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Republicans' Dishonorable Charge (FR/ FRN mention: CONASON ALERT)
Salon ^ | 8/5/2004 | Joe Conason

Posted on 08/06/2004 7:16:23 AM PDT by diotima

"Dishonest and dishonorable" is how John McCain described the attack ad now appearing on television in several swing states, courtesy of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Dishonest because the men who appear in the ad make false claims about John Kerry's wartime conduct and decorations. Dishonorable because these men have waited three decades to publicize their slurs, with partisan motives, during a presidential campaign.

**********SNIP SNIP SNIP********************

The hired help employed by the Swift Vets committee is thoroughly partisan, too. Aside from Spaeth and Thomas Rupprath, the private detective she recommended to provide research services, the group's IRS filing names several experienced Washington political operatives. The June 30 filing shows payments to Robert A. Hahn, a right-wing Internet activist and Web designer who also runs something called the Free Republic Network (apparently an affiliate of the extremist Free Republic Web site); and to Tom Wyld, a Navy veteran and former director of public relations for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association.

The White House has deniability, to be sure, if charged with complicity in this campaign. The question is whether its deniability is plausible -- or risible.

As for the accuracy of the Republican veterans' accusations, they can be tested against the testimony of the men who served under Kerry's command -- all of whom but one have repeatedly endorsed his courage, his decency, and his candidacy. Denigration of Kerry's record should also be measured against the sterling evaluations that he received during the actual time of his service, including by Adm. Roy Hoffman, who now chairs the Swift Boat Veterans group.

No doubt the Republicans hope that attacking Kerry will distract from important issues they would prefer not to discuss or debate. But their campaign is backfiring, as drawing fresh attention to Vietnam does not flatter the candidate who avoided service there.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: ads; blahblahblah; joeconason; swiftboatveterans
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To: diotima
You don't get it. Democrats can work for and fund leftist oriented projects. Conservatives CANNOT work for and fund anything. If they do, they become the story.

Correct. So, was this forseen...?

The hired help employed by the Swift Vets committee is thoroughly partisan, too. Aside from Spaeth and Thomas Rupprath, the private detective she recommended to provide research services, the group's IRS filing names several experienced Washington political operatives. The June 30 filing shows payments to Robert A. Hahn, a right-wing Internet activist and Web designer who also runs something called the Free Republic Network (apparently an affiliate of the extremist Free Republic Web site); and to Tom Wyld, a Navy veteran and former director of public relations for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association.

Since conservative affiliations have been used in the past to snuff the message in stories that can be attributed to "vast right-wing conspiriacies," clearly that was to also be expected when the Swift Vets story hit the water.


101 posted on 08/06/2004 9:51:51 AM PDT by Sabertooth
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To: diotima

extremist Free Republic Web site

Once again I am deemed an extremist... lol
thats the same thing wellstone said to me when he had me thrown out of his office...I only went in to complain about the unconstitutional brady gun ban...


102 posted on 08/06/2004 9:53:07 AM PDT by Conservative4Life (Vote Conservative, or don't bother voting at all....)
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To: diotima
Troublemakers.....

I didn't know the tag team of Conmanason and Liarns, I mean Conason and Lyons, was still around.

103 posted on 08/06/2004 9:53:36 AM PDT by Dan from Michigan ("When the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry." - Swift Boat Veterans for Truth)
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To: Sabertooth

I'll let Nick Danger answer that.


104 posted on 08/06/2004 9:55:29 AM PDT by diotima
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To: diotima

This is not a "Republican" charge. It is a War Veteran charge.


105 posted on 08/06/2004 9:56:58 AM PDT by BSunday (Make Moveon Move On)
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To: diotima
Sheezh!

First he kills McAble....

Amazing coming from a former POW, a large group that Kerry "decided" didn't exist so his brother could make millions in Viet Nam.

Now he is slaying himself.

Thanks for the post.

106 posted on 08/06/2004 10:01:06 AM PDT by Syncro
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To: Eastbound; Laura Earl; NicknamedBob
I certainly don't!

John Kerry

Sung to Tom Dooley



Hang down your head John Kerry,
Hang down your head and cry.
Hang down your head John Kerry,
We know you’re bound to lie.



You’ve lied about your service,
Over in Viet Nam.
You twist your senate record,
We know that you’re a scam.



Hang down your head John Kerry,
Hang down your head and cry.
Hang down your head John Kerry,
We know you’re bound to lie.



You said that you did war crimes,
Now you say you’re the man.
That has the right to lead us,
I do not think you can.



Hang down your head John Kerry,
Hang down your head and cry.
Hang down your head John Kerry,
We know you’re bound to lie.



You’ve voted yes Iraq War,
Then turned and you voted no.
Just what now do you stand for,
We’d really like to know.



Hang down your head John Kerry,
Hang down your head and cry.
Got no bounce in July,
We know you’re bound to lie.

Conspiracy Guy aka DIF 8/6/2004

107 posted on 08/06/2004 10:02:30 AM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (They are where you least expect. Look around and you'll see them too.)
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To: diotima
The June 30 filing shows payments to Robert A. Hahn, a right-wing Internet activist and Web designer who also runs something called the Free Republic Network (apparently an affiliate of the extremist Free Republic Web site)

"Apparently"??

If you're going to call yourself a journalist, it's your job to make at least a good faith effort to find out this sort of information. If you can't get a definitive answer, then say so (e.g. "Mr. Hahn could not be reached for comment" or "Mr. Hahn declined to comment").

108 posted on 08/06/2004 10:04:13 AM PDT by steve-b (Panties & Leashes Would Look Good On Spammers)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

Kudos!!!


109 posted on 08/06/2004 10:05:05 AM PDT by RottiBiz (Help end Freepathons -- become a Monthly Donor.)
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To: diotima

I am sure we are safe to assume Joe was equally critical of Terry McAwful when he called a sitting President a deserter.


110 posted on 08/06/2004 10:05:17 AM PDT by IamConservative (A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.)
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To: diotima
ULTIMATE CLINTON BUTTBOY JOE CONASON RUNS AWAY CRYING FROM FREEPER ON GLORIA ALLRED SHOW
111 posted on 08/06/2004 10:06:30 AM PDT by doug from upland (John Kerry is a sports fan like Lorena Bobbitt is a surgeon)
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To: Conspiracy Guy
Good pictures.

If he was still on duty, he could apply for a Purple Heart for the scratches on his hand.

Mrs. John Kerruchup hadn't shaved for 3 days.

112 posted on 08/06/2004 10:12:27 AM PDT by Syncro
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To: RottiBiz

I made a boo boo and just caught it. Thanks


113 posted on 08/06/2004 10:16:55 AM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (They are where you least expect. Look around and you'll see them too.)
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To: dead

"Suddenly I feel like a rightwing Che."

You need to ride a motorcycle around and write crappy psychobable novels about your inner feelings...and blood lust.

I'll try to hock some ultra hip hemp T-shirts.


114 posted on 08/06/2004 10:17:07 AM PDT by Dead Dog (Kerry is a F***Y)
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To: ken5050; Admin Moderator
Just a tad curious..has anyone waded over into the DU swamp to see what they're saying about this..They MUST be going bananas..

I found two threads at DU with links to this Conason article, one of which mentions the snippet about Free Republic.

I also found one where they note that one of the authors of "Unfit for Command" is a Freeper.

I realize that there are rules about posting at FR from DU, but I don't know if they apply to links to DU where there are discussions of news stories about FR. I'll hold off on posting the links, unless I get a green light from the AM.


115 posted on 08/06/2004 10:17:46 AM PDT by Sabertooth
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To: Syncro

4 Purple Hearts!


116 posted on 08/06/2004 10:20:55 AM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (They are where you least expect. Look around and you'll see them too.)
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To: Conspiracy Guy
Nor do I!

(Nice spread, CG. Finally a song I know the tune to. )

Bump!

117 posted on 08/06/2004 10:23:32 AM PDT by Eastbound
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To: Syncro

Creepy aren't they.


118 posted on 08/06/2004 10:25:54 AM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (They are where you least expect. Look around and you'll see them too.)
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To: Sabertooth
Was what foreseen? Are you suggesting that any group considering putting together a team to take some action, the Swift Boat Vets for example, are to eliminate anyone from their circle who are registered republicans or who have had affiliation with conservative causes in the past?

What you ask is not only impossible, but ridiculous. The media will leap on any piece of information they can use to discredit or smear impending hits on sKerry. Actually I'm surprised that all they got here is the builder in Texas who initially funded the group and Bob Hahn, who set up their website. If that's it, I'd say they did a pretty good job of keeping anyone closely connected to the RNC out of this. But you won't give them credit for that, instead you focus on a couple very minor issues that the press has blow out of proportion.

As far as the media, have they done any investigation of Soros, MoveOn or any other left wing hit squad? No, and they won't. They'll spend their time investigating some poor slob from Texas, probably a vet who thinks the Swifties are a good idea, and their website designer.

A few months ago you sided with a disruptor (who was later banned by Jim) who claimed he was working with Lipscomb, another independent writer who was also researching the Kerry Vietnam story, somewhat in competition with Corsi and the Swifties. Now you come up this thread attacking both of them. At this point, your motivations are suspect and your crocodile tears are not persuasive.

119 posted on 08/06/2004 10:26:39 AM PDT by Bob J (Rightalk.com...coming soon!)
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To: dead
Suddenly I feel like a rightwing Che. Am I allowed to blow anything up?

Yes.

Sexy Sasha, your Love Doll.

Just like last time.

120 posted on 08/06/2004 10:27:17 AM PDT by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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