THE PUBLIC MIND: SON OF DEPOSED ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL NOW REGRETS HIS VOTE FOR GOV. CARNAHAN

To the Editor:

During the campaign for governor last October, I made up my mind that Bill Webster's problems looked insurmountable and would interfere with his ability to be an effective governor, so I decided to support Mel Carnahan. That too has turned out to be a mistake and here is why I wish both candidates could have lost.

Approximately a year ago, my dad accomplished some~thing many people view as unattainable. He received one star and earned the rank of Assistant Adjutant General in the National Guard. This was an honor my dad, along with family and friends, cherished.

About a month ago, my dad heard rumors that our new governor was being persuaded to remove his star and replace him with someone else. This had never been done before.

Well now it has been done. Gov. Mel Carnahan has not only taken his star, but also terminated his duties in the National Guard. He informed my family during a week long vacation assuring dad it was not a political move. (Let me say if it was not a political decision, it must have been a personal one, in which case Mel Carnahan has absolutely no business holding a position of power such as ~governor.)

I'd like to give you an idea of what Carnahan has personally accomplished. He destroyed a love affair between my dad and the National Guard which began 26 years ago. He kicked a man out of the guard who has sacrificed time with his family and tremendous effort for fellow soldiers throughout his 26 years. He was absolutely devoted to serving his country to the best of his ability. The governor removed a man who is an outstanding leader and a powerful role model to countless young men. He discarded a valuable asset to the guard who was so honored to be a member of the National Guard. Anyone who knows my dad can imagine just how he feels about the service. He is also proud to have started his career as a member of the 1221st, our transportation unit right here in Dexter. Most importantly, he kicked a man out of the service who knew to do what was right.

I truly hope Mel Carnahan cannot sleep at night, knowing that what he has done to Charlie Kruse is wrong. Dead wrong. If he is not able to see how wrong, cruel, cold-hearted, ignorant, low down, disgraceful and humiliating his decision was, then he is playing games with power. If he does not realize how wrong he was, he is a weak political figure being sucked into political games and denying the fact.

Once, the position of general in the National Guard was a position held because someone was respected, someone who was a leader, and someone who excelled and achieved above the rest. Now the guard is about being a Republican or a Democrat. Carnahan has treated my dad's accomplishments like some cabinet appointee, automatically removed as the opposing party takes office. What about loyal service? Doesn't matter. What about honesty and integrity? Doesn't matter. What about 26 years of devotion, sacrifice, hard work, enthusiasm and outstanding service? Doesn't matter. Politics lack these characteristics and politicians like Carnahan could care less about these attributes. I suggest Carnahan attempt to learn something about honesty, integrity, devotion and sacri~fice.

Well, my dad is still a general to me. He is an incredible~ role model who I know would do anything for friends and strangers alike. He is honest, loyal, and puts his all into everything he does. He is a leader. Isn't that what a general is supposed to be? If I achieve half of what my dad has, I would ~consider myself a very successful professional and family man.

Now I hope you can understand why I wish both candidates could have lost the election last Nov. 4. I hope everyone sees how political and wrong and embarrassing Carnahan's decision was.

Times are really strange ... we have a president trying his hardest to let gays into the~ military and a gov~~~ernor removing people like Charles Kruse. The truth is, my dad deserves better.

Scott Kruse

Dexter