[mwl1]

The fact that Rassman was on Kerry's boat bolsters Oneil and the rest of the Swifties claim that Rassman was on Kerry's boat, and only fell overboard because Kerry fled the scene.

Let me get this straight. Kerry's book states emphatically that Rassman was not on his boat at the time of the incident, whereas Unfit for Command, along with public statements from Rassman, alleges the opposite: that Rassman was on Kerry's boat, and that Rassman fell into the water when Kerry fled the scene.

The bottom line: another lie by Kerry via Doug Brinkley. Is this correct?

[Cboldt]

"one boat or two" is a prelude to, or a distraction from the money question. I think it is a media distraction, to tire the public out on the Swities in general.

The money question, for this incident, is whether or not there was ANY enemy fire, other than the mine. The Swifties say no. In that case, the Bronze Star was improvidently granted. Kerry and at least Rassmann go down together. Rassmann put Kerry in for this medal.

[kabar]

whereas Unfit for Command, along with public statements from Rassman, alleges the opposite: that Rassman was on Kerry's boat, and that Rassman fell into the water when Kerry fled the scene.

Unfit for Command doesn't say for sure. He was either on Kerry's boat or another one. On pages 91-92, "During the incident, Jim Rassman had fallen or had been knocked off either Kerry's boat or PCF-35,"