Swift boat skipper: Kerry critics wrong

Chicago Tribune ^ | August 21, 2004 | Tim Jones

[palmer]

The commander of a Navy swift boat who served alongside Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry during the Vietnam War stepped forward Saturday to dispute attacks challenging Kerry's integrity and war record.

William Rood, an editor on the Chicago Tribune's metropolitan desk, said he broke 35 years of silence about the Feb. 28, 1969, mission that resulted in Kerry's receiving a Silver Star because recent portrayals of Kerry's actions published in the best-selling book "Unfit for Command" are wrong and smear the reputations of veterans who served with Kerry.

...

[palmer]

Didn't see this posted. Is that because we aren't allowed to post articles from the Chicago Tribune?

[Admin Moderator]

Trib posts are OK if excerpted, as yours is.

[NavySEAL F-16]

I did a google on William Rood and nothing came up. No background, etc.

Does the article reveal a resume that can be verified.

Thanks.

[tirednvirginia]

Well, of course, its all settled now. The truth is out. This should silence those Swiftvets for Truth who are a front for the Bushies. (Sarcasm)

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

He wasn't on Kerry's boat so we are instructed not to believe him.

[jwpjr]

re: "William Rood, an editor on the Chicago Tribune's metropolitan desk"

'nuff said!

[Jeff Head]

So now its 254 to 10?

[palmer]

They have his picture and some quotes like Rood acknowledged in his first-person account that there could always be errors in recollection, especially with the passage of more than three decades. His Bronze Star citation, he said, misidentifies the river where the main action occurred.

[AndyJackson]

an editor on the Chicago Tribune's metropolitan desk

Pretty soon to be named editor in chief, he hopes.

[tirednvirginia]

Does he have a SWORN affadavit behind his statement?

[Mike Darancette]

Was Rood with Kerry in Cambodia?

[Sola Veritas]

"He wasn't on Kerry's boat so we are instructed not to believe him."

Very good. Use their own silly logic against them!

[Cboldt]

My guess is that this so-called "refutation" deals exclusively with the single VC that Kerry dispateched. The details surrounding that fact are irrelevant.

The -ONLY- material point of contention is whether or not Kerry beached the boat in the face of numerically superior enemy.

[tobyhill]

Is William Rood breaking his own breaking news? If he was there then he can get all documents concerning him and publish them. Insert self, bring documents!

[ConservativeVoice]

I'd question whether he's a real combat vet. Too many wannabees out there.

[demlosers]

William Rood, an editor on the Chicago Tribune's metropolitan desk, said he broke 35 years of silence

This guy works for the Chicago Tribune?

And Rood as a professional tattle tale, hasn't said a word?

My bet this guy has anything substantive to say, he's on a mission to muddy the waters.

[LandOfLincolnGOP]

Beat me to it. I was just about to post this.

I'll reserve judgement until I can read Rood's piece later today (or whenever it becomes available on the web). But I have to say that the reporting of his comments does get to the heart of the one thing that bothers me about the Swifties: Albeit unintentionally, it casts doubts in the minds of the public on the honorable service of a lot of good men and women. It's not a side effect they seek, but I think it's a real consideration. My father is a Purple Heart recepient, and when I think of how this story might make other people wonder whether or not its legitimate because of how easy this story makes it seem to get one fraudulently, it tears me up inside.

[goldstategop]

The Chicago Tribune is a subsidiary of the Mirror Company that owns the Los Angeles Times. This is the newspaper that forced Rack Ryan out of the U.S Senate race in Illinois. All of a sudden its metro desk editor, William Rood is coming out to testify on Kerry's behalf. And the timing is fishy and considering the source, it looks like an attempt to help Kerry stem the damage the Swiftees have inflicted. I'd say its too little, too late.

[NavySEAL F-16]

Here's more of the Kerry logic:

It's the timing that has me concerned. </sarcasm>

[AndyJackson]

Per Chicago Tribune E-mail the staff of the Chicago Tribune

William Rood WRood@tribune.com, Metro Assistant Content Editor