Posted on 11/01/2004 2:27:45 PM PST by treeclimber
A former secretary of the Navy is urging Sen. John Kerry to open up his personnel files to resolve the question of whether the Democratic presidential nominee received a less-than-honorable discharge from the Navy.
William Middendorf, the Navy chief from 1974 to 1977, told WorldNetDaily today that Kerry, who began inactive reserve status in 1972, would have been issued a document three years later either for a reserve reaffiliation or a separation discharge.
An "honorable discharge" from 1978 appears on the Kerry campaign's website, but a Navy lawyer who served under Middendorf believes that document is a substitute for one that would have been issued in 1975.
However, no such document can be found among the records Kerry has made available.
"I should think it would be in his interest to open up the files, to clear up any misunderstanding," said Middendorf, who later served as ambassador to the Netherlands, European Union and Organization of American States.
Middendorf said he cannot comment specifically on any action taken on Kerry, because he is barred, under the 1974 privacy act, from discussing personnel matters.
However, he enthusiastically vouches for the character of Mark Sullivan, who formed the basis for a story today in the New York Sun by Thomas Lipscomb, the first to report discrepancies in Kerry's discharge record.
Sullivan, who served in the secretary of the Navy's office in the Judge Advocate General Corps Reserve between 1975 and 1977, says the "honorable discharge" on the Kerry website appears to be a Carter administration substitute for an original action expunged from Kerry's record, Lipscomb reported.
Asked by WorldNetDaily to address Sullivan's findings, Middendorf cited the privacy act.
"I shouldn't comment other than to say I respect Mark Sullivan as one of the finest Navy officers we had."
The Kerry campaign has insisted that all of the senator's Navy records have been released, with the exception of medical papers, but the Washington Post and others have reported at least 100 pages are still under wraps. Kerry would have to file a Standard Form 180 to grant permission for full release of his records.
If Kerry received something other than an honorable discharge, it likely was related to his anti-war activities while a member of the Navy reserve, says Jerome Corsi, a specialist on the anti-war movement and co-author of best-seller "Unfit for Command."
"We've been arguing that Kerry's cooperation with the enemy throughout the Vietnam War was widely known by the intelligence community," Corsi told WND.
Corsi believes this is the reason the discharge is not on the campaign website.
"If he didn't have reason to hide anything, he would have released it," Corsi said.
Lets start the impeachment drive right now!!!
Kerry: Vietnam? I was never in Vietnam. Whoever said that is a liar.
None of this matters if President Bush wins a second term. If he doesn't, then we have a problem, don't we?
Why didn't this guy do this a week or two ago?
I'm about to bail out. May not be here much tomorrow. I'll leave you with this prayer I said this morning and have shared with as many friends as I can.
Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for the countless blessings you have bestowed upon us all. Only through Your Word and Your Guidance do we receive the bounties of Your Love.
Please guide my hand and the hands of all your humble servants in selecting the earthly leader of our nation in tomorrow's election.
Please help us to understand Your Will through the outcome, and please bless this nation and the world in these trying times with Your Love and Mercy.
Through our humble prayers we seek Your Will and do Your Work here on earth.
Amen
Even if Kerry is elected, he may not be able to get the clearance needed for Commander in Chief. Once the Intelligence Agencies review his attendance at a meeting that called for assassinations of Senators they can't legally grant him clearance. This is why he never attended closed door Senate Intelligence Committee meetings because he wasn't allowed to review secret documents. Now that would be national security, a Commander in Chief that can't review intelligence even if our country is attacked.
BTTT!!!!!!
BTTT!!!!!!!
If Kerry wins, there WILL be an impeachment movement. Perhaps this is too late now, but watch out..... we don't forget!!! And neither do the Swift Boats and other veterans. I don't care IF Kerry 'thinks' he wins, there are a lot of us who will go the mile to prove he is a TRAITOR!!! This will not end on November 3rd!!
Osama Bin Kerry
That's a nice thought, but the union bosses and ward leaders in Philly don't give a darn about what Bush may or may not do to them. They have absolute authority in their precincts and the Dem cheating will be rampant for Kerry. Kerry will win Pennsylvania's electoral votes thanks to the widespread Philly fraud and Bush has chosen to do nothing about it during his four years in office.
I doubt it. More likely they're covering for each other over the POW left-behind whitewash in the early 1990's. See the Village Voice articles that describe the coverups.
Maybe. Maybe not. I sent this to Sean Hannity, John Gibson, Brit Hume and Rush. Maybe they'll investigate and comment. I don't hold out much hope. I thought this was coming out this past weekend.
A TO THE POINT HEADS-UP
I had a conversation with Bill Middendorf earlier today. Bill was the Secretary of the Navy from April 1974 to January 1978. I got to know Bill well when he was Ronald Reagan\'s Ambassador to the OAS and we worked together on support for the Contras.
Bill has agreed to publicly state that to the best of his knowledge and recollection, John Kerry was dishonorably discharged from the military and fought to have this reversed while he (Bill)was SECNAV, which Bill of course refused to do. When Carter became president, Kerry secured the honorable discharge from Bill\'s successor.
The OTH (Other Than Honorable)discharge story has been out for a while, but for a former Secretary of the Navy to confirm it is major news. WorldNetDaily will be headlining it, as should the Washington Times tomorrow, and possibly Drudge. For some reason, Drudge, whom Jerry Corsi (coauthor of Unfit for Command) just talked to a few minutes! ago, is resisting. I also gave the story to Neal Cavuto at Fox.
I thought all TTPers should get a heads-up on this.
Jack Wheeler
I question the totally dorky timing of this!
Good one.
It's better than a predictable "October Surprise", and it puts accountability for Kerry's career in the Senate and the future of the DNC in his own hands.
You may be right.
Sleep well tonight.
May the Good Lord be a comfort in your dreams.
May you awake tomorrow a victor, knowing you have done your best today.
Amen! I'd sure be glad to "take one for the team".
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