Posted on 10/06/2004 8:35:23 PM PDT by Interesting Times
When John Kerry testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971 that American troops in Vietnam were ravaging the country with widespread atrocities, it was based on a pack of lies. I know, because I told some of those lies after Kerry coached me on what to say.
I was wounded in 1969 and when well enough to walk and return to the US I was spit on, ridiculed and had feces thrown at my uniform. I was mad at my country for sending me to a war it was not committed to win and bitter at being vilified for serving my country.
After discharge from the Army I met a representative of “Vietnam Veterans Against the War.” He wore jungle fatigues, spoke like a Vietnam veteran and held out a hand of friendship, a kind of Vietnam era VFW. I joined, not knowing they were radicals.
After several VVAW meetings my recruiter said we were needed in a Detroit meeting called Winter Soldier to support members recounting bad experiences in Vietnam, and there would be a free concert.
I rode to Detroit with John Kerry and others in a freezing cold van. While Kerry was interested in atrocities, I hoped to meet pretty women.
In Detroit Kerry pressed me to testify but I told him I didn’t see any atrocities in Vietnam. They needed me for their purpose because I was one of the few present who had been in combat.
During a break, John Kerry and some moderators surrounded me. Kerry said, “I need you to say you saw war crimes and atrocities in Vietnam.” Others said “Come on man, the brothers need you!” and “Don’t you want to help save lives in Vietnam?” Someone whispered in my ear “It’s a long walk back to Baltimore.”
I reluctantly agreed to say something, and Kerry said “OK, we’re going to have a dialogue with you recorded before you go out there. I need you to talk about the beating of civilians and enemy personnel.”
Kerry coached me to “Specify indiscriminate artillery on villages, racism, brutality and rape.” He said he’d help me with specifics.
When the camera came on, Kerry asked “What brings you here to Detroit?” Was he kidding? I felt betrayed, I tried to evade by mumbling how hard that was to answer and I felt a strong desire to leave.
But I didn’t. Following Kerry’s prompting I told false stories, a rambling bunch of generalities sprinkled with references to racism, atrocities, and an organized underground in country, along with some half-truths to please the mob.
When it was over I went on with my life, rejoined the military, and buried VVAW as a dark memory. When I later discovered Kerry had been meeting with the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong in Paris and repeating their talking points in the US while our boys were still dying, I was sick at having helped him.
I have noted the backlash against veterans who speak out against Kerry now that he wants to be President. Many call it dirty politics. But it makes no difference to me whether Kerry is a Democrat or Republican; this is a matter of keeping faith with my country. Whatever you say about me, I now must tell the truth about Kerry and about myself.
Recently in Washington DC a group of Vietnam vets held a rally. At the last minute I was given a few moments to speak to the crowd of thousands. I nervously stepped up on the stage, gripped the podium with shaking hands and as I confessed to the crowd what I had done long ago I could see anger on their faces. But when I asked them to forgive me, I heard someone shout "You're already forgiven!" I saw aging veterans, wives and their adult children standing in the sun with tears on their faces. There were also smiles. From these people I felt closure, my dark conscience brightened. As I stepped off the stage, many lined up to shake my hand and hug me, and I was overwhelmed.
I failed those I owed the most loyalty long ago. That’s my fault, not John Kerry’s. But Kerry did use me, and he knowingly used lies to denounce a generation of fine American troops.
Kerry played on people’s fears to gain his own political advantage 33 years ago, no matter the danger to our troops. He’s doing the same thing again today.
This time it’s Iraq.
Steve Pitkin
Boca Raton, Florida
See also: Yesterday's Lies: Steve Pitkin and the Winter Soldiers by Scott Swett
. My name is JOhnKERry and I approve this message !!!
.
He's paid his dues.
In the documentary Stolen Honor,at 17:33 in, it shows Kerry talking to Steve Pitkin at the Winter Soldier meeting in Detroit.Kerry asks,"is there something that you could....that you really kinda want to say, in terms of the crimes and why they happened, what brings you here?
Pitkin is not a fraud, like many at the meeting were!
Thanks for the ping to you and others who sent one. I remember this article - and I thought it was here I read it - some time ago. Glad to see you brought it up again so it gets some more readership. It's gotta hit MSM sometime, eh?
This is a new article by Steve Pitkin. You're probably thinking of a piece I posted a couple of weeks ago that covered some of the same ground.
Thanks Tonk for including the Local Media link, like you do. Sure made it handy to whip off a letter to my local media! I just did a cut/paste of the article and source and it came out like this (in case someone else wants to do the same).
Please read this letter from a fellow veteran of John Kerry's. Source: http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/staticpages/index.php?page=Pitkin1
----- Kerry Lied, So Did I
When John Kerry testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971 that American troops in Vietnam were ravaging the country with widespread atrocities, it was based on a pack of lies. I know, because I told some of those lies after Kerry coached me on what to say.
I was wounded in 1969 and when well enough to walk and return to the US I was spit on, ridiculed and had feces thrown at my uniform. I was mad at my country for sending me to a war it was not committed to win and bitter at being vilified for serving my country.
After discharge from the Army I met a representative of “Vietnam Veterans Against the War.” He wore jungle fatigues, spoke like a Vietnam veteran and held out a hand of friendship, a kind of Vietnam era VFW. I joined, not knowing they were radicals.
After several VVAW meetings my recruiter said we were needed in a Detroit meeting called Winter Soldier to support members recounting bad experiences in Vietnam, and there would be a free concert.
I rode to Detroit with John Kerry and others in a freezing cold van. While Kerry was interested in atrocities, I hoped to meet pretty women.
In Detroit Kerry pressed me to testify but I told him I didn’t see any atrocities in Vietnam. They needed me for their purpose because I was one of the few present who had been in combat.
During a break, John Kerry and some moderators surrounded me. Kerry said, “I need you to say you saw war crimes and atrocities in Vietnam.” Others said “Come on man, the brothers need you!” and “Don’t you want to help save lives in Vietnam?” Someone whispered in my ear “It’s a long walk back to Baltimore.”
I reluctantly agreed to say something, and Kerry said “OK, we’re going to have a dialogue with you recorded before you go out there. I need you to talk about the beating of civilians and enemy personnel.”
Kerry coached me to “Specify indiscriminate artillery on villages, racism, brutality and rape.” He said he’d help me with specifics.
When the camera came on, Kerry asked “What brings you here to Detroit?” Was he kidding? I felt betrayed, I tried to evade by mumbling how hard that was to answer and I felt a strong desire to leave.
But I didn’t. Following Kerry’s prompting I told false stories, a rambling bunch of generalities sprinkled with references to racism, atrocities, and an organized underground in country, along with some half-truths to please the mob.
When it was over I went on with my life, rejoined the military, and buried VVAW as a dark memory. When I later discovered Kerry had been meeting with the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong in Paris and repeating their talking points in the US while our boys were still dying, I was sick at having helped him.
I have noted the backlash against veterans who speak out against Kerry now that he wants to be President. Many call it dirty politics. But it makes no difference to me whether Kerry is a Democrat or Republican; this is a matter of keeping faith with my country. Whatever you say about me, I now must tell the truth about Kerry and about myself.
Recently in Washington DC a group of Vietnam vets held a rally. At the last minute I was given a few moments to speak to the crowd of thousands. I nervously stepped up on the stage, gripped the podium with shaking hands and as I confessed to the crowd what I had done long ago I could see anger on their faces. But when I asked them to forgive me, I heard someone shout "You're already forgiven!" I saw aging veterans, wives and their adult children standing in the sun with tears on their faces. There were also smiles. From these people I felt closure, my dark conscience brightened. As I stepped off the stage, many lined up to shake my hand and hug me, and I was overwhelmed.
I failed those I owed the most loyalty long ago. That’s my fault, not John Kerry’s. But Kerry did use me, and he knowingly used lies to denounce a generation of fine American troops.
Kerry played on people’s fears to gain his own political advantage 33 years ago, no matter the danger to our troops. He’s doing the same thing again today.
This time it’s Iraq.
--- Steve Pitkin Boca Raton, Florida
===
Sincerely,
xxxx
Ok, thanks. Guess I'm having a senior moment, lol
As a 57 year old BB, I can assure you that most of us were no more responsible for what happened than you and I will be "responsible" for Kerry's election. The liberal media were against the war, the people and activities that served their purpose got coverage, and the followers followed. The politicians chickened out, and the rest is history...
Must read!
First of all, welcome to Freerepublic.
"Who cares about 30 years ago? That has nothing to do with the election and issues of today."
Well, I think you need a history lesson. It has EVERYTHING to do with the election! He has been lying about soldiers and veterans for more than 30 years.
Read around a bit. His words when he returned from Vietnam put POW's in peril. His words destroyed hearts and souls of fellow Vietnam Veterans by what he accused them of doing. MANY still are wounded from his behavior/actions/words all these years since past. They can't forgive and forget what he did. Many of their loved ones can't either. He was a traitor to his fellow veterans in all branches of service.
He still betrays current troops serving, by his votes.
Like I said, read around some more. IT DOES MATTTER!
The VietNam vet never really left home. He came home to find intruders in his house. Kerry was one of those imposters, intruders, in the home of the brave and the free. It is long past time to evict the false Americans and clean house.
Thanks for you comments!
Kerry did so much damage, he would never believe it.
That's the problem, I think. His wife already mentioned he may suffer the same thing.
I know many more than one VN vet who has PTSD. Kerry came back home and scarred all the real guys who served their country by going to VietNam.
There are many veterans I know in my life.
What you said - "The VietNam vet never really left home. He came home to find intruders in his house."
And when they did come home, some did protect their homes, and never left guarding their doors, if you know what I mean.
How about sleeping on the couch, next to the front door, with a gun under the couch?
How about sleeping on the floor, next to the door?
How about living in the basement for almost 2 years.
How about..........tell me about it.
Really, since I have lived with someone like that, I'd like to know you.
Freepmail privately.
 OH DANNY BOY  |
   John "V" Kerry now admits he was at the VVAW Executive Steering Committee Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri from November 12-15, 1971 This was John "V" Kerry's first US Senate vote. Kerry claims he voted "Nay". Isn't that special! |
    |
Let's not. Why give thousands of dollars to people who hate us?
Gosh, if only we had some inexpensive electronic means of circulating this story...
Priorities. Let's use them. An ad in the NYT stands to get the most national attention. We can send the info around the net too. Hit them hard from every direction possible. We need to win this election.
Kerry didn't lie. To lie one would have to tell the truth once in a while, to know the difference, between truth and lie. Near as I can tell, ain't one word of truth ever come out of that man. It is all fiction. The pity is that so many Americans, nearly half, can't see this. That's what's really sad.
Didn't like hearing about Kerry coaching people to lie?
I understand what you are saying, but Kerry is the one who has based his qualifications for the Presidency on 30 years ago. These issues, therefore, need to be examine.
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