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.

[windchime]

Bump!

[infowarrior]

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

Since the days of William Randolph Hearst, and Joseph Pulitzer, in the late 1890's, if not before...

the infowarrior

[CyberAnt]

"He really put Colmes in his place"

Oh darn .. I would have loved to have seen that. Alan really irritates me something awful.

[infowarrior]

Sucked everyone who was alive at the time, in...

Not everyone, BSF, not everyone... Tho' I'll admit that holding my views on the Vietnam War made me most unpopular amongst my peers, even unto today...

the infowarrior

[MeekOneGOP]

Please call AP in the morning and show your disgust!

[tgslTakoma]

Good morning, everyone. It's time to warm up those phone lines.

To see a "fair and balanced" reporting of the Press Conference yesterday, take a read of the Washington Post piece... HERE. That should get your blood boiling.

I've printed the contact info and will make the call in a few minutes.

[alnick]

It's not weird.....it's scary. Typical, but NOT typical, because the bias is so blatant and in our face. Picture this press conference today with these fine men, most of them former commanders, only they were saying that Bush, instead of Kerry, was "unfit to be President". There is NO doubt.....NONE, that it would be receiving wall to wall coverage.

I'm actually surprised that they didn't take a sound bite from when O'Neill said, "We do not endorse Bush" and run with the headline, "Vietnam Vets announce they do not endorse President Bush for re-election."

[mewzilla]

Boy, has AP stepped in it this week. Weren't there a couple of other stories this week where they got caught with their pants down? The gas/food story, and the one by that wench Kerr who characterised Sen. Dole's comments on FOX Sunday as a "defense" of John Kerry? Oh, good work AP.

Great catch, kristinn. Folks should call their local papers to complain, too.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

AP only hurts itself by not covering this story. It stands alone with CNN (The now truly Communist News Network) in not carrying this story! CNBC, C-Span, MSNBC, Fox have all anted up big time. I can't speak for the alphabet group because I never, ever watch them. Fact is John Kerry is a traitor to the USA military because his anti-war leadership and negative actions were "real" aid and comfort to the enemy. His turncoat,untrue lies and actions caused the deaths and torture to many American military personnel! As a traitor, he should be treated accordingly!!!!

[SW6906]

BTTT

[Mudboy Slim]

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

Since the invention of the printing press...or perhaps longer...MUD

[johnb838]

I love that photo of Kerry lookin' like Gomer Pyle, walking out of the ville, carrying his M-16 incorrectly with those Skeeeeeny little arms. As George Bernard Shaw put it "A Chocolate Cream Soldier," for sure.

I think in the midst of this prisoner abuse sedition fest that we not forget that this kind of crap is the product of the Clinton days of running the military and that Claudia Kennedy exemplifies that military. As usual the rats are trying to pin the blame for their own shortcomings on George Bush and they think they are SO SMART doing it.

But if we can't beat him in November we're all screwed anyway so keep your powder dry!

[netmilsmom]

Am I just being paranoid?
I am so afraid that this is all coming at the wrong time. If Kerry implodes before he is nominated by the DNC, he quits to save the party at the convention and Hillary
"saves the day".
Please tell me I am wrong.

[RedEyeJack]

He did say...

"Bring it on!"

[normy]

I am only 32 but I have always thought of "Platoon" as Vietnam. I always thought we had a Ghengis Kahn attitude in that war. It didn't bother me, but it was the only version I knew.

I mentioned this the other day to a freind how I think I have it wrong. I am starting to see guys like Kerry tainted what those guys did. I see why Oliver Stone, liberal America hater, would use a Kerry version to depict what went on.

My Uncle won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart and I never knew about it until recently. My dad was in the Navy in 'nam and he hates Kerry.

How could Kerry know what the Marines and Army were doing in 'nam? He wasn't directly involved in their operations in the middle of the jungle.

Although I never was bothered by what I veiwed as a Vietnam Vet, I will say I have been duped. Amazing.

[bvw]

I like that! How about purple Purple Heart BandAids and purple Flip-flops as a media kit?

[San Jacinto]

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

You're kidding, right?

[Howlin]

I have been duly chastised since I posted that! :-) Hey, it was late...

[normy]

If the Rathers and Jennings want to portray these men as part of the Bush campaign and impune them , we need to find out how many Purple Hearts, Bronze and Silver Stars are on the list of men who signed the paper. Then let Rather and the rest attack them.

[hawkaw]

FWIW, after I read this thread I called the AP this am in Washington and complained.

Even though I'm Canadian and can't vote for POTUS, I am still stunned that the AP did what they did.

hawk