Posted on 01/23/2006 6:21:41 AM PST by crazyhorse691
Standing up against yet another smear
Before 2004, I'd never been involved in politics and considered my duty done at the ballot box. My memory of a man I served with in combat in Vietnam -- Lt. John Kerry -- became my sole reason for leaving the sidelines in the last presidential election. Watching the assault on his military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock. Perhaps I was naive. Watching those same tactics now being used against another decorated Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha, who, like Kerry, dared to speak his mind, has been a reminder of not just why I felt compelled to get involved, but why I must remain involved.
As a veteran of Vietnam, I can't in good conscience remain silent in the face of the "Swift Boating" of John Murtha. Today, the very same smear tactics the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" used against Kerry are being unleashed against Murtha, a retired Marine colonel and Democratic representative from Pennsylvania. The radical right Web site Cybercast News Service -- formerly the Conservative News Service -- has attacked Murtha, claiming he was fraudulently awarded Purple Hearts for wounds received during two tours in Vietnam.
Since it is unseemly for a leadership that never served its country in combat to attack the patriotism and veracity of decorated soldiers and sailors who did, this administration has returned to its tactic of finding surrogates to do its dirty work.
Administration supporters are hoping that by muddying the waters of Murtha's military record they can neuter another of their most passionate and sincere critics. It's an all-too-familiar pattern. Initially, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan described Murtha's stance on the war as "endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party." Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt quickly followed in lockstep by saying on the floor of the House of Representatives, "Cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
The White House followed with perfunctory praise from President Bush, who described Murtha as "a good man who served our country with honor and distinction as a Marine in Vietnam and as a United States congressman." Vice President Cheney referred to Murtha as "a good man, a Marine, a patriot." How laudable.
The rapid reversal by the White House appears remarkable at first glance, given its penchant for uniformity of message. But it isn't at all remarkable. As with the Swift Boat assault on Kerry during the 2004 election campaign, attacks are made, the public's attention is captured, the White House offers platitudes and the surrogates press on with the administration's covert support.
John Kerry and John Murtha both love their country and proved their patriotism in the crucible of war and on the battlefield of public service. But far more is at stake than the reputations of two good men. They have the honor of their service, as do the hundreds of thousands of Americans in uniform in harm's way today, and that's enough.
But the health of our democracy, the integrity of our debate, the voice of our free press and the true meaning of patriotism are under assault if a new generation of Swift Boat-style smears is allowed into the public sphere unchallenged.
For my country's sake, I hope brave Americans of good conscience will speak up and make it clear that we will not tolerate such smears today, just as we shouldn't have tolerated them in 2004.
Jim Rassmann, a retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, lives in Florence. He served with the Army's 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1968-69.
I had thought so. He was then saved by the guy who had earned one purple heart for getting rice pelted in his hind quarters.
Karl Rove knew, Nov. 7, 2004 , that hanoi kerry would try to run in '08
and knew Swift Boat Vet's would be called upon,
again, to serve our country.
Rove Credits Swiftvets With 'Energizing' Bush Vote (Thank You Karl Rove!)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345603/posts
murtha : Pay attention
You have been hanging around to long with cut and run hanoi kerry
The Brothers and Sisters on The Wall know what you have done.
And before you complain about me, I was there also.
DISMISSED!
Marine NOT afraid to not be "PC" Ping!
Young Marine Blasts Rep. Murtha at Town Hall Meeting
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558047/posts
"Yes sir my name is Mark Seavey and I just want to thank you for coming up here. Until about a month ago I was Sergeant Mark Seavey infantry squad leader, I returned from Afghanistan. My question to you, (applause)
"Like yourself I dropped out of college two years ago to volunteer to go to Afghanistan, and I went and I came back. If I didn't have a herniated disk now I would volunteer to go to Iraq in a second with my troops, three of which have already volunteered to go to Iraq. I keep hearing you say how you talk to the troops and the troops are demoralized, and I really resent that characterization. (applause) The morale of the troops that I talk to is phenomenal, which is why my troops are volunteering to go back, despite the hardships they had to endure in Afghanistan."
Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557630/posts
Won't work, unless we let it happen.
Leni
bump
his
bump
I just get too upset to comment.
He has claimed he doesn't want us to leave Iraq...just pull back into Saudi and Kuwait, and see if the Iraqi's can't handle the insurgency themselves. He want us to stay "close by" so we can go back in if there is trouble.
Now, if that isn't a cockimamie strategery, I don't know what one is.
As I was reading the article I was waiting for the "true patriotism" card to be played. The last redoubt of a liar. And it didn't disappoint.
Leni
"I just get too upset to comment."
BTTT
Rassman - you are a liar.
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/brentbozell/2004/08/18/12728.html
You've got 'em pegged.
I'm still waiting to see what SVPFT have to say about it.
So much for Rassman's supposed non-partisanship.
"Partisan operatives, baloney! The leadership was Vietnam Vets and a lot of funding came from small donations from Vietnam Vets like me, and others who trusted the judgement of the vast majority of vets on this issue."
I missed Vietnam but I also sent $50. I saw the effort as doing more good for the country than my contributions to the party.
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