ABC News' Marc Ambinder reviews "Unfit for Command"

ABCNEWS ^ | 08/11/04 | The Note

[dirtboy]

The Kerry campaign has successfully rebutted many of the charges, and the fact remains that even if Kerry was only lightly injured thrice, he was injured thrice, and he was injured in Vietnam while fighting for his country.

A fine display of bias if I ever saw it. Getting wounded does not automatically equate to deserving a Purple Heart, but this alleged reporter couldn't be bothered to run down the facts.

[G.Mason]

"Pages 45 through 49 focus on Cambodia, and that's about the only portion of the book that truly puzzles us and seems to puzzle the Kerry campaign. You make the call:"

Yer out!

[Betaille]

Seems fairly balanced... for ABCnews that is

[whitedog57]

When is this book being released? It was supposed to be released on August 1st, then we were told by Borders this week, and then we heard on the news that it was being delayed until the middle of September. Does anyone REALLY know when it will be released?

[dirtboy]

"Pages 45 through 49 focus on Cambodia, and that's about the only portion of the book that truly puzzles us and seems to puzzle the Kerry campaign. You make the call:"

Translation: We can't B.S. our way out of this one no matter how hard we tried. So we had to dredge up some old posts on FR to try and discredit the authors.

[ClearCase_guy]

I was going to use the same excerpt, but you beat me.

But notice: you use the word "wound" but the hack from ABC says "injured". Using his terminology, a bar fight in Saigon in which a sailor gets a bloody nose from a prostitute could be enough to win a purple heart: "I was injured in Vietnam."

As you say, the actual standard is a bit higher than that, and Kerry seems to have fallen short.

[LanPB01]

I finished Ric Flair's book a few weeks ago. Its the best wrestling autobiography I've read yet. Of course, it probably helped that I'm a big fan of the Nature Boy. WHOOOOOO!

[dirtboy]

Using his terminology, a bar fight in Saigon in which a sailor gets a bloody nose from a prostitute could be enough to win a purple heart: "I was injured in Vietnam."

Or twisting your ankle running to get yourself in front of a camera.

[skeeter]

The Kerry campaign has successfully rebutted many of the charges, and the fact remains that even if Kerry was only lightly injured thrice, he was injured thrice, which happened to be the magic number for a trip home & out of harms way after serving only 4 months of his 12 month tour.

An alternative ending.

[NavySEAL F-16]

A Vietnam veteran on Tony Snow's show tried to say that anyone injured received a Purple Heart. That it was automatic if you were injured, no matter how slightly or by whom. This is not true; otherwise, Max Cleland would have received one for his injuries.

Unfortunately, Tony isn't as up on the military requirements for a Purple Heart.

[sc2_ct]

Seems fairly balanced... for ABCnews that is

-----------------

Hell, even Karl Marxs would seem pretty balanced... for ABC news that is.

[Maceman]

The Kerry campaign has successfully rebutted many of the charges

I must have missed them doing this. I have heard them express outrage and personal attacks at the swift boat veterans, but I've heard nothing that would qualify as a successful rebuttal of the allegations.

[dc-zoo]

I heard the book was released on August 10th.

[been_lurking]

The Kerry campaign has successfully rebutted many of the charges

In what universe? I just love how a "reporter" can make a pat statement like that and none of the "editors" raise an eyebrow. The campaign has not rebutted anything, let alone successfully.

[Bob]

When is this book being released? It was supposed to be released on August 1st, then we were told by Borders this week, and then we heard on the news that it was being delayed until the middle of September. Does anyone REALLY know when it will be released?

As of earlier this morning, my Amazon pre-release order status shows an expected receipt date of 08/20-08/23.

The original release date was to be sometime in September but that was moved up a few weeks ago into August.

[bray]

The usual for ABDNC! Just because 95% of the press is going to work....er vote for Kerry, doesn't mean they can't be objective.

Pray for W and Our Amazing Military

[Cboldt]

The Kerry campaign has successfully rebutted many of the charges ...

Where are the rebuttals? I missed them. Never mind if they are successful or not, I have yet to see a rebuttal, other than "Kerry lied about being in Cambodia in Christmas of 1968," to that, the Kerry campaign has admitted.

[jmaroneps37]

"The Kerry campaign has successfully rebutted many of the charges." Where and when? Believe me if this were true, NO ONE would HAVE to ask where it was published. It would have been on the front page of the NY times. It would appear everyday until Nov 2.

[catpuppy]

If you're inclined to think John Kerry is brash, self-possessed and occasionally immature (i.e., the Kerry campaign staff demographic), this book will confirm your suspicions

No. I'm "inclined to think John Kerry" a liar, a traitor to those whose Vietnam service he smeared, and a disgraceful opportunist who will do or say anything to achieve power or wealth. I don't need the book or the ABC guy's opinion to tell me that.