Posted on 08/14/2004 11:35:01 PM PDT by Jenya
Christmas in Cambodia
On the floor of the U.S. Senate on March 27, 1986, Sen. John Kerry said:
I remember Christmas of 1968 sitting on a gunboat in Cambodia. I remember what it was like to be shot at by Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge and Cambodians, and have the president of the United States telling the American people that I was not there; the troops were not in Cambodia. I have that memory which is seared – seared – in me.
It wasn't the first time Kerry told that story. It wasn't the last time.
In some versions of the story, he mentioned the name of the president – Richard Nixon.
Nobody bothered to question the story until recently when John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi authored their book, "Unfit for Command," and pointed out that Kerry never got near Cambodia on Christmas 1968 or any other time during his brief tour of duty in Vietnam.
Why it wasn't challenged before is rather strange, given the fact the president of the United States at the time was Democrat Lyndon Johnson, who had never been accused of sending U.S. forces into Cambodia and certainly never denied something he didn't do.
I don't know what Kerry was smoking when he was in Vietnam, but he apparently is so confused about his four months there that he doesn't even realize who was president at the time. Richard Nixon, the president who, much later, did send covert forces into Cambodia, wasn't even sworn into office for another month.
How does a guy who tells whoppers like this remain in the U.S. Senate for all these years, let alone become the nominee of a major party for president?
It reminds me of Bill Clinton.
Bill Clinton would lie even when there was no reason to do so.
I remember his recollections of the bombings of black churches that took place when he was a kid in Arkansas. Those stories took a little more checking to determine there were no such bombings in the state when Clinton was a child. But he would lie just to place himself in the center of any historical event, just to seem more relevant, just to show what a compassionate person and the way he transcended his surroundings.
Al Gore said he invented the Internet. Did he think he could get away with that one? Who knows what goes through the minds of these politicians who live in a rarified atmosphere, surrounded by yes men who will accept anything they say?
Is this what Kerry was doing with this story?
I wonder if Kerry actually has come to believe the lies he has told so often about himself and his experience in Vietnam?
Has he convinced himself he really is a hero who deserved three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star?
Does he really believe his comrades in arms committed those war atrocities he cited in 1971 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee?
It's a scary thought that such a sociopath could once again be so close to the White House.
It's scary because these yarns have become the centerpiece of who John Kerry is. We all saw that in his Democratic convention speech.
Keep in mind the words Kerry used: He said this memory was "seared – seared in me."
Kerry still hasn't explained himself. But yesterday the campaign said it was inaccurate when Kerry said he was in Cambodia on Christmas 1968. It was some other time. And we're supposed to believe that.
But that's hardly enough. We need to hear some details.
What happened to that memory that was "seared – seared in me," as he said?
Kerry has attacked the veracity of the SWIFT boat vets who have challenged his war stories. The campaign has attacked their character. His partisans have scoured Internet bulletin boards to find dirt on them. They have questioned the funding sources behind them. They have done everything except present facts to counter the persuasive and well-documented charges against the presidential candidate.
What will he say about Christmas in Cambodia?
Personally, I can't wait to hear the spin. I hope the American people are paying attention.
It was the first time I ever heard him speak.
Who would want a Commander-in-Chief who, during a time of war, did not know where he was, or when he was there?
I'm sure Georgie Steponallofus will cover this in his interview tomorrow!
Letters to the Editor...all across The Country...
"The local press in every community is much more independent..."
Karen Hughes
Great article....If the MSM covers this straight forward for about three days Kerry's campaign is over.....But will they?
"Christmas in Cambodia"
I'm still waiting for some sophisticated Freeper to dream up the recipe for an
"adult beverage" worthy of the appellation "Christmas In Cambodia"!
I figure something with coconut, mango or other "jungle" fruits/juices should be
part of it.
And I'd also considered that maybe this would be the one mixed drink that should
have the famed durian as part of the mix.
Yes, durian, the hideously stinky, yet tasty fruit that has been likened to a fine custard...
passed through a sewer pipe.
A drink containing a fruit that stinks, yet is tasty would fit this topic.
"I was totally repulsed by the fruit...
...before I ate too much of it."
Edwards is spinning that Kerry "spilled his blood" in Viet Nam. In other words, he's telling all the Swift Boat Vets to keep quiet about this war hero. The MSM covers Edwards but not the SBV. They would probably just smear them anyway.
John Kerry is caught in the web that all liars fall into. They cannot distingush the truth from their falsehoods. God help the United States if this idiot and traitor ever becomes President. Mr. Kerry is a total fraud!!!
Kerry claiming to be in Cambodia in Dec. 1968 is just plain weird. Where do they come up with these flakes?
(pingees...pardon this, but maybe this is a useful addendum to the Christmas In Cambodia drama)
"I remember Christmas of 1968 sitting on a gunboat in Cambodia. I remember what
it was like to be shot at by Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge and Cambodians,..."
Now I think I know why Kerry was sent upriver to Cambodia on Christmas 1968, even though
his personal sense of modesty has caused him to disavow his brave act...
...it was because a man of extreme wisdom and perception, as well as the intincts of
a Native-American tracker was probably needed to find Khmer Rouge forces at that time.
Unless the estimated 2500-3000 Khmer Rouge troops at the time were all concentrated
at Kerry's sector and firing off flare guns all night...(see references below):
http://www.mekong.net/cambodia/banyan1.htm
The leftists in Cambodia had originally concentrated on a political struggle against Sihanouk.
By 1967, however, as it became clear that political opposition was both futile and
increasingly dangerous, the Cambodian communists began to focus on armed struggle.
They did not, however, constitute as serious threat to Sihanouk's regime. Even as
late as 1969, the communists -- or, as Sihanouk derisively called them, the Khmer Rouge --
were estimated to have only about 2500 troops.
http://www.bartleby.com/65/kh/KhmerRou.html
The strength of the Khmer Rouge rose dramatically from around 3,000 in 1970 to more
than 30,000 in 1973, enabling most of the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops to withdraw.
No worries, they are only McHales Navy.
1. Kerry was stationed on the coast. Not mid-Mekong river.
2. Kerry' unit's patrol area was as close as 50 miles to the border. By air, in a straight line. Rivers aren't straight, by river distance he was more like 100 miles.
3. A different type of boat was used further up river, PBRs. Fiberglass hulled, water jet drive. Smaller.
4. Kerry was in command for only a few weeks. Why would the CIA, or Special Forces use or trust a newbie? And what commander would assign a new doofus like Kerry with such a task? No one, and no one did.
5. Such a insertion mission would, at a minimum, require a day of planning, a day of running fast up river, crossing and insertion at night, a day running back down river, and I would imagine a day for rest and refit. Where is the week Kerry did this? He was only running boats for a total of like 12-13 weeks. Furthermore he said he did this multiple times. So he needs multiple weeks.
6. What SF and or Seal unit did he work with? I'm sure they would be glad to confirm Kerrys lie, oops, missions.
Thanks for the ping.
The Night Before Christmas (Cambodian Version)
Twas the night before Christmas and we were afloat
Somewhere in Cambodia in our little boat.
While the river was lightened by rockets red glare
No one but the President knew we were there.
The crew was all nestled deep down in their bunks,
While the Spook and I watched the sampans and junks.
Our mission was secret, so secret in fact,
No one else would remember it when we got back.
When out on the water there arose such a clatter
I leaped down from the bridge to see what was the matter.
The incoming friendly was starting to flash
And I knew that the ARVN's were having a bash.
The snap of friendly fire on the warm tropic air
Convinced me for sure no one knew we were there,
On a clandestine mission so secret it's true
That I'm still convinced only Tricky Dick knew.
While I huddled for safety in the tub on the bow,
I thought of a title, "Apocalypse Now."
To give to the films I was I making each day
To show all the voters when I made my big play.
As I sat there sweating in my lucky flight jacket,
Spook said, "Merry Christmas!" and tossed me a packet.
And what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a new lucky cap, which I still have right here.
I keep it tucked here, in this leather brief case,
Just sharing with the press its secretive place
As I regale them again with my senate refrain,
That Christmas in Cambodia is seared into my brain.
Don't bother to quibble with history my friend,
By pointing out Johnson was President then.
Don't listen to Swiftees who try to explain,
For I tell you that night is seared into my brain.
Down Hibbard, down Lonsdale, and you too O'Neill,
So you don't remember? Well it's something I feel.
I don't need all you Swiftvets to support my campaign,
Cause Christmas in Cambodia is seared into my brain,
Into my brain, into my brain, into my brain...
Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66
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