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There’s plenty of “buzz” about the TV “hit piece” on the war record of John Kerry…but I can personally guarantee that “YOU AIN’T PISSED….until you’ve actually SEEN it!

Today, CBS reporter Hank Plante (KPIX, Chanel 5 in the Bay Area), visited me in San Francisco, to show me the piece and get my reaction for the 6:30pm newscast.

Since the 60-second ad is scheduled to appear only in Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, you’ll probably never see it, so allow me to describe it. First, remember, it is lightning fast. In 60 seconds, the producers of the piece manage to get “sound bites” from some 13 different people…with the STRONG inference that they served DIRECTLY with John Kerry in Vietnam.

The ad starts with a clip of John Edwards, during his speech in Boston, saying: “If you want to know about the Leadership Ability and Patriotism of John Kerry…all you have to do is spend Three Minutes with the men who served with him”.

So far, so good. Then the narrator continues, “…Here’s what THESE MEN think about John Kerry”. The ultra-slick transition leaves no doubt that we are going to hear from the men who served DIRECTLY with John Kerry, on either or both of the Swift Boats he commanded.

But wait…didn’t we hear from every one of the men who served on Kerry’s Swift Boats during the Convention? How many crewmen ARE THERE on a 50 foot Swift Boat? Good question. On the TWO separate SWIFT BOATS that Kerry Commanded, there were a total of ELEVEN crewmen. One man has died, but the REST of his crewmen….all TEN Survivors….stood tall behind John Kerry on the platform of the Boston Convention, and one by one proclaimed their unstinting praise and admiration for their Swiftboat Commander.

So who are these Other Guys? The ones that call themselves “Swift Boat Veterans for Bush”. Imposters? No. In a word…shills. Fact is, not a SINGLE ONE of the 13 “talking heads”…..was EVER on a Swift Boat with John Kerry!

Let’s expose these Shills for Bush, one at a time.

First we see AL FRENCH. He was NEVER a crewmate of John Kerry’s. He simply states: “He is lying about his record”. What record? What Lying? It is a pathetic sound bite, and just silly, by itself, at face value. His Record is His Record. Kerry didn’t write “his record”, and his Record was Exemplory. So why would he lie about it? If you wanted to “damage him”, you could say: “His Record is Inaccurate”, but that is not what we hear in the six words from Al French.

Next we see LOUIS LETSON, who says…. ” I know John Kerry is lying about his first Purple Heart, because I treated him for that injury”. Not true. According to Navy Sick Call Sheet, the man who treated the shrapnel wound on the upper arm of Lt. Kerry is J.C. Carreon. The record notes that Kerry pressed his hand on the upper arm wound, to stop the bleeding, and when he pulled it away, he held a piece of rocket shrapnel in his bloody hand. Actually a very “lucky” wound. Clean it, bind him up, save the shrapnel for a souvenir, and put him back into service. Give him the Purple Heart he damn well earned a bit later. That’s how it Went Down. That’s what the “record” states. As Verified by his ACTUAL CREWMATES.

So who is this LOUIS LETSON?…and why is it that he never made his “charge” until last year when Kerry came to Prominence? Well, he’s just one part of a Republican “Smear Kerry” group financed by a millionaire Houston Homebuilder named BOB PERRY, one of the founders of the Critical Veterans Group.

Next we hear from Retired Navy Commander GEORGE ELLIOTT who says (in the ad), “…John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam”. He should know something about it. He was Kerry’s Superior Officer in Vietnam. He gives NO specifics in his charge of Dishonesty. Again, it is a RECENT, and hollow claim. Why? Because back in 1969, when ELLIOTT wrote his EVALUATION into the Service Record of John Kerry, here is what he stated:

“The fact that he chased an armed enemy down was an act of courage. And the whole outfit served with honor…There was no question that it was above and beyond anything that we had seen down there” The ELLIOTT Evaluation continued”…. “In a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action, Lt. Kerry was unsurpassed. He constantly reviewed tactics and lessons learned in river operations and applied his experience at every opportunity. On one occasion, while in tactical command of a three boat operation his units were taken under fire from ambush. Lt. Kerry rapidly assessed the situation and ordered his units to turn directly into the ambush. This decision resulted in routing the attackers with several KIA. Lt. Kerry emerges as the acknowledged leader in his peer group. His bearing and appearance are above reproach. During the period of this report Lt. Kerry has been awarded the Silver Star medal, the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart medal (2nd and 3rd awards).” [U.S. Navy, Officer Fitness Report signed by George Elliott; 18, Dec 1969]

That, I contend, is High Praise…coming from a man who now has changed his tune to play to the beat of the Bush Campaign Drum! There is simply no explanation by Commander Elliott, of how, exactly, John Kerry “has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam”. We presume you WERE honest Nr. Elliott, when you wrote that Evaluation, (back in ’69), before you were bough off by the Bush Campaign Zealots.

Next we hear a few quick words from Swiftboat Veteran for Bush VAN O’DELL, who says: “…..John Kerry Lied to get his Bronze Star. I know. I was there. I saw what happened.”

This is perhaps, the Unkindest Cut of all. Mr. O’’Dell was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry’s. The events of March 13, 1969 that eventually let to the award of a Bronze Star (with a V for Valor) are best recounted by the words of the man whose life Kerry saved on that day….James Rassmann. The 21 year old Green Beret Lieutenant was a passenger in the convoy of five Swiftboats, led by 25 year old Lt. John Kerry’s in “PCF-94.” As the convoy moved downriver, they ran into an ambush.

The OFFICIAL NAVY “After Action” Report for that date, recount the details of the subject Convoy; including Time, Boat Identifications, Personnel, Combat Action; even Maps. The report states that the boats involved “Received HEAVY A/W (automatic weapons) AND S/A (small arms) FROM BOTH BANKS of the river.”

Given the fact that the Swiftboats are light and fast (because they carry no protective armor), it is not surprising that Kerry (and others) were hit by enemy fire during the ambush. The Official Report specific to Kerry’s injury from this event (from the Naval Historical Center in Washington DC), reads:

KERRY, JOHN F., USN - WOUNDED IN ACTION – 13 March 1969 vicinity of Song Bay Hap,

South Vietnam. Received shrapnel wounds in the left buttocks and contusions on the right forearm

when a mine detonated close to PCF-94 while engaged in operations on river. Injury is RESULT

OF HOSTILE ACTION.

According to Lt. Rassmann the boats had already lost one man earlier that day, and were now “hell-bent on the run” as the ambush continued. As they sped down the river, one boat was blown out of the water, and then another. An explosion wounded Kerry in the arm and threw Rassmann into the river. Rassmann dove to the bottom to avoid being run over by the other boats. When he surfaced, he saw the convoy had gone ahead. Viet Cong snipers fired at him, and Rassmann submerged over and over to avoid being hit. The bullets came from both banks, and Rassmann had nowhere to go. He began thinking his time had come, but the fifth time he came up, he saw the convoy had turned around. Kerry had ordered the boats back to pick up the man overboard. Kerry's boat, under heavy fire, sidled up to the struggling soldier. Rassmann tried to scramble up a cargo net at the bow but was too exhausted to make it all the way. He clung to the net as bullets whizzed past. ‘Next thing I knew, John came out in the middle of all this,’ Rassmann says. ‘I couldn't believe it. He was going to get killed. He ran to the edge, reached over with his good arm [Kerry had been wounded in his right arm] and pulled me over the lip.’ Rassmann later recommended Kerry for the Silver Star, and was upset when the Army instead awarded Kerry a lesser Bronze Star with a ‘V’ for valor.” [Los Angeles Times, 3/13/04].

Did you get that last part? After it was all over, the Green Beret Lt. Whose life Kerry saved….had recommended Kerry for a SILVER STAR…even HIGHER than the Bronze that Kerry was eventually awarded!

So this begs the question…if Accuser VAN O’DELL was not even on Kerry’s boat…where, exactly was he…and why is he now claiming that Kerry didn’t deserve a medal for his heroic action. Hell, they ought to interview the Viet Cong Gunners on the shore to get the “real story”! I’ll bet THEY would award a Silver Star to the gritty American Lieutenant who defied their fire!

But the AD…continues on to the next Sound Bite. It’s from ADRIAN LONSDALE, who states: “….He lacks the capacity to lead”. When was Mr. Lonsdale “bought off”??? Apparently some time AFTER October of ’96. Why? Because he was a strong SUPPORTER of John Kerry until that time. In a Kerry for SENATE Press conference, on 10/27/96, Lonsdale stated: “As far as I was concerned, the war was won over there in that part for that period. And it was mainly won because of the bravado and the courage of the young officers that ran the boats, the SWIFT boats and the Coast Guard cutters and Senator Kerry was no exception.” [Kerry for Senate Press Conference, 10/27/96]. So much for THAT turncoat.

The ad continues with a statement from the NEXT talking head….LARRY THURLOW, who says: “….When the Chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry.” My Thurlow ALSO, was never a crewmate of John Kerry, but he, and HIS BOAT were also entrapped in that ambush on that fateful date in March of 1969. The Official After-Action Report states: “Larry Thurlow had maneuvered his PCF-51 over (to the disabled) PCF-3, and by and hopped aboard to offer assistance. The boat was in shambles but they were still returning fire and could not therefore assess any damage” The Report continues….“ALL BOATS RECEIVED HEAVY A/W [automatic weapons] & S/A [small arms] FROM BOTH BANKS…ALL BOATS RETURNED FIRE…PCF-94 [Kerry’s boat] PICKED UP SPECIAL FORCES ADVISOR WHO WENT OVERBOARD. PCF-94 TOWED PCF-3.” [U.S. Navy After Action Report:)

Did you all catch that last part? Despite the withering gunfire, despite being wounded, and AFTER saving the life of the Special Forces Guy…Lt. Kerry…Commanding PCF-94, hooked up a tow line to the disabled PCF-3, and TOWED it to (eventual) safety! It does NOT state that Lt. Thurlow took on this task! Who is he ACTUALLY talking about…when he says “when the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry”?

The ad goes on to Talking Head #7, BOB ELDER…who states: “John Kerry is no war hero”. Really Bob?

How about some quotations from the TWO major medals awarded to Lt. Kerry:

Kerry’s Silver Star Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1969.”

Kerry’s Bronze Star Citation: “For heroic achievement while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong communist aggressors in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1969.”

Next, in quick succession come statements from THREE MORE Swiftboat Veterans for Bush. Once again, NONE of the three were crewmates of John Kerry. Presumably their statements refer to the SECOND period of Patriotic Service that Kohn Kerry gave to his Country. That would be his Post-Vietnam Activity as a proud member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and his riveting 1971 Testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Mr. SHELTON WHITE states: “John Kerry betrayed the men and women he served with in Vietnam.”

Mr. JOE PONDER states: “He dishonored his country. He most certainly did.”

Mr. GRANT HIBBARD states: “He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate.”

John Kerry damn well EARNED his right to tell his story of HIS Vietnam experience, to the US Congress, to the media, and to the public. That’s the duty of a true patriot….and ALL of his actual crewmates are fiercely loyal to, and supportive of, the service that John Kerry gave to his Country….both IN VIETNAM, and AFTER VIETNAM. They ALL endorse the praise heaped upon their former commander as specified in:

Kerry’s Silver Star Citation: “His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Kerry’s Bronze Star Citation: “KERRY’s calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Talking Head Number 13 in the Hit Piece ad, is the baffling statement of JACK CHENOWITH, who ALSO was never a crewmate of John Kerry’s, nevertheless appears Out of Nowhere to state: …“His account of what happened and what actually happened are the difference between night and day.”

Sorry Mr. Chenowith, your disagreement is NOT with any account made by John Kerry. It is rather the Account of the U.S. Navy, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Commander U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam and backed up by Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley, Special Forces Lt. James Rassmann and the Crewmates of PCF-44 & PCF 94. It is THEIR account of the service of John Kerry in Vietnam that you choose to question. But WHERE WERE YOU, Mr. Chenowith, that your account differs “like night and day”???

Next we hear a short statement by Admiral ROY HOFFMAN, who, in 1969, was Captain Roy Hoffman, in charge of Operation Sealords, code name for all Swiftboat activities. In effect, he was John Kerry’s boss. Recently Admiral Hoffman admitted to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he had no first-hand knowledge to discredit Kerry's claims to valor and said that although Kerry was under his command, he really didn't know Kerry much personally. Yet on four separate instances in February and March of 1969, Hoffmann cabled Kerry and his crew, praising them and other Swift boats after skirmishes. In the Milwaukee newspaper interview, Hoffmann acknowledged the cables, saying Kerry showed "some pretty sharp thinking. He had courage.” That did not stop him from appearing in the Kerry “Hit piece”, and making the statement: “…Jon Kerry has not been honest”. How would he know? When was he “bought out”??

Presumably some time AFTER he accompanied Lt. Kerry to his Silver Star Ceremony!

Finally, we have Swiftboat Veteran for Bush #13, Mr. BOB HILDRETH. He states: “…I served with John Kerry. John Kerry cannot be trusted.”. Bob Hildreth WAS NOT A CREWMATE OF JOHN KERRY’S, so what would he know about “trusting” John Kerry? A BETTER measure of Trust, would be the powerful statement made by JIM WASSER…who certainly was a Kerry Crewmate. Mr. Wasser emphatically states: “If John Kerry came to us and said he had one more mission and we're going to hell, he'd have a full crew” – (Jim Wasser [Dallas Morning News, 7/29/04)

And then it’s over! Sixty seconds of PURE TRASH as characterized by the men who truly WERE the crewmates of John Kerry.

But WHO ARE these Swiftboat Veterans for Bush? These so called VETERANS FOR TRUTH??? And WHY are they (now) saying such nasty things about him? Simple and predictable. Politics. Ugly Politics.

Far from being a grassroots organization of veterans, this group is a front for the right-wing Texas Republicans with

extensive ties to George Bush and the GOP. The leaders are close colleagues and co-workers of Karl Rove and tied

to the Bush White House. The Texas-based head of the group responsible for this smear campaign and several ads

run against John McCain in 2000 is married to George Bush’s former running mate.

Their connections are in plain sight. Merrie Spaeth, the communications and media consultant for the Swiftboat

Veterans for Bush was the spokesperson for the group which also unfairly attacked Republican challenger

Former POW John McCain in the Republican Primary Campaigns of 2000. At THAT TIME, they tried to discredit

John McCain's reputation in Vietnam service, and followed that disgrace by attacking the military service of (then)

Georgia Senator Max Cleland, who lost three limbs in Vietnam.” [CBS Evening News, Pitts, 5/4/04]

In 1994, Spaeth’s (late) husband, LEZAR HAROLD ran with George W. Bush as the Lieutenant Gubernatorial
candidate. He lost while Bush won. Lezar had been a Nixon speechwriter, worked in Reagan’s Justice Department,
and then settled back in Texas at John O’Neill’s law firm.

Bob Perry, a major supporter of President Bush and the Republican Party, is the biggest financial backer of this vitriolic group. According to federal records. Perry, a Houston homebuilder, gave $100,000 to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. That accounted for two-thirds of the organization's receipts to date. [DMN, Slater, 7/23/04].

Since January 2000, Mr. Perry has donated more than $5.2 million to Republican candidates and causes,

making him by far the most prolific giver in Texas over that time, according to campaign records reviewed by

The Dallas Morning News. Chunks of his money, coming sometimes in a flurry of $ 25,000 checks, have gone

to support anti-lawsuit, pro-business groups ($ 320,000) and the state Republican Party ($ 980,000).

Last year, he provided $ 600,000 to 23 GOP candidates for the Legislature, helping lift Republicans to their

first takeover of the Texas House since Reconstruction. [DMN, 11/2/03]

Perry has also been contributing to the Bush family across the country for more than two decades. Perry has

donated more than $130,000 to the Bush family campaigns including George H.W. Bush, Prescott, S. Bush, Jr.

George W. Bush and Jeb Bush. [Sources: FollowtheMoney.org, PoliticalMoneline.com; fec.gov; Dallas Morning

News, 11/1/94; Florida Department of State, Elections Division]

Harlan Crow, the Dallas real estate magnate and big contributor to George Bush, was the second largest giver

to the anti-Kerry group contributing $25,000 or 15.75% of all their contributions.

Even Fox News has their number! In a Fox news Special Report of 5/4/04, they said: “Many Of Them Are Republicans Who Have Contributed To And Backed Various Bush Campaigns And Causes Over The Decades” The GOP says it's not involved with the veterans criticizing Kerry, but many of them are Republicans who have contributed to and backed various Bush campaigns and causes over the decades.” [Fox News, Special Report, Cameron, 5/4/04]

As if the “buy-out” of numerous veterans who served in the same Vietnam areas as Kerry was not low enough, the Dallas Morning News recently broke a story titled: “Private Investigator Digs Into Kerry’s War Past Group Defends Investigation; Veterans Say Comments Distorted.” “Opponents of John Kerry have hired a Dallas-area private investigator to gather information aimed at discrediting his military service, say several veterans who served with the Massachusetts Democrat in Vietnam. Several veterans who have been contacted in recent days accused the private investigator, Tom Rupprath of Rockwall, of twisting their words to produce misleading and inaccurate accounts that call into doubt the medals Mr. Kerry received for his service. ‘They're just distorting things,’ said Jim Wasser, who served with Mr. Kerry. ‘They have nothing to go after John Kerry for, so now they're trying to discredit him’.” [DMN, Slater, 7/13/04]

Their singular goal is to undercut the credentials of John Kerry as a potential new Commander in chief. As was the case with the attacks on Sen. John McCain and Rep. Cleland four years ago, Mr. Rove and his boss will claim they have nothing to do with these "independent" efforts – “made by Patriotic Citizens and Vets”.

Who is gonna buy that transparent ruse. Certainly not Republican Senator John McCain. After hearing of the Hit Piece, he called the ad "dishonest and dishonorable" and urged the White House on Thursday to condemn it as well. "It was the same kind of deal that was pulled on me," McCain said in an interview with The Associated Press. Later, McCain said the Bush campaign has denied any involvement and added, "I can't believe the president would pull such a cheap stunt." The White House did not immediately address McCain's call that they repudiate the spot.

McCain continued: "I deplore this kind of politics. I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable. As it is, none of these individuals served on the boat (Kerry) commanded. Many of his crew have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam. So do I. Neither of us is fooled by the lies of these Political Shills, and YOU should not be either.

Stephen S. Noetzel, (Former) Green Beret in Vietnam and (present) San Francisco Coordinator

Now more then ever, PLEASE make this trip, please let Nichole know as soon as possible.

Thanks.

From: Nichole Cirillo [mailto:ncirillo@americansforkerry.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 2:01 PM
Sitting at home wondering where you want to go for summer vacation? Well wonder no more because the Kerry-Edwards campaign has several exciting battleground vacations planned for you and your friends.

Please join us for one or more of the exciting trips below:

· Click here to RSVP for the August 7 trip to New Hampshire.

· Click here to RSVP for the August 13-15 trip to Pennsylvania.

· Click here to RSVP for the August 21 trip to New Hampshire.

· Click here to RSVP for the August 27-30 trip to Ohio.

· Click here to RSVP for the August 28 trip to Maine.

During each of these 5 trips we will be going door to door to talk with the most critical element of the electorate, swing and independent voters. As Massachusetts supporters you are the best spokespeople for John Kerry’s vision of a stronger America. So please get on the bus (that’s right WE provide the transportation!) and take to the streets to spread the word on John Kerry and John Edwards vision of a stronger America. RSVP to Nichole at summercanvass@johnkerry.com or by calling 617-367-1551.

Can’t make it in August? Stay tuned for future traveling updates on how to get involved.

See you on the campaign trail,

Massachusetts for Kerry-Edwards

Joe Bangert