Posted on 08/21/2004 5:33:07 PM PDT by franklog
When John F. Kerry rescued James Rassmann from the Bay Hap River in the jungles of Vietnam in March 1969, neither man could possibly have imagined that the episode would become a much-disputed focus of an American presidential campaign 35 years later.
For Kerry, then a green and gangly Navy lieutenant junior grade and now the Democratic challenger to a wartime Republican president, that tale of heroism under fire has become integral to his campaign. A centerpiece of public rallies, videos and a new campaign advertisement last week, it has helped distinguish the candidate from his Democratic primary rivals and from President Bush, who spent the war at home as a member of the Texas Air National Guard.
For the Massachusetts senator's critics, who include three of the five Swift boat skippers who were present that day, the incident demonstrates why Kerry does not deserve to be commander in chief. They accuse him of cowardice, hogging the limelight and lying. Far from displaying coolness under fire, they say, Kerry was never fired upon and fled the scene at the moment of maximum danger.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
No one's perfect. But in fairness to the Swiftees, their story has been consistent from Day One. Kerry's story changes with every telling. Of course its the last thing the mainstream media wants to admit - they're wrong. If they go down with Kerry, so be it.
While this WaPo piece is not totally balanced, it does at least tell both sides of the story with equal credibility attached. It's more than one can say for the NYT and AP.
Rats. Sorry. "My Bad." as they say. I did a search first.
No biggie..
This seems like a HE said....HE said piece......interesting parts, but with Kerry's reputation as a liar....not believable.
When has the Wa Post or NY Times come out with a headline of "Moveon.org accounts flawed" or "Farenheit 9-11 flawed?"
John, you need to read the linked Washington Post article in its entirety, and post your comments on this one. I might get banned for saying this, but I suspect after the Wall Street Journal, the Post is the best paper at this point in the Fruited Plain. The article seems "fair and balanced" to this ignoramus.
Funny how the Post never mentioned that.
Richard Cohen hit F9-11 pretty hard and I think he writes for the WP, but the paper that prided itself in bringing down Richard Nixon has been remarkably uncurious about Kerry's lies or Edwards' ambulance chasing. And I'm sure they still have a stringer in Texas looking for the pics of GW dancing naked on bar tables. At least...I hope they do.
Is it confirmed that Kerry's boat was rocked by an explosion? I thought he panicked and fled when the other boat hit a mine? And was there firing from the shore?
Didn't the Wa Post have a false headline the other day about Abu Ghraib? Something to the effect of "Top Brass approved abuse," when their own story didn't address that issue?
Why is it that every time I read an article about that despicable, self-aggrandizing, lying, backstabbing seditious traitor’s “heroism” I flash on his reenactment of a scene from Viet Nam?
Hanoi John is walking out of a Jungle village. He is wearing full grunt (not normal PCF garb) uniform. He is carrying, in addition to his issue .45 an M-16. He is also wearing a bandolier of ammo across his chest in the best Rambo fashion.
Exactly right.
Torie, I agree with you. Not only is this article more professional than has been the case, it really attempts to examine for factual matters. Nothwithstanding this Dobbs does not really lay a glove on O'Neill. Lots of fancy footwork but no real, punishing punch.
Kerry and aLL of Kerry's "Band of Brothers" have refused to be subjected to an interview. Kerry and his "band of brothers" have chosen to have surrogates answer the charges. Until Kerry and his "band" submit to an interview like O'Neill and the Swift Boat Veterans, you really have nothing to make that final comparison necessary to assess credibility.
I still say the "Cambodia In Christmas" story made the fat lady clear her throat preparatory to singing. The Cambodian incident requires highlighting in each and every commercial or editorial. It questions the validity of Kerry's previous comments; hence, it questions his very viability as a reliable person capable of the trust of the People.
More and more it seems this really like a trial. Thus far the accused have declined to answer for themselves and have relied on lawyer and MSM surrogates.
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