Kerry has made a major deal of his Vietnam War record and now his opponents have opened fire on the Senator's experiences. It's all tawdry and distasteful of course, but let's examine things unemotionally. Not our fault Kerry made his record a issue. We're not the ones that were running around claiming Nixon sent us to Cambodia. Kerry could prove us all wrong by releasing his records.
First off, I believe Jim Rassmann when he says that Kerry saved his life by pulling him out of a Vietnam river while under fire. Rassmann is a former Green Beret, a former police officer and a long time registered Republican until earlier this year. If he says John Kerry is a hero, nobody should doubt it. Rassmann has earned the right to be trusted and insulting his testimony is way out of line.
First off I don't care what party the Vet claims to be registered as. Lots of people register one way and vote the other. Further more I don't care who he is voting for just if his story is true. O'Neil has shown way more respect to Rassmann than you or the rest of the media whores have shown to the Swifties.
But I also believe Steve Gardner, a former Navy gunner who was also present on one of Kerry's Swift Boats. He says the Senator wrote up a false report, neglecting to inform the Navy that he, Gardner, had accidentally shot a Vietnamese child during a firefight. This is a tough one. Gardner is implicating himself and has no reason to do so. But perhaps Kerry was looking out for him by not reporting the incident. Only Kerry knows.
Ok so that is true and everything else he says is a lie. Sounds fair Bill.
His heroism impressed most of his Swift Boat mates, but his civilian anti-war activities and perceived grandstanding also alienated many other Vietnam Vets. And so the battle lines are drawn.
It wasn't Kerry's grandstanding. It was his lies about what he and others did in Vietnam. How have we reached a point where people don't care if they are told the truth or not?
What should we, on the sidelines, make of all this? Well, it's a judgment call. It is absolutely wrong for Americans to condemn Kerry's war record because he demonstrated provable valor. However, those who distrust him do deserve to be heard although facts not emotion should be demanded.
What should you make of this? That the mainstream media isn't asking the same of Kerry as they did of Bush. If Kerrye demonstrated probable valor he can release his records. Then what the Swifties have asked for will be done. The facts will be out.
Mr. Bush received an honorable discharge from the National Guard. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt pinned a medal on John Kerry's chest. The record is the record, unless rock solid proof refutes it.
The record is the record Bill. Bush released his and Kerry won't. If Kerry signed off and released his records we could find out what the truth really is. But Kerry doesn't have to because the media isn't hounding him like they did Bush. Who is looking out for us? It sure as hell isn't Bill O'Reilly.
Excellent point-by-point refutation of O'Reilly's argument.
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The Spun-Dry O'Reilly writes: "The record is the record, unless rock solid proof refutes it."
Just one man's word against 254? O'Reilly has cow pie on his face for not demanding Kerry release his service and medical records so we can examine "the record".
Obviously, he has not read the book, "Unfit For Command," which I picked up yesterday. It is a fair and balanced presentation, giving credit to Kerry when due.
So it is especially troubling, but not out of character, for O'Reilly not to accord the same respect to O'Neill and the Swift Boat Vets that he bestows on Rassmann, despite Rassmann's much more limited contact with Kerry. The SBB Vets also fought for their country. If only O'Reilly knew how to read.
Bloviator Maximus
How many people can this guy lose to before he shapes up? Al Franken, Michael Moore, Paul Krugman, and now even, John O'Neill (the good guy). He is also the butt of all jokes made against FoxNews, and is the "star" of the agit-propanda film, "Outfoxed." O'Reilly's lack of preparation and disappointing performances are embarrassing.