the most salient point in all this is how increbibly believable John O'Neill and the Swifties are. How compelling their story, how justified their motives, how righteous their efforts.
John O"Neill, in every interview I've seen, has always said he did not fault Kerry for shooting the fleeing VC in the back. I haven't finished the book, and I can't read this article, so I shouldn't jump to concrete conclusions on this particular incident, or Rood's credibility.
But........ I suspect the pro-Kerry media will use Rood like they did the chart in yesterday's New York Times. The Times said specifically it offered no proof the Texas republicans and Bush were connected to the Swifties, but the media made it part of their attack on Bush anyway.
Even if Rood specifically says he can't for certain discredit the Swifties, the media will claim he did.
I don't doubt Rood's credibility. But his recent story does not address the essential point of contention relating to Kerry's Silver Star. That point being whether there was a numerically superior enemy force, routed by Kerry's act of beaching his boat.
Rood should make himself available to answer questions surrounding the point of contention. It's only fair.