Posted on 08/24/2004 9:17:34 AM PDT by Pikamax
Kerry's Cambodia Whopper
By Joshua Muravchik
Tuesday, August 24, 2004; Page A17
Most of the debate between the former shipmates who swear by John Kerry and the group of other Swift boat veterans who are attacking his military record focuses on matters that few of us have the experience or the moral standing to judge. But one issue, having nothing to do with medals, wounds or bravery under fire, goes to the heart of Kerry's qualifications for the presidency and is therefore something that each of us must consider. That is Kerry's apparently fabricated claim that he fought in Cambodia.
It is an assertion he made first, insofar as the written record reveals, in 1979 in a letter to the Boston Herald. Since then he has repeated it on at least eight occasions during Senate debate or in news interviews, most recently to The Post this year (an interview posted on Kerry's Web site). The most dramatic iteration came on the floor of the Senate in 1986, when he made it the centerpiece of a carefully prepared 20-minute oration against aid to the Nicaraguan contras.
Kerry argued that contra aid could put the United States on the path to deeper involvement despite denials by the Reagan administration of any such intent. Kerry began by reading out similar denials regarding Vietnam from presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Then he offered this devastating riposte:
"I remember Christmas of 1968 sitting on a gunboat in Cambodia. I remember what it was like to be shot at by Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge and Cambodians, and have the president of the United States telling the American people that I was not there; the troops were not in Cambodia. I have that memory which is seared -- seared -- in me."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
No controlling legal authority.
It depends what the definition of "is" "is"!
"always making one wonder what lay on the other side."
Hmm...was Kerry tempted to join Col. Kurtz' outfit?
I believe that Theresa has realised for a long time that she married a loser. The fact has been hidden because he was elected Senator from Massachusetts, a state where a Kennedy endorsement is as good as a get out of jail free card,and is a sure way to the Senate. However even though he is a loser she was privy to all the perks of a senators wife, and she still will be after the election because Kerry was smart enough not to resign. However if the voters in Massachusetts ever come to their senses and votekerry out. All Kerry will see is what the Swift Boat Commanders saw when one of their boats hit a mine
The stern of Theresa Kerry as she opens the throttle in the other direction.
A Swift boat contribution of $50.00 was mailed this past Saturday.
Strange that this appeared in the Washington Post. Are the rats fleeing the sinking Swift Boat?
Where is the DNC cover up machine? Why are they not cleaning up after Kerry, and silencing the witnesses?
I wonder if someone has the link to Kerry's references to Apocalypse Now, he evidently was very impressed by the movie, and he says he identified with it. It might have been in the "hat" interview, although I think he also wrote a review of the movie way back when... maybe someone can correct me.
But it is notable that in Kerry's dream life he equates his fictional forays into Cambodia with fictional Hollywood forays into Cambodia. I suppose that would make sense.
Thanks for your support!
The other charges always had an element of he said/she said, but the Cambodia thing always seemed like a crock.
"...telling the American people that I was not there..."
Because you WEREN'T, Johnny...
Only page A17 though. I'll be more shocked when this makes A2 or A1. Burying it just guarantees fewer will read it, but lets the WaPo put up a remote appearance of balance.
I've heard the clintoons' are behind trashing Kerry.
"But I suspect the "worm" has its eyes on Hilary-2004."
I think you hit the nail on the head. Looks like a lib retreat/regroup.
Guest column from a guy at the American Enterprise Institute.
True. But, I am surprised the editors allowed it to run in the Post. They can halt anything they choose from being printed....surprising they let it run.
Well that youthfulness and fever that the WP and Kerry were all caught up in cost AMERICAN LIVES.
This was not a game. This was a war against the growth of Communism in Southeast Asia. Millions died at hands of the butchers that took over after we, with the help of John Friggin Kerry and the Washington Post" walked away from a war that could have been and should have been won.
Here is my message to the youthful and feverish Washington Post. Time to grow up.
No, they're not -- their people (Podesta, Lockhart, Carville) are all defending Kerry to the hilt.
By Joshua Muravchik
Tuesday, August 24, 2004; Page A17
emphasys is page 17
The Clintoons must be laughing their asses off and celebrating their coup. They've got the right sliming Kerry for them and they've got the left blaming Bush for them. It's a win-win scenario for them.
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