Posted on 06/02/2004 1:52:23 PM PDT by areafiftyone
Former Green Beret Ted Sampley, who confronted Sen. John Kerry at Washington, D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Monday, said today that photographers were in the vicinity and may have captured Kerry "flipping the bird" to him.
"There were some cameras," Sampley told WTN-Nashville radio host Steve Gill. "A reporter came up to me and asked me my name."
"I assume it was a reporter. It may have been somebody from the Kerry campaign," added Sampley, who heads up the group Vietnam Veterans Against John Kerry.
As reported Monday by NewsMax.com's John Leboutillier, the veterans advocate approached the top Democrat that morning and told him, "I am here to escort you away from the Wall because you do not belong here."
When Kerry turned away and began to talk to a group of schoolchildren, Sampley opened his jacket to uncover a T-shirt reading "Hanoi John."
"Kerry does not belong at the Wall because he betrayed the brave soldiers who fought in Vietnam," Sampley told the children.
At that point the presidential candidate allegedly flashed "the bird" at the ex-Green Beret.
Though Kerry's visit to the Wall was widely covered, Sampley said that he didn't think the insulting hand gesture was captured any of the TV new crews on hand. "I did not see any big television cameras," he told Gill.
NewsMax.com has been unable to determine whether the still photographers nearby were press, private citizens or were part of the top Democrat's publicity team. So far, no photograph of the incident has surfaced.
Sampley said the confrontation was inadvertent, explaining that he was there with the veterans motorcycle group "Rolling Thunder," when "someone called to me and told me, 'Kerry's over at the Wall.'"
"Our organization [VVAK], we're advocating that any veteran who encounters Kerry anywhere should challenge him," he told Gill. "Since I'm leading the organization, I had to lead by example."
Sampley said that Kerry initially managed to keep his cool during the confrontation, but blew a gasket after a crowd started to gather.
"He looked around and some more vets were starting to show up," Sampley told Gill. "They heard the commotion. A few more started to heckle him a bit."
As Kerry turned to leave, said Sampley, "he walked by me - he was about 40-50 feet from the kids and maybe 15-20 feet from me - he turned around and after all that coolness and calmness, I guess he just couldn't hold it in anymore."
After flipping the bird Kerry ended the confrontation with a terse, "See ya, Ted" - to which Sampley replied, "See ya, John."
Even know most people would believe the utterance of the F word to be more offensive than the gesture, you make an excellent point! We just witnessed how easily photos trump substance in Iraq where photos of prisoners being taunted with a dog received more exposure and concern than a beheading. You are so right. Let's hope a photo shows up.
If a photo does exist, I would rather that the Traitor be confronted with the allegation, deny it happened..... and then bring out the photo!
Then you must not have heard of U.S. Representative Pete Stark. He belittled an active military man's intelligence and sarcastically referred to him as "goddamned hero" after that military man criticized his vote.
Think that made any difference to any voters out there? Got news for you, sunshine.
This shows why every FREEP must be attended by two or more people with digital camcorders. We can only be sure of getting good pics if we shoot them ourselves.
"this guy has no self control"
good point . . . like many liberals, completely self-indulgent . . . the id is not to be supressed . . .
The reality is: there will not be a photo of Kerry giving the finger to anyone. It will be squelched somehow. I have no faith that the media as it now exists would ever allow something like that to be broadcast. It will do anything in its power to stop it - and it has a lot of power. It ain't happenin'. Sorry, folks.
That's a sad story. However, that I didn't hear it is telling -- and I live in CA! -- and may possible say more about the media than the voters. If there is a photo to verify the Kerry story I don't think the media will be able to suppress it indefinitely.
Just call me Pollyanna :).
Is that Clinton photo real?
There's enough money in that pic, or snippet of video, to get someone to turn it over despite being a Leftist at heart.
Only about 10 minutes using software supplied with a $70 scanner.
Freepers: If anyone has the opportunity to get near Kerry, DO IT! Just loudly tell the truth and maybe Kerry will go off again. If this is all true, he's easy.Amen to that !!!
My vanity inquire, answer if you have time but I understand if you don't. TIA...
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass.,
points toward supporters as he leaves the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in
Washington on Monday, May 31, 2004. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Ummmm, your link has been (rather rudely) redirected.
I'm guessing this one will be deleted. Just a guess.
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