The definition of "swift boating"

politicalgateway.com ^ | 1/25/2007 | Andy Martin

[Lee'sGhost]

Yesterday FReeper Dark Skies posted an editorial by Andy Martin from Political Gateway with the following lead comment:

“Swift boating" is a term that came into use during the 2004 presidential election to reflect Senator John Kerry’s flaccid response to attacks on his wartime record in Viet-Nam. The term, a noun, adjective and verb, has entered the political lexicon and is usually invoked when liberals and Democrats are stung trying to defend themselves against unpleasantly truthful accusations hurled by conservatives.

I took exception to that definitiion and emailed my objection to Mr. Martin as follows:

"Swift boating” is a term that is used to describe a concerted effort to get the truth out about a political candidate. You are confusing the public by defining it incorrectly. Please issue a correction.

Thank you.

Mr. Martin replied:

I am afraid your definition is not correct. I disagree. The left gave "swift boating" an odious connotation and that odor has persisted to the present day. You can't wish that your definition would prevail when it hasn't.

My response was:

I can assure you that within conservative circles swift boating is the definition I provided. YOU are allowing the left to usurp that definition. Perhaps a demonstration is in order.

Thank you."

[Lee'sGhost]

If anyone is interested in helping me correct Mr. Martin his email address is:

AndyMart20@aol.com

[Lee'sGhost]

ping

[popdonnelly]

Swift boating is telling truths about Democrats that make them uncomfortable.

Scurrilous and unfounded claims against Republicans are "a search for the truth".

[Lee'sGhost]

please let Mr. Martin know.

[conservativehusker]

I feel you may be splitting hairs with one another...

"...usually invoked when liberals and Democrats are stung trying to defend themselves against unpleasantly truthful accusations hurled by conservatives. "

He mentioned that his definition included unpleasent TRUTHS that they try to defend themselves against...

[Red Badger]

“Swift boating": Sinking a politician's Ship of Fools by Torpedoes of Truth...........

[DBrow]

I agree. A conservative bringing up the actual public record of a liberal is "going negative" and this action justifies hysterical mudslinging from the left, called "a search for the truth".

And Swift Boating is indeed an effort by grass-roots activists to publicize what MSM attempts to bury.

[msnimje]

The left came up with the term "Swift boating" and gave it a negative connotation.

Most on the right had too much respect for the Veterans involved to use the word.

I don't think we should ever use it for that reason.

[MSF BU]

"Swift Boating" is when the truth is revealed about a liberal and they suffer because of it.

[Yo-Yo]

How does he define "Borked?"

[wastedyears]

Swedish Chef?

[o_zarkman44]

It depends on the definition of "if".

Name me a politician who answers a question directly, truthfully, and with finality.

We are dealing with a bunch of non commitals who stand for whatever is popular at the given moment. Fence riders.
Wind direction testers. Doublespeak distractors.

[Lee'sGhost]

LOL!

[dead]

How does he define "Borked?"

I just want a Lewinsky.

[o_zarkman44]

I think the MSM reporters should be required to register as lobbyers because they continuously add their directional questions and conclusions to news reporting.

[altura]

I agree. the definition is not ideal but it isn't so bad.

[Lee'sGhost]

I believe that it is another example of conservatives allowing the left to define the terms. I think "swift boating" is an excellent term, and if applied correctly honors those who outed Kerry.

[Sans-Culotte]

I agree with conservativehusker that the definition provided already included your definition, and that you are splitting hairs. If anything, his definition was simply more detailed than yours, and had the added bounus of using the words "flaccid" and "Kerry" in the same sentence.

Conservatives don't need to engage internecine warfare over minor points when we are in essential agreement, IMO.

[Melinda]

Mr. Martin doesn't stay with his OWN definition of 'swift boating' as he defines it. According to him, the term is used when Democrats are stung by unpleasantly 'truthful' allegations. At least he said 'truthful', but then continues to suggest the term defines 'untruthful' allegations, not truthful facts.

In the following lines, he states "For the record, ContrarianCommentary.com has never “swift boated” anyone. Our mantra is: “Just the facts, mam’m."


It is this type of faulty intellect that continues to define the vast majority of the media. They don't have time to check facts, so the easiest way to write is to do it quickly and wait for any fallout. So used to fallout they are, that they now think telling a lie is worth it.

[Lee'sGhost]

Exactly. Thankyou.

[BuffaloJack]

Swiftie Ping !!

[OldFriend]

I have adopted your post for my tagline. You have really captured the essence of Swiftboating!

[Thanks RR Rest Well]

At least the author recognized that it was "unpleasant truths" that was being hurled. Let the left keep their definition, we have ours. Just as the left has it's own interpretations of "patriotism, honor, duty, etc." and we know the correct meanings

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Mr. Martin,

I donated $200 to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth during the 2004 election cycle, and find your definition of "Swift-Boating" to be smarmy and intellectually dishonest.

All John Fraud Kerry ever had to do to completely discredit the Swiftees is sign Standard Form SF-180 releasing his ENTIRE military record to the public and submit it to the National Personnel Records Center.

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html#ways

Since Mr. Kerry was campaigning to become Commander-in-Chief of the United States military, his military record was highly relevant. All other Presidential candidates in recent history have made their ENTIRE military records public. Mr. Kerry founded his political career on his military service in Viet Nam. It seems odd that he would be the only candidate to demur from providing his military records.

The problem for Mr. Kerry with releasing his ENTIRE military record to the public is that we would find out the particulars on his three Purple Hearts and Bronze Star, decorations earned in less than 30-days in-country. There are many recipients of a single Purple Heart who are missing body parts, but Mr. Kerry is completely scar-free, except for a few bicycling and snowboarding mishaps.

To this day, we have no idea who awarded these medals or why, other than Mr. Kerry's account. All we ever wanted from Mr. Kerry were documented facts, facts that he evidently considers to be an embarrassment.

Prove me wrong. Convince Mr. Kerry to sign and submit Standard Form SF-180.

Regards,

[Red Badger]

....and it's less fattening!.......

[DBrow]

"I think the MSM reporters should be required to register as lobbyers "

I'll see that and raise it:

They should get Free Speech Permits and be required to take a test to keep the permit. Then they can access mass media.

Many states require this for concealed carry; no reason not to apply it to the first amendment too.

[DBrow]

Excellent letter!

[Capt. Tom]

Swiftboating is going around the gatekeepers of news, to get a negative story out about a candidate,that otherwise the story would not be known to the public. - Tom

[Gritty]

[Clioman]

How does he define "Borked?"
I just want a Lewinsky.


Be careful -- you could become another victim of Arkancide.

[stopem]

Excellent definition.

[incredulous joe]

LOL

"Borked" it's synonymous with the term "Chappaquidiced".

[Red Badger]

Danke!.........It's apolitical, Bi-Partisan, Fair and Balanced, and totally fat free!.........

[Phil Harmonic]

"...decorations earned in [b]less than 30-days in-country[/b]."

Good rant, spoiled by woefully inaccurate fact. Alas.

[Lee'sGhost]

Very good.

[RightWingConspirator]

Like Dan Rather's forged documents!

[Red Badger]

"Chappaquidiced"......which is NOT to be confused with "Chappaquidicide"......

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Good rant, spoiled by woefully inaccurate fact. Alas.

So how long was he in-country?

I got my info from John O'Neill's book.

[DuncanWaring]

There are many recipients of a single Purple Heart who are missing body parts ...

There are many recipients of a single Purple Heart who DEAD prematurely.

[RightWingConspirator]

BTW, sKerry still has not released his military records.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

There are many recipients of a single Purple Heart who DEAD prematurely.

I realize that. The dead ones don't often run for political office, though.

;^>

[RightWingConspirator]

I suspect we would also find a less-than-honorable discharge and the results of a Jimma Carter "correction of military records" board to give sKerry an honorable discharge.

[Dark Skies]

Thx for the ping. Good letter!

[leilani]

I vote for Gritty's def in #30. At least that's how I've always interpreted it: it's the exposure of anybody (could be of any political persuasion) trying to self-aggrandize & score points with the electorate (or anyone FTM) by misrepresenting the circumstances of his/her military service (+ possibly an academic record,professional career et al?), when the factual historical record is publicly clarified by other people who were in a position to know the less-flattering truth of those circumstances.

[Jim Verdolini]

"Swift boating is telling truths about Democrats that make them uncomfortable.

Scurrilous and unfounded claims against Republicans are "a search for the truth"."

Another term screaming for clarification "Refuted".

I am so tired of having some mind addled dolt tell me something (like the Swifties) have been 'refuted' simply because some approved liberal source has published a piece that disagrees.

This takes me back to the source of the communications problem.

"True" and "Fact" are defined as any idea that comes from an approved liberal source, like the Guardian or the Times, or that has been stated as true by a national liberal.

"Lie" is any idea that the left does not agree with.

It is exceptionally hard to hold a debate with folk who define stuff like this.

[KC_Conspirator]

Swift Boating is getting the real record out instead of a media driven, superhyped, false lie.

I am still convinced to this day that Kerry got and dishonorable discharge, but we will never know because he has not signed off to release his records.

[KC_Conspirator]

Or you may be "Nifonged".

[skimask]

"How does he define "Borked?"

How would he define "Rathered"

[showme_the_Glory]

All John Fraud Kerry ever had to do to completely discredit the Swiftees is sign Standard Form SF-180 releasing his ENTIRE military record to the public and submit it to the National Personnel Records Center. >>>>>>>>>>>>>Since he had nothing to hide anyway. /sarc