Kerry allows Navy release of military, medical records (Navy provided them to Boston Globe)

boston Globe ^ | June 7, 2005 | Michael Kranish

[FairOpinion]

Senator John F. Kerry, ending at least two years of refusal, has waived privacy restrictions and authorized the release of his full military and medical records.

The records, which the Navy Personnel Command provided to the Globe, are mostly a duplication of what Kerry released during his 2004 campaign for president, including numerous commendations from commanding officers who later criticized Kerry's Vietnam service.

The lack of any substantive new material about Kerry's military career in the documents raises the question of why Kerry refused for so long to waive privacy restrictions.

[CharlieOK1]

Bush is a handsome fella, isnt he? I am confident enough in my masculinity to be able to admit that.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

"This Toilet Sanitized for Your Protection."

...has suddenly become...

"This Record Sanitized of His Defection."

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Sounds like the Globe is trying to give Kerry cover.

[Chieftain]

The author of the article, Michael Krannish, is a HUGE Kerry supporter. This was written to say "Nothing new here. Move along."

Someone at the Globe has the reigns pulled very tight and they will spin this forever. Sooner or later though, someone will expose it all for the right amount of $$ (probably coming from the Hillary 2008 crowd).

[CDB]

Any finding of an original Dishonorable Discharge could be hard to find if a military judge or high ranking officer ordered the discharge changed and all records leading to the original discharge be permanently removed from the individual's file. The missing files may have even come as a surprise to Kerry himself or it may have been part of the agreement that Kerry will leave the military, without a fight, if he received an honorable and all negative records removed from his file?

If a 21st century "Deep Throat" ever "leaked" John Kurry's LHD, would the new "Deep Throat" be viewed by the MSM as a hero or a villain? Three guesses.

[kabar]

Someone at the Globe has the reigns pulled very tight and they will spin this forever. Sooner or later though, someone will expose it all for the right amount of $$ (probably coming from the Hillary 2008 crowd).

They can try to spin it, but the SBVFT can put in a FOIA request for the material and do their own analysis. The big question for me is whether Kerry's SF-180 contains any limitations on the kinds of material released. The SBVFT should be able to get a copy of the signed SF-180.

[shield]

skerry is a liar....over and over and over...he'll never let the public see the real deal on his dishonorable discharge from the navy...that'd end his chances of ever becoming president....

skerry I've got news for you...YOU'LL NEVER BE ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF USA!!!

[conservativebabe]

This is highly suspect and not fooling anyone.

Did you all see that the basset hound was a D student to boot?

And they criticized W for being a C student, hypocrits.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Apparently he did sign the 180 -- but seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if some mole hadn't gotten in there and removed some incriminating ones, such as his original suspected dishonorable or at least general discharge.

Oh you know it took him this long to release the records, because they had to be sanitized first. At this late date, I wouldn't believe anything he produced.

[Tribune7]

You know, if there should be nothing real emabarassing, he may end up looking like a bigger fool.

[CDB]

I served for many years...1980-2004, in both active duty and reserve components of the Army. I would not release my record. It's nobody's business.

A lot of us are vets; but, most of us are not US Presidential candidates. Especially, a candidate who made his military service the cornerstone of his campaign.

[JakeINJoisey]

They can try to spin it, but the SBVFT can put in a FOIA request for the material and do their own analysis.

This is simply NOT TRUE, and it has been pointed out numerous times in this forum as well as in this thread. An FOIA request cannot breach the privacy restrictions which protect military records without prior authorization (SF 180) that specify the parameters of what is to be released and TO WHOM.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Is he smiling or just breathing?

[kabar]

This is simply NOT TRUE, and it has been pointed out numerous times in this forum as well as in this thread. An FOIA request cannot breach the privacy restrictions which protect military records without prior authorization (SF 180) that specify the parameters of what is to be released and TO WHOM.

Kerry has supposedly submitted an SF-180, which gives authorization to release his military records. Do you know what parameters Kerry placed on his SF-180? I don't, which is why I have stated that in post 126 that we need to see his SF-180 to see the limitations, if any.

As far as being able to designate who can see these records as part of the authorization (SF 180), I would like to see the primary source for this assertion. I hve been involved in FOIA releases, and have never heard of such a restriction. In essence, you are limiting the public's right to know. Also, if you were to limit who can receive such material, what conditions are placed upon them for the release of the material to others not named?

The Freedom of Information Act 5 U.S.C. § 552, As Amended By Public Law No. 104-231, 110 Stat. 3048

[Snidely Whiplash]

That's why I think it is a pointless exercise.[..] Either that is acknowledged, without the need for some grand conspiracy to explain the absence, or it is not.

Forget it, dude. Yer just whizzing into the wind on this one.

SW

[johnb838]

If he was able to get Lehman's signature forged on his record and Lehman couldn't do anything about it, then who's to doubt he could get anything sanitized? I hate sitting US senators.

[kabar]

SF-180

[Just A Nobody]

What about sKerry's FBI file during the 70's?

[kabar]

2. Restrictions on release of information. Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense regulations and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. The service member (either past or present) or the member’s legal guardian has access to almost any information contained in that member’s own record. Others requesting information from military personnel/health records must have the release authorization in Section III of the SF 180 signed by the member or legal guardian, but if the appropriate signature cannot be obtained, only limited types of information can be provided. If the former member is deceased, surviving next of kin may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to greater access to a deceased veteran’s records than a member of the public. The next of kin may be any of the following: unremarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother. Employers and others needing proof of military service are expected to accept the information shown on documents issued by the military service departments at the time a service member is separated.

If Kerry only releases this information to the Boston Globe, he would be crucified. Again, I would like to see his signed 180 and what was put in Section III.

[cherokee1]

Get Dan Rather on the job----he can spot phoney documents a mile away.