John Kerry's war record

Madam, - I gather that Joe Wood (September 8th) feels John Kerry's Vietnam record can't be tarnished because George W

Madam, - I gather that Joe Wood (September 8th) feels John Kerry's Vietnam record can't be tarnished because George W. Bush absented himself from the war?

Mr Wood, like many others of late, seems intent on focusing debate in this presidential election on a war that ended some 30 years ago. What George Bush's absence and Kerry's presence has to do with the presidential war of 2004 is beyond me.

If only there was a new hippie generation to oppose reference, for political kudos, to a war so rejected by our parents' generation of drink, drugs and debauchery - oh, I mean peace love and music! - Yours etc.,

BRENDAN COFFEY,

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College Green,

Maynooth,

Co Kildare.