FR Exclusive: AP SPIKES JOHN O'NEILL - SWIFT BOAT VETS STORY

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 | Kristinn

[Howlin]

reports CBS News Correspondent Byron Pitts.

[reformedliberal]

Howlin, do NOT beat yourself up over that. A lot of the vets themselves came to believe it. I have a good friend who is a PhD Clinical Psych who has treated a lot of VN Vets and his opinion was that a lot of them conflated the media stories/movies/books w/their own experiences, mostly due to the prevalence of pot/hash/opium out there.

The troops did come home jumpy and betrayed. That would do a number on anyone's temper, for a start. The media deserves all our anger.

The entire nation was betrayed and old media did it. THEY need to apologize and ask everyone's forgivness, IMO.

[bornintexas]

I watched this Cspan program and sat amazed. These MEN showed what they are made of....AGAIN.

Anyone who watched this news conference would not have any doubts to their honesty. That's why the AP and the alphabets either won't air them or they will continue the 'ole dim playbook of making them the devil.

That is going to be a hard sell. These guys ooooooze integrity, honor and love of country. Even after the way they have been treated. I admire them for their courage to take on skerry and the DNC. They will need our help.

If you think about it, they couldn't have come out on a better day. Maybe the American people will realize that the actions of a few in the military, shouldn't be considered the actions of all.

[Carolinamom]

I read that Kerry purchased a camcorder and returned to Vietnam to "reinact" his actions there. I also read that he has continued viewing the film over the years....reliving those glorious times when he committed war crimes.

[GretchenM]

Thanks for posting this info.

[alnick]

Here's where I heard that Kerry went back to 'Nam to have himself filmed: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1129629/posts?page=437#437

[FreeManWhoCan]

Man this website is the best!

[Common Tator]

Since when do they get to determine what is and what is not news?

Since the day they opened for business. I might suggest that if you have a local paper that is conservative enough to not like this act of AP, Call them. Call the Radio stations that Carry Hannity and Rush, etc.

These stations pay thousands of dollars a month for Associated Press.

Associated Press. works for the tV,Radio, and newspapers in the US. It is they who pay the bills. If they people who pay the bills get angry, then AP will take notice. As far as the general public is concerned they don't care.

They are like a car parts maker who makes parts for Chevies. If you call up angry they don't much care. If GM calls up ticked, they get very compliant.

[Howlin]

I can't help it; I'm frantic about this since these stories first started appearing. I feel like I failed my own friends.

[Tunehead54]

To me, the most devastating statement was the man who said that not one battle was lost in Vietnam; the battle was lost at home -- and that John Kerry was the field commander here.

---

You're right! A killer moment. I just knew Jennings, Rather, et al would lead with that on the 11:00 news - I flipped back and forth but strangely there was no mention of this press conference. Almost like we're on a different planet. Weird. ;-(

[eddie willers]

I can't help it; I'm frantic about this since these stories first started appearing. I feel like I failed my own friends.

We believed Walter Cronkite because Walter Cronkite was believable.

We won't be fooled again!

[MEG33]

Kristinn..that was an astonishing Press conference.What a remarkable service the men are doing for their fellow vets and families.I was angry and I was tearful at the pain Kerry has inflicted on these men,their families and their brothers.I was shocked that Kerry is even more unfit,if possible,than I imagined.

[PhilDragoo]

[MamaLucci]

To me, the most devastating statement was the man who said that not one battle was lost in Vietnam; the battle was lost at home -- and that John Kerry was the field commander here.

You're right! A killer moment. I just knew Jennings, Rather, et al would lead with that on the 11:00 news - I flipped back and forth but strangely there was no mention of this press conference. Almost like we're on a different planet. Weird. ;-(

It's not weird.....it's scary. Typical, but NOT typical, because the bias is so blatant and in our face. Picture this press conference today with these fine men, most of them former commanders, only they were saying that Bush, instead of Kerry, was "unfit to be President". There is NO doubt.....NONE, that it would be receiving wall to wall coverage.

[Tunehead54]

Picture this press conference today with these fine men, most of them former commanders, only they were saying that Bush, instead of Kerry, was "unfit to be President". There is NO doubt.....NONE, that it would be receiving wall to wall coverage.

---

My "weird" was just sarcasm. You're exactly right about how President Bush would be hammered if the situation was reversed - but only say til November 3, 2004. Then they'd ease up. < /More sarcasm >

[mondoman]

LOL, loved it

[Grampa Dave]

Incredible:

" not one battle was lost in Vietnam; the battle was lost at home -- and that John Kerry was the field commander here.

[Grampa Dave]

+

+

=EARLY OUT AND PATHWAY TO BE A US SENATOR!

[Howlin]

I listened again; it was just as powerful the second time I heard it.

(Only he said "field general.)

[Grampa Dave]

His statement backs up what many of us feel about Viet Nam.

[Howlin]

I can't remember hearing anything like this in a long, long time.

I have the feeling these men can profoundly change this country's perception of Vietnam.

[BigSkyFreeper]

the Compost, the NYT, and the LA Slimes

They get fed the "talking points" by way of the AP NewsWire from the AP who's closely allied with the DNC.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Screw the AP. For the life of me I can't figure out why so many people get all bent out of shape when the AP, NYT, CNN, etc. show their true colors.

Me neither. Birds of a feather.....

[CyberCowboy777]

Washington State Ping List

This is all known Washington State Freepers and interested parties as of 3/8/04 - 365 FReepers
Less those who opted out
If you want on or off this ping list Freepmail me.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I burst out laughing when Colmes was questioning O'Neill and Colmes put up quotes and bits of information on the screen for the home viewer to read along, and in fine print at the bottom it said "Source: www.johnkerry.com", I was like "C'mon, at least do your homework for Heavens sakes!"

[Grampa Dave]

ABCNNBC BS, AP, REUTERS and of course the NY Slimes, LA Slimes and the Washington Compost will spike this story or try to trash these brave veterans as C BS has tried.

The left wing mediots in charge of ABCNNBC BS and the fish wraps have kept a lid on what really happened in Nam and around Nam after we left for over 3 decades.

Hopefully these brave Vets will be heard now.

[BJungNan]

Yea, your right. Don't call the Washington Bureau at 3 a.m. Washington time. Only one guy there and he said he is busy. I apologized for bothering him.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Kerry keeps telling everyone to quit questioning his patriotism and all that usual stump speech pap, yet he's the one trotting around saying he fought in Vietnam, while his surrogates play dumb.

I laugh when the Kerry camp squeals like stuck pigs when they think Bush is bashing Kerry, while it's Kerry that's bashing the President and has been doing so for the last 16 months.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The snowball started rolling down the hill once Walter Cronkite lied to the American people. Thus began the liberal anti-war media bias. Sucked everyone who was alive at the time, in.

[windchime]

Bump!

[infowarrior]

Since when do they get to determine what is and what is not news?

Since the days of William Randolph Hearst, and Joseph Pulitzer, in the late 1890's, if not before...

the infowarrior

[CyberAnt]

"He really put Colmes in his place"

Oh darn .. I would have loved to have seen that. Alan really irritates me something awful.

[infowarrior]

Sucked everyone who was alive at the time, in...

Not everyone, BSF, not everyone... Tho' I'll admit that holding my views on the Vietnam War made me most unpopular amongst my peers, even unto today...

the infowarrior

[MeekOneGOP]

Please call AP in the morning and show your disgust!

[tgslTakoma]

Good morning, everyone. It's time to warm up those phone lines.

To see a "fair and balanced" reporting of the Press Conference yesterday, take a read of the Washington Post piece... HERE. That should get your blood boiling.

I've printed the contact info and will make the call in a few minutes.

[alnick]

It's not weird.....it's scary. Typical, but NOT typical, because the bias is so blatant and in our face. Picture this press conference today with these fine men, most of them former commanders, only they were saying that Bush, instead of Kerry, was "unfit to be President". There is NO doubt.....NONE, that it would be receiving wall to wall coverage.

I'm actually surprised that they didn't take a sound bite from when O'Neill said, "We do not endorse Bush" and run with the headline, "Vietnam Vets announce they do not endorse President Bush for re-election."

[mewzilla]

Boy, has AP stepped in it this week. Weren't there a couple of other stories this week where they got caught with their pants down? The gas/food story, and the one by that wench Kerr who characterised Sen. Dole's comments on FOX Sunday as a "defense" of John Kerry? Oh, good work AP.

Great catch, kristinn. Folks should call their local papers to complain, too.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

AP only hurts itself by not covering this story. It stands alone with CNN (The now truly Communist News Network) in not carrying this story! CNBC, C-Span, MSNBC, Fox have all anted up big time. I can't speak for the alphabet group because I never, ever watch them. Fact is John Kerry is a traitor to the USA military because his anti-war leadership and negative actions were "real" aid and comfort to the enemy. His turncoat,untrue lies and actions caused the deaths and torture to many American military personnel! As a traitor, he should be treated accordingly!!!!

[SW6906]

BTTT

[Mudboy Slim]

"Since when do they get to determine what is and what is not news?"

Since the invention of the printing press...or perhaps longer...MUD

[johnb838]

I love that photo of Kerry lookin' like Gomer Pyle, walking out of the ville, carrying his M-16 incorrectly with those Skeeeeeny little arms. As George Bernard Shaw put it "A Chocolate Cream Soldier," for sure.

I think in the midst of this prisoner abuse sedition fest that we not forget that this kind of crap is the product of the Clinton days of running the military and that Claudia Kennedy exemplifies that military. As usual the rats are trying to pin the blame for their own shortcomings on George Bush and they think they are SO SMART doing it.

But if we can't beat him in November we're all screwed anyway so keep your powder dry!

[netmilsmom]

Am I just being paranoid?
I am so afraid that this is all coming at the wrong time. If Kerry implodes before he is nominated by the DNC, he quits to save the party at the convention and Hillary
"saves the day".
Please tell me I am wrong.

[RedEyeJack]

He did say...

"Bring it on!"

[normy]

I am only 32 but I have always thought of "Platoon" as Vietnam. I always thought we had a Ghengis Kahn attitude in that war. It didn't bother me, but it was the only version I knew.

I mentioned this the other day to a freind how I think I have it wrong. I am starting to see guys like Kerry tainted what those guys did. I see why Oliver Stone, liberal America hater, would use a Kerry version to depict what went on.

My Uncle won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart and I never knew about it until recently. My dad was in the Navy in 'nam and he hates Kerry.

How could Kerry know what the Marines and Army were doing in 'nam? He wasn't directly involved in their operations in the middle of the jungle.

Although I never was bothered by what I veiwed as a Vietnam Vet, I will say I have been duped. Amazing.

[bvw]

I like that! How about purple Purple Heart BandAids and purple Flip-flops as a media kit?

[San Jacinto]

Since when do they get to determine what is and what is not news?

You're kidding, right?

[Howlin]

I have been duly chastised since I posted that! :-) Hey, it was late...

[normy]

If the Rathers and Jennings want to portray these men as part of the Bush campaign and impune them , we need to find out how many Purple Hearts, Bronze and Silver Stars are on the list of men who signed the paper. Then let Rather and the rest attack them.

[hawkaw]

FWIW, after I read this thread I called the AP this am in Washington and complained.

Even though I'm Canadian and can't vote for POTUS, I am still stunned that the AP did what they did.

hawk