O'Neill Dares Kerry: 'Sue Me'

NewsMax .com ^ | 8/22/04 | Carl Limbacher

[kattracks]

Swiftboat Veterans for the Truth spokesman John O'Neill dared Sen. John Kerry on Sunday to sue him for libel if, as Kerry's presidential campaign maintains, key claims in O'Neill's book "Unifit for Command" are not true.

"I invite him to sue me for libel," O'Neill, who co-authored the overnight bestseller with Jerome Corsi, told WABC Radio's Monica Crowley. "If he was actually in Cambodia on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day he should sue me. If, in fact, those other five [Swift]boats, on March the 13, [1969], if they all fled like he did, instead of staying like he knows they did, he should sue me."

O'Neill continued:

"If he didn't wound himself with a grenade - causing sort of a rice-fanny wound - and then reported it to the Navy as a water mine - if he didn't do that on March 13th should sue me."

O'Neill issued the challenge after noting that Kerry's campaign has gone to extraordinary lengths to supress the information in "Unfit for Command."

"On our first [Swiftvet] ad, he had two huge lawfirms send letters to every [TV] station, threatening to sue the stations themselves" if they ran the ad, the former Swiftboat commander told Crowley.

"The next thing he did was challenge the book's publisher, Regnery, indicating he would sue them if they continued printing the book," he added.

The bestselling author said that while Regnery declined to stop printing "Unfit," it offered to republish Kerry's 1971 book "The New Soldier," which chronicles the top Democrat's anti-war protests with a group bankrolled by Jane Fonda.

Kerry has declined to have "New Solidier" republished over the years and reportedly bought up most of the available copies in 1972, after his opponent in a congressional race used it to paint him as anti-American.

[pepperhead]

And that's a shame, because there is so much that could have been said.

It is hard to say it all in two short 30 second adds. They have done a great job with the resources they have.

[yellowroses]

Here's a thought - what if Kerry gives up before the election - does this action invite Hitlery Klintoon the opportunity to step in and "Save the DemocRATs and this election"? If something like this could happen, I'd remain in bed, under my covers and cringing like a baby, until all this stuff passed me by. Yea, I know, I'm a whimp. But she still scares me......

[joesbucks]

In addition, it would look pretty bad if he sued a vet at this point in the game.

[Libertina]

Counterpunch, I read and understand your point about the average Aermican who is uniformed. You may be correct, but I think this subject is in the papers enough that it is not a problem.

Each person or group contribues what they can just a you do. However, John O'Neill served, commanded these guys, and is a lawyer. I trust him to steer their new boat into waters the right way. You can also do what you can to expose further Kerry's lies. Infact, if you feel you have a very strong point to make - then you can add to their efforts. I think that is better strategy. Or write to Interesting Times, who speaks with them, about your concerns.

[Capricam]

I hope you're right. I know how 'shifty' these leftist attorneys can be (Clintonistas).

[TwilightDog]

Checkmate!

[firebrand]

Probably not. The rights revert to the author after the book goes out of print. They offered to reissue it--in other words, if the author gave them permission.

[calenel]

I found another on eBay for $9.00 with free (provided as a service to help people know the *real* John Kerry) shipping. I saw the book on eBay for over $500. There are about half a dozen copies therestarting at $50.00.

[jerri]

The whole tone of the Swift Vets strikes me as nasty. I really think they are going to turn people off, even if they are right.

I didn't get that impression at all. My Dad passed away last month and he served in Vietnam and he didn't deserve to labeled like that from a gutless coward like Kerry.

[NautiNurse]

ROFL to the Bonus can of Breck hairspray with Edwards football photo!

[Caipirabob]

Latest Dim spin:

Kerry lied about 'Nam... but it was Bush's fault!

[Bonaparte]

Here is the preface, along with some of the photos. I think a link was posted that lays out most of the text.

[lawdog]

If Kerry sues he will put into motion the proceedings that will lead to DISCLOSURE of all of his records. Additionally he will be deposed under Oath...setting up the possiblity of exposure to a perjury charge against him(Kerry).

[Caipirabob]

The Swift Boat vets have said as much, and I quote "They don't care is their commercial hurt or help President Bush. It's about getting the truth out about Kerry".

This isn't a group trying to get GW another 4 years. It's payback for Kerry's betrayal of our troops in during the congressional hearings in 1971.

We can't do a darn thing to stop the Swifties, so we may as well enjoy the ride.

[Oztrich Boy]

I also think Kerry will sue....if the charges are left unanswered, everyone will assume they are true.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt ..." - Mark Twain

[Mr. Jeeves]

I'm not sure the ads are going to hurt Kerry among the uninformed, either, or that they are intended to. Where they will hurt him is among "life-long Democrat" veterans who had already decided to vote for Kerry, but now are hearing things about him that they never heard before.

[Intolerant in NJ]

The bestselling author said that while Regnery declined to stop printing "Unfit," it offered to republish Kerry's 1971 book "The New Soldier," which chronicles the top Democrat's anti-war protests with a group bankrolled by Jane Fonda...beautiful......

[CyberAnt]

Nope .. not unless there is a gag order and I've never seen that in a civil case.

[Caipirabob]

Wow, it looks like you got several replies. Hey, I understand your position. You may be right. I just don't think that there's much, even if it came from GW's mouth that would stop this group, which consists of both conservatives and Democrats who supported GORE in 2k!

I think they've really got it in for Kerry. And if you consider how many of our brave troops were tortured with Kerry's congressional testimony calling them war criminals, I can understand their position, too.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

So, we all donate again, again, & again to get all of it out on the record.