Posted on 09/05/2004 8:31:11 PM PDT by pjsbro
John Kerry's biographer today called on the presidential candidate to release his military records and warned a Navy investigation into his medals could prove to be the "death knell" of his campaign.
In the past, Kerry has said he could not release some documents because of contractual obligations to Douglas Brinkley, author of "Tour of Duty." Brinkley said he has no contractual claims to any of the papers.
"Clearly some of these military records should be made available to the press," he said on Steve Malzberg's WABC New York radio show today.
Brinkley also said that if the Navy investigation reveals deception in connection with Kerry's medals, it could be the "death knell" for Kerry's campaign. Professing uncertainty about what to make about the Swift Boat Vets' claims, Brinkley said: "Right now it's unclear. So we have to just wait to see what all this adds up to."
"Is it sloppiness, is it purposeful intent, is there an easy explanation for it?" Brinkley wondered.
The Pentagon ordered an official investigation into the awarding of five Vietnam War decorations to the Massachusetts senator.
The London Telegraph says the inquiry is being carried out by the inspector general's office of the U.S. Navy.
"It is the responsibility of all personnel to correct errors in official records," a Navy spokesman told the paper. Another official said privately: "There's a feeling that it's time to deal with this thoroughly, once and for all."
As WorldNetDaily reported last week, the Department of Defense informed Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England of a formal request to investigate alleged military code violations in Sen. John Kerry's Silver Star award.
The request was made by the public-interest group Judicial Watch after news reports revealed Kerry's campaign website displays a document listing a "Silver Star with combat 'V'" even though the combat "V" device is never given with the nation's third highest award for heroism.
Also, there are three citations for the award, with the third, issued more than a decade after the event, bearing the signature of former Navy Secretary John Lehman.
Lehman, however, says he had nothing to do with the citation.
"It is a total mystery to me," he told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me."
The Telegraph says Lehman endorses the investigation of Kerry's awards, stating the relevant records need to be "thoroughly researched and the facts established."
Kerry's campaign is firing back, calling the Navy probe an expensive waste.
"The facts are clear," Kerry adviser Michael Meehan told the Telegraph. "The Navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V and three Purple Hearts. This is a waste of taxpayers' dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime."
Though Judicial Watch is hoping for a report before the Nov. 2 presidential election, the Navy thus far is remaining silent on any timetable.
Jerome Corsi, author of "Unfit for Command," the New York Times No. 1 best-seller by Swiftboat Veterans for Truth, told WorldNetDaily he considers the Judicial Watch complaint "an important and serious investigation."
"We believe the secretary of the Navy will validate the charges we've made in 'Unfit for Command,'" he said.
In a letter responding to Judicial Watch's complaint, the inspector general of the Defense Department, John R. Crane, cited Section 8(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, which states "the IG of the Department of Defense shall expeditiously report suspected or alleged violations of chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice), to the Secretary of the military department concerned or the Secretary of Defense."
JF'nK is toast...
Can we have a JAG episode on this.....?......be still my heart
FRENCH toast!;)
I just would like to hear why Kerry thought he needed THREE different Silver Star citations.
Hopefully take down a few Senate and Congressional seats as well.....
John Kerry is a total mystery to me and a lot of folks. Unfortunately the dems don't worry about details when they choose their candidates.
Go off, John Kerry. Your hour has been bloated beyond measure like the distended bellies of the truth-starved legions who have followed you, without manna. America will not re-enter that decade, to lose that war all over again. Comfortable retirement beckons you, and your beloved. Go forth and kill brain cells.
> "Is it sloppiness, is it purposeful intent, is there
> an easy explanation for it?" Brinkley wondered.
It's complicated.
Kerry's krack Nuance Team is working on it 24x7.
They'll get back to us on 03 Nov.
Brinkley had better mind his situational awareness.
He's been just a little too honest today, and that's
risky around high ranking Democrats. Even one more
revealing sentence could scuttle Kerry's carefully
planned reincarnation of PT-109.
It`s too late
Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time There's something wrong here, there can be no denying One of us is changing, or maybe we've stopped trying
And it's too late, baby, now it's too late Though we really did try to make it Something inside has died and I can't hide And I just can't fake it
It used to be so easy living here with you You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do Now you look so unhappy, and I feel like a fool
And it's too late, baby, now it's too late Though we really did try to make it Something inside has died and I can't hide And I just can't fake it
There'll be good times again for me and you But we just can't stay together, don't you feel it too Still I'm glad for what we had, and how I once loved you
But it's too late, baby, it's too late Though we really did try to make it Something inside has died and I can't hide And I just can't fake it
Why wouldn't a man with the truth on his side release this info? What's in there that's so damaging?
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah!
LOL!
Kerry is stuck in a catch 22. If he doesn't release his records the American people will think he has something to hide. If he does release his records the American people will see what he IS hiding.
He is dead meat either way.
Did I ever promise NOT to say "I told you so"?
I think I hear the Fat Lady clearing her throat....getting ready to sing...
Semper Fi
John Kerry can say he will not allow his service to this country or his fitness to serve as Commander-in-Chief to be questioned all he wants. The fact is, his service, and his record, will be. That's how it works. A President is elected not just on what he claims, but what his record is and his character.
Unfortunately for John Kerry his service is being questioned by the very people he served with, his record in the Senate is less than stellar, and his character is deeply flawed with the many positions he takes on the issues.
Any reasonable voter who takes his or her vote seriously can easily conclude that John Kerry is "UNFIT FOR CAMMAND"
And the 9-11 Commission was money well spent?
What waste of money? Have a few salaried Navy officers and office workers look through some records? Sheesh, Tereazzzzzza spends more on shoes in a week.
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