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Exclusive: Liberty attack tapes revealed
Jerusalem Post Online ^ | ARIEH O'SULLIVAN

Posted on 06/05/2004 11:18:02 PM PDT by adam_az

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To: SJackson

I don't really see anything wrong here. Based on a limited acquaintance with the breed, he sounds like a fighter pilot: aggressive, proud, and with a limited tolerance for lesser mortals. I have never met a humble aviator, much less a humble fighter pilot.
Spector did his job, he did it as well as he could with the tools at his disposal. If he had better tools, he'd have sunk the USS Libert without a qualm and would not regret it to this day. Keep in mind, this guy is a probably a good fighter pilot. He's killed plenty of people on the ground and, likely, a few in the air. He doesn't lose any sleep over it. He's not going to apologize.

All things considered, I like that. I hope we have people like him bombing the Islamofascist scum: no mercy; no pity; no regrets. Its better than folks like WJC who will apologize for anything if they can find an advantage to it.


121 posted on 06/07/2004 2:38:06 PM PDT by Little Ray (John Ffing sKerry: Just a gigolo!)
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To: Boot Hill

"based on your reply and your characterization of those neo-Nazi, skin-heads as merely being "a poor source" and a "obscure source", it is now clear to me that you were fully aware of their vile nature when you posted that crap. "

I hate to burst your analytic bubble, but I had no link when I brought up the alt info on the subject, just old notes from a USSLiberty site, and, frankly, could care less where the info comes from IF it turns out to be true or even leads in the direction of truth. In any event, it should be obvious that an antagonist is going to be far more inclined to "dig up the dirt" than those who have reason to hide it. Granted, you DO have to be mature enough to be able to discriminate between the propaganda and the facts, but if capable, you can find a lot more than you can by going to a single self-interested source. So far, all you've done is throw dirt at the source and have ignored any meat that might be out there. There's a chance that it's bs (probably high since there isn't much else to back up the one report). It may also be true (should be easy for the right person in the right position to prove or disprove -if they have reason to look). You'll be the last to know if you're afraid to look at anything other than "conservative" (that's gotta be embarrassing) sources lest you be corrupted.

A few years back on this site we used to laugh at the dimocrats who refused to consider any facts or conjecture that might upset their worldview if it didn't come from their party mouthpieces. Looks as though they aren't the only guilty party.


122 posted on 06/07/2004 2:38:45 PM PDT by freefly
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To: Little Ray
I don't really see anything wrong here. Based on a limited acquaintance with the breed, he sounds like a fighter pilot: aggressive, proud, and with a limited tolerance for lesser mortals. I have never met a humble aviator, much less a humble fighter pilot.

And often we'd refer to that personality type as an *sshole. I found the interview illuminating when he gave it, I could see him pulling the trigger in a hurry.

Two asides, this article, note the article describes him as participating in the "infamous 1981 raid on the Iraqi nuclear reactor". And in the other that Spector was dismissed from the IAF for protesting Israel's policy of targeted killings.

123 posted on 06/07/2004 2:44:14 PM PDT by SJackson (America...thru dissent and protest lost the ability to mobilize a will to win, Col Bui Tin, PAVN)
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To: SJackson
And often we'd refer to that personality type as an *sshole.

And those military aviators who don't fly fighters would say "AMEN, BROTHER!" and buy you a beer...

124 posted on 06/07/2004 2:50:40 PM PDT by Poohbah ("Mister Gorbachev, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!" -- President Ronald Reagan, Berlin, 1987)
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To: Poohbah

http://www.naval-history.net/F33weekfive.htm

Narwhal was a trawler. In fact, Narwhal was there to intercept communications. Was engaged by Sea Harriers. Look it up for yourself. Apology accepted in advance.


125 posted on 06/07/2004 3:32:59 PM PDT by Bulwark
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To: Boot Hill; freefly










Findings of the Independent Commission of Inquiry
into the Israeli Attack on USS Liberty,
the Recall of Military Rescue Support Aircraft
while the Ship was Under Attack, and the
Subsequent Cover-up by the United States Government








CAPITOL HILL, WASHINGTON, D.C.
OCTOBER 22, 2003

ADMIRAL THOMAS H. MOORER, UNITED STATES NAVY, (RET.)
FORMER CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

GENERAL RAYMOND G. DAVIS, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, (MOH)*
FORMER ASSISTANT COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

REAR ADMIRAL MERLIN STARING, UNITED STATES NAVY, (RET.)
FORMER JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL OF THE NAVY HH

AMBASSADOR JAMES AKINS, (RET.)
FORMER UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA


Chief Attorney of the 1967 Court of Inquiry
Captain Boston's Affidavit
Commonly Asked Questions about USS Liberty
Who are the Commissioners of this Independent Investigation?
We, the undersigned, having undertaken an independent investigation of Israel’s attack on USS Liberty, including eyewitness testimony from surviving crewmembers, a review of naval and other official records, an examination of official statements by the Israeli and American governments, a study of the conclusions of all previous official inquiries, and a consideration of important new evidence and recent statements from individuals having direct knowledge of the attack or the cover up, hereby find the following: **

1. That on June 8, 1967, after eight hours of aerial surveillance, Israel launched a two-hour air and naval attack against USS Liberty, the world’s most sophisticated intelligence ship, inflicting 34 dead and 172 wounded American servicemen (a casualty rate of seventy percent, in a crew of 294);

2. That the Israeli air attack lasted approximately 25 minutes, during which time unmarked Israeli aircraft dropped napalm canisters on USS Liberty's bridge, and fired 30mm cannons and rockets into our ship, causing 821 holes, more than 100 of which were rocket-size; survivors estimate 30 or more sorties were flown over the ship by a minimum of 12 attacking Israeli planes which were jamming all five American emergency radio channels;

3. That the torpedo boat attack involved not only the firing of torpedoes, but the machine-gunning of Liberty’s firefighters and stretcher-bearers as they struggled to save their ship and crew; the Israeli torpedo boats later returned to machine-gun at close range three of the Liberty’s life rafts that had been lowered into the water by survivors to rescue the most seriously wounded;

4. That there is compelling evidence that Israel’s attack was a deliberate attempt to destroy an American ship and kill her entire crew; evidence of such intent is supported by statements from Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Undersecretary of State George Ball, former CIA director Richard Helms, former NSA directors Lieutenant General William Odom, USA (Ret.), Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, USN (Ret.), and Marshal Carter; former NSA deputy directors Oliver Kirby and Major General John Morrison, USAF (Ret.); and former Ambassador Dwight Porter, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon in 1967;

5. That in attacking USS Liberty, Israel committed acts of murder against American servicemen and an act of war against the United States;

6. That fearing conflict with Israel, the White House deliberately prevented the U.S. Navy from coming to the defense of USS Liberty by recalling Sixth Fleet military rescue support while the ship was under attack; evidence of the recall of rescue aircraft is supported by statements of Captain Joe Tully, Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, and Rear Admiral Lawrence Geis, the Sixth Fleet carrier division commander, at the time of the attack; never before in American naval history has a rescue mission been cancelled when an American ship was under attack;

7. That although Liberty was saved from almost certain destruction through the heroic efforts of the ship’s Captain, William L. McGonagle (MOH), and his brave crew, surviving crewmembers were later threatened with “court-martial, imprisonment or worse” if they exposed the truth; and were abandoned by their own government;

8. That due to the influence of Israel’s powerful supporters in the United States, the White House deliberately covered up the facts of this attack from the American people;

9. That due to continuing pressure by the pro-Israel lobby in the United States, this attack remains the only serious naval incident that has never been thoroughly investigated by Congress; to this day, no surviving crewmember has been permitted to officially and publicly testify about the attack;

10. That there has been an official cover-up without precedent in American naval history; the existence of such a cover-up is now supported by statements of Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, USN (Ret.), former Judge Advocate General of the Navy; and Captain Ward Boston, USN, (Ret.), the chief counsel to the Navy’s 1967 Court of Inquiry of Liberty attack;

11. That the truth about Israel’s attack and subsequent White House cover-up continues to be officially concealed from the American people to the present day and is a national disgrace;

12. That a danger to our national security exists whenever our elected officials are willing to subordinate American interests to those of any foreign nation, and specifically are unwilling to challenge Israel’s interests when they conflict with American interests; this policy, evidenced by the failure to defend USS Liberty and the subsequent official cover-up of the Israeli attack, endangers the safety of Americans and the security of the United States.

WHEREUPON, we, the undersigned, in order to fulfill our duty to the brave crew of USS Liberty and to all Americans who are asked to serve in our Armed Forces, hereby call upon the Department of the Navy, the Congress of the United States and the American people to immediately take the following actions:

FIRST: That a new Court of Inquiry be convened by the Department of the Navy, operating with Congressional oversight, to take public testimony from surviving crewmembers; and to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the attack on the USS Liberty, with full cooperation from the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency and the military intelligence services, and to determine Israel’s possible motive in launching said attack on a U.S. naval vessel;

SECOND: That every appropriate committee of the Congress of the United States investigate the actions of the White House and Defense Department that prevented the rescue of the USS Liberty, thereafter threatened her surviving officers and men if they exposed the truth, and covered up the true circumstances of the attack from the American people; and

THIRD: That the eighth day of June of every year be proclaimed to be hereafter known as

USS LIBERTY REMEMBRANCE DAY, in order to commemorate USS Liberty’s heroic crew; and to educate the American people of the danger to our national security inherent in any passionate attachment of our elected officials for any foreign nation.

We, the undersigned, hereby affix our hands and seals, this 22nd day of October, 2003.

Thomas H. Moorer
Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff


General of Marines Raymond G. Davis, USMC, MOH*


Merlin Staring
Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, USN, Ret.,
Former Judge Advocate General of the Navy,


James Akins
Ambassador James Akins, Ret.,
Former United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,


*IN MEMORIAM: General of Marines Raymond G. Davis, one of America’s most decorated military heroes (including the Congressional Medal of Honor), Vice Chairman of this panel and one of the principal members of this Independent Commission of Inquiry, passed away in Conyers, Georgia, on September 3, 2003.

** [1] Captain Ward Boston, USN, JAGC, Ret, the chief Navy attorney for the 1967 U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry into the Israeli attack, has recently come forward to repudiate the Court’s conclusion that the attack was “a case of mistaken identity”. Captain Boston has revealed that all available evidence, in fact, pointed in exactly the opposite direction – that it was a deliberate attack on a clearly identified American ship. In his affidavit dated October 9, 2003, Captain Boston states, “Admiral Kidd and I believed with certainty that this attack, which killed 34 American sailors and injured 172 others, was a deliberate effort to sink an American ship and murder its entire crew. I am certain that the Israeli pilots that undertook the attack, as well as their superiors who had ordered the attack, were aware that the ship was American.” [See Exhibit attached]. Captain Boston stated that he has personal knowledge that Admiral Kidd found the attack to be “a case of mistaken identity” in 1967 only because he was under direct orders to do so by Defense Secretary McNamara and President Johnson.

[2] Lieutenant Commander David E. Lewis, USS Liberty’s chief intelligence officer (who was severely wounded in the attack) has reported a conversation with Admiral Lawrence R. Geis, the Sixth Fleet carrier division commander, who visited Lewis after he had been medically evacuated by helicopter to the aircraft carrier USS America. According to Lewis, “He (Admiral Geis) said that he wanted somebody to know that we weren’t forgotten…attempts HAD been made to come to our assistance. He said that he had launched a flight of aircraft to come to our assistance, and he had then called Washington. Secretary McNamara came on the line and ordered the recall of the aircraft, which he did. Concurrently he said that since he suspected that they were afraid that there might have been nuclear weapons on board, he reconfigured another flight of aircraft - strictly conventional weaponry - and re-launched it. After the second launch, he again called Washington to let them know what was going on. Again, Secretary McNamara ordered the aircraft recalled. Not understanding why, he requested confirmation of the order; and the next higher in command came on to confirm that…President Johnson...with the instructions that the aircraft were to be returned, that he would not have his allies embarrassed, he didn’t care who was killed or what was done to the ship…words to that effect. With that, Admiral Geis swore me to secrecy for his lifetime. I had been silent up until I found out from Admiral Moorer that Admiral Geis had passed away” [transcript from NBC’s Liberty Story, aired on national television 1/27/92]. This statement by Commander Lewis has recently been corroborated by Tony Hart, a Navy communications technician stationed at the U.S. Navy Base in Morocco in June, 1967. Mr. Hart connected the telephone conversation between Secretary McNamara and Admiral Geis and stayed on the line to keep them connected. Hart has been recorded as saying that he overheard Admiral Geis refusing McNamara’s order to recall the Sixth Fleet rescue aircraft while the ship was under attack. Mr.Hart reported that McNamara responded,“we are not going to war over a bunch of dead sailors.”

[3] New evidence of intercepted radio communications between attacking Israeli pilots and the Israeli War Room, recorded by a U.S. Navy EC-121 spy plane, in which the Israeli pilots report seeing Liberty’s American flag flying, has been collected by investigative author James Bamford - for 9 years the Washington Investigative Producer for ABC’s World News Tonight with Peter Jennings (and author of Body of Secrets, which includes a chapter entitled Blood about the attack on USS Liberty). A similar radio message was intercepted by the EC-121 from the Israeli motor torpedo boats. This corroborates statements by surviving crewmembers, by Ambassador Dwight Porter, and by senior National Security Agency officials concerning NSA intercepts of Israeli pilot communications identifying the ship as American.





Return to the opening page








Jim Ennes and Joe Meadors


USS Liberty



126 posted on 06/08/2004 2:07:59 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: Boot Hill; freefly

Hey boots, lookey here, post 125 is from USSLiberty.org, a site maintained by USS Liberty survivors. Apparently Freefly's "neo-nazi sources" had it a lot closer to the truth than the jerusalem post. Saunter on over a take a look, if you would like to call these gentlemen "Skin Heads", both Jim Ennes and Joe Meadors have email contact available.


127 posted on 06/08/2004 2:13:59 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: Boot Hill; freefly

Post 126 bump.


128 posted on 06/08/2004 2:15:40 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: Bulwark; Poohbah; SJackson; Little Ray; Boot Hill; leprechaun9; hershey; rmlew; freefly; rrrod; ...
Eighth day of June bump.

THIRD: That the eighth day of June of every year be proclaimed to be hereafter known as USS LIBERTY REMEMBRANCE DAY, in order to commemorate USS Liberty’s heroic crew; and to educate the American people of the danger to our national security inherent in any passionate attachment of our elected officials for any foreign nation.

129 posted on 06/08/2004 2:30:11 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: USMCVet; rbmillerjr; Professional Engineer; bvw; cmsgop; A Navy Vet
Eighth Day of June bump.

THIRD: That the eighth day of June of every year be proclaimed to be hereafter known as USS LIBERTY REMEMBRANCE DAY, in order to commemorate USS Liberty’s heroic crew; and to educate the American people of the danger to our national security inherent in any passionate attachment of our elected officials for any foreign nation.

130 posted on 06/08/2004 2:37:03 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: adam_az
He added he remained baffled that the conspiracy theories live on that Israel deliberately attacked the US intelligence ship. He suggested it might be due to anti-Semitism, or anti-Israeli sentiments. He has never in the past 37 years ever met with any of the Liberty survivors, but had no qualms about doing so now. "These people never, ever spoke to me. Perhaps they are anti-Semites? Or these guys feel hurt and are looking for guilty parties, maybe to get compensation, or money? I am not afraid to meet them. Anyone who wants to meet with me is welcome. I don't have any claims against them. I don't want any compensation from them or anything. If they want they can look me up. And they best not deal with lies and deception since it won't help. It's best they tell the truth."

Why won't those ungrateful bastards bow down and thank him for not using more powerful weapons against them? They must be anti-Semites!

131 posted on 06/08/2004 2:45:21 PM PDT by Sloth (We cannot defeat foreign enemies of the Constitution if we yield to the domestic ones.)
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To: ScreamingFist
A better version:
THIRD: That the eigth day of June of every year be proclaimed to be hereafter known as USS LIBERTY REMEMBRANCE DAY, in order to commemorate USS Liberty’s heroic crew; and to educate the American people of the danger to our national security inherent in any command action that sends the blind lad into a hornet's nest.
The blame belongs alone to the US commanders who sent the Liberty into that area without giving full notice to the combatants.

While it was Israel's forces in the heat of war that knocked out that ship, it could equally have been the Egyptians -- had they had any jets left to fly with.

132 posted on 06/08/2004 2:58:02 PM PDT by bvw
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To: bvw
While it was Israel's forces in the heat of war that knocked out that ship, it could equally have been the Egyptians -- had they had any jets left to fly with.

Naw, if it was the Egyptians, we would have sent the Sixth Fleet in to kick their potatoes all the way across the Med.

After looking around for the day, I've found lots of great pics on the internet , wish I could post them. My favorite is an Israeli reconnaissance airplane that circled the ship about an hour before the attack. The pilot was heard reporting to HQ that he saw an American flag and men sunning themselves on deck. The other is the shrapnel and bullet holed flag from the USS Liberty, now displayed at the National Cryptologic Museum, Fort Meade, Maryland

133 posted on 06/08/2004 3:19:37 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: ScreamingFist
Post #126:   So what's your point?

Post #128:   So what's your point?

Post #129:   So what's your point?

I charge extra for mind reading services.

--Boot Hill

134 posted on 06/08/2004 3:30:15 PM PDT by Boot Hill (Candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo, candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo!)
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To: ScreamingFist
"Hey boots, lookey here, post 125 is from USSLiberty.org..."

No it's not, post 125 is from naval-history.net.

--Boot Hill

135 posted on 06/08/2004 3:30:20 PM PDT by Boot Hill (Candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo, candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo!)
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To: Boot Hill
No it's not, post 125 is from naval-history.net.

Yea, that's why I corrected my self in post #128 sweetie.

136 posted on 06/08/2004 3:45:59 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: Boot Hill
So what's your point?

Errr, that everybody you disagree with isn't a neo-nazi skin head?

137 posted on 06/08/2004 3:49:35 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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To: ScreamingFist
"sweetie"

ScreamingFist, if you'd stop screaming long enough to take a breath now and then, you might be able to save that oxygen depleted brain of yours from any further deterioration.

--Boot Hill

138 posted on 06/08/2004 3:56:05 PM PDT by Boot Hill (Candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo, candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo!)
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To: ScreamingFist
BH:   "So what's your point?"

SF:   "Errr, that everybody you disagree with isn't a neo-nazi skin head?"

I take it by your question mark that you're not sure if that's the answer to the my question. Get back to me when you finally figure it out.

--Boot Hill

139 posted on 06/08/2004 4:00:56 PM PDT by Boot Hill (Candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo, candy-gram for Osama bin Mongo!)
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To: Boot Hill
ScreamingFist, if you'd stop screaming long enough to take a breath now and then, you might be able to save that oxygen depleted brain of yours from any further deterioration.

Is that your best shot or am I to be dazzled further with your keen wit and facinating intellect?

140 posted on 06/08/2004 4:05:38 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Peace through Ignorance)
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