Posted on 08/11/2004 7:37:49 AM PDT by howardl
A caller in the 10 o'clock (EST) claimed to be a vet who arrived in Vietnam shortly after Kerry left. Part of the caller's job was to review action reports involving special forces personnel.
Regarding the incident in which Kerry saved Rathman by pulling him from the water, the caller says none of the action reports (there were 4-6 ?, one from each commander of the swift boats involved) reported enemy fire. This includes the report written by Kerry. (He especially noted the Kerry report because he had heard stories about the swift boat commander who bragged he would be the next JFK.)
To reiterate, he claims that Kerry's own report on the incident did not report enemy fire. According to the caller what seems to have happened is:
A swift boat "blew up" (my words).
It later was determined that it had hit a mine.
But at the time the swift boat teams could not be sure if it was a mine, or an attack from shore.
So the swift boats trained automatic fire toward both shores.
So there were bullets flying everywhere (as Rathman reports, see for example his WSJ op ed piece in which he recalls having to swim underwater to avoid bullets). But they were bullets from the swift boats, not from enemy fire on shore.
This is the most reasonable explanation I have seen for the divergent accounts of Rathman and the anti-Kerry swift boat people who observed the event.
But I believe the important issue is that the Bronze star awarded to Kerry relied on a belief that there was enemy fire in the action.
Kerry should have the military release ANY AND ALL records and docs related to his time in Nam.
I agree. But a real reporter should be able to find the facts. And release of military reports/records would expose this caller as a liar, or would provide strong support to the anti-Kerry swift boaters.
After action reports are not "Kerry's records", they are the Navy's records and the public should have access to them. They are probably at the National Archives. It might take a FOIA to get them.
Where are the investigative journalists?
Man, I really like Lucianne, this is the 1st time I ever heard her on radio, would like to find out where else she is available. She shows alot of class and reason.
"...he had heard stories about the swift boat commander who bragged he would be the next JFK..."
It's interesting to read this actual report (http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-11.htm) on the loss of PT-109 for the level of detail it contains compared to Kerry's story. For example,
"At 1400 Lt. Kennedy took the badly burned McMahon in tow and set out for land, intending to lead the way and scout the island in advance of the other survivors. Ensigns Ross and Thom followed with the other men. Johnson and Mauer, who could not swim, were tied to a float rigged from a 2 x 8 which was part of the 37 mm gun mount. Harris and McGuire were fair swimmers, but Zinser, Starkey and Albert were not so good. The strong swimmers pushed or towed the float to which the non-swimmers were tied."
Oh Ho! Could this be some of what Sandy B. was after?
The most reasonable explanation is that Kerry cultivated these "Band of Bros" for years-- they have probably been paid.
The only reason Rassman was in the water was because Kerry made a herky jerky move after Swift Boat Three (not the boat he was on) hit the mine. Kerry fled-- there was no enemy fire, and the Swifties fire wasn't directed at Rassman.
Rassman is a former LA Cop. It's called testilying. Te-Ray-za's billions shouldn't be overlooked.
The person who got those records under the FOIA (took many weeks to get them) was robbed! Remember? I can't remember his name.
Trixie, is that you?
ping a ding
Rathman didn't get a medal for this; Kerry did.
She said that Kerry is in the midst of pulling off the biggest political con of all time, asking people to vote for him, based on a record that is wholly fabricated.
Kerry fits perfectly, the definition of a con man, to get your confidence, then take your valuables.
that's as may be, but this is awfully close to John Odell's (?) story from Fox and Friends, last week.
They hit a mine, SF guy fell over, boat 3's crew was in the water. They sprayed the shoreline, received no fire. Picked up survivors, rigged a tow and were on their way.
Now, this guy, on the other hand, may have heard that very interview, and be calling in to validate it.
Who knows?
As you say, Kerry should release those records. What's he afraid of, being a hero and all? Embarrassing Bush?
Always make sure that you have several copies - in separate locations.
They probably are available.
Then again, FOIA requests take forever......
Probably would not get them until this time next year.
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