 @ 23:50:06
Thank you, John, for digging deep and presenting the facts. I wish your pieces could be seen by every person in the U.S.!!! Looking forward to the rest of this series.
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Aug 04, 2025 @ 08:27:50
Thanks Jill, I can believe the amount of misinformation that is spread today. It should be a something that more Americans care about instead of blindly accepting.
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Aug 04, 2025 @ 23:24:10
I didn’t realize until the past few years just how “under-educated” many of the people in this nation are, John. No wonder there are so many scams going on out there … there’s a good market for them! And now, we’re erasing history and devaluing education even further … what can the future of this nation look like?
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Aug 05, 2025 @ 04:06:05
Jill, Did you see my blog on the https://agingcapriciously.com/2025/07/28/republicanville-usa-2056-ce/
This is what I think the USA future might look like in 2056 if we keep going in the trump direction. Have you seen what is playing out in Texas? They are trying to gerrymander enough districts across several republican states to insure a majority in the house and senate for the next fifty years. This is so unlike what I think our founders ever envisioned that politics and government would be like. We have gone off the rails someplace and I am not sure if we can get the train back on. John
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Aug 05, 2025 @ 22:45:34
I had not previously seen that post, but I just now read it and … chilling. That’s all I can say … I would end my life if your vision ever becomes our reality!
Yes, I’ve been watching the mess in Texas, listening to Asshole Abbott threaten to arrest the Democratic lawmakers and declare their seats “vacant”. Time for the Courts to step in and shut Abbott up!!! Yes, my friend, we HAVE gone off the rails someplace, starting with the nearly 90 million who were so stupid they didn’t bother to vote last November because they couldn’t bring themselves to vote for … GASP … a woman, and a Black woman at that! These days, I’m grateful to be old and likely in my last year or so of life!
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Aug 06, 2025 @ 07:24:08
Jill, I so enjoy reading your comments. Could you wait to check out until I go? I don’t think I have many years left either. I sure as hell don’t want to come back here. Abbott is indeed on my list of major assholes. I am also with your on the 90 million who do not vote. If I were going to deport anyone, I might start with them. Interesting that 1/3 of our population has not voted since about the end of the revolutionary war in 1776. I often wonder what they are thinking or not thinking. John
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Aug 06, 2025 @ 23:30:19
I’ll try, John … I am a big fan of “mind over matter” and am in no hurry to leave, so I keep trying to do more in hopes of pushing aside my ailments for now.
We do have an unconscionably large amount of voter apathy in this country and have long done so. I think, in part at least, it is that it is often made more difficult than it needs to be. I love the idea of all postal voting, but we’re going in the wrong direction there. And then, of course, there are some who believe they are making a statement of sorts by withholding their votes. Sigh.
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Aug 07, 2025 @ 06:40:50
Jill, I would even push for Web Voting. Easy enough for everyone to have a code and to verify that the codes are only used once. But you are right. The RIGHT does not want everyone to vote. Only the privileged and rich since they are smart enough to rule the rest of us. Kind of reminds you of the days of Kings an Nobles.
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Aug 07, 2025 @ 23:37:53
Yes, online, or web voting would be even better … but unfortunately more susceptible to manipulation. Yes, the Republicans would be happy if almost nobody could vote, and indeed, it is leaning toward the old days of Kings & Nobility. I’ve begun to wonder if we’ll even have an election in 2026 or 2028.
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Aug 08, 2025 @ 02:59:41
I am glad you said that Jill. I think there is ever reason to believe that either trump will decide to annul elections, declare martial law or run for a third term. If he does run, he will fix things so that the election will be in his pocket. IMHO. I wish more people would realize the republicans do not want a democracy.
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Aug 08, 2025 @ 22:42:23
He’s already given voice to the idea of running for a third term … which, of course, would be unconstitutional, but since he seems to have the Supreme Court in his back pocket … 🤷
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Aug 09, 2025 @ 07:53:32
I don’t think he gives one second concern for the constitution Jill. I am going to be sick if he gets the Nobel Peace Prize. They will have to rename the prize to the No Morals Peace Prize.
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Aug 09, 2025 @ 23:13:09
You and I both, John. I’ve long said that if he gets a Nobel Prize, then henceforth the prize will be valueless. (Sorry I’m behind on reading your posts … health issues are making it difficult for me to stay on top of it all, but I WILL get caught up!)
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Aug 10, 2025 @ 09:21:32
Jill, If I can by nosy, what health issues are you facing? I hope all is going as well as possible. John
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Aug 10, 2025 @ 23:10:31
I suspect a bit of pneumonia, complicated by my Afib. I’ve avoided going to the doc, since every time I do, I end up in the hospital, but daughter Chris, an RN, is starting to insist, so … we’ll see what happens.
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Aug 11, 2025 @ 04:30:54
Jill, I wish you luck. I have no fondness for hospitals or doctors. A necessary evil in my thoughts. However, I am going to a specialist for my hand on Tuesday in Tucson. I am just hoping that he/she does not want to do surgery. I only will tolerate surgery as last last resort.
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Aug 12, 2025 @ 10:30:33
My doctor shocked me last night when he came to my home, brought a nebulizer (free of charge) and some meds to use in the nebulizer. He is a one-of-a-kind doc in my book, and he even respects my wishes to avoid the hospital. I hope your appointment today goes well and you can avoid surgery, my friend.
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Aug 12, 2025 @ 12:38:26
Thanks Jill, appointment was a bust. Doctor arrogant as hell and did not believe it was anything except arthritis. Both Karen and I shook our head because it did not start until my skiing accident in Feb and it only in one finger. Finally convinced him to schedule an MRI for soft tissue damage since x-rays, which he insisted on being redone did not show any damage or dislocations to the bones. We had already had 2 x rays done, one on fingers and one on hand but he insisted on doing his own. We left and decided to go elsewhere. I hope they ask for a rating because they will get -10 from me.
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Aug 12, 2025 @ 23:14:24
I hate arrogant Docs!!! Mine is truly a gem who obviously cares so much … I’m lucky in that. But I have had specialists whose arrogance just made me want to … well, never mind! I do hope the MRI will turn up the problem and you can get it sorted, hopefully without surgery. Keep me posted … I care.
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Aug 13, 2025 @ 03:53:17
Thanks Jill, I hope to get this sorted out today. Going to see another doc.
I thought you might find this excerpt from an article posted by Michael Cordell:
Last Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted a video in which Christian nationalist pastors openly opposed the idea of women voting. “I would like to see this nation being a Christian nation, and I would like this world to be a Christian world,” declared Doug Wilson, one of the movement’s leading voices. Hegseth’s repost carried the caption, “All of Christ for All of Life.”
This is not just another eccentric political opinion floating around in the culture war fog. It is a declaration of intent. It signals a desire to replace the foundations of American democracy with a theocracy rooted in one narrow interpretation of Christianity. And it is a direct rejection of what the United States was designed to be.
https://essayx.substack.com/p/re-an-american-christian-theocracy?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F497ce9e2-02da-4098-a386-fc17b59a0612_1536x1024.png&open=false
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Aug 07, 2025 @ 06:43:02
Its funny that you came to that conclusion. It is something very difficult for those of us who believe in Democracy to accept. That a large percentage of Americans really do not believe in or want a democracy. They would rather crown trump king and go around kissing his behind. I think the evidence was there for many years but we did not want to accept that anyone could reject democracy.
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Aug 07, 2025 @ 23:44:30
Yes, it IS hard for most of us who think and who care about the country/the world to accept. Those of us who have studied history at great length already know how this ends if those who support Trump have their way, but their minds are closed … you cannot get through to them, cannot even make them stop and think, for the most part.
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Aug 08, 2025 @ 02:57:12
Yes, there does not seem to be any solution except to fight and resist and it is going to be more than an uphill battle. Money and greed against ideals and morals.
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Aug 08, 2025 @ 22:40:12
And we both know what happens when one day we just get too exhausted from fighting the good fight, throw up our hands, and say, “To hell with it all!”
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Aug 09, 2025 @ 07:54:28
Absolutely. That is why I love the song from the Impossible Dream. ‘To March into Hell etc.”
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Aug 27, 2025 @ 13:47:05
Hi John! Sorry I dropped the ball on this discussion … I just spent 5 days in the hospital with respiratory failure! Trying to get my strength built back up now, but I definitely hope to continue our chats soon.
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Aug 27, 2025 @ 16:00:33
I will say a prayer for you Jill and hope it can help. I guess it can’t hurt. I am very sorry to hear about your health problems. I want you to “Live Long and Prosper” as per the Vulcan salute. Too many of my good friends seem to be passing away. Don’t worry about my blogs, some will probably just add to the noise mill that we get everyday. The best to you Jill.
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