Posted on 01/23/2006 6:21:41 AM PST by crazyhorse691
Standing up against yet another smear
Before 2004, I'd never been involved in politics and considered my duty done at the ballot box. My memory of a man I served with in combat in Vietnam -- Lt. John Kerry -- became my sole reason for leaving the sidelines in the last presidential election. Watching the assault on his military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock. Perhaps I was naive. Watching those same tactics now being used against another decorated Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha, who, like Kerry, dared to speak his mind, has been a reminder of not just why I felt compelled to get involved, but why I must remain involved.
As a veteran of Vietnam, I can't in good conscience remain silent in the face of the "Swift Boating" of John Murtha. Today, the very same smear tactics the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" used against Kerry are being unleashed against Murtha, a retired Marine colonel and Democratic representative from Pennsylvania. The radical right Web site Cybercast News Service -- formerly the Conservative News Service -- has attacked Murtha, claiming he was fraudulently awarded Purple Hearts for wounds received during two tours in Vietnam.
Since it is unseemly for a leadership that never served its country in combat to attack the patriotism and veracity of decorated soldiers and sailors who did, this administration has returned to its tactic of finding surrogates to do its dirty work.
Administration supporters are hoping that by muddying the waters of Murtha's military record they can neuter another of their most passionate and sincere critics. It's an all-too-familiar pattern. Initially, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan described Murtha's stance on the war as "endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party." Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt quickly followed in lockstep by saying on the floor of the House of Representatives, "Cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
The White House followed with perfunctory praise from President Bush, who described Murtha as "a good man who served our country with honor and distinction as a Marine in Vietnam and as a United States congressman." Vice President Cheney referred to Murtha as "a good man, a Marine, a patriot." How laudable.
The rapid reversal by the White House appears remarkable at first glance, given its penchant for uniformity of message. But it isn't at all remarkable. As with the Swift Boat assault on Kerry during the 2004 election campaign, attacks are made, the public's attention is captured, the White House offers platitudes and the surrogates press on with the administration's covert support.
John Kerry and John Murtha both love their country and proved their patriotism in the crucible of war and on the battlefield of public service. But far more is at stake than the reputations of two good men. They have the honor of their service, as do the hundreds of thousands of Americans in uniform in harm's way today, and that's enough.
But the health of our democracy, the integrity of our debate, the voice of our free press and the true meaning of patriotism are under assault if a new generation of Swift Boat-style smears is allowed into the public sphere unchallenged.
For my country's sake, I hope brave Americans of good conscience will speak up and make it clear that we will not tolerate such smears today, just as we shouldn't have tolerated them in 2004.
Jim Rassmann, a retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, lives in Florence. He served with the Army's 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1968-69.
What makes him think that either Saudi or Kuwait would accept all of those troops and equipment?
Its like all other plans by Kerry and Murtha, They dont think them through, They just say "I have a plan".
Since when does being a veteran, or even specifically a combat veteran, give one a pass for anti-American activities?
I have known patriots, both military and civilian. Gore, Murtha, Kerry, and Glenn aren't fit to polish their shoes.
Link at end.
"These are the major criteria I would apply to the deployment of U.S. troops:
== The mission should be related to our national security. The mission should be clear and achievable.
== We must know ahead of time the implications of failure and being forced to leave without achieving our objectives (the key question is not how we get out but why we are getting in).
== The force deployed must be large enough to achieve the objectives with minimal casualties.
== Decision makers should be cautious about being overly affected by reports in the media.
== Rules of engagement should be forceful and clear. Congress and our allies should be consulted early and frequently."
So anyone who disputes a Democrat's story is a Republican operative? What a bunch of whiners. By that standard, I can call Michael Moore a Democratic operative.
Terrific Graphic!
As they say in the disclaimers of mutual funds and stocks:
"PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE."
Thanks for the ping!
Does anyone know if Rassman is authentic? Have his "bona fides" been checked out by the "wannabe" hunters? It seems unlikley to me that an authentic "combat veteran" would stand up and support a traitorous fraud like John Kerry. I don't remember if this came up during the 2004 presidential election campaigns. My suspicion is that Murtha's war record is "enhanced" - in other words, he's Kerry, minus the treason.
But "I have a plan" sounds so....authentic, so macho, so "in control".
Democrats are into appearances....a bit short on action.
and the "details" of the plan are either, 1) not there, or 2) gonzo!
Bump!
Some old kerry info -->http://www.bbhq.com/jfkfacts.htm <-
I can't wait until the fireworks begin : )
Naughty, naughty! That was sticken from the record. How dare he remind us of that!
Unless, of course, ITS TRUE ! ! !
Thanks for the ping.
those sound like a quitter's version of Cap Weinberger's principles (later modified somewhat by Powell). But notice how in Murtha's rewriting, you're constantly taking the pulse and standing ready to cut and run.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
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