LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Kerry’s past exploits are telling

OPINION:

Sen. John F. Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, chose to harangue American troops during the Vietnam War instead of taking to task the communists who were slaughtering Asians and American troops wholesale. It is thoroughly disgusting.

Whether or not one thinks American involvement in Southeast Asia in the 1960s and ’70s was warranted, there is no moral equivalence between the United States and the Viet Cong. The United States was aiding people fighting for some semblance of freedom against totalitarian rule. The Viet Cong, on the other hand, was killing people in order to impose communism, a deadly totalitarian system, in Vietnam.

Mr. Kerry’s actions during the Vietnam War era was revealing of his character. So is President Obama’s nomination of Mr. Kerry for secretary of state.

JOSHUA LIPANA

Manila, Philippines