Discounting America’s allies

In Thursday’s edition of National Review Online, Deroy Murdock observes that "Time and again, John Kerry has been dismissive to the point of rudeness toward this country’s Coalition allies," noting that the Democratic nominee has derided America’s partners as a "coalition of the coerced and the bribed" and has rejected the notion that there are international boots on the ground as "the phoniest thing I’ve ever heard."

Deflating Kerry’s contention, Murdock illustrates how foreign troops from 32 countries constitute 17.3 percent of total forces in country and 11 percent of those who have lost their lives – hardly an insignificant contribution. "None of America’s…partners," the author remarks, "ever had to send so much as a Q-Tip to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The fact that any nation assigns even one citizen to fight shoulder to shoulder with U.S. GIs should elicit celebration and gratitude."

Should John Kerry be elected president, he will be hard-pressed to repair relations with those whose courage and sacrifice he currently refuses to acknowledge.

To read Murdock’s piece click here.