Says the Wuss: Ma, He’s Touching Me

special to FreeRepublic ^ | 13 August 2004 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

It’s been a LONG time and almost everything has changed. So there’s not much left that can make me think back to my college years. But John Kerry forced the issue last week by siccing his attack lawyers on assorted TV stations. Say what?

Here’s how it happened. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth started running an ad in which several of their members stood up, faced the camera, gave their name, rank and serial numbers, and called John Kerry a liar about his service in Vietnam. This veterans’ organization has 260 members and Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann (ret.), is its Founder and Chairman. In response to the first broadcasts of the Swift Boat ad, two lawyers jointly sent a threatening letter to TV stations across the country, seeking to make the program managers afraid to accept payment and run the ads.

But what does that have to do with “bright college days” so long ago? The most challenging and interesting debates we had were in the Yale Political Union. These were Oxford-style debates, under a detailed structure. A proposition is put before the House – one I remember was, “Resolved that the United States should use military force to defend Quemoy and Matsu.” To realize how little progress is made in some conflicts, that old subject is new again. Quemoy and Matsu are islands belonging to Taiwan that China will necessarily attack if and when it decides to “reunite” with Taiwan by force.

An Oxford debate consists of two debaters for each side. The first one to speak favors the proposition. The second is an opponent, and so on. What makes Oxford debates interesting, though, is that every speaker after the first one should be well enough prepared, and quick enough on his/her feet, to set aside part of the prepared speech in order to attack points just made by the speakers for the other side. The one set speech is the first debater. The most challenging and free-form speech is the last one, because that is the synopsis of everything before.

Well, that was vaguely interesting, I hear you cry. But what does it have to do with the truth about John Kerry’s service in Vietnam? John Kerry came into the Yale Political Union when I was already an officer of the Union and an experienced debater. As I recall, Kerry preferred to be the first (or second) debater, so he could boldly state his points. I preferred to go last, or next to last, because the extemporaneous counterattack on the views of the other side was more interesting.

Here’s how a team of two would prepare for a debate. You would discuss and decide with your partner three points: 1) What are the main issues we want to make? 2) What are the main issues the other side it likely to make? And 3) What counterattacks can we expect from the other side, and how do we counter those? It is the last point which is most difficult to prepare for.

It’s also the point at which even veteran debaters can lose the whole contest. John Kerry may have just made just that fatal mistake on the subject of Vietnam, and it may be the final nail in the coffin of his campaign for President.

I have a number of friends who were “in country” when John Kerry was. A couple were in the Swift Boat service. Before Kerry’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention, I already knew the kind of charges of dishonesty that were possible. They were already being made, but well below the radar of national media. No one in the broader audience was listening.

Then Kerry decided, and it was obviously a deliberate and calculated decision, to promote his four months of service in Vietnam as the centerpiece of his campaign. And as I watched him do that, I knew he’d made a serious mistake right from our old Political Union days. Out of either arrogance or ignorance, Kerry did not anticipate the reaction that his Vietnam-centric speech would generate. As of this week, the proof is in that Kerry was not prepared to respond to what he should have known was coming, the truth squad of many more Swift Boat veterans than the dozen he featured on the stage in Boston.

The letter of 5 August is written by the “counsel for the Democratic Committee and for John Kerry.” It accuses Swift Boat Veterans for Truth as running a “dishonest” ad by fake crewmates and a “doctor.” Well the doctor is a real doctor, and none of the men on screen claimed that they were in his boat, only that they saw what happened. (The Kerry lawyers knock down a straw man by saying that they weren’t “in Kerry’s boat,” and blithely ignore that Swift Boats usually operate in flotillas of three or more boats.) And the letter implicitly threatens the station managers with lawsuits if they don’t back off.

Marc Elian, General Counsel, Kerry-Edwards ‘04, and Joseph Sandler, General Counsel, DNC, were the signers of this 2 1/2-page attack on the Swift Boat Veterans.

The tactics of Kerry’s (and the DNC’s) lawyers amount to this: They unfortunately paint Kerry as a small child in the backseat of a car with his siblings, headed for the beach. It’s been a long ride; the kids are getting fractious. And suddenly one of them whines to the mother, “Ma, he’s touching me.” That wussy tactic may work in the back seat of a Buick, but it won’t work in a presidential campaign. A man who cannot stand up to a vigorous debate conducted in English can hardly be expected to stand up to foreign enemies who are willing to kill Americans at any time and who speak the language of explosives.

If John Kerry had not put his Vietnam “service” at the very heart of his campaign, the counterattack that has come would not have occurred. Or, more accurately, it would have remained underground, known to only a few. It was Kerry’s choice to make Vietnam a front-burner issue, and that put the counterattack on the front-burner as well.

Now that the issue is joined in public, with the book-length treatment of this subject, Unfit for Command, coming out in a week, there’s only one way for Kerry to deal with the subject. He must give permission to make his Vietnam records public. That means ALL records – the ones concerning his Purple Hearts, and the ones concerned with the missions he did, and did not, take part in.

The best proof of what happened in Vietnam almost forty years ago does not rest on the memories of men who were there then, whether they support or oppose Kerry for President. Records made at the time are a far better indicator of the truth because those records were not generally made to influence an election four decades yet to come.

So far, Kerry has refused to release those records, which he could do at the stroke of a pen. George Bush has released all of his military records. As long as Kerry keeps his heels dug in, and withholds his records, it’s a reasonable conclusion that there are details buried in those old files which will harm Kerry if they get out.

And every bit of this was entirely foreseeable by Kerry before he decided to feature Vietnam. He forgot, or he never bothered to learn, the lesson from the Union debates so long ago. If you can see a counterattack which you cannot answer, then drop the initial argument like a hot rock. Don’t start down a path on a subject which you cannot win. I knew that when I was 20 and debating in the Union. Kerry doesn’t know it when he is 60 and running for President.

And that’s one more reason why John Kerry shouldn’t wind up in the White House. He’s a wuss.

While we’re on that subject, my profound thanks to Hershl Hartman, Faculty, International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism vegvayzer/Leader, The Sholem Community, L.A. He wrote to me about my column on “The Wussification of America ....” He’s the expert, and he properly corrected my mistaken claim that “wuss” was a Yiddish word. I had the meaning right, but not the source. And I appreciate rather than resent it, when my readers are smarter than I am and correct what I have written.

Post Script: This week’s employment figures generated much press dishonesty and demand a mention here. The Corporate Survey reported a job growth of only 32,000 last month. But the Employment Survey, also from the Department of Labor, reported a job growth of 629,000. Only the latter is consistent with the drop in the unemployment rate from 5.6% to 5.5%..

I covered the reasons for the difference between these two numbers about six months ago. Any competent and honest reporter can read the official report from the Labor Department and get this story straight. The only reason why any reporters (and their editors) get this story wrong is that they WANT to, because the false story plays into their biased view of the American economy.

Here are three groups who are NOT in the Corporate Survey, but ARE in the Household one. These total more than a million employees: domestic and medical workers in homes, military Reservists whose salaries are continued while they’re on duty, and self-employed workers in all careers.

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About the Author: John Armor is a civil rights attorney who lives in the Blue Ridge of North Carolina. CongressmanBillybob@earthlink.net

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[headsonpikes]

So what is the true etymology of wuss?

Good piece!

[longjack]

I'd like to pose a question here, although directed more towards Viet Nam swift vets, since you mentioned the 'not on the same boat' ploy used in the lawyer's letters.

Was testimony, descriptions, accounts of events, etc., from men on other boats ever used or taken into account during decisions to award medals?

If that were the case, the lawyer's ploy is absurd, and more so if that happened in the case of Kerry's medals.

longjack

[OKSooner]

Bookmark for later read.

[Bogolyubski]

That's a good point. In addition to GWB's reserve record, he MSM was quite willing to expend all sorts of time, money and effort to unseal Jack Ryan's supposedly private divorce records (in order to boost the campaign of their new darling Barack Obama, while allowing Kerry's to remain sealed. They will persue items relentlessly as long as it serves the greater cause. The MSM os more properly classified as propagandists, rather than journalists.

[OKSooner]

Yes, but be clear that the Bush campaign has nothing to do with the Swiftboat ads.

[Bogolyubski]

Another great post, Congressman. Thanks for giving us a clear overview of what is going on with the swift boat business.

[rpierce]

John,

Another one hit "outta the park." Thanks again for your efforts. Be encouraged; we're out here reading and enjoying your work.

-R

[sd-joe]

It is true that the Bush campaign had nothing to do with the Swiftees.

My point is that they are good at letting the other side go way too far, and not saying anything, and then in a couple of strikes cutting off the limb.

In this case the campaign does not even need to get involved. The truth will come out and Kerry is in trouble.

[loveliberty2]

Touche!

[loveliberty2]

"the whole 'lawsuit' bit could work in our favor. if the Johns get elected, VP Edwards could file a lawsuit against bin Laden, and when he shows up for court, WE NAB HIM!!!

"it's bulletproof!"

Your sarcasm is well taken. On the other hand, perhaps Edwards' famous courtroom manipulation of juries can be used to full advantage by letting him "negotiate" with bin Laden. I'm sure his great hair, southern drawl, boyish smile, and demonstrative hands would persuade bin Laden to just call off his goons!

[Zeppelin]

Edwards' perpetual smile alone should push bin Laden into further madness, possibly make him suicidal.

[genefromjersey]

Thanks again,John !

[cyncooper]

All the subjects in this column are of strong interest to Freepers. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

I think this subject is of huge interest to Freepers and you have outlined it well.

I don't know if you saw, but last night Tony Snow was in for Bill O'Reilly and had a dem guest (I believe his name was Matt Baer--I made notes at the time), and in studio was Monica Crowley.

While some Freepers were unhappy with Snow's amiable host demeanor, I noted that he got Baer to concede that George W. Bush had released all of his Guard records and that Kerry should release all of his own records, too. Baer explicitly agreed not once, but twice.

Crowley was probably the strongest on an issue as I have ever seen her. She made your (and Freepers') point that Kerry had chosen to make his Vietnam service the central plank of his qualifications for office.

Crowley also opined that she did think that "30 year old" service was at the very least tangentially relevant to review when evaluating a candidate for office. She said she thought it was fair that Bush's records had been reviewed and they seem to be in order and he served well and honorably.

As to Kerry, again he has made it a huge issue and these men have stepped forward to offer a different point of view. These men deserve to have their voices heard, Crowley firmly stated.

Hannity and Colmes was fascinating and there are a couple threads on it. The guest, Chris Horner, identified on screen as a "Republican lawyer" was excellent. Just excellent. Susan Estrich was in for Colmes and Horner's demeanor, points and language was so spot on it was fantastic to behold. The dem guest kept a big "what, me worry?" smile plastered on his face as he said things like "I hope they do keep running this ad as it will only hurt the Republicans". Horner asked if that was why the DNC had lawyers send threatening letters to the media trying to squash this ad.

Well, I hope we see more of Chris Horner.

BTW, I was on my high school debate team and enjoyed reading your review above of how a debate is structured.

[Verginius Rufus]

No, if the nightmare comes true and the Johns are elected, VP Edwards sues Kerry and gets him ousted as President. Voila! President Edwards.

[Chieftain]

From dictionary.com:

wuss: n. Slang A person regarded as weak or timid and especially as unmanly,: “Cats are for wusses, dog men say” (Laura Blumenfeld).
[Probably blend of wimp, and pussy.] wussy adj.

Sounds like Hanoi John to me!

[saint]

I'm of the opinion that Kerry would fare better if he kept his mouth shut until the election.

THEY brought up his swift boat days, and the vets shot it down.

THEY brought up that none of his detractors were on his boat, and now someone from his boat has come forward and shot that down.

THEY brought up the seven minute delay, and surprise, surprise, out comes an interview transcript in which Kerry stated he couldn't even think and did nothing for thirty-five minutes after the second tower was hit.

He would be wise to not bring anything else up. He has nothing to run on - every lie comes back to bite him.

I'm really enjoying this election - the most important in my lifetime. Of course 2008 will be more important, on which Hillary is already hard at work.

[WesternPacific]

That is what trial lawyers do!

The republicans need to say this everytime this story come up.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, Congressman Billybob. Good essay today.

Says the Wuss: Ma, He’s Touching Me

Excerpt:

Here’s how a team of two would prepare for a debate. You would discuss and decide with your partner three points: 1) What are the main issues we want to make? 2) What are the main issues the other side it likely to make? And 3) What counterattacks can we expect from the other side, and how do we counter those? It is the last point which is most difficult to prepare for.

It’s also the point at which even veteran debaters can lose the whole contest. John Kerry may have just made just that fatal mistake on the subject of Vietnam, and it may be the final nail in the coffin of his campaign for President.

I have a number of friends who were “in country” when John Kerry was. A couple were in the Swift Boat service. Before Kerry’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention, I already knew the kind of charges of dishonesty that were possible. They were already being made, but well below the radar of national media. No one in the broader audience was listening.

Then Kerry decided, and it was obviously a deliberate and calculated decision, to promote his four months of service in Vietnam as the centerpiece of his campaign. And as I watched him do that, I knew he’d made a serious mistake right from our old Political Union days. Out of either arrogance or ignorance, Kerry did not anticipate the reaction that his Vietnam-centric speech would generate. As of this week, the proof is in that Kerry was not prepared to respond to what he should have known was coming, the truth squad of many more Swift Boat veterans than the dozen he featured on the stage in Boston.

The letter of 5 August is written by the “counsel for the Democratic Committee and for John Kerry.” It accuses Swift Boat Veterans for Truth as running a “dishonest” ad by fake crewmates and a “doctor.” Well the doctor is a real doctor, and none of the men on screen claimed that they were in his boat, only that they saw what happened. (The Kerry lawyers knock down a straw man by saying that they weren’t “in Kerry’s boat,” and blithely ignore that Swift Boats usually operate in flotillas of three or more boats.) And the letter implicitly threatens the station managers with lawsuits if they don’t back off.

Marc Elian, General Counsel, Kerry-Edwards ‘04, and Joseph Sandler, General Counsel, DNC, were the signers of this 2 1/2-page attack on the Swift Boat Veterans.

The tactics of Kerry’s (and the DNC’s) lawyers amount to this: They unfortunately paint Kerry as a small child in the backseat of a car with his siblings, headed for the beach. It’s been a long ride; the kids are getting fractious. And suddenly one of them whines to the mother, “Ma, he’s touching me.” That wussy tactic may work in the back seat of a Buick, but it won’t work in a presidential campaign. A man who cannot stand up to a vigorous debate conducted in English can hardly be expected to stand up to foreign enemies who are willing to kill Americans at any time and who speak the language of explosives.

My thanks to Traumer, Arrowhead1952 and Conspiracy Guy for the concept of this pic

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[oldbill]

It's worse than you think.

I was contacted by the press (USA Today, Washington Post) to explain some of George Bush's records because I was involved in the Air Guard at the time. I also went over the very few released records from Kerry's campaign, showing discrepancies therein and Kerry's failure to show up for mandatory Reserve duty in 1970-72.
Their response? Essentially, "we don't care about that, we're only interested in Bush".

[rwfromkansas]

Interesting info on the job surveys.