Can you guide shrapnel into a non-lethal part of your body?

[trumad]

I need to know this so that I can send this info to the troops in Iraq.

Apparently the knuckleheads over on the Right seem to think that John Kerry did just that.

They claim that his shrapnel wound{s} wasn't that serious and that JK didn't deserve his Purple Hearts for those wounds. They also claim that JK's adventures in Nam were just one big Photo Op for his future political career.

OK

So I ask this... IF JK set all this up for his future political career, then how did he guide that shrapnel into his arm and buttocks? Did he use a magnet? Did he put it there himself?.... Were his River Boat buddies part of the conspiracy to pretend JK was hurt hoping that someday they would get a cushy job in the GOV? (Like Bush's NG Commander)

Chickenhawks diminishing a Shrapnel wound... Who would have thunk it..:eyes:

[July]

1. How succinctly you reveal the silliness of right-wing bull, trumad.

Thank you.

[progressiveBadger]

2. Magnet...

I will laugh about that for weeks.

[trumad]

3. Kerry must be Magneto...

[JHBowden]

9. LOL@ Magneto!

:toast:

[Lisa]

4. personal faith-based defense shield!

A smaller version of the one proposed for the entire US (which would use prayer to make the ABMs hit the incoming missiles, since evidently the technology isn't up to the job).

But seriously -- while looking around for some stats to address another of your penetrating questions on shrapnel (hah) I found this page.

http://www.3ad.org/desertstorm/casualties/ds_casualties.htm

There are Desert Storm soldiers who died from shrapnel -- or from bullets, land mines, or direct impacts. Some of their colleagues also died from vehicle accidents (including a direct collision with an Iraqi tank) or collapsing shelters. Is someone who dies when a piece of jagged metal punctures his heart any less brave than someone who fights beside him in the same battle and survives, but is killed when his jeep overturns on the way back to base camp?

My ex's late father, who had been a sergeant in the Battle of the Bulge, always had a question for people who nitpicked a particular soldier's bravery in the past -- "was you dere?" It's one thing if Senator Kerry's comrades are disputing his tour of duty and his awards (which as far as I've seen, they aren't) -- and another if the accusations are made by people who weren't there. I think he would have approved of Kerry.

[Tansy_Gold]

5. "Was you dere?" (great line!)

"An' if you wasn't, how come you wasn't and where was you anyway?"

Certainly these are questions that will never be asked of the likes of limbaugh, *, Cheney, etc. But they oughta be!

[moondust]

6. Funnels.

Big funnels.

[Killarney]

7. Great post. The absurdity of the RW argument on this astounds me

this is a new low for them, IMO.

He was there.

He was under fire.

Bush was snorting coke off a hooker's back. Ok, maybe not, but he wasn't in Nam.

[KittyWampus]

8. Yes, If You're Skull & Bones....

they give you secret training.

[Lisa]

10. wow, it must really work then ...

Because in Bush's case, the shrapnel missed him by several thousand miles! Him being in Texas and the southern US at the time.

[blm]

11. The Green Beret whose life he saved said Kerry was bleeding when he pulled

him out of the river under fire. He believes Kerry's wound must have been from his boat that was blown up and killed the rest of his crew.

[DrWeird]

12. Arms and ass aren't always non lethal.

It can always severe an artery and or bounce around.

[Zorra]

13. Now I've heard everything. These people are flat out ignoramuses.

All the facts are against them and their only defenses are blatant lies and distortions.

The right-wing is so pathetic.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. No. They are so desparate for a real "hero" of their own

that they look the other way on his many flaws while tearing down an authentic and bonafide hero who has proven himself time and again.

[Madrone]

14. Shrapnel vs. taking a bullet

I had a convo with a good friend of mine recently - this friend was in heavy combat in Nam, on Hamburger Hill, and worked as a mercenary during part of his tour... He also has a couple of purple hearts.

He's been shot, and he's been hit with shrapnel. According to him (and this suprised me) taking a bullet is VASTLY preferable to being hit with shrapnel. He says shrapnel is the worst fucking pain EVER.

Just FYI and YMMV