Kerry's problem with veterans (The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth)

wash times ^ | May 05, 2004 | editorial

[dennisw]

Nineteen of the 23 officers who served with John Kerry and every one of his commanding officers in Vietnam have signed a letter that says he is not fit to be commander in chief. In a press conference yesterday, members of The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth released the letter criticizing Mr. Kerry's slanderous statements about alleged widespread atrocities by American soldiers during the war. Being on the defense against fellow veterans could do serious damage to the Kerry campaign, especially as the country is at war again. The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth could have impact because of the impressive number of veterans involved. Hundreds of Vietnam vets, from admirals to seamen, have signed the letter. According to John O'Neill, who was in Mr. Kerry's unit during the war, "[The signers] run across the entire spectrum of politics, specialities and political feelings about the war." This large group goes a long way toward countering the handful of veterans who have defended Mr. Kerry in commercials and on the stump.

[MEG33]

Did you see the press conference?

[Mo1]

Along with calling and complaining, LOUDLY, to AP for spiking this story, everyone should copy and paste it, and send it to be printed on their hometown newspaper's editorial page, pointing out the obvious bias of AP for not having it on their wire.

Also email this story to family, friends, co-workers ..

It's time to get the truth out .. The Media/Press cannot hide the truth like they did in 1992

[MamaLucci]

The Media/Press cannot hide the truth like they did in 1992

No, but they're trying like hell.

[cyn]

Amen to that! Didn't they have an expression on their faces that said, "You've messed with the wrong people now, bub." And one person said (paraphrase), "He handled the boat in an indecisive manner -- if he can't handle his boat with 5 people, he's not fit to be commander in chief." That's one powerful website:

Goals are to restore honor of Vietnam vets; Rebut John Kerry’s unanswered lies; Bring the truth about Kerry’s service to the public  

(May 4-Washington, D.C.)  Today, a group of Swift Boat veterans from the unit in which Senator John Kerry served announced the formation of an organization, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The organization has been formed in order to bring the truth about Kerry to the American people. The organization intends to discuss Kerry’s war crimes charges, Kerry’s record and to request that Kerry authorize the Department of Defense to release the originals and the complete files relating to his military service and medical military records.

The group released a historic letter expressing the overwhelming opposition of those who served with Kerry or in his unit to his misrepresentation of his record and the unit’s record. The letter is signed by Swift Boat veterans at all levels and from the entire political spectrum; the entire chain of command during the period Kerry served in Vietnam; veterans who participated in the engagements resulting in his medals; and the majority of officers who served with him in Coastal Division 11, the unit in which he spent most of his four month tour of duty. Public circulation of the letter began one week ago and collected hundreds of signatures. The signers already make up a majority of the Swift Vets whose addresses can be found. The complete record of signers and comments will be posted on Swiftvets.com.

Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann, USN (retired), Commander of Coastal Surveillance Force Vietnam (Commander Task Force 115) and chair of the group said, “I signed this letter because I do not believe John Kerry is fit to be the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States. This is not a political issue. It is a matter of his judgment, truthfulness, reliability, loyalty and trust - all absolute tenets of command.”

“We don’t understand why Kerry would make the centerpiece of his campaign an exaggerated account of his four month service in Vietnam 33 years ago, but since he is, we believe the American public is entitled to the truth about his service and about his charges about war crimes and atrocities,” explained John O’Neill, a Swift Boat veteran who took charge of Kerry’s boat a few months after Kerry’s departure and who debated Kerry in 1971.

Here I am, Cindy -- this was unbelievable CSpan coverage (thank you, CSpan, yet again, what a service you provide!). Kerry done kicked over a mound of red ants.

[Mo1]

I guess you missed this part of the story

The VietnamVeteransAgainstJohnKerry.org Web site claims to have received more than 10 million hits in 90 days

The Kerry Camp is scared to death of this story which explains why this Group was threaten with the IRS and are being called a bunch of alcoholics

[Mo1]

No, but they're trying like hell.

That they are and it's up to us to correct it

[nathanbedford]

Regretably, you are not so wrong at all. It was much as though a judge had ruled that he would hear evidence but only from the defense.

The interesting remark to me at the conference was O neill s who said they were sending speakers out all over the country. I just wonder if they will go where needed, to Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Pa. and Florida or will they go where they are not needed,S. Car or Texas, or where they can not help, NY. or Mass.

These men are indignant and they are righteous but they are not calculating in a political sense which is their strength. So they might not influence events at the tipping point.

[mvonfr]

This story is even getting ignored by everyone...even the Washington Times (making only a small op/ed as opposed to a news article)

Much better this way. Do you really want Kerry to withdraw now and rats to nominate Edwards or Clarke?

With this letter Kerry is toast anyway.

[cyn]

Hi there, Ronnie -- I'll check those out, thanks :o).

Did you see this on CSpan? It was awesome! My husband and I knew we were watching something historic here. Kerry's campaign has to be getting a baaaaad feeling from this.

Thanks to all our veterans for their service. That's what I was thinking as I watched this. Thanks.

[quietolong]

As I watched this show..For some reason it made me think of Kerry.


The Weather Underground (PBS Documentary about The Weathermen)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125867/posts

Independentlens The Weather Underground
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/weatherunderground/index.html

[dennisw]

My new tagline

[dennisw]

ping

[MEG33]

I like it,it goes well with mine.

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks Ronnie, for the post. Any news on Mansoor Ijaz and the Inquisition? I have been too busy at work. I have not seen anything.

[Tactical]

I like your tagline so much, I am gonna steal it outright and use it too!

Thanks!

[dennisw]

Be my guest!

[kabar]

Listening to Imus this morning. Some partisan pundit named Crawford is claiming that this group is supported by the same folks that attacked McCain in South Carolina. Also, according to Crawford, they really didn't serve with Kerry. Crawford was lamenting the fact that the guy with the medals is being attacked while the draft dodgers like Bush and Cheney get off. I guess this is going to be the Kerry defense. What a crock.

[cajungirl]

It is not being ignored. It is coming out and is in several papers today. The whole truth will drip out nicely as Kerry does his 20 million dollar ad campaign. For some reason this has me all cheerful this morning.

[Pearls Before Swine]

This story is even getting ignored by everyone...even the Washington Times

A few posts up, it is reported that this story made the very liberal and pro-Kerry Boston Globe. A few days will tell if it has legs or not.

[GraceCoolidge]

I haven't yet seen the news conference itself. I did see a story on this on Fox last night, and of course read some media accounts this morning. What has me worried is that several of the members of the group are quoted (and shown on tape) campaigning or at least speaking in support for John Kerry, in 1996 I believe. Fox had some fairly extensive clips of their support. What effect do you think this will have on the story? On the one hand, I think it undermines the credibility of these veterans. On the other hand, certainly their past support for Kerry should be an effective rebuttal to any portrayal of them as right wing/Republican shills. But going back to the first hand (I am starting to sound like Kerry here myself) why would they support him in the past, since his scurrilous activities were already completed at that point? It's not as if Kerry changed.... and I assume, of course, that Kerry will not allow any attacks on the patriotism of these veterans, right? I am not at all confident as to the outcome of this story, unfortunately.