Veteran John O'Neill will be on CNN between 5:15 and 5:45pm today...

John O'Neill / CNN ^ | April 20, 2004 | Interesting Times

[Interesting Times]

John O'Neill, the Vietnam veteran who took on John Kerry in the 1971 debate on American "war crimes" that was recently rebroadcast on C-SPAN, will be interviewed by Wolf Blitzer on CNN this evening. O'Neill, who commanded a Swift boat in the same division as Kerry -- though for considerably longer -- more than held his own against Kerry during a 90-minute special broadcast of the Dick Cavett Show. Now he is challenging Senator Kerry to continue the debate they began 33 years ago, in an effort to clear the names of the Vietnam veterans Kerry once accused of war crimes "committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command."

[EllaMinnow]

Finding and posting photos is about the only thing I can do quickly!

(Meaning I am a horrendous typist, so I let photos take the place of words.)

[kabar]

New nickname: Bug out Kerry

[Interesting Times]

Did anybody get a copy of this on videotape?

[kcvl]

I'll donate to help buy it.

[Temple Owl]

I think it was the death knell for our self-appointed Vietnam hero.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Uh, look, Kerry is far from washed up. He's about even in the polls and has the entire media establishment fervently behind him. Let's not go overboard. We have a long effort ahead of us to bring these matters to the attention of Joe Q. Public."

Well this is why we come to FR

[YaYa123]

Man oh man, I don't remember when I've been so impressed with someone! O'Neill when debating Kerrey decades ago on Dick Cavett Show, and today on CNN with Wolf Blitzer.

O'Neill held up Kerry's book and explained how it now costs $1,700.00 courtesy of Kerry working to keep it's contents secret from voters. Blitzer asked Kerry's spokesman about "the book", but he gave a non-answer and Blitzer let it go.

Blitzer asks O'Neill about all the many Viet Nam Vets who support Kerry and appear at his rallies. O'Neill said it's the same 7 or 8 recycled.

O'Neill...articulate, clearly said he is not political, and is doing this only because Kerry does not deserve to be president.

WOW!

[texasbluebell]

The only negative from all this anti-JF'nK stuff coming out now is that he's not really the official candidate yet.

So what will happen is he's bumped out, and you-know-who pushes her way in.

Maybe it's not a bad thing though, the Pres is strong and will probably be able to k-o her in Nov. Hoping against hope there's not too much vote fraud though.

If Ms Hill is defeated this year, she probably won't be able to throw her weight around enough to also run in 2008.

[Temple Owl]

When my three sons were little, they suffered far more serious injuries just falling off bikes , roller skates and getting bitten by water snakes. I think that I will issue them --no I will not-- there are a lot of good guys out there who really earned their Purple Hearts. I will not lessen their award.

[alnick]

Is O'Neill the guy who debated Kerry on the Dick Cavett show?

[texasbluebell]

Ebay has a "cheaper" copy being auctioned right now. It's only $995 -- and it's signed.

[Stultis]

I'm not very good (or efficient) at transcribing. Also I'm currently preparing for a move and will be packing up my computer soon. If you're still working on this project after I get moved (about three weeks I think) then I'd be happy to do 10 minutes or so.

[YaYa123]

Kerry's spokesman said Kerry served 2 tours in Viet Nam. I know his first one lasted 4 months, but I'm not familiar with his second tour, how long it was, or what he was doing. I'm fairly certain it was NOT in combat.

My husband, (who had 2 full VN tours, both in combat assignments), was just as impressed with O'Neill as I was. He thinks the story behind Kerry's 3 Purple Hearts is what will do him in, because as we type, as Kerry runs for president, soldiers are earning them in Iraq. My husband, and for that matter everyone with loved ones serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, should loathe John Kerry.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

FOX NEWS, instead of Hanoi Kerry, is gitmo detainees.

[texasbluebell]

I'm STILL concerned with Kerry's imploding that someone else actually stands a chance to screw things up for Bush.

Remember what Hilliary said. Paraphrasing --Something will happen in October that will change everything.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Is O'Neill the guy who debated Kerry on the Dick Cavett show?"

Yes, he is.

[OldFriend]

What is it with these leftists.......if you say you're sorry then all is forgiven?

GIVE ME A BREAK!

[maica]

Kerry's first assignment was on a carrier escort vessel and he spent about 6 months sailing to and from San Francisco, and around the waters of SE Asia.

Swift boat duty was at the time not risky, so when his ship returned to SF Kerry requested a transfer to swift boats - buffing up his JFK look-alike CV.

By the time he was trained and returned to Vietnam, the mission of the swift boat had changed to one of ' war crime' type aggression, that is going into actual danger.

So JFK started working on his ticket home - 3 purple hearts.

[OldFriend]

Bless your brother. He honored us all with his service to his country and his dedication to duty upon his return from the service.

[Laverne]

I jsut sent an email to Wolfie congratulating him on a great interview; I asked him to please post the picture on the front of the book to their web site, so viewers could get a better look at it! :-)