Kerry defends his '70s anti-war activities

Boston Herald ^

[Jenya]

Kerry defends his '70s anti-war activities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] expressed pride in his 1970s antiwar activism yesterday as controversy continued to swirl over a TV ad accusing him of betraying his fellow veterans when he protested the Vietnam war.

``I stood up against the war in the 1970s,'' Kerry said. ``Some people still don't like that, and they're still trying to fight that. That's 35 years old. But I'm proud of what I did to stand up. And I learned a lot.''

A group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth launched a TV spot accusing Kerry of dishonoring his country and ``lying'' in Senate testimony about atrocities committed during the war.

The ad also claims Kerry did not deserve his combat medals. But the controversy grew deeper yesterday as one key member of the group first seemed to back off his criticism - then stood by his original charges.

George Elliott, one of Kerry's war commanders, told the Boston Globe he should not have signed an affidatit suggesting Kerry didn't deserve his Silver Star.

``It was a terrible mistake probably for me to sign the affidavit with those words. I'm the one in trouble here,'' the Globe quoted Elliott as saying.

Later yesterday, Elliott issued another affidavit saying the Globe had misquoted him and that he believed Kerry has ``not been honest about what happened in Vietnam.''

Next week, the group will release a book called ``Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry [related, bio].''

But Jim Rassmann, who credits Kerry with saving his life in Vietnam, said, ``What these people have said is not true, and a lot of it is grossly inaccurate. These gentlemen appear to be making this up as they go along, and they are not keeping their stories straight.''

White House spokesman Scott McClellan yesterday repeated a call for ``an end to all the ads and activity by these shadowy groups that are funded by unregulated soft money.''

[CindyDawg]

So, I read. I asked that my post be removed. They still seem much the same though. Sorry I misunderstood. No need to yell at me though :')

[Peelod]

Time to reference the N.Viet. General's memoirs. The one that says without Kerry's activities, the South would have won the war.

I gotta have a refeerence for this one!

[tobyhill]

There is no dispute that Kerry had every right to stand up against the war but it's the way he did it. Either he lied before the Senate or every Vietnam Vet, including Kerry, is a war criminal? It's a catch 22."The words spoken yesterday will always have an effect today". No one forced Kerry to join a radical Socialist Organization. Kerry testified to the Senate and he was under oath! He chose to throw medals (ribbons) back at the government. He opened his campaign with Vietnam a center piece. He chose not to disclose his medical records to the public. No one did it to him, he did it to himself. Kerry is really stretching pretty hard to discredit these Swift Boat Commanders against him. If he's really that confident about his 4 month service in Vietnam, why's he going on the defensive? Why is he not ignoring it the same way Bush has ignored the attacks on him by 527s?

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

If elected we will have someone who, by his own admission, committed war crimes serving as President of the United States and Commander In Chief of our Armed Forces.

Army Pvt. Lynndie England can get up to 35 years for actions mild in comparison to what Kerry admitted to doing.

We still prosecute Nazi War criminals.

Either he committed war crimes and should be treated and prosecuted. Or he committed perjury.

Yet Kerry is given a pass?

Lose/lose as far as I am concerned.

I am afraid for our country.

[laurenmarlowe]

Thank you Tonk. kerry is a traitor in every sense of the word.

[ahadams2]

if you want to read a bit of personal observation from one of the folks who got in kerry's face Thursday evening, look here
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1185266/posts?page=27#27

[MeekOneGOP]

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

[I still care]

I know. I haven't heard him say yet, "Back 35 years ago when I was in the service."

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Whoops! Fingers too fast today!

Either he committed war crimes and should be treated and prosecuted.
Should read
Either he committed war crimes and should be prosecuted.

[Howlin]

I apologize if I yelled. I am so stressed out about all the lying going on from the Kerry camp if I see anything wrong at all, I jump!

I did happen to hear that report and listened to make sure it was NOT the UN.

I figure this gives them a bone; then all those lawyers Kerry has hired will be a waste of money.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

``I stood up against the war in the 1970s,'' Kerry said. ``Some people still don't like that, and they're still trying to fight that. That's 35 years old. But I'm proud of what I did to stand up. And I learned a lot.''

OK, hundreds, maybe thousands, maybe more died, but you learned a lot. I guess that's the important thing.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[mylife]

Ive been wondering when the GIAP quotes would start to hit the press

[fhayek]

Army Pvt. Lynn die England can get up to 35 years for actions mild in comparison to what Kerry admitted to doing.

35 years huh? If Kerry had gotten 35 years, he'd still be doing time, not running for president. It would be criminal if England was sentenced while this POS was Commander-in-Chief.

[Chi-townChief]

Ketchup Boy may yet pay the price for that medal toss stunt.

[Peelod]

What a putz.

Girlyboy does not even qualify as a putz. Schmuck is more appropriate.

[I still care]

Hi bronxboy! I was on LI, in high school during the war. There was a lot of anxiety about it, and a the kids talked about nothing else. There were a few liberal idealists, but I would say 95% of the talk was generated by young boys and their friends, worried about the draft.

Once the draft died, the antiwar sentiment did too. Even the ideologues screaming about it was none of our business were just really scared they might have to go.

Kerry was different. He was older, and an exploiter for political advantage.

[CindyDawg]

Sounds like GB is one step ahead of them, then. Good:')

[concerned about politics]

He chose not to disclose his medical records to the public. No one did it to him, he did it to himself. Kerry is really stretching pretty hard to discredit these Swift Boat Commanders against him.

Yep. Let the Swift Boat Vets speak. Let's hear the other side of the story. Someone is lying.
Kerry's military records would clean it all up for everyone. That's not too much to ask. Bush released his.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

LOL - I am SO stealing that!!