Kerry allows Navy release of military, medical records (Navy provided them to Boston Globe)

boston Globe ^ | June 7, 2005 | Michael Kranish

[FairOpinion]

Senator John F. Kerry, ending at least two years of refusal, has waived privacy restrictions and authorized the release of his full military and medical records.

The records, which the Navy Personnel Command provided to the Globe, are mostly a duplication of what Kerry released during his 2004 campaign for president, including numerous commendations from commanding officers who later criticized Kerry's Vietnam service.

The lack of any substantive new material about Kerry's military career in the documents raises the question of why Kerry refused for so long to waive privacy restrictions.

[pepperhead]

Hate to sound like a tinfoil hat wearer but Kerry's records had to be cleansed for him to release them now. And honestly I don't see what good this does him now. The democrats won't renominate this or any other loser for President.

[Flint]

You don't think the Boston Globe would sanitize the file before they make it public? Gimme a break.

I don't know Form 180 from Shinola but I would be that there is a place on it that names who the file is to be given to. Eventually it will come out that no one else can get a copy of the file except the one designated on that form.

[lugsoul]

That's kind of my point - no matter what is provided, it will not be accepted as 'the complete record' unless it contains documents that crucify JF'inK. There will not be any acceptance of a neutral record, or even a slightly critical record, as 'the complete record.' Either it hoists him on his own petard, or it will be deemed incomplete.

That's why I think it is a pointless exercise. I also think it is not entirely consistent with the ease with which many dismiss the absence of documents that 'should' exist from the President's military file. It is simply a fact of life, esp. w/ the government, that documents that 'should' be in a file often aren't. Either that is acknowledged, without the need for some grand conspiracy to explain the absence, or it is not.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Here is SF-180 and the instructions....read instruction #2 very very carefully, which pertains to section 3 of the Form. I would think that using FOIA would be east to get a copy of the SF-180 that he did sign. "signing form 180" does not and never did mean that the specified records were made publicly and widely available.....kerry and the press are playing semantics for all it is worth.......any records "released" by kerry signing SF-180 are limited to those specified and ONLY to persons/orgs designated by kerry. He is still the fraudster king of nuance.

http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/standard_form_180.pdf

[Wristpin]

You're not running for POTUS. In fact it is SOP for just about any politician to release it. What's he hiding?

[Paine in the Neck]

JFnK

Stephen Fry (Jeeves)

Separated at birth?

[Sir Gawain]

Your link doesn't work.

[MinuteGal]

That photo of Kerry reminds me of Laird Cregar's portrayal of Jack the Ripper in that old movie, "The Lodger".

Coming soon to a theater near you, "The Dodger" starring Lurch the Flipper.

Leni

[tobyhill]

"The lack of any substantive new material"

The statement above is very subjective but the BG has done a good job at CYA. Is there no new material or is there new material the BG figures is not substantive?

[Sir Gawain]

I got it to work now.

[tobyhill]

The government expunges records all the time. Since the revolution of the computers it makes it a bit more difficult due to mass storage and never ending servers.

[lugsoul]

Yes. And they (just like others) lose them sometimes. Or things get misfiled. And so on.

Which is why the absence of a document that "should be there" is not evidence of anything at all.

[BushisTheMan]

well, Kerry had two years to clean it up and with the help of his buddies Ted Kennedy and ex-President Carter to get it all FIXED.

[tobyhill]

I do wonder why Kerry chose the BG to get the records and then the BG allowed Michael Kranish to write about it? Michael Kranish assisted in writing the John Kerry Autobiography last year and that alone continues to make questions about the integrity of any such offer.

[bill1952]

This is ludicrous.

How about if Bush had only released his records to RUSH?

[kabar]

I believe the Globe concerning the point that the Navy gave them Kerry's records based on Kerry's authorizing SF 180. What I don't believe is Kranish's analysis of those records. Kranish helped author a sympathetic biography of Kerry before the 2004 election. I will wait until the SBVFT receive those records before drawing any conclusions.

I did find the follow paragraph revealing:

For example, Kerry received his first Purple Heart for action on Dec. 2, 1968. Kerry told historian Douglas Brinkley that ''I never saw where the piece of shrapnel had come from." Kerry's critics have questioned whether the wound came from enemy fire, and his former commanding officer said the wound resembled a ''scratch." The file includes a previously reported reference to Kerry being treated for the wound and that he was awarded the Purple Heart, but it does not address the details of the combat that night. No after-action report for the incident has been found.

Kerry's immediate superiors never recommended him for the PH that night. No after action report was made because there was no hostile fire. The $64 question is who signed the paperwork recommending Kerry for the first PH. Kerry or someone submitted the info after his superiors had departed country. More information is needed and should be in those files. You can bet the SBVFT will be going over these files with a fine tooth comb.

Adm. William Schachte: 'No enemy fire' One of John Kerry's superior officers disputes the circumstances Kerry claims led to the awarding of his first Purple Heart

[kabar]

I do wonder why Kerry chose the BG to get the records and then the BG allowed Michael Kranish to write about it? Michael Kranish assisted in writing the John Kerry Autobiography last year and that alone continues to make questions about the integrity of any such offer.

A number of newspapers, including the Globe and the WP, had FOIA requests in for this info. If Kerry signed a SF-180 authorizing release, anyone can get the info with a FOIA request. Once the SF-180 is signed, Kewrry has no control. What I would like to see is Kerry's signed SF-180 and whether there were any limits or restrictions on the material released. Obviously, Kerry knew beforehand what was in his file.

[sandydipper]

My Uncle Havey just called - you remember him doncha? - the atheiest that died while on a grand drunk out - he said that he had heard they were expecting a freeze tonight.

[griswold3]

That IS a good one!! BOLO for Sandy Berger.

[Donald Meaker]

part of the reason he went to BC was because he couldnt get into Harvard with his BCD self.

Yes, the Carter amnesty was one of the best things he ever bought.

[CharlieOK1]

Bush is a handsome fella, isnt he? I am confident enough in my masculinity to be able to admit that.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

"This Toilet Sanitized for Your Protection."

...has suddenly become...

"This Record Sanitized of His Defection."

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Sounds like the Globe is trying to give Kerry cover.

[Chieftain]

The author of the article, Michael Krannish, is a HUGE Kerry supporter. This was written to say "Nothing new here. Move along."

Someone at the Globe has the reigns pulled very tight and they will spin this forever. Sooner or later though, someone will expose it all for the right amount of $$ (probably coming from the Hillary 2008 crowd).

[CDB]

Any finding of an original Dishonorable Discharge could be hard to find if a military judge or high ranking officer ordered the discharge changed and all records leading to the original discharge be permanently removed from the individual's file. The missing files may have even come as a surprise to Kerry himself or it may have been part of the agreement that Kerry will leave the military, without a fight, if he received an honorable and all negative records removed from his file?

If a 21st century "Deep Throat" ever "leaked" John Kurry's LHD, would the new "Deep Throat" be viewed by the MSM as a hero or a villain? Three guesses.

[kabar]

Someone at the Globe has the reigns pulled very tight and they will spin this forever. Sooner or later though, someone will expose it all for the right amount of $$ (probably coming from the Hillary 2008 crowd).

They can try to spin it, but the SBVFT can put in a FOIA request for the material and do their own analysis. The big question for me is whether Kerry's SF-180 contains any limitations on the kinds of material released. The SBVFT should be able to get a copy of the signed SF-180.

[shield]

skerry is a liar....over and over and over...he'll never let the public see the real deal on his dishonorable discharge from the navy...that'd end his chances of ever becoming president....

skerry I've got news for you...YOU'LL NEVER BE ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF USA!!!

[conservativebabe]

This is highly suspect and not fooling anyone.

Did you all see that the basset hound was a D student to boot?

And they criticized W for being a C student, hypocrits.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Apparently he did sign the 180 -- but seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if some mole hadn't gotten in there and removed some incriminating ones, such as his original suspected dishonorable or at least general discharge.

Oh you know it took him this long to release the records, because they had to be sanitized first. At this late date, I wouldn't believe anything he produced.

[Tribune7]

You know, if there should be nothing real emabarassing, he may end up looking like a bigger fool.

[CDB]

I served for many years...1980-2004, in both active duty and reserve components of the Army. I would not release my record. It's nobody's business.

A lot of us are vets; but, most of us are not US Presidential candidates. Especially, a candidate who made his military service the cornerstone of his campaign.

[JakeINJoisey]

They can try to spin it, but the SBVFT can put in a FOIA request for the material and do their own analysis.

This is simply NOT TRUE, and it has been pointed out numerous times in this forum as well as in this thread. An FOIA request cannot breach the privacy restrictions which protect military records without prior authorization (SF 180) that specify the parameters of what is to be released and TO WHOM.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Is he smiling or just breathing?

[kabar]

This is simply NOT TRUE, and it has been pointed out numerous times in this forum as well as in this thread. An FOIA request cannot breach the privacy restrictions which protect military records without prior authorization (SF 180) that specify the parameters of what is to be released and TO WHOM.

Kerry has supposedly submitted an SF-180, which gives authorization to release his military records. Do you know what parameters Kerry placed on his SF-180? I don't, which is why I have stated that in post 126 that we need to see his SF-180 to see the limitations, if any.

As far as being able to designate who can see these records as part of the authorization (SF 180), I would like to see the primary source for this assertion. I hve been involved in FOIA releases, and have never heard of such a restriction. In essence, you are limiting the public's right to know. Also, if you were to limit who can receive such material, what conditions are placed upon them for the release of the material to others not named?

The Freedom of Information Act 5 U.S.C. § 552, As Amended By Public Law No. 104-231, 110 Stat. 3048

[Snidely Whiplash]

That's why I think it is a pointless exercise.[..] Either that is acknowledged, without the need for some grand conspiracy to explain the absence, or it is not.

Forget it, dude. Yer just whizzing into the wind on this one.

SW

[johnb838]

If he was able to get Lehman's signature forged on his record and Lehman couldn't do anything about it, then who's to doubt he could get anything sanitized? I hate sitting US senators.

[kabar]

SF-180

[Just A Nobody]

What about sKerry's FBI file during the 70's?

[kabar]

2. Restrictions on release of information. Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense regulations and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. The service member (either past or present) or the member’s legal guardian has access to almost any information contained in that member’s own record. Others requesting information from military personnel/health records must have the release authorization in Section III of the SF 180 signed by the member or legal guardian, but if the appropriate signature cannot be obtained, only limited types of information can be provided. If the former member is deceased, surviving next of kin may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to greater access to a deceased veteran’s records than a member of the public. The next of kin may be any of the following: unremarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother. Employers and others needing proof of military service are expected to accept the information shown on documents issued by the military service departments at the time a service member is separated.

If Kerry only releases this information to the Boston Globe, he would be crucified. Again, I would like to see his signed 180 and what was put in Section III.

[cherokee1]

Get Dan Rather on the job----he can spot phoney documents a mile away.

[Columbus Dawg]

In the words of one Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) in the movie Tommy Boy after learning he got a D in a class....

"I PASSED! I PASSED!"

I am not going to bash getting an education, it is important. Getting the diploma is the ultimate goal.
But I must say what a high school graduate with no college told me one time: "How come there are so many problems out there in areas where the people in charge are college educated?"

It is nice they have a college education. Yet, Bush has something that Kerry never had: he learned how to become a great man.

[Just A Nobody]

It is NOT rocket science:

Date of entrance into Navy:
Enlistment commitment time:
Discharge dateS:
His actions between '71 and '75:
Well known and documented trips to Paris to meet with the enemy:

There is no tinfoil involved with these questions.

[Just A Nobody]

How about if Bush had only released his records to RUSH?

Speaking of RUSH...he is saying that the only reason he did not release his records was because he did not want his low grades to be used against him during the election.

I am VERY disappointed in RUSH right now.

[Itzlzha]

vs.

Separated at Birth?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Would you trust the Globe to release ALL of his records, or just the ones that Kerry wants?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Do you trust the Globe to release ALL of the records? They have repeatedly shown that they are eager to carry the 'Rats' water.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Something doesn't sound right. I don't think you can sign a 180 and limit who gets access to your records. Tonk, am I right on this?

[Carling]

The more I think about it, the more this smacks of a collaborative effort between Camp Kerry and the Globe. It seemed odd to me at the time that a Globe reporter would ask about SF-180 just out of the blue. Then, the article reporting it said something about "a series of emails", therefore insinuating reluctance on the Kerry camp, until they finally succumbed to the repeated journalistic efforts of the Globe. There is NO WAY that this would have happened like this. What, the Globe suddenly decided it was time to see the Kerry record, and Kerry had 'coincidently' received SF-180 a week or so prior?

Bullcrap. This is a whitewash/cover-up. The problem for Kerry is that not only will the Swifties see through this, but the Hillary-ites will also most likely see a cover-up, and the MSM will actually report it if Queen Hillary's aides bring it to their attention.

[JakeINJoisey]

Speaking of RUSH...he is saying that the only reason he did not release his records was because he did not want his low grades to be used against him during the election. I am VERY disappointed in RUSH right now.

Ditto for me (if you'll pardon the expression).

[CIBvet]

'one of the finest young officers with whom I have served;" is ''the acknowledged leader of his peer group;" and is ''highly recommended for promotion."

You're right on ... standard boiler-plate on all OER's (Officer Efficiency Report)