Posted on 08/07/2004 3:38:36 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
What did he think was going to happen?
Democrats, and at least one Republican, are up in arms over an ad put out by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The ad, which has circulated mostly on the Internet and received some airplay on radio, features veterans who claim to have served with Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry during the Vietnam war. The veterans in the ad claim that Kerry has lied about his war record and inflated his actions to receive medals.
Not surprisingly, Kerrys camp is upset about the ad and some have threatened legal action. Either they are incredibly naive or they believe voters are.
Kerry, as I have heard reported more than once, came back from Vietnam convinced that his military service was nothing to be proud of. He labeled the men and women who served there, including himself, as war criminals. He reportedly threw his medals (or someones medals) over the fence at the White House in protest of the war. From what I can gather, he was anything but proud of his wartime service. That is until he decided he wanted to be president.
All of a sudden he has gathered those medals from the White House lawn, dusted off his old 8 mm movies and called up any veteran that will stand by him. Thirty years after he called himself a war criminal, he has changed the label to war hero. It may come as a surprise to Democrats that some Vietnam veterans are a little offended by that.
I know some Vietnam vets, and they dont themselves as war criminals. They dont necessarily see themselves as war heroes either. They see themselves simply as men who did what they were called to do. They generally dont brag about their service, but they are proud of it. Most of them feel a certain brotherhood with their fellow veterans. They feel a certain sense of honor.
Its no surprise to me that some of them view Kerrys actions as those of an opportunistic politician aiming to capitalize on the current political climate. Much as he appeared to do so long ago. Its also no surprise to me that some of them decided to speak out. Honorable men do that from time to time. Politics is a dirty business; Kerry has been a politician long enough to know that. He should have known that his diametrically opposed positions on his service in Vietnam wouldnt sit well with the men he branded as war criminals.
If he has the information to refute the ad, he should produce it. If he doesnt, and the ad is true, he should try to control the damage as best he can. What he shouldnt do is exactly what his supporters and their lawyers have been threatening to do: Stifle the free speech of honorable men.
Michael Clements is a columnist for the Texas City Sun. He can be reached via e-mail at rprtr37@yahoo.com.
Dork at 12 O'Clock High ;-)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., waves as he departs his campaign train in Lamar, Colo. on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)
A clear, rational look at what has become the crux of the Kerry campaign. Whoda thunk that the dems would ever champion and cheer on a Vietnam vet that admitted to war crimes? Must be the End of Days.
Well said, Mr. Clements. I hope Bill O'Reilly and Sheppard Smith pay some attention.
Kerry's hoping the threat of a lawsuit will make these guys disappear. The problem is, these guys want to be sued. They will then have the right to supeona all of Kerry's records to defend themselves and expose him for what he is.
This is getting really interesting.
Well these honorable men will come under heavy attacks in the coming weeks. Kerry seems unwilling and perhaps unable to refute anything the Swift Boaters are saying. These men are vets and deserve to be heard.
Claim to have served?? The fact that they're in the same picture with kerry would seem, at least on the surface, to support that claim.
The network of Archie Bunker, Meathead ,Cronkite, Rather and so much more "stuff".. surprise surprise.. Thanks!
I can't tell where the comedy ends and the drama begins with those folks.. ;-)
Kerry is the one who touted his combat experience as his major qualification as wartime president.
Anyone who claims his combat record is his credential, must be ready to have that credential scrutinized.
It is neither "beyond the pale," nor is it disrespectful to hear ALL voices concerned. Kerry is not running for Senate. He is running for the Presidency.
I want to hear all sides, not just those that the DNC approves. Then, I will make my decision.
I, Dorkus le Jacque Kerri was a war criminal before I became a war hero!
Bump!
The fact that they're many of them are in the same picture...
A brilliant PR move by the Swift Boaters would be to sue ABC news for slander. ABC has no proof anything in the ad is incorrect, and these men were there and knows what happened as much as anyone. A lawsuit against ABC would bring lots of publicity and perhaps some in the media would actually look at who really is telling the truth instead of just assuming Kerry is.
Do you live in Texas City?
And this is a very nice article. Thanks for posting it.
John McCain and Feingold have done this country no favors with "CFR".. in fact, the way this is playing out, I think many on Congre$$ along with the elites have a helluva lot to answer for..
Their actions don't appear to be much more than business as usual tomost but they have also enabled some forces to spend as never before to direct this country's efforts in fighting for it survival in directions we dare not go, imo.
That troubles me deeply.
When men of such pride and honor take a path that is mined and set for ambush, and knowingly pursue it,, You think I'm gonna follow them?
How many others will sort out all the facts and arrive at that conclusion?
polls would make you think it is close. I disagree.
Interesting....
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