The ad is based on actions of Kerry, period. To deny its play on air, is to deny the American people a close up look at EXACTLY what kerry did to the military and our nation during his anti-vietnam crap.
If the Swift Boat vets consider talking to the ENEMY while we still had POW's as a betrayal, and IF kerry was not sent to do this by our government, then this IS a betrayal of our military.
So, since when is the 'TRUTH' too HOT to report?
If FOX news has VETTED the ad, and found it contained untruths...well bully for them, they are holding to a great journalistic code.
But if the ad is FACTUAL, and states the SENTIMENTS of the veterans kerry trashed, WHAT IN THE HECK IS WRONG WITH SHOWING IT?
Fox isn't saying it is untrue. Your premise is absolutely correct, but I'm not really trying to 'defend' Fox's decision, only analyze the possible impact of it.
Look at it this way: Remember when O'Reilly complained about the use of his photo and use of the "Factor" in Stewart Smally's book and the result was much more publicity for the book? This is the same principal. Fox is just saying that the 'language' is not 'legally' clear, and personally I think it is a great move that will benifit the Swifties.
I'm just analyzing this from a PR sort of way. I've done a lot of work with advertising, and the best thing in the world you can generate for publicity is buzz, even if it is negative. You can turn a really bad movie into a money-maker just because of buzz. Remember Showgirls? There is a line that you want to avoid crossing though, and that is you don't want to lose your message among the buzz.
That is the power of this spot, because it points out something that the MSM has refused to cover; Kerry's meeting in Paris with a rep of the VC. The crux of the spot is irrefutable because Kerry himself has confirmed it.
I might be wrong, but I still think this is a good news for the SBV for Truth.
I'm thinking this is a little more like yelling fire in a crowded theatre--not the lie-aspect of it, but the crisis-aspect. The ad might well be seen as incitement to violence (if it weren't an old story for me, I can guarantee I'd want to deck him--at least).