The Political Guns Of August Are Firing (Douglas Brinkley -- Christmas in Cambodia Not True)

Washington Post ^ | 08/28/04 | Ann Gerhart

[conservative in nyc]

---Snip---

The Kerry campaign has refused to release Kerry's personal Vietnam archive, including his journals and letters, saying that the senator is contractually bound to grant Brinkley exclusive access to the material. But Brinkley said this week the papers are the property of the senator and in his full control.

"I don't mind if John Kerry shows anybody anything," he said. "If he wants to let anybody in, that's his business. Go bug John Kerry, and leave me alone." The exclusivity agreement, he said, simply requires "that anybody quoting any of the material needs to cite my book."

---Snip---

Kerry repeatedly said in the past that he was ordered illegally into Cambodia during Christmas 1968. His detractors claim he never entered that country at all. In "Tour of Duty," Brinkley does not place Kerry in Cambodia but, quoting from Kerry's journal, notes that Kerry's Swift boat was "patrolling near the Cambodian line." Later in the book, Brinkley writes that Kerry and his fellow Swift boat operators "went on dropping Navy SEALS off along the Cambodian border."

"I'm under the impression that they were near the Cambodian border," said Brinkley, in the interview. So Kerry's statement about being in Cambodia at Christmas "is obviously wrong," he said. "It's a mongrel phrase he should never have uttered. I stick to my story."

---Snip---

[conservative in nyc]

Kerry's own biographer admits the Christmas in Cambodia story is WRONG.

And Kerry has NO LEGITIMATE EXCUSE not to release his journals. The exclusivity agreement is a lie.

So says the Washington Post.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I am not familiar with the idiom, "mongrel phrase". Is that just a lame euphemism for a lie?

[BunnySlippers]

"I'm under the impression that they were near the Cambodian border," said Brinkley, in the interview. So Kerry's statement about being in Cambodia at Christmas "is obviously wrong," he said. "It's a mongrel phrase he should never have uttered. I stick to my story."

Damning words.

[hershey]

This sounds as if Brinkley's decided his hide and reputation are more valuable than Kerry's.

[dennisw]

Dougie. John Kerry played you for the fool. And ya know what? You are a fool to still be spinning this. Grow up.

[Elkiejg]

Not only do we need to see his journals and letters - which are probably filled with lies - but we need to see the official after action reports from the military. I heard the retired military expert tell Brit Hume on FoxNews several days ago that there are those reports filed somewhere in the archives. They will tell the real story as a radio person was always in contact with patrols in case they got into trouble. LET'S GET THE AFTER ACTION REPORTS.

[ScaniaBoy]

I thought Brinkley had entered the witness protection program - at least that's what Mark Steyn wrote.

; )

[laredo44]

lame euphemism

Do euphemisms come in other varieties? ;)

[Bob]

This sounds as if Brinkley's decided his hide and reputation are more valuable than Kerry's.

It's too late to save much of either of them now.

[mass55th]

"Go bug John Kerry, and leave me alone."

Brinkley's getting testy. Hey, he's the one who sold his soul to the devil. I bet he's ticked because Unfit for Command has sold more copies than his book.

[Casloy]

Mmm, the Washington Post??? Now this story is really spinning out of control. The media will protect Kerry only so long as the individual members of the media don't feel they are being scooped by others members of the media. Once that starts happening they only care about their reputations for getting it first.

[BB2]

I have a great idea for "W" during the first debate.... if Kerry brings up the subject of the Swift Boat Vets, and tries to lay the blame on Bush.

"W" should say: "I agree that this has gone on long enough, and it's time to lay this all to rest, right here, and right now." "I know that you have been too busy campaigning to handle this efficiently and with finality, so I have brought with me a form 180 for you to sign, releasing all of your service records, so that we can put this all behind us, and prove that whay you have said is the truth." "I'm with you man!"

At that point he should reach into his jacket and pull it out, walk it over to Kerry and hand it to him, reach into his pocket and produce a pen.

Case Closed.

[conservative in nyc]

Page C01 -- Front page of Section C, whatever that is (Lifestyles?).

Another Dobbs piece is on the front page of the Washington Post, this time on Kerry's post-war activities. It mentions the VVAW Kansas City meeting (where the plot to assassinate Senators was discussed) and Kerry's participation in it.

[sgtbono2002]

Kerrys whole career is built on lies. It didnt matter so much when he was a Senator just voting the way Kennedy told him to each time, But when he tries to take the BIG JOB it matters.

John Kerry should write another book this one with the truth in it and a lot of apologies.He should name this book " A Step too far"

[joesnuffy]

kinda like 'fudging' data

[joesnuffy]

"One toke over the line" might also be apropos....doubt ole John remained 'drug free' during his long hair anti Vietnam Veteran Pro Hanoi days....

imo

[quatro]

The Kerry campaign has refused to release Kerry's personal Vietnam archive, including his journals and letters, saying that the senator is contractually bound to grant Brinkley exclusive access to the material. But Brinkley said this week the papers are the property of the senator and in his full control.

[TheGeezer]

"Mongrel phrase" is likely superficial-intellectual speak for meaningless word assembly. Brinkley seems to be thrashing around. He should stay in the witless protection program and stay out of sight. His attempt to be ordained high priest of presidential culture has failed, and his peers will eat him alive for botching his "assignment".

[Renfield]

Bump for later read

[TheGeezer]

I prefer witless protection program.