Jim Rassman v. Swift Boat Vets

Clearly Jim Rassmann's account of being under fire when he was in the water differs from that of the Swift Boat Vets. But after reading this statment from Swift Boat Vet Van O'Dell is it possible that what Rassmann thought was enemy fire was really the suppression fire laid down by all the Swiftboats? Given O'Dell's description of the "black billowing smoke" from the blown up swiftboat, and Rassmann's understandable disorientation from having been blown out of a ship, it seems possible he could have been mistaken.

He was very embarrassed at the treatment he received at the VFW.

His handlers apparently did not get rid of all the unfriendlies. They were all democrats, but many vets turned their backs on him or refused to shake his hand.

Kerry is going off the plank.

There are a couple of things that really bug me about Rasmusen. First, when I read the account of him being in the book store and finding the story of his rescue in Kerry's book, he was talking about reading the account, right there in the store, with his wife, and how...I don't recall if it was "he" or "they" shook their heads. It also makes note of the fact that he did not buy the book.

Now to me, if you read something that is positive or correct, you don't "shake your head". And, either way, why would he not buy the book....especially if you felt you "owed your life" to the person who wrote it or whatever?

Second...there is this in an article about Kerry/Rasmusen. If Kerry gets elected president, he'll have reason to thank Rassmann. One day Rassmann hopes the two of them will be able shake hands in private, away from any TV camera, and — acknowledging their debt to each other — call it even.

http://www.htmlhelponline.com/kerry/news1.html

Now here he has already gone and done the big reunion, other interviews, etc and is, he thinks, done. Ready to resume his life and tend orchids. He had no idea he would need to "defend" Kerry. But here he is, hoping to have a moment alone with Kerry. It is pretty obvious that to this point, he has not had that opportunity. Now gain, maybe its just me, but a guy saves your life, you have not seen him in 30+ years...which in and of itself is a bit odd, but oh well......anyway you finally get to see him and to thank him and to help him out a little bit....and you don't even get a private moment with him??? Does this fellow know what a prostitute is?

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