The Tenth Brother [former Kerry mate from Nam steps forward: "Kerry was chickens---"]

Time Magazine ^ | 3.09.04

[IrishRainy]

Plus Kerry had the guys on his swift boat moved to safer jobs when he put in for his early release after only 4 months "in-country." Seems to me a deal was struck a loooong time ago.

[NeonKnight]

...so I take it that means your voting for him?

[KC Burke]

keeper

[Miss Marple]

Exactly my thoughts, CWO! I think it would be really interesting to see if any of these men had unusually large deposits to their bank accounts say, about a year ago.

Or I would check to see if any of their children got unusual scholarships, were hired in government positions, received government contracts, etc. etc.

After all, as Brinkley says, "No two men remember combat exactly the same way so Kerry has been extremely lucky that 9 out of his 10 crewmen have almost identical stories about his valor during various firefights and skirmishes."

Mr. Brinkley says they are "gushing" and maintain he has the attributes of a "born leader."

You know, I think Mr. Brinkley has a little bit of doubt, although he isn't voicing it. I think it interesting that Mr. Gardner has finally come forward. I bet that Kerry couldn't find him either, and hoped the guy was dead.

I still think the others were paid off.

[#3Fan]

How does your "respect Kerry's service" look now?.

[mabelkitty]

Gardner's story has the thread of truth to it - the first guy who served with Kerry supposedly showed up out of the blue to greet him. However, when this guy showed up on the Today show and was pressed about it by a clueless Katie Couric, he admitted that he didn't seek out John Kerry, but Kerry had looked him up. That is consistent with Gardner's claims.

I also find it interesting that the author "couldn't locate" the only veteran who conflicted with Kerry's image. Could it be that Gardner's distaste for Kerry was well-known and the author conveniently left him out of the story? Sounds like it to me.

The only way Kerry can debunk this story is to open up him military records for all to see.

[mabelkitty]

Another interesting tidbit is Gardner spoke to another soldier prior to speaking to Brinkley. The guy hurries to call Brinkley and give him a "heads up" that Gardnes may not be with the Kerry program.

This sounds like the guy spoke openly to Gardner about the book and Kerry and then was afraid Gardner would spill the beans to Brinkley (which he did).

Who wants to lay odds these 9 of 10 had to sign some sort of legal document confirming their accounts.

[Free State Four]

When did the Democratic Party and the left-leaning mainstream press fall in love with the Viet Nam War? just curious....

[mabelkitty]

I wonder if any of the 9 will be allowed to talk to a journalist away from the others and the Kerry camp?
Doubt it.

[NEPA]

I still think the others were paid off.

Possibly they weren't paid off in cash.

My thinking for some time now is that it all goes back to VN.

I think we all agree Kerry had his eye on the presidency since he idolized the original JFK in his high school days.

In Vietnam Kerry documented everything: in a journal, on tape, and on a super 8 movie camera.

When Kerry got his medals I'm sure he put his crew in for some as well.

I think they had an agreement all the way back to those 4 months on the swift boat. "You take care of me, I'll take care of you."

And hence today we have 9 guys with amazing recollection and consistency.

[sport]

I believe him.

I do not believe kerry and his "band of brothers."

[atomicpossum]

So, why does Brinkley write a story about this forgotten figure, just to tear him down? Pre-emptive strike, to establish him as untrustworthy if he gets notice somewhere else? I think Mr. Brinkley's pretty transparent with his parenthetical dismissals....

[sport]

Me either!

The only good thing about clinton is that he is no longer President.

[The Mayor]

I located him in Niagra Falls, New York

3 miles from me....

if John Kerry gets to be president of these United States, it’ll be a sorry day in this world for us. We can’t stand another Democrat like that in there again. We’ll get our asses in such a sling this time; we won’t be able to get out of it

chickenshit.... Will this hit the news? will any of this hit the news??

[kabar]

I find all of this bizarre to say the least. Kerry was on two boats for a total of four months. How can anyone build up such ties during such a short period of time with all but one of the crew members?

It is obvious that Kerry went to Vietnam to further his political ambitions. This reluctant warrior kept extensive "war diaries", put himseslf in for awards, and used a technicality to initiate a request to curtail his tour of duty. His "band of brothers" have been election props over the years. Having served almost 8 years as a naval officer, including in Vietnam, I just don't buy this story.

[G.Mason]

"It would be interesting to know what Gardner's other commanding officers thought of him."

Good point.

A man who served three tours (at least two of which must have been volunteer) would have had to be "wanted" as a crew member.

It would be interesting to have some further info on that.

[GraceCoolidge]

Why is it when about 1% of the "9/11 families" trash President Bush, it is top news for days. When ten times that number (10%) of Kerry's crewmates come forward with negative information, the only reason it makes news is to discredit him? And gee, did you get the impression that Brinkley thought Rush Limbaugh had something to do with this? I suppose we're just lucky that the Tides Foundation had nothing to do with the "9/11 families" organization, right? Of course, they weren't influenced at all. And, as usual, it all comes down to politics for this one guy. The other nine, naturally, are above politics and "just happen" to love John Kerry. Brinkley should hang his head in shame.

[meatloaf]

That's what's I was thinking. Gardner by himself isn't going to convince a lot of Kerry believers that Kerry is a chickensh*t. If his other commanders testify to Gardner's service positively, if might help.

The majority of folks are going to write this guy off as a flake. FWIW, other than possibly add some info about Kerry's wounds, I don't think Kerry's records are going to turn up anything interesting. the other factor to remember is that Kerry did get promoted from ensign to Ltjg. that may have come from his service on the Gridley and not the Swifts.

[kabar]

Kerry did get promoted from ensign to Ltjg. that may have come from his service on the Gridley and not the Swifts.

Promotion to LTJG was virtually automatic after 18 months of service.

[R. Scott]

That would depend on who the journalist is.