Webb and wartime horrors

A writer from Vienna, Virginia had a letter-to-the-editor in the Washinton Times today (pg.A20). He remarked about the "wartime horrors" that Mr. Webb has included in some of his best-selling novels. He suggested that the "quotes mined from decades-old works of fiction" were an insult to Virginia voters. Well, the quotations from the novels were an insult to me; learning about them was a heads-up for other Virginia voters as far as I am concerned. Reading the quotations made me glad that Mr. Webb was not sitting side-by-side with John Kerry as he, infamously, recounted how "aweful" American soldiers are in his view. Thank God, John Kerry didn't get the chance to command our brave fighting personnel; Mr. Webb should not have the chance now to determine their fate. I know that writers write from their own experiences; however, the quotation that was "most" hideous was written/published in 2001, not decades ago. The quotation about the soldier reflects poorly upon Mr. Webb's discretion. The Vietnam War took place over 30 years ago. Mr. Webb has done well in reaping "benefits" from that war. Writers do that and have been doing that for centuries. No doubt, Mr. Webb saw many heinous situations in Vietnam, such as the bodies of his fellows being blown to bits in front of him. Not everything we writers see, hear, think, or experience should be committed to the printed page no matter how talented we are. And no, it is not for the censors to decide; it is for us as the writer, the author of the work, to decide. In full disclosure, I was not going to vote for the Republican-turned Democrat, Mr. Webb, with or without the quotations; however, the quotations should give our military personnel pause.