Kerry campaign provides military records

AP | 4/20/04 | NEDRA PICKLER

[Howlin]

This entire thing is just shameful.

[victoryatallcosts]

And look, I don't want to denigrate service. But, help me military people here- this isn't quite a normal pattern, is it?

The whole thing smacks of looking towards his political career.

He joins the Navy (presuming it to be the safest service) when his request to study in Europe is rejected.

Then, recalling Kennedy, he sees the PB(R)'s patrolling offshore and decides to command one of those, figuring he'll be far from combat.

Then they get sent on aggressive patrol. Someone along the way tells him of this Navy regulation and he's prepared to take advantage of it.

While serving on the Delta he takes every chance to put his name forward for Purple Hearts (even for the most minor of things) and other medals. I mean, who the hell recommended him for a Bronze Star for simply pulling a fellow out of the water after a mine explosion! Who the hell recommended him for the Silver Star?

This doesn't sound like a typical war record to me.

[deport]

DNC releases Convention Program Agenda

[concerned about politics]

Remember when Gore bragged about being in Vietnam? He ran a type writer, but he did get to wear green!

[kcvl]

Don't EVER believe a CLINTON! NEVER, EVER!

[cookcounty]

Kerry's got a pattern of lying about his service in Vietnam. He has repeatedly made the claim to red-meat Dem crowds, that "Nixon sent me to Vietnam."

Kerry went to Vietnam in November of 1968. Lyndon Baines Johnson was his Commander-in-Chief. But to the red-meaters, "Nixon sent me" excites so much more saliva-flow, so Kerry just lies about the whole thing. What a goofball.

[Darlin']

You know, that Douglas Brinkley book is fairly recent, last year or so. Anyhow, it wasn't that long ago when he told that version of the story to Brinkley. He was already running for the nomination at the time, that was the reason for doing the book. Now, he tells a very dramatic version of the same incident to Russert. Does he think people aren't listening ?

[Michael.SF.]

You will have to ask someone else the details on that.

My guess is that the military is a bit tolerant on PH's and if a guy is a big enough asshole to ask for a PH for a minor wound, then some commanders will let it slide.

There is probably as much 'politics' involved, in the military regarding medals and promotions, as there is in any ten state capitols, combined.

[McGavin999]

ROTFLMCO! That sounds about right.

[DBrow]

.

[concerned about politics]

Who the hell recommended him for the Silver Star?

That's a good question. That one requires signatures and votes all the way to the top. Doesn't sound like Kerry could have pulled that one off with the info found in this thread. THIS one is certainly questionable! I'd like to hear that story!
Remember, medals were being thrown all over the place at those protests. We need info for them all - just "to be sure what we're voting for."

[cookcounty]

"The rally in Pittsburgh, which featured a performance by rocker Jon Bon Jovi, concluded a week-long tour of college campuses where Kerry plugged his programs to make college more affordable. "

Oh-oh, now he's in trouble. He's gonna make the professors start working full-time for their full-time pay. They haven't done that in 25 years.

[mass55th]

"PJB (aka: Deep Throat) is a whacko and not trusted by anyone "

I think when he went into the hospital for have his heart worked on, they actually performed a labotomy.

[New Perspective]

Thank you for your service to our country, Sir. No politics should be involved with military service except to show service. Using it as a political tool or as an easy way out of combat while leaving more deserving fellow soldiers behind, is disgusting.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" No doubt we'll soon hear Kerry say, "I know what it is to be bruised."

I wonder if Kerry will put on a black hat and shades and start singing-" I'm a Bruise Brother."

[victoryatallcosts]

Oh yes, remember when he told Vanity Fair magazine that:
"I took my turn regularly on the perimeter in these little firebases out in the boonies. Something would move, we'd fire first and ask questions later."

Can you imagine a Republican saying something like that and getting away with it?

[Howlin]

Doug Brinkley must feel like a fool. Smug punk.

[listenhillary]

they actually performed a labotomy

Removed his labia?

[watchin]

The records are there, a couple of pages deep, in pdf format.

(I hope no one from FR goes there without going through a google "waffles" search)

[mass55th]

"That's not what his spokesman said. He was trying to make it seem like Kerry did not request the out, the Navy reassigned him."

I remember reading an article where one of the guys he was serving with said he was surprised at the time, to learn that Kerry was going home. When they talked about it, Kerry had told him about the little-known rule: 3 PH's and you can request to go home. The guy claimed he hadn't known about the rule himself, and even if he had, he more than likely wouldn't have taken advantage of it.