Kerry citation a 'total mystery' to ex-Navy chief (John Lehman)

Sun Times ^ | August 28, 2004 | Thomas Lipscomb

[Grampa Dave]

Kerry citation a 'total mystery' to ex-Navy chief

August 28, 2004

BY THOMAS LIPSCOMB

Former Navy Secretary John Lehman has no idea where a Silver Star citation displayed on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's campaign Web site came from, he said Friday. The citation appears over Lehman's signature.

"It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me," he said.

The additional language varied from the two previous citations, signed first by Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and then Adm. John Hyland, which themselves differ. The new material added in the Lehman citation reads in part: "By his brave actions, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself...."

Asked how the citation could have been executed over his signature without his knowledge, Lehman said: "I have no idea. I can only imagine they were signed by an autopen." The autopen is a device often used in the routine execution of executive documents in government.

Kerry senior adviser Michael Meehan could not be reached for comment on Kerry's records.

Thomas Lipscomb is chairman of the Center for the Digital Future in New York

[Petronski]

But Brinkley said this week the papers are the property of the senator and in his full control.

Kerry will hide behind the publisher then, claiming exclusivity with them. But if they leave him hanging...

[mabelkitty]

Lehman is a liar.
He knows he was caught, and he could go to prison for doing what he did.
How much money did Lehman get for tweaking Kerry's records?
Why was Lehman selected for the 9/11 Commission? Was he put there to make Bush take a hit so Kerry could get a bump?

[SkyPilot]

Don't officials need to approve documents for signing by autopen?

Autopens are very useful for high ranking officials who have to sign literally thousands of documents per year---but they have to be carefully controlled.

This is usually the job of the Executive Officer. The Secretary of the Navy usually has more than one Exec---probably about 4 officers --usually in the rank of 0-5 or 0-6 (Commander and Captain).

Autopens are large machines--about the size of a 1/2 or 1/4 a ping pong table. They are usually kept in a locked room and highly controlled so that they cannot be misued.

[P-Marlowe]

Does someone have a link to the document in question?

[Grampa Dave]

"I am hearing that the Kerry people aren't even answering MSM inquiries about this fabrication."

One of the people the rats don't want to tangle with or try to smear is John Lehman.


Someone needs to save any pictures and references to any medals on moi Kerri's website. If any are still on his site, they will be gone before the day is over.

[Constitution Day]

WOW!!

[Grampa Dave]

"Way to go, Tom. Nailed Kerry again. This one should be good."

Tom has been doing some good nailing hasn't he?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me," he said.

Hey, John... how's this for "bringing it on." huh? Huh? LIKE it, do ya...? :)

[ScottFromSpokane]

Gonzaga, huh? They have a pretty active College Republican crowd.

[TomGuy]

It is becoming, to quote Jacquestrap Kerry's mentor, Teddy Kennedy, "Lie after lie after lie after lie."

[Interesting Times]

John Kerry is a paper hero, but the paperwork doesn't hold up well under examination.

My understanding is that this Tom Lipscomb article was trimmed down considerably by the editors. It might not hurt to let them know that we consider this important and useful information.

[mwl1]

I am confused. Is this the same issue as the "V" attendant to the silver star, or yet another fabrication?

It is getting to the point where we need a scorecard to keep up with the lies and distortions.

[Cboldt]

Don't officials need to approve documents for signing by autopen?

Sort of. They establish a procedure whereby oce the requisite conditions have been met, a document can be autopen signed.

The citations signed by Lehman are most likely "replacement citations," provided at Kerry's request, after a review of the relevant military records indicated that Kerry was entitled to the citation. Requests for replacement medals and citations are routine, and can occur due to loss in fire, loss due to neglect, etc.

Best speculation is that Kerry requested replacement medals for the ones he threw over the fence (BTW, the first set of replacements is free!), and either the medals automatically come with a new citation letter, or Kerry requested both, medal and citation letter, or Kerry's servant just figured the request for replacement ought to "ask for everything he can get."

[mabelkitty]

If that were the case, why didn't Lehman make a stink about this earlier? It's not like it was a recently dropped bombshell.
I think Lehman has been contacted by Washington and he's now attempting to distance himself from it.

[Chieftain]

Tired of the lamestream media and the DemocRATS 'smear the messenger' campaign? Do SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Do what Reagan did - GO AROUND THEM AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!

Get your own "EXPOSE KERRY'S FRAUD SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH" STICKER!

I put this sticker on my truck the other day. I get lots of honks and 'thumbs up'!

The sticker serves 3 purposes:
1 - Shows visible support for "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" to passing motorists, (encourages our side discourages the libs).
2 - Gets the swiftvets.com website visible to the public, so they can and find out more about 'Hanoi John' Kerry.
3 - Circumvents the lamestream media BIAS filter!

Made by fellow FReeper disabled vet who has a bone to pick with Kerry, like we all do!
Large (24" Wide 12" Tall) $20 (like mine above)
Small (12" Wide 6" Tall) $10
Profits go to SwiftVets.com

Ping your FRiends, let 'em know about this!

FReep mail / private reply for details on how you can get one for your vehicle!

[tdadams]

The Kerry campaign has refused to release Kerry's personal Vietnam archive, including his journals and letters, saying that the senator is contractually bound to grant Brinkley exclusive access to the material.

What an utter Bullsh*t (yes, with a capital B) and convenient excuse.

A person cannot hide evidence of wrongdoing with the utterly contemptible ruse that it's part of a contractual exclusivity. Do that in a court of law and you'll be cooling your heels in the slammer until you decide you've had enough.

Kerry: Release your records, you lying SOB!

[Airborne Longhorn]

Personally, friends, I favor the use of:

Old Media (aka "Mainstream Media") vs. New Media, ie, talk radio/Internet/FR/weblog.

"Old" says it all: passe, has-been, used-to-be, washed up, versus...

New: we get it; you should, too!

[hoosiermama]

Here's a little tid bit to brighten your weekend!

[TomGuy]

MSM = Main Stream Media

[Took me a while the first time I saw it, too.]

[NCPAC]

In most instances, your take on the matter is correct. An underling would obtain autopen signatures for basic correspondence - and even some commendations, citations, and awards - to non VIPS. For a sitting Senator, Congressman, or most other VIPs? You had better believe the Secretary would sign the document personally.