In response: Terry Sater 3/13/08 “Swiftboating” insults the sacrifices of U.S. sailors in Vietnam

Mr. Sater laments the entrance of the term “swiftboating” into the language ever since a privately-financed group of opponents of Vietnam veteran John Kerry smeared Kerry’s record of service as well as his character. While Mr. Sater admits he contributed in a small way to this attack with his own letter, he complains that the term itself now insults all veterans. Putting aside the question of why Sater thinks some veterans are fair game and others are not (perhaps only if they run for President?) there is an excellent lesson to be found here. Actions have consequences — and not all of them are intended or foreseeable. While Sater points no fingers, he fails to reflect on whether he himself shares a bit in the responsibility for the term’s appearance in the first place. Another way of putting it: People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Dan Alamia

University City