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.
So far, all we've heard is a politician running for office. Let's hear what Veterans have to say!
Back then he changed to fit the Times of the country, he's doing the same thing now. The only difference between him and the last dem pres was that kerry is a bad liar were as bj was a good liar.
Thank you for your post, I read that CBS Misinformation Blurb. Baghdad Bob was more objective than CBS and that "reporter." The Swift Vets are Really Impressive when interviewed and their consistent and objective reflections on Kerry's character, actions and truthfulness are important for We, the Voters to evaluate. He is the one who chose to run on 4 months of his life rather than 20 years as a Senator, several years as a War Protestor making horrendous accusations, and several years as the Lieutenant to Governor Dukakis, a most unsuccessful Presidential Candidate.
Exactly.
What does it say about Kerry's power of judgement that he thought this past would not come out? Or that he thought he could control it?
To me, both are issues. But for those who don't want to go back that far and nail him for the details of that record, they should at least recognize that he is a man with very poor judgement considering he thought this would not come out.
Yes, it is, and also a town with high union membership and a traditionally democrat voting pattern.
That makes this all the sweeter.
So9
Yes, it is just that simple.
LOL! Good one, Gramps. ;o)
Shep Smith said just yesterday that this ad is "full of lies". He got quite rankled by a Dumbocrat who accused him of being partial to Republicans and he got in quite a snit. Fox has become completely p'whipped by their liberal media powerhouses (not to mention the president of News Corp, big Kerry donor) that they've lost their appeal. Hannity is the only one left who has the cajones to speak to our side.
And that is precisely what is happening. Thank God for Rush and Hannity on the radio, #1 and 2 for listening audiences.
If they can effect this lawsuit before the election, great. But what are their chances against thousands of trial lawyers who will delay, delay, delay?
I wonder how many of the vets for Kerry wish they had never got involved with his lie?
What do you think? I love it...
His arrogance and his faith in the liberal media made him think he could use his service as an asset and never have his stories questioned. A true elitist.
See thats the problem here.The dimwits on the left don't want you make an informed decision! they want you to do what they tell you to do and if we don't well... as you can see they are making life miserable for everyone who does not toe their line.
I also think he looks like one of the characters in the movie, "Night Of The Living Dead." Kerry took the (G) out of the word Geek. Bush/Cheney 2004
AMEN! This whole thing has got me totally ticked off. Is Kerry the only Vietnam Vet who gets to proclaim himself as a hero? Shouldn't the other soldiers at least have their say? The press is dispicable on this issue. They seem to be dismissing the Vets out of hand; it's absolutely shameful.
And it's so bloody typical of Kerry/Edwards - you don't like something? Slap the opposition with a lawsuit. So much for free speech. And all the pompous pressitutes shaking their heads about negative ads. They had NO PROBLEM with Farneheit 9/11 or the MoveOn.org ads. Sheesh...their bias is so transparent.
The swiftboat vets can't be believed because their statements are politically motivated, but Kerry's bragadocious political claims can be believed because........because?
BRING IT ON DORK we want to see your war records.Ha ha ha
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