Swift Boat Ads

Off Topic Politics and World Issues
1

Forgive me if I this extra post is redundant.

I think some of the issues raised by the Swift Boat Ads needs to be discussed in some more detail.

I was initially skeptical that events 35 years ago really had much of an impact on this race.

I’m beginning to feel otherwise.

John Kerry’s attempt to squash this by using legal muscle is beginning to make me suspicious. If he has nothing to hide, why go to such lengths to suppress the information? As we learned with Nixon/Clinton, it isn’t the lie, it’s the cover-up.

This is how he is acting.

One more thing that no one seems to have addressed. Kerry and his surrogates are contending that G.W.'s campaign is directly responsible for these ads. George Bush and Scott McC. have consistently denied this.

Please look on CNN’s front page of www.cnn.com tonight. Read the whole story. Pay attention to this part:

"Rood says in the first-person article that Kerry asked him to publicly discuss his account of that mission.

“I can’t pretend those calls had no effect on me, but that is not why I am writing this,” he writes.“What matters most to me is that this is hurting crewmen who are not public figures and who deserved to be honored for what they did. My intent is to tell the story here and to never again talk publicly about it.”

JOHN KERRY CALLING ROOD!!! DIRECT, ONE ON ONE CONTACT. PRESSURE TO TELL “A STORY” FROM JOHN KERRY HIMSELF!!!

Ladies and Gentleman, the duplicity of John Kerry and his surrogates MUST BE OBVIOUS!!! What else did John Kerry say to Rood? Did he hit him with the Clinton-like, “You saw lots of gunfire from many angles, right Rood?”

Let me highlight this one more time: John Kerry called Rood. That is pressure of the first order.

Isn’t that witness tampering in a court of law?

JeffR

2

JeffR
Kerry says he called everyone he served with, and asked them to come forward and tell their side of the story.

So get ready for additional accounts of people calling “bullshit” on the Swift Boat Liars For Bush. This is just the beginning.

Also, one of the Liars works for Bush’s campaign on a national level, which will probably make these ads illegal.

Since you are gung-ho for full disclosure, I suppose you are eager to see all of Bush’s medical records come to light too.

The thing that is disturbing about the Swift Boat Liars is that all they need to do is plant a seed of doubt in peoples’ minds. They don’t have to be right or honest. All they need to do is to cast a shadow.

I could easily do the same thing, by suggesting that George Bush procured an abortion for an ex-girlfriend, back when he was a drunk and a coke-snorter. (This is an actual rumor by the way, that Bush’s anti-abortion posture is hypocritical). That’s the power of a rumor, it doesn’t have to be true.

I think some people feel that all this is fair play, because George Bush has been accused of going AWOL. The difference here is huge, though, in my opinion. The Swift Boat Liars contradict official Navy records, and they also contradict themselves. Whereas Bush’s official military records indicate that the charges against him are true, and nobody on earth can be located that will support Bush’s claims, only people who say they never saw him doing his duty while we were still at war.

Hey, maybe the Swift Boat Liars “think they’re telling the truth” the same way that Bush “mis-spoke” about WMDs? You Bushies just LOVE the liars, dontcha?

Have a great day!

3

“BIG LIES FOR BUSH”
Globe Editorial
August 22, 2004

IMAGINE IF supporters of Bill Clinton had tried in 1996 to besmirch the military record of his opponent, Bob Dole. After all, Dole was given a Purple Heart for a leg scratch probably caused, according to one biographer, when a hand grenade thrown by one of his own men bounced off a tree. And while the serious injuries Dole sustained later surely came from German fire, did the episode demonstrate heroism on Dole’s part or a reckless move that ended up killing his radioman and endangering the sergeant who dragged Dole off the field?

The truth, according to many accounts, is that Dole fought with exceptional bravery and deserves the nation’s gratitude. No one in 1996 questioned that record. Any such attack on behalf of Clinton, an admitted Vietnam draft dodger, would have been preposterous.

Yet amazingly, something quite similar is happening today as supporters of President Bush attack the Vietnam record of Senator John Kerry.

The situations are not completely parallel. Bush was not a draft dodger, but he certainly was a Vietnam avoider, having joined the Texas Air National Guard rather than serving in the regular military.

Kerry, on the other hand, may have done more than Dole to qualify as a genuine war hero. Although his tour in Vietnam was short, on at least two occasions he acted decisively and with great daring in combat, saving at least one man’s life and earning both a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. That’s not our account or Kerry’s; it is drawn from eyewitnesses and the military citations themselves.

Yet a group of Vietnam veterans is questioning Kerry’s record, operating cynically and ignoring the evidence. Many in this group felt betrayed by Kerry’s opposition to the Vietnam War after he returned home. A renewed debate on that war might be useful, though we believe most Americans now agree with Kerry’s famous statement to Congress at the time that it was a mistake.

Rather than seeking debate, however, this group, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, is attempting political assassination, claiming in ads and a best-selling book that Kerry is “Unfit for Command.” In many cases the charges conflict with statements the same men made in the past. Sometimes the allegations contradict documentary evidence. Last week a former swift boat commander, Larry Thurlow, said Kerry didn’t deserve his Bronze Star because there was no enemy fire at the time, but this is contradicted by five separate accounts – including the Bronze Star citation Thurlow himself was awarded in the same incident, as reported by The Washington Post.

While a few details and dates of Kerry’s Vietnam record are open to question, most of the accusations are laughable. Kerry’s record of service in Vietnam is clear and, one would think, unassailable. Given the contrast in their Vietnam-era records – Bush even let his pilot’s license lapse while still in the Guard – Bush might be expected to change the subject.

Yet the Kerry opponents, working with funders and political operatives closely linked to Bush personally, are attempting what is known in politics as the big lie – an effort simply to contradict the truth repeatedly.

Both parties do it, but Republicans are developing a shocking expertise. The smearing of John McCain in South Carolina in 2000, the reprehensible attack to oust Senator Max Cleland of Georgia in 2002, and this utterly cynical campaign against Kerry by Bush’s False Squad deserve only condemnation.

Kerry has faulted a few of his own supporters who lampooned Bush’s National Guard record. Now Bush should call off his dogs.

4

[quote]Ladies and Gentleman, the duplicity of John Kerry and his surrogates MUST BE OBVIOUS!!!
What else did John Kerry say to Rood? Did he hit him with the Clinton-like, “You saw lots of gunfire from many angles, right Rood?”

Let me highlight this one more time: John Kerry called Rood. That is pressure of the first order. [/quote]

Apparently, based on your usage, you don’t know what the word “duplicity” actually means, although I guess you realize it’s probably something bad.

But JeffR, since you seem to be an expert on the military, and keen to discuss the finer points, let me ask you this:

I’ve read that during George Bush’s entire military “career”, he wasn’t once recommended for a promotion. In other words, not only was he never promoted, he was never even considered for a promotion.

Apparently, this is sort of unusual for a pilot, and suggests that Dubya had an unusually poor record and a poor reputation.

Your thoughts?

5

if you tell a lie often enough and loud enough people will start to believe it…

both Bush and Kerry are using this technique on each other…

the Bush Zombies want to hear and believe every lie about Kerry… the Kerry Zombies want to hear and believe every lie about Bush…

welcome to politics in America today…

P.S. I can’t believe how many dopes fall for this shit over and over again.

6

lumper,

that must contradict his superior officer who said he was in the top 90% of pilots he ever had…source, newsweek, issue with Kerry and GW in uniform on the cover.

thanks,

me

7

Lumpy,

Thanks for your responses.

Here’s Webster’s definition of duplicity:

“Noun 1. duplicity - a fraudulent or duplicitous representation
Synonyms: fraudulence”

When being investigated by Paula Jones, Clinton says, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinski.”

Clearly a lie. Clearly trying to cover his rear end. Clearly trying to deny her a fair sexual harassment suit.

Remember him being dis-barred after he left office? Seems the ABA recognized his duplicitous representation of the facts.

Poor Lumpy,

JeffR

8

Lumpy,

I hate to kick you when you are down, but I can’t resist.

You mentioned that they didn’t think he was qualified for promotion?

Oh, poor Lumpy.

Pertinent part of this article: “Aug. 24, 1970: Three-member board recommends 2nd Lt. Bush for promotion to first lieutenant. Bush later receives the promotion.”

You can find the same information plus many colleagues and superiors who thought he was an excellent pilot.

Oh, you made an allusion to the there “only being dental records to show he was there.”

Poor Lumpy,

Remember that fellow pilot who served with him during the time in question? He vividly remembers him attending his required time.

You can look that one up for yourself. I’ve already posted the link (as you well know).

I’m having fun with your misconceptions and blatant duplicity,

JeffR

9

Lumpy,

Forgive me, I mean to post this one first.

Here is another portion of the Webster’s definition of duplicity:

“duplicity - acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
Synonyms: double-dealing”

John Kerry derides the Bush campaign for purportedly influencing the Swift Boat group.

Here is Kerry calling Rood and influencing him. I call that deception and double dealing. I call that duplicity.

Again, Poor Lumpy,

JeffR

P.S. I meant to make the Clinton example after this post to show another clear example of duplicity. I know Bill is one of your favorites.

10

[quote]JeffR said
Oh, you made an allusion to the there “only being dental records to show he was there.”

Remember that fellow pilot who served with him during the time in question? He vividly remembers him attending his required time.
[/quote]

Wrong! The guy recalls dates when Bush wasn’t even supposed to be serving. In other words, he is mistaken. Try to keep up with the news, the guy you refer to has been discredited and dismissed.

The fact is that the allegations about Bush going AWOL have NEVER been disproven. And the pay stubs from Bush’s records still show a gap, indicating he was missing from duty.

Since you want to harp on Kerry’s medals, you should expect that the AWOL question will have to be raised as well.

George Bush let his pilots liscense lapse during a time of war, and didn’t even show up for a military physical exam. To me, this suggests he went AWOL.

Want to examine military records? Allrighty then! Bob Dole received one of his Purple Hearts for a minor scratch, when one of his crew threw a hand grenade at it bounced off a tree. How come nobody is calling for Bob Dole to return his medal for that action? Isn’t that “duplicitous”? (LOL)

George HW Bush (Dubya’s father) bailed out of his plane, leaving his crew to perish in an out-of-control airplane.

This dreck you want to dredge up, means that ALL MILITARY RECORDS are subject to scrutiny.

Are you sure you want to go there?

(Congratulations on owning a dictionary, but your use of the word “duplicitous” was still clumsy at best.)

11

Jeff, have you lost leave of your senses. What you are quoting means “Please Rood, go out there and say what you feel happened”. This is sinister?

On the other hand, we have money arriving from Bush supporters so that hundreds of thousands of dollars of air time can be used to discredit Kerry.

Under the arguments of the right, Kerry is not even supposed to be able to defend himself against this? He can’t complain about financing irregularies, he can’t invoke legal recourse and he can’t call and ask other participants to come forward with what they know to have happened.

Are you insane? Does Bush have any trouble going to the courts when necessary? Not at all. That is how the election was finally decided. Should you condemn Bush for using the courts?

Lets stop being so damned hypocritical. I remain ashamed of the people denigrating Kerry’s record. He went to war and faced possible death for you losers. You repay his valiant service with this? Attack him where he deserves to be attacked. This is a deplorable sham.

Bush has no war record to speak of, even if he did collect paychecks and have dental exams from time to time. Assuming he did everything required of him during his service, he basically faced no danger and had things pretty easy.

Get over it. These are facts. Kerry stands head and shoulders above Bush on this issue.

12

There is Some thing that when you look at all the swift boat against Kerry websites. The POW’s Green Berets, Vetereans against Kerry websites. That none of them state differently. They all state the same facts. Each vet that you read statemnents from, say the same exact things. But whose story keeps being changed? Not the swift vote Vets…

as for this being a pro Bush group, or for Bush on so many of these websites…you see this just like on the swuft vets website…

…SBVT is an independent organization dedicated to correcting the false statements made by Senator Kerry about his service record in Vietnam and the service records of the men who served with him. SBVT acts independently from and is not affiliated with any political party ? Republican, Democratic, or independent ? or any candidate for public office. Only the SBVT Executive Committee, comprised of men who served on Swift Boats in Vietnam, has the authority to authorize communications on behalf of the organization or official events. …

And on the swuft vet forum…this is just one of the many postings on it…WHich is really true,

“Kerry has based his entire campaign on his time on Swift Boats in Vietnam. He has derided his detractors of his record by shoving it in their face, Kerry made his time in Vietnam an issue, noone else!
The fact that there are more holes in his stories about that time than a slice of Swiss Cheese is not in doubt. It is absolutely legitimate to question his comments and actions, especially by those who were there at the same time in the same place.
Now Kerry and his actions Post Vietnam are never brought up by his Campaign for good reason also. They are too easily verified and thouroughly documented. While they have tried to spin some of it, it has been weak and unconvincing, as has been shown in the polls.
Today I watched John O’Neill absolutely make a fool of the DNC attack dog Podesta, who was totaly inneffectual in countering any of the facts put forth.
Yes, question Kerrys time in Vietnam, question his post Vietnam Activities! He wants to portray himself as fit to Command the Country on his brief time in Vietnam, then he should be prepared to face the scrutiny of that record!”

I am who I am not who you want me to be.
U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT

And this is something John Kerry will not and refuses to discuss, talk about,
or has others talking about these issues for him. And all I can say is he better come clean… And finally tell the American people the truth. For just wait till this rally in Sept in Washington DC. They are also planning rallies across the US. The same day. For those that cannot get to Washington DC.

ANd this…“I’m John Kerry and I’m reporting for Duty” were the EXACT words to start his campaign to the American people as the Democratic candidate. It was his decision to make it the VERY FIRST words and issue with the American people. Blame him…

Joe

13

What Bush did was nothing what John Kerry Did. In other words go against the War as it was still being fought…
Go against your fellow brothers. Mean hear are the facts…

Early April, 1969 – U.S. Naval Lieutenant John Kerry leaves Vietnam and is soon reassigned as a personal aide and flag lieutenant to Rear Admiral Walter F. Schlech, Jr. with the Military Sea Transportation Service based in Brooklyn, New York.
December, 1969 – Kerry requests an early discharge from the Navy in order to run for a Massachusetts congressional seat on an antiwar platform.
January 3, 1970 – Kerry is discharged from active duty.
February 13, 1970 – Candidate Kerry tells the Harvard Crimson, “I’m an internationalist. I’d like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations,” and that he wants “to almost eliminate CIA activity.”
March, 1970 – Kerry drops out of the Fourth District congressional race to make way for antiwar activist Father Robert F. Drinan, dean of Boston College Law School, and later becomes chairman of Drinan’s campaign. Drinan defeats pro-war incumbent Philip Philbin in the Democratic primary and goes on to win the general election.
May 7, 1970 – Kerry appears on The Dick Cavett Show for the first time, speaking in opposition to U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Late May or early June, 1970 – John and Julia Kerry travel to Paris on a private trip. Kerry meets with Madam Win Thi Binh, the Foreign Minister of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Vietnam (PRG) – the political wing of the Vietcong – and with representatives of Hanoi who were in Paris for the peace talks.
June, 1970 – Kerry joins Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
September 4, 1970 – Operation RAW (Rapid American Withdrawal). Some 75 VVAW members begin a three-day hike to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Along the way they simulate war atrocities against civilians, and hand out flyers to townspeople stating that they might have been raped, murdered or tortured by the U.S. Infantry had they been Vietnamese, and claiming that “American soldiers do these things every day.”
September 7, 1970 – At the conclusion of Operation RAW, a rally is held in Valley Forge, featuring speeches by John Kerry, Jane Fonda, and Mark Lane. Fonda is quoted as saying that “…My Lai was not an isolated incident but rather a way of life for many of our military.”
September 11, 1970 – A VVAW Executive Committee meeting is attended by president Jan Crumb, executive secretary Al Hubbard, treasurer Jason Gettinger, Northeast representative John Kerry, and three others. The organization leadership decides to picket against the National Guard Association in New York, send Hubbard on a “speaking tour” with Jane Fonda, consider an “appropriate induction center action for purpose of making clear transition from citizen to war criminal,” and “sponsor turn in of war crimes testimony to UN” after the Winter Soldier event.

March 16, 1971 – John Kerry holds a news conference with retired general David Shoup in a congressional hearing room.

Early April, 1971 – The VVAW is flat broke the week before the Dewey Canyon III event, with no way to transport protestors. In his book “Home to War,” Gerald Nicosia will report that “Kerry immediately got on the phone to some of the biggest Democratic Party fund-raisers in New York and set up a meeting. When it broke up, VVAW was $75,000 in the black, and busfare for at least a few hundred out-of-towners was assured.” Writing in “Winter Soldiers,” Richard Stacewicz will cite an FBI memorandum dated April 13, 1971 as follows, “VVAW had received fifty thousand dollars from United States Senators McGovern and Hatfield, who… obtained the money from an unknown New York source.”
April 18, 1971 – John Kerry and Al Hubbard appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to allege widespread atrocities by U.S. soldiers in Vietnam. Hubbard is introduced as a former Air Force captain who had spent two years in Vietnam and was wounded in action. Kerry seems to admit to committing war crimes, saying, “There are all kinds of atrocities, and I would have to say that, yes, yes, I committed the same kind of atrocities as thousands of other soldiers have committed in that I took part in shootings in free fire zones. I conducted harassment and interdiction fire. I used 50 calibre machine guns, which we were granted and ordered to use, which were our only weapon against people. I took part in search and destroy missions, in the burning of villages.”
April 22, 1971 – John Kerry testifies on behalf of the VVAW before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. He claims that American soldiers had “personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan…” and that these acts were “not isolated incidents but crimes committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command.” Kerry also accuses the U.S. military of “rampant” racism and of being “more guilty than any other body” of violating the Geneva Conventions, supports “Madame Binh’s points” when asked to recommend a peace proposal, and states that any reprisals against the South Vietnamese after an American withdrawal would be “far, far less than the 200,000 a year who are murdered by the United States of America.”
April 27, 1971 – Hundreds of thousands of protestors march in Washington, D.C., led by members of the VVAW. Kerry spoke to the crowd, accepting applause on behalf of “the 1,200 active-duty GIs who took part in the [Dewey Canyon III] demonstration.” The Daily World is on the job, with glowing coverage of the day’s events
July 24, 1971 – the Daily World features a photograph of John Kerry speaking in support of the Provisional Revolutionary Government (Vietcong) Seven Point Plan.

Late August, 1971 – Kerry and Hubbard meet with leftist millionaires in East Hampton to promote the VVAW and show film clips of atrocity claims from the Winter Soldier Investigation. According to the New York Times, a request for funds had the attendees “scrambling for pens and checkbooks.”
January 11, 1972 – John Kerry represents the VVAW at Dartmouth College.
January 25, 1972 – John Kerry represents the VVAW at the “People’s State of the Union” in Washington, D.C.
April 22, 1972 – John Kerry represents the VVAW at the “Emergency March for Peace” in Bryant Park in New York City.

and this is just a part of the fact sheet…no lies…all documented with pictures audio. and video…

http://www.vnsfvetakerry.com/fact
_sheets.htm

Joe

14

Joe,

I am trully shocked.

I only knew a fraction of that.

Now is one of the few times I am at a loss for words.

Thanks for the education,

JeffR

15

Nice bit of muckraking, but too bad there is so much spin and falsehood though. But gee whiz, that Chuckmanjoe loves to wallow around in the shit!!!

Here’s a clue for your timeline. November 10, 1971:
Kerry quits Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

16

Pat Oliphant cartoon

17

Knowing Kerry, he resigned so he could later claim both sides. What a jackass!

18

Unfortunately, lUMPY You did not read the whole thing…
November 15, 1971 – After trying unsuccessfully to have Al Hubbard removed from the group’s leadership, John Kerry resigns from the Executive Committee of the VVAW for personal reasons. Kerry WILL CONTINUE to represent the organization in interviews and public appearances for several months.

And HE does!!

Firing Line Radio Schedule, New York Times, page D22, November 21, 1971

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/Buckley_1.jpg

Kerry on War, Portsmouth Herald (from AP), January 11, 1972

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/Dartmouth_1.jpg

War Critic, at Dartmouth, Bids Audience Join Politics, New York Times, page 26, January 12, 1972

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/index.php?topic=Documents

A Dozen Dissidents Criticize the President and the Government in ‘the People’s State of the Union’, New York Times, page 17, January 26, 1972

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/Dissidents.jpg

Emergency March for Peace Ad, New York Times, page E5, April 16, 1972

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/Bryant_Park_2.jpg

In Protest at U of I (from AP), Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, Illinois), April 22, 1972

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/graphics/Bryant_Park_1.jpg

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/index.php?topic=Documents

Joe

19

Found these articles (and more on this page too:)

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/index.php?topic=Quotes

"…The exact sources of that assertion should be tracked down. Kerry also ought to be asked who, exactly, told him any such thing, and what it was, exactly, that they said they did in Vietnam. Statutes of limitation now protect these individuals from prosecution for any such admissions. Or did Senator Kerry merely hear allegations of that sort as hearsay bandied about by members of antiwar groups (much of which has since been discredited)? To me, this assertion sounds exactly like the disinformation line that the Soviets were sowing worldwide throughout the Vietnam era. KGB priority number one at that time was to damage American power, judgment, and credibility. One of its favorite tools was the fabrication of such evidence as photographs and “news reports” about invented American war atrocities. These tales were purveyed in KGB-operated magazines that would then flack them to reputable news organizations. Often enough, they would be picked up. News organizations are notoriously sloppy about verifying their sources. All in all, it was amazingly easy for Soviet-bloc spy organizations to fake many such reports and spread them around the free world.

As a spy chief and a general in the former Soviet satellite of Romania, I produced the very same vitriol Kerry repeated to the U.S. Congress almost word for word and planted it in leftist movements throughout Europe. KGB chairman Yuri Andropov managed our anti-Vietnam War operation. He often bragged about having damaged the U.S. foreign-policy consensus, poisoned domestic debate in the U.S., and built a credibility gap between America and European public opinion through our disinformation operations. Vietnam was, he once told me, “our most significant success.”

– Ion Mihai Pacepa, the highest-ranking intelligence officer ever to defect from the Soviet bloc, in the National Review, February 26, 2004

We will not quickly join those who march on Veterans’ Day waving small flags, calling to memory those thousands who died for the “greater glory of the United States.” We will not accept the rhetoric. We will not readily join the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars – in fact, we will find it hard to join anything at all and when we do, we will demand relevancy such as other organizations have recently been unable to provide. We will not take solace from the creation of monuments or the naming of parks after a select few of the thousands of dead Americans and Vietnamese. We will not uphold traditions which decorously memorialize that which was base and grim.

– John Kerry, in “The New Soldier”

Two years later, [1984] he ran for the U.S. Senate - dusting off his veteran’s credentials by standing in front of the black Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington to shoot a TV campaign ad, defying regulations that the memorial not be used for political purposes. The ad “was filmed illegally against the wishes of the National Park Service,” according to the Boston Globe. Kerry authorized its broadcast anyway.

– J. Michael Waller, Insight Magazine, March 5, 2004
By Friday morning when we returned our medals, it was becoming an emotional thing. We discussed for a long time how we were going to return our medals… whether we’d drop them into shitcans filled with blood… or carry them up to Congress in body bags. Finally we decided the best way to show our contempt was by throwing them over the fence they’d put up in front of the Capitol steps.

– Rusty Sachs, VVAW, in “The New Soldier”

May 3, 1971: Some twenty Vietnam Veterans Against the War and several supporters, tossed bags of cow manure on the steps of the Mall Entrance of the Pentagon, then offered to clean up the mess in return for a chance to talk to one of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense. Their offer was rejected and some twenty-eight were arrested. All were charged with disorderly conduct.

– from a District of Columbia government report detailing demonstrations in the District during 1971 established an American presence in most cases by showing the flag and firing at sampans and villages along the banks. Those were our instructions, but they seemed so out of line that we finally began to go ashore, against our orders, and investigate the villages that were supposed to be our targets. We discovered we were butchering a lot of innocent people, and morale became so low among the officers on those ‘swift boats’ that we were called back to Saigon for special instructions from Gen. Abrams. He told us we were doing the right thing. He said our efforts would help win the war in the long run. That’s when I realized I could never remain silent about the realities of the war in Vietnam.

– John Kerry in the Washington Star, June 6, 1971

I served with these guys. I went on missions with them, and these men served honorably. Up and down the chain of command there was no acquiescence to atrocities. It was not condoned, it did not happen, and it was not reported to me verbally or in writing by any of these men including Lt.(jg) Kerry.

– Captain George Elliott, USN (retired)

Joe

20

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, August 24, 2004

KERRY CAMPAIGN BACKTRACKS ON FIRST PURPLE HEART AWARD

Campaign Says May Have Been Self-Inflicted

Washington?In a reversal of their staunch defense of John Kerry’s military service record, Kerry campaign officials were quoted by Fox News saying that it was indeed possible that John Kerry’s first Purple Heart commendation was the result of an, unintentional, self-inflicted wound."

“GARRETT: And questions keep coming. For example, Kerry received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered on December 2, 1968. But in Kerry’s own journal written nine days later, he writes he and his crew, quote, “hadn’t been shot at yet,” unquote. Kerry’s campaign has said it is possible this first Purple Heart was awarded for an unintentional self-inflicted wound – Brit.” (Special Report with Brit Hume Aug.23, 2004)

A recent television ad from Swift Boat Veterans for Truth featured Doctor Lewis Letson who treated Kerry for his minor injury and Grant Hibbard who served as John Kerry’s direct commander on the mission where he claimed his medal. Both men say Kerry did not deserve the medal given the fact that Kerry received a very minor wound requiring no more than band-aid treatment and because the wound was not a direct result of hostile fire, a requirement for a Purple Heart commendation.

“When Grant Hibbard and Doctor Letson appeared in our ad, they were attacked and vilified by the Kerry campaign but now we see news reports saying the Kerry campaign is now sheepishly acknowledging that what we said was true,” said Admiral Hoffmann, founder of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. “John Kerry’s own journal reinforces the fact that neither Kerry nor his crew had seen hostile enemy action. John Kerry’s first Purple Heart medal is based on fiction.”

Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is calling on the Kerry campaign to apologize to Grant Hibbard and Doctor Letson as the men did nothing more than come forward to speak the truth about the situation involving John Kerry’s first Purple Heart medal.

This is not the only incident in which Kerry campaign officials have changed their story concerning Kerry’s prestigious war medals. The incident on the Bay Hap River in which Kerry received his third Purple Heart and Bronze Star has also been the subject of considerable waffling by Kerry officials.
During the Democratic National Convention, Kerry used the Bay Hap River incident to suggest that he alone returned to rescue Jim Rassmann?a Special Forces solider?who was on Kerry’s boat and was tossed into the river. Kerry described this incident to the American people as “No man left behind.”

However Kerry officials were forced to acknowledge that Kerry’s boat actually left the scene when another swift boat?operating on the other side of the river?was damaged by an underwater mine. Kerry officials now admit that Kerry’s boat returned after several minutes to pull Rassmann from the water while three other swift boats remained on site to render assistance to the injured crew of the one damaged boat. Campaign officials once claimed that Kerry returned to the scene under withering hostile fire to rescue Rassmann after all the other swift boats left. But other accounts from eyewitnesses of that day confirm that the other boats stayed on site and that Kerry returned to the scene, facing no enemy fire, only seconds before another swift boat was preparing to retrieve Mr. Rassmann from the water.

“John Kerry’s stories are falling apart,” added Hoffmann. His statements don’t even match up with his own journal entries. We are going to continue telling the truth about John Kerry’s military service record so that the American people can make their own decisions about John Kerry’s qualifications to be the next Commander in Chief."

Direct media inquiries to media@swiftvets.com

And Barnes and Noble is having a difficult time keeping the UNfit for COmmand book on the shelves…

Joe