FR Exclusive: AP SPIKES JOHN O'NEILL - SWIFT BOAT VETS STORY

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

The Associated Press has spiked reporting on the press conference this morning in Washington, D.C. by John O'Neill and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth where they accused fellow Vietnam veteran and Swift boat unit member Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the presumed Democratic party nominee for president, of being "unfit to be commander in chief."

The stunning revelation was confirmed by the AP's Washington bureau this evening. A spokeswoman for the AP stated that the wire service had sent a reporter to cover the press conference. However, she said the AP decided against running a news article about it because, "It does not further the anti-Kerry Vietnam veteran story any."

Call these numbers tomorrow, not tonight because you'll just get the night staff. The decision makers work the day shift. I've already called both bureaus this evening.

The phone number for the AP's Washington, D.C. bureau is (202) 776-9400.

The phone number for the AP's New York City headquarters is (212) 621-1500. Ask to speak to the president of AP as that is who the D.C. bureau chief anwers to.

[alnick]

What gets me is when he slaps his hand on his desk whenever he thinks he's making a point. (Alan Colmes)

[FlyVet]

Dan Ratherbiased ran the story on CBS Evening News tonight. He portrayed the Swift boat crewmen as Republican operatives out to smear Kerry. Shocking, huh?

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

12:25 am

1:21
News Conference
Kerry Service in Vietnam
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

[Howlin]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/04/eveningnews/main615566.shtml

[Howlin]

This, from the CBS News article I just linked:

These are some of the same Republicans linked to attacks on Sen. John McCain's Vietnam war record when he faced President Bush for the Republican nomination in the 2000 campaign.

They even went after Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga., in a TV ad – and Cleland lost three limbs in Vietnam.

"That sticks in my craw and it ought to stick in yours, because if you didn't go to war don't throw rocks at those who did," Cleland said.

The Bush-Cheney campaign quickly denied any part in Tuesday's news conference.

The Kerry campaign was just as quick to say they were behind it.

"It smells like another dirty trick from the Bush-Cheney team," said Vietnam veteran Wade Sanders.

Vietnam: Politicized then, politicized now.

[alnick]

I read a few posts in the live thread that said that that pic came from when Kerry went back to Vietnam after the war to have himself filmed, and that is the footage that's used in his new ads.

[eddie willers]

Jeeze....there was no byline on that anti-Republican screed you posted.

Are they trying to say this is just an unbiased reporting of the press conference? </rhetorical question>

[Brad’s Gramma]

Well, wasn't THAT open and fair? </sarcasm

[Howlin]

I am, quite frankly, stunned at that revelation. I had assumed he did it while he was there on his TWO TOURS.......LOL.

[alnick]

I hope I didn't misunderstand. If I can find the posts referring to that, I'll let you know.

[Howlin]

reports CBS News Correspondent Byron Pitts.

[reformedliberal]

Howlin, do NOT beat yourself up over that. A lot of the vets themselves came to believe it. I have a good friend who is a PhD Clinical Psych who has treated a lot of VN Vets and his opinion was that a lot of them conflated the media stories/movies/books w/their own experiences, mostly due to the prevalence of pot/hash/opium out there.

The troops did come home jumpy and betrayed. That would do a number on anyone's temper, for a start. The media deserves all our anger.

The entire nation was betrayed and old media did it. THEY need to apologize and ask everyone's forgivness, IMO.

[bornintexas]

I watched this Cspan program and sat amazed. These MEN showed what they are made of....AGAIN.

Anyone who watched this news conference would not have any doubts to their honesty. That's why the AP and the alphabets either won't air them or they will continue the 'ole dim playbook of making them the devil.

That is going to be a hard sell. These guys ooooooze integrity, honor and love of country. Even after the way they have been treated. I admire them for their courage to take on skerry and the DNC. They will need our help.

If you think about it, they couldn't have come out on a better day. Maybe the American people will realize that the actions of a few in the military, shouldn't be considered the actions of all.

[Carolinamom]

I read that Kerry purchased a camcorder and returned to Vietnam to "reinact" his actions there. I also read that he has continued viewing the film over the years....reliving those glorious times when he committed war crimes.

[GretchenM]

Thanks for posting this info.

[alnick]

Here's where I heard that Kerry went back to 'Nam to have himself filmed: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1129629/posts?page=437#437

[FreeManWhoCan]

Man this website is the best!

[Common Tator]

Since when do they get to determine what is and what is not news?

Since the day they opened for business. I might suggest that if you have a local paper that is conservative enough to not like this act of AP, Call them. Call the Radio stations that Carry Hannity and Rush, etc.

These stations pay thousands of dollars a month for Associated Press.

Associated Press. works for the tV,Radio, and newspapers in the US. It is they who pay the bills. If they people who pay the bills get angry, then AP will take notice. As far as the general public is concerned they don't care.

They are like a car parts maker who makes parts for Chevies. If you call up angry they don't much care. If GM calls up ticked, they get very compliant.

[Howlin]

I can't help it; I'm frantic about this since these stories first started appearing. I feel like I failed my own friends.