John Kerry's photograph is featured in the War Protestors Hall of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City -- a clear indication of the value the Vietnamese communists place on Kerry's support of their efforts during the Vietnam War. The photograph was received in response to a general request last week for information documenting Kerry's activities on behalf of the enemy."One could imagine a foreign government, for example, even a former enemy, choosing to honor one of our citizens this way with a photograph on display in whatever hall, without it necessarily legitimately destroying that person's reputation or fitness for office, but the true nail in Kerry's coffin here, is Kerry's willingness to accept the 1993 meeting with the Communist delegation, in clear knowledge of why they wanted to meet with him and thusly honor him."
"Senator (Ted) Kennedy, your brother defined anti-war demonstrators during the Viet Nam war as being traitors and giving aid to Ho Chi Minh. Your friend, John Kerry, was one of these. Who do you agree with?" -RedBloodedAmerican, FReeper
Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING
Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel you can advance the discussion.
The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done.
Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win.
We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both sides "equally" accountable when the facts don't warrant that.
I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions.
It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do that right.