I understand that position, but what the Swift Vets did was very courageous and they skipped conventional routes, because they were denied such routes by the MSM, and took matters into their own hands and now the president has the lead. No one was discussing the discrepencies in Kerry's "War Hero" status until they bought thier ads and wrote their book. The RNConvention was not the only reason for the president's surge.
John O'Neill joins the ranks of my all-time heroes, and you're certainly right in pointing out that people like him have accomplished daunting tasks with courage and creativity.