Kerry takes oilman Pickens up on $1 million Swift Boat challenge

[ray of light]

Source: Boston Herald

Sen. John Kerry, whose 2004 presidential campaign was torpedoed by critics of his Vietnam War record, said Friday he has personally accepted Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens’ offer of $1 million to anyone who can disprove even a single charge of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

In a letter to Pickens, who provided $3 million to bankroll the group during Kerry’s race against President Bush, the Massachusetts Democrat wrote: "While I am prepared to show they lied on allegation after allegation, you have generously offered to pay one million dollars for just one thing that can be proven false. I am prepared to prove the lie beyond any reasonable doubt."

Kerry, a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, said he was willing to present his case directly to Pickens and would donate any proceeds to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Pickens issued his challenge Nov. 6 in Washington, while serving as chairman of a 40th anniversary gala for American Spectator magazine, according to two Internet accounts of the gathering and Kerry, who said he spoke to people who were there.



Read more: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/general/view.bg?articleid=1045198

---

That's the way you do it John! Kick those SwiftBoatVeteranLIARS right back into those caves where they belong with the other creepy-crawly's out there. (Excuse me for insulting the other creepy-crawlers who certainly aren't as ugly and evil as those liars are!)

Go John GO!!!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I am going to greatly enjoy watching this unfold.

It's not about the money, one million dollars is chicken feed to Pickens, it's about justice.

[neohippie]

2. if he funded a lie once...,

He probably lied about the million dollar offer as well.

[babylonsister]

3. Whoa! Smoothe, Senator Kerry!

:patriot:

[neohippie]

his mistake is trust

He said in the article that he trusts this guy is a man of his word... LOL! Hasn't he already proven otherwise?

[FreepFryer]

9. Saying that is half of proving Pickens a liar - the other half comes when the jerk welches the bet.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

114. Then Kerry sues the PISS out of him and a jury decides that Kerry is right

LOVE IT

[Acadia Blue]

63. Right. you can't trust a piece of elephant dung.

[Rambis]

4. Just have the clown watch the night line show

where they went to vietnam and interviewed with widow of the guy John Kerry killed in combat. He was not 14 years old as the swiftboatliers said. He was not shot in the back. Case closed right there-

[kskiska]

11. That program was totally overlooked

It got no press at all. Koppel went to Vietnam vowing to broadcast whatever he found there. The locals told the story. It was the story Kerry's been telling all along.

[Rambis]

22. helped that is was aired at 1:00am CST

:sarcasm:

[blm]

31. Dan Rather told us cormedia needed Bush to win.

He was right. And so media downplayed and would not repeat Koppe's report or its findings.

Corp media did NOT want Kerry in the WH. People should wake up and realize that the last 4yrs of media attacks targeting Kerry have been orchestrated to destroy him. And corporate Dems like McAuliffe and Clinton and Schumer have been part of it.



Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[L. Coyote]

5. American Spectator magazine sounds like an Arkansas Project reunion

I'd rather they were brought to the bar of Justice.

Bush vs. Gore, the 'Arkansas Project,' the USA firings, and the Swiftboat Admiral
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1029113

[MarinCoUSA]

17. You right. They're updating their Rolodexes data for the '08 HRC swift boating!

Let the fun begin!

[Didereaux]

6. 2-TWO-2 Texans funded those bastards...TB Pickins & Bob Perry

[beachmom]

10. Yep. Texas = Bush. n/t

[panzerfaust]

127. That's GOV'NER Perry to

... you boy.

We know where you live.

[Didereaux]

130. Sorry Charlie...Bob Perry is NOT the guv...RICK Perry is the guv!

[ray of light]

7. Another link I found. AP picked it up!!! YAY

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h2PRB2piW2JwOJIpsYRCks2iANLAD8SUVVKG1

[FreepFryer]

8. Way to go, Senator Kerry! Kudos!!! CALL THE LIARS OUT FOR WHAT THEY ARE!!! (n/t)

[azmesa207]

15. Way to go

John Kerry if you had come out swinging like this back when they started there crap you might be president today .

[peace13]

36. Exactly!

Why does this whole thing make my stomach hurt? You would have thought that he would have fought for the honorable thing. Truth vs. money. Go figure.

[blm]

81. He did. You won't listen to the truth - go figure.

And that money would go to paralyzed vets.

[yardwork]

77. Kerry did fight this at the time. The media refused to report it. Instead they repeated the lies.

[Audio_Al]

78. You're right, AzMesa207!

[blm]

80. He did.

Corpmedia had a vested interest in keeping Bush protected and Kerry's campaign muted - Dan Rather admitted it.

[enough already]

105. Yep. 4 years too late

Part of me doesn't even care anymore.

[pattmarty]

12. Ya know we won't see anything about this on the news.

[xxqqqzme]

28. if any news picks it up, it will be Olberman.

[MaineDem]

13. Wicked smart, John!!!

This is what we've wanted from you!

[NewJeffCT]

60. Only he should have done it in August of 2004

but, better late than never.

According to the Freeper crowd, the book Unfit for Command is the best documented book - ever.

[davidwparker]

14. It's about time. He should have done this in '04.

[FREEWILL56]

16. I agree with you that he's a bit late in doing this

and it loses its punch because of it. That is great for history, but it helped to let an asshole run the country for another 4 years because he didn't do it then.

[RamboLiberal]

23. Exactly - I'm still puzzled why he let them pull this crap

and stayed silent in August 04. IMHO he and his advisers acted like idiots!

[blm]

33. He attacked swifts/challenged Bush to publicly debate their services on Aug19,2004

No newsmedia would broadcast that speech to the Firefighters Convention, and would not put the clip into the regular rotation of newsclips that week.

Highly unusual for press to ignore such a challenge, especially at a Firefighters Convention where Kerry was their endorsed candidate and Bush wasn't even invited - the first election after 9-11.

But Dan Rather explained it - the corporate media NEEDED Bush to stay in office and protected him to protect their expanding empires.

They did not WANT Kerry in the WH.

Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[Divine Discontent]

43. Kerry did challenge issues back in 04

and your post is spot on about it all, the media whores ignored much of what he said. Nothing else needs said - anyone ignoring the truth is simply not paying attention, or chooses not to.

[razzleberry]

64. what did Kerry say?

(if I remember correctly)

Kerry, and to a much greater extent others,
said the Swiftvets were liars,
and not much else.

please be specific

[blm]

69. He challenged Bush to stop hiding behind swifts and publicly debate their services

and did so in front of the Firefighters Convention.

I think that was a key reason why corpmedia wouldn't broadcast that speech - because they were protecting Bush's 9-11 image and downplayed Kerry's endorsement from Firefighters that entire 2003-4 campaign cycle.

That and Kerry's challenge to Bush should have made headlines - but they couldn't let Bush be challenged straight up like that. They had built him into an iconic figure over terrorism and their own credibility was on the line.

Not to mention Kerry's position against media expansion for their empires.

Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"
Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval
Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[Divine Discontent]

74. yep, you start messing with the big boys bank accounts

they get a little aggravated, and Kerry, who would have made a good president compared to the dipsh*t we have soiling the Oval Office with his ignorant breath, was, if anything, a little too proper in his swinging back at the idiots. He had to take it somewhat easy since he was dealing with the sitting pResident. One thing I think he could have done was run a series of commercials showing who was endorsing him and actually stating they did NOT want B*sh back in the white house another 4 years, and if you trust and respect these people, maybe you should vote the same way, etc... Kinda like Clinton's 1992 commercial that showed a list of people that were endorsing him... it was impressive.

[blm]

76. They did that. It showed in the swing states.

I think part of the impression that people have nationally is that they didn't see the heavy rotated ads that swing states had.

[The Wizard]

44. His advisors weren't acting like idiots

They really are idiots.

[seabeyond]

97. he didnt have the money. everyone knew in aug kerry couldnt spend. bush cheated

he went beyond the time accepting candiatcy breaking the law and no one called him on it. that meant he could use money kerry could not. firstly

secondly this had already come out spring of '04 and stayed on the news less than an hour. none of the news agencies aired it. they knew it was bullshit and they didnt not let it grab hold. in aug the news purposely fed it knowing it was non truths.

thirdly, not only did kerry defend but he had people and records coming out refuting what swift boat said and news continued to feed it

this has all been said before. and it is continually repeated. and the people that dont like kerry continue to "forget" and say the same thing over and over and over

another btw.... not a single dem, not a single dem stood up for kerry. while specific dems have been swift boated since then kerry is the first to stand up, speak out and loud for his fellow dem

[PassingFair]

159. I know of at least ONE MILLION he could have had...

:eyes:

[karynnj]

107. Kerry had already given the media everything they needed

to reject the SBVT before August

1) In April 2004, he posted 140 pages of Naval records on his web site. The fitness reports covered the entire interval - and were all positive. People on the Kerry web site who were vets said the records looked complate to them - and in fact from the release to the newspapers in 2005, they were. There was also one record showing they got him the higher clearance needed for the job with the admiral - which I assme required they verify that he was of good character.

2) The Nixon tapes were played before the convention. THe Nixon people can be heard speaking of the fact that they found he really was a clean cut war hero.

3) They knew that every man on his boat during any of the events for which medals were awarded backed him 100%

4) Brinkley was a noted academic historian. Kerry had no editorial rights on teh Tour of Duty book. It backed Kerry 100%.

Compare that to:
"Genenfer Flowers doctored the tape" or any of the excuses given on any other Clinton problem.

Can you prove ANYTHING in your life as well as those 4 things document that period of Kerry's.

Throw in that the Kerry people connected these people to Bush and identified obvious lies and contradicvtions in the book.

[Tresalisa]

99. Of course he should have done this sooner

as you and many others have said. If he's thinking of a future run for the WH, as I hear that he hasn't ruled out, this will greatly help, but will people remember this in 8 years? :think:

[Rageneau]

18. The Freepers are already on record, saying their minds can't be changed by "proof."

Wingnuts practice 'truthiness.' Thay have no interest in the actual facts, only in the spin they can generate and swallow wholeheartedly. These guys are flat-earthers who refuse to believe anything inconvenient to their delusions. So it doesn't matter if 99.9% of the earth's population is persuaded of the truth of a thing -- Freepers will go right on believing what they choose.

And the MSM will continue to give all their prattling equal if not superior time.

[truthisfreedom]

19. Which is why they believe scientists all over the world are involved in a vast conspiracy re: Global

Warming. Knuckle-draggers.

[L. Coyote]

75. Scientists are involved in a vast conspiracy, to discover knowledge!!

[zbdent]

20. Most likely excuse Pickens will use to renege on the bet -

"This is just like the Dan Rather papers ... I could forge this with the Windows 3.3 version of Word ..."

I always point out that one of the SBLiars got his medal in exactly the same incident that Kerry got his ... and if Kerry was lying about his involvement, then this guy accepted his medal under false pretenses also ... which means that he's a fraud either way ...

[bluestateguy]

21. Who will the arbiter be that decides if Pickens has to pay up

or do we just have to rely on Mr. Pickens' good word to admit that he was wrong?

[Lasher]

123. How about Snopes?

Claim:   John Kerry's Vietnam War service medals (a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts) were earned under "fishy" circumstances.

Status:   False.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/service.asp

Claim:   Swift boat veterans offer opinions about John Kerry.

Status:   Multiple — see below.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/swift.asp

But a good way to go would be to have an independent arbitrator decide. Pickens would never agree unless it were someone like Rush or Coultergeist, so I like the scenario suggested upthread where Kerry ends up suing the bastard. I have often wondered why he didn't sue them long ago for slander.

[TheCowsCameHome]

24. It'll be fun to see T Boone get T-Boned.

Rip him a new one, John!

[MarinCoUSA]

25. Wingnuts will NEVER pay this bet - even w/ a bucket to baby heads as facts.

- This could be very entertaining, and Kerry could somewhat redeem himself if he goes hell to high water on this

But, like the Rove said, these assholes create their own fact.

And they believe these fact regardless of all contrary evidence.
Because they BELIEVE and NOT because they "know" any facts.

The scary reality for us all is that there is no lie, no smear, no falsehood, no misrepresentation they would not defecate into the political commons to advance their own "reality"

A bucket full of baby heads as fact will be nothing to them- because, well because Bill Clinton is responsible for the Viet Nam war- they create their own reality.

[The Wizard]

46. South Park

just did a piece about Imagination Land where everything imagined became real. Kyle sucked Cartman's balls because Cartman imagined it. So there you have it. The neocons are in a class with primitive cartoons made from crude paper cut-outs with foul dialog. Works for me.

[pinto]

26. Good move Sen. Kerry.

Go for it. :thumbsup:

[ray of light]

27. by the way...PLEASE let the media liars SHOW those liars handing over

their check to the Paralized Veterans of America.

[Bitwit1234]

29. No matter what Senator Kerry disproves this guy will not admit it.

When these ads were first run, there was a guy who said he was a doctor and his statement was, that John Kerry was not wounded it did it himself.

Well the NYT got the guys service record,first he was a medic, not a doctor, second he never treated Senator Kerry and most of all he never served in Viet Nam at any time that Senator Kerry was there. But they still insisted the medic/doctor was correct and Kerry was wrong. See what I mean.

[LynneSin]

30. Nice John - why didn't you challenge him like this about, oh 3+ years ago

did it take that long to grow a backbone.

I'm glad he's doing it but it's a lil too late if you ask me

[blm]

34. He did challenge them but corpmedia told you a different story and you believed them.

.

[LynneSin]

37. you put $1mil on the line people take notice

I know he fought back, but didn't think it was agressive enough.

Hell, I would have made that a campaign commericial

[peace13]

39. Then why is it an issue now?

Are you saying that John is going to dust off his case file and re-present it? I was watching pretty closely in 2004, standing on the street corner at the Statehouse in Ohio, hoping for the truth to be told. Ya know...I didn't see it. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[dailykoff]

158. Because Pickens made the challenge 10 days ago.

Nov. 6 is what the article says.

[HuffleClaw]

32. does anyone believe for even a moment that picket will pay up?

even presented with video evidence?

besides, kerry's a fool, picket will only use this to demand more records from kerry

[Hulk]

48. My thoughts exactly.

All these right wing neocon fascists are lying sacks of shit on everything else. They are amazing at how they can deny truth when it slaps them in the face.

How in the hell do you think Kerry, or anybody else, will ever convince them that they are full of shit and lies?? I think Kerry is wasting his time.

[NewJeffCT]

138. No, he won't

the job of the Swifties was to create some semblance of a reasonable doubt. It doesn't matter that they were easily debunked, their stories were believable enough that some people thought there might have been at least some merit to the charges. After all, Kerry didn't come out and sue them for slander or libel or anything. Same thing here - if there is not 100% accuracy in Kerry's facts, they'll say there is some wiggle room and not pay.

[CTyankee]

160. He's released everything there is to release. As for his personal journal,

as it was written by Kerry himself, how does that "prove" anything? Ditto for his war film footage which of course Pickens will say is "edited." Dear god...

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Wizard]

50. Many of us were drafted

and did heroic things to save our brother's lives. Being under fire with guys creates a bond unbeknown to the uninitiated. There were many silent heroes who did what was necessary under the circumstances to ensure their buddy's survival.
It was immoral, but most of us didn't want to be there and made the best of a bad situation.
And there was a hero at Mai Lai who was flying above the scene and landed his chopper between Cali's platoon and the villagers, stopping the massacre.
I might not be posting here if someone didn't take extraordinary action.

[Ezlivin]

38. Money to go to Paralyzed Veterans of America!!!!

I'm a life member and they are a GREAT organization. They really help vets and have helped me many times over the past 27 years.

Go Kerry!

Side note: If the PVA ever calls asking for donations such as old clothing, please consider giving. Even though I'm a member I donate to them to help out my less fortunate brothers.

http://www.pva.org

[Plucketeer]

40. Better late then NEVER!

I'd sure live to have the Swift-Boaters blasted out of the water for good! :nuke:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

41. Kerry's Letter:

Please find the text of Kerry’s letter below:

T.Boone Pickens
8117 Preston Rd
Dallas TX 75225

Mr. Pickens,

It has come to my attention through the accounts of individuals who were in attendance at the American Spectator’s Robert L. Bartley Dinner & 40th Anniversary Gala as well as through the public accounts, that you personally “staked one million dollars” that “no one” could “prove anything the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth said in 2004 was false” (RedState.Com) and offered “a million dollars to anyone who could prove wrong anything the Swiftboat Veterans charged about Kerry.” (AmericanThinker.com)


I welcome the opportunity to prove that you are a man of your word and that the so-called “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” lied. While I am prepared to show they lied on allegation after allegation, you have generously offered to pay one million dollars for just one thing that can be proven false. I am prepared to prove the lie beyond any reasonable doubt.


I would request that your check be made payable to the Paralyzed Veterans of America which is doing incredible work every day to meet the needs of veterans returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan. My hope is that by sending this money to such a dedicated organization – founded for veterans, by veterans – some good can come out of the ugly smears and lies of the orchestrated campaign you bankrolled in 2004 in an attempt to discredit my military record and the record of the men who served alongside me on the Swift Boats of the Mekong Delta.


I would be more than happy to travel to Dallas to meet with you in a mutually agreed upon public forum, or would invite you to join me in Massachusetts for a public dialogue and then together we could visit the Paralyzed Veterans of America in Norwood and see firsthand how we can put your money to good work for our veterans.


I look forward to setting up a visit at the earliest possible, mutually convenient time. I trust that you are a man of your word, having made a very public challenge at a major Washington dinner, and look forward to taking you up on this challenge.


Sincerely,


John F. Kerry

United States Senator




http://blogs.trb.com/news/politics/blog/2007/11/john_kerry_calls_rich_oil_mans.html

[AtheistInBabylon]

52. Excellent

Absolutely fantastic letter. The sarcasm oozes in the classy way only Kerry knows how. For all those complaining about the allegedly weak '04 response (and I agree that Kerry's campaign staff was weak) and the so-called "cave-in", knowing Kerry this is not only about clearing his record (as if it needed that), it's about pre-empting any future swift-boat style attacks on similarly worthy candidates. I hope T. Boone Pickens is proud of what he helped "accomplish"; he's going to die one lonely sorry asshole anyway but if JK can help give him a heart attack and speed it up, I'm sure none of us would mind.

F$%^ing scumbag. It's as outrageous now as it was three years ago. Bring it on.

[graywarrior]

42. Better than sex.

Almost.

[ginnyinWI]

45. what puzzles me is why he issued that challenge

Did he really believe his own spin and distortions about JK? Did he think JK was too weak or afraid to meet his challenge? Has he, at last, convinced himself that what he says is the truth because he's said it so many times? It's funny how you can come to believe your own reality.

Of course JK can prove him to be a liar! It's going to be fun watching this play out. Good for JK's re-election campaign too.

[The Wizard]

53. Fortunately

Kerry is in a safe seat and can devote time to torpedo the Swift Boat Liars for Bush.
The Swift Boat Liars strike me as alcoholics who would do and say anything for a drink.

[Orsino]

132. Because he actually gets to be the arbiter, he won't lose.

He's been hoping someone would take the dare, because when he declares the evidence invalid or insufficient, his own position is strengthened.

Our media will even assist him in their usual manner, by presenting "both sides" of the "debate."

[ginnyinWI]

162. we'll see about that

I wouldn't underestimate John Kerry, the former prosecutor.

[Orsino]

172. I don't underestimate his ability to argue or the truth of his position.

I'm saying that this case will be judged by the offender, and covered by the same MSM that convicted Kerry of lying in '04. Kerry won't have the chance to make his case, and the story will be covered as a he-said-he-said, and the talking heads will call Kerry a whiner for not letting go of his electoral loss.

I suppose it's vaguely possible for Kerry to "win," but he will then find that he's won...nothing.

[Canuckistanian]

47. $10 says Pickens weasels out of this

He'll NEVER accept any proof, no matter what the source. He'll call it "partisan" and refuse to pay up.

[rhett o rick]

49. Well...duh! nm

[Canuckistanian]

54. Right. It's useless to reason with these people.

They have their minds set in concrete.

[rhett o rick]

94. Well.....duh. Sorry I just couldn't pass that up. Totally agree. I have tried to have discussion

s with these people and it is impossible. They are irrational.

[JerseygirlCT]

131. Yes, then he'll have to explain to DAV why they're not getting the

money.

Either way, it's a PR nightmare for him. Good.

[smoogatz]

51. KERRY CHALLENGES SWIFT-BOATERS!11!!!

Three years too late. In 2010, I'm guessing, he'll get around to challenging the results of the '04 election.

[humbled_opinion]

55. Excellent plan take the mil and give it to charity... I hope this is done is a very

Public way. I hope Kerry shuts down the liars once and for all...

[Tab]

56. Too little too late John, but if he does pay up donate the money to the Democratic party

That'll twist his whistle.

[bahrbearian]

57. Maybe T. Boone should have made a bet of 1 million for someone to prove

they saw the Chimp in the Alabama Nation Guard. He could have keep the money, now its gone,gone,gone

[Clanfear]

96. Isn't T. Boone baiting him?

It's a counter offer. If Kerry can't prove it, Kerry has to pay a million. But in order to prove it doesn't have have to disclose his military records?

[karynnj]

He disclosed all his records in 2004

He then had the Navy send them directly to 3 newspapers in 2005, because these lunatics didn't believe them. They were the same.

The problem is that the RW which would love a real war hero of their own, who risked his life to save another and who as a very young man planned a way to avoid the type of ambush they were exposed to. That he is also well spoken and eloquent, has worked hard during a life of public service and that he has the calm, temperment of a leader only makes it harder. That he played 4 sports in college - and never was a cheerleader and he flies a plane. Imagine how proud they could be of this alpha President. Their problem - he's a Democrat with a working conscience.

[karynnj]

113. He disclosed all his records in 2004

He then had the Navy send them directly to 3 newspapers in 2005, because these lunatics didn't believe them. They were the same.

The problem is that the RW which would love a real war hero of their own, who risked his life to save another and who as a very young man planned a way to avoid the type of ambush they were exposed to. That he is also well spoken and eloquent, has worked hard during a life of public service and that he has the calm, temperment of a leader only makes it harder. That he played 4 sports in college - and never was a cheerleader and he flies a plane. Imagine how proud they could be of this alpha President. Their problem - he's a Democrat with a working conscience.

[panzerfaust]

128. Exactly WHERE in Kerry's letter did it say THAT?

Sorry. Am just another Boomer clinging to facts.

[blm]

144. Kerry has every charge made completely countered with documents, records and FILM

from the time.

I wonder about some of you so 'worried' that you know so little about Kerry.

[xchrom]

58. since when has pickens EVER been interested in the truth? -- regardless --

:woohoo:

[Bluzmann57]

59. If I had a million dollars, I'd it all bet Pickens won't pay up

Weasels like that seldom do. He'll hem and haw and just end up lying. The paralyzed vets will never see a dime from that freak.

[steve2470]

61. k & r nt

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

62. Is he the guy from the "gathering" Ad?

JOHN KERRY CAN NOT BE TRUSTED

CREEPY
the way they all lined up in a formation with their shifty eyes and sneers.
But that's what it's about with the machine.
Induce a feeling of emotional fear while portaying an image of trust.

[0007]

66. Kerry will get the money up front. He won't play T. Boone's game.

I don't think Pickens will carry though with the bet. He knows he booked a looser.

[Stephist]

65. I Am Shocked T-Boone Has Any Money Left

After funding his big philanthropy project. protecting the world by bringing home a Big XII championship for the Oklahoma State football team.

[still_one]

68. pickens has been racking in loads of cash from the price of oil

which of course was helped by our illegal invasion of Iraq

[still_one]

67. Unfortunately, it is 3 years too late. If the MSM would cover it, which I doubt they will

because of course, Paris and Lindsey are so much more important, than a deliberate attempt to fix an election, of which the MSM were complicit

[LWolf]

70. Good. n/t

[BobRossi]

71. Gosh John, what's the hurry.

It's only been 3 years.
Grow a set of nuts loser.

[Seabiscuit]

79. If he had shut them up with his proof over 3 years ago we wouldn't have to be

listening to their crap any more.

Purple Hearts in Vietnam.

AWOL in the 2004 election.

What a difference a Senate seat makes.

[blm]

82. Bullshit - Kerry did counter and the corpmedia muted it. You side with the media

and let them off the hook for their complicity every time you repeat that false claim.

The facts are listed HERE in the DU research forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2555

[Name removed]

88. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wicket]

95. Great info

Thanks :thumbsup:

[othermeans]

121. Thanks for the link. I've never understood the American people

they elect a guy who bailed on the chance to enter combat and call a guy who entered combat a coward.

[blm]

141. That is the power of the corpmedia - a power Kerry wanted to limit, so they used

what they had to distort his campaign and his record while building the soft and cowardly Bush into a heroic figure.

[TayTay]

86. This statement from Pickens was made 11/7/07

This year.

Kerry is responding to their continuing attacks.

Unless you think that this should be allowed to go and the next targets of the Swifties should be people like Jon Soltz, Patrick Murphy or Joe Sestak.

The Swifties are trying to resurrect themselves as serious Dem critics so they can get on TV as "the controversial group" SBVPT. That should not be allowed to happen. They need to remain, the discredited liars they are and not given a pass to go back on TV and smear people into '08.

You fight it because it came up again.

Edit: spelling

[ProSense]

72. On KO now! n/t

[BoneDaddy]

73. wow

it seems a little too late

[blm]

83. Do you trust the corpmedia or Dan Rather who told us corpmedia needed to protect Bush

to get the legislation they wanted.

And Kerry DID counter and the media downplayed it at the time:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2555

[UpInArms]

84. Pickens has always been an asshole

http://www.famoustexans.com/boonepickens.htm

there are those that worked for him that have substantial retirement accounts, but they are only now realizing they were severely stupid to be taken in by just the money - life is so much more and they are now realizing they are so much less

[idgiehkt]

87. this is the guy that flew several plane-loads of animals out of La during Katrina

god it sucks to find out he's a neo-con/repuke/whatever.

[UpInArms]

89. so sorry - have known pickens forever (or so it seems)

am from Amarillo - and Mesa was a fixture - know lots of people that worked for him - knew his secretary

oh well

he's still an asshole - always has been

a real Amarillo jewel - well, that would be Stanley Marsh - now that guy was definitely cool :)

check out the Cadillac Ranch - I was there long before the graffiti - oh well, not all of the 70s sucked :D

:shrug:

[leaninglib]

85. Oh, my God! He took the bait.

Never bet on another man's trick...

[blm]

143. Kerry has EVERY SINGLE CHARGE made by the swifts nailed with reams of documents

and FILM from the time.

It was collected meticulously for a book by the vets who served with Kerry at the time for a book of their own - see, they were smeared, too.

[leaninglib]

173. This is John Kerry's decision and he is free to do as he pleases.

Nevertheless, I believe it foolish to engage Pickens in a game that he cannot win. These are the types of decisions that resulted in Kerry remaining a US Senator.

[blm]

174. Baloney - the only reason is the RNC stealing that election for Bush while DNC let them

do it by making sure the election process was NEVER secured - and actually let the RNC increase the use of their vote suppression and vote-stealing tactics and gain firm control of the machines and the vote counts.

But then, Terry McAuliffe was never working for 2004 was he?

[leaninglib]

179. So, you were enamored with Kerry, eh? I wasn't.

For me, it was a lesser of two evils thing.

I have to tell you though, if you think the other guys can't win, you are mistaken. This nation is divided fairly evenly and it doesn't take much movement one way or the other to affect the outcome.

Underestimate them at your own peril.

[karynnj]

188. Kerry has a longer more solid record than any of the 2004 or 2008 candidates

[karynnj]

187. So you are saying that Kerry should leave that offer untaken

so they could continue saying as he and Limbaugh did that every thing said by the SBVT is true? That is pretty hypocritical after 3 years of "he didn't fight back", ignoring that the media had more proof that they were lying before the August attack than the Clinton War Room EVER produced on any charge.

As Kerry said those comments go beyond him - they also attack the honesty and integrity of his crew and Rassmann. They are NOT in Kerry's position and in many cases are far more vulnerable than he is.

The other thing is that these same people will fund an attack on whoever our candidate is. If Kerry can publicly get them called liars, he makes it easier for the 2008 candidate, who could point out that everyone knows they funded lies in the past. (Kerry's case is the one that has to be used because it is the clearest case - it is not just that he did nothing wrong, he was a hero.)

[nam78_two]

90. K&R.nt

[Joey Liberal]

91. Go for it Sen. Kerry! The Swift Boat Morons SUCK! n/t

[Joey Liberal]

92. Is T Boone even a Veteran???? n/t

[provis99]

93. Kerry should have told Pickens to give the money directly to him

Then once Kerry has the $1 mil, Kerry could donate it to Paralyzed Veterans. The way Kerry worded his letter, Pickens could simply sign $1 mil directly over to the charity, thus allowing Pickens to claim he was giving $1 mil to paralyzed vets. Not good enough! I want to see Pickens turn the money over to Kerry first, then Kerry make the donation. Otherwise, it merely makes Pickens look like a good guy. The only thing I want Pickens to look like is a right wing jerk who lost a bet.

[Sabien]

98. 3 years too late n/t

[Roland99]

100. Maybe I should take Pickens up on that. I've already collected several LIES of the Swiftboaters >>>>

http://www.conjur.com/politics/SwiftboatLiars.html

[autorank]

111. Truly outstanding list, damn! Thanks.

[Roland99]

134. Didn't take long to research really. Those guys are so transparently pathetic.

[autorank]

166. Yeah but take a bow. You did it and there's no excuse for anyone to believe them ever now.

That's first rate. :patriot:

[Roland99]

177. Well, thank you kindly!

:)

[leftynyc]

181. Since he said he'd give $1 million to anybody

Why don't you go for it as well? He didn't say he'd only pay up once. In fact, we should get as many people as we can do challenge the bet. Drive the asshole into bankruptcy.

[Roland99]

182. Ya know...why not?

[YvonneCa]

101. Way to GO ...

...Senator Kerry! I'm so proud of you! :patriot:

[Botany]

102. Way to go John .... ah 3 years too late ... but nice try.

:grr:

[NoGodsNoMasters]

103. I can't believe this got so much press during his campaign.

The audacity absolutely floors me, the guy got a silver-fucking-star for chists' sake!!! Even if it WAS true, BUSH was a DRAFT DODGER!!! This is hypocrisy defined.

[David Zephyr]

104. Oh, how wonderful this is to my heart. John Kerry, a manly man hero vs. a wimpy weezle.

John Kerry: The Real Deal.

[WindRavenX]

106. Too little, too late

He should've destroyed those lying assholes when he had the chance.

[sonias]

108. Can't wait till Pickens is $1 million poorer

Bastard!

Sonia

[autorank]

109. Screw confiscatory taxes, just nationalize oil. This Pickens is a total fool.

There's no need for private oil companies, not a single one.

2004 must be exposed for the stolen election it was. Time for truth, time to find out that
Pickens had no intention to pay up.

I grow weary of the impertinence of the American "elite"(sic). They're the worst ruling class in the history of the world as proven by their pillage of the nation.

Get in his face JFK, make him pay up and then toss the money in an incinerator.

[wisteria]

110. What a great way of smacking down these Swift Boat Liers. Sen. Kerry has nothing to hid! n/t

[Azathoth]

112. Ah, so the Kerry campaign is finally preparing to shoot back at its critics

Too bad no one thought to try this back in 2004.

[Kurovski]

115. Good going Senator Kerry.

And the money will go to one of my favorite charities.

[defendandprotect]

116. Mixed and negative feelings about this --- the deck is stacked with the MSM . . .

which is why they were able to harass Clinton all the way to entrapment ---
gays in military, Clinton's lack of military service, file gate, watergate ---
A lot of the "gate" stories were led by one or two journalists for NYTimes ---
not unlike the recent Judith Miller-WMD-gate.

Gore . . . invented internet, robot man

Kerry . . . military service hero

I'm sure they're ready to go with whatever Dem candidate is nominated ---
they live these hatreds and are happy to act them out ---

Are they a little quieter at the moment?
I'm not sure -- but Jon Stewart put the MSM under a microscope --- put it on the defensive
and while there hasn't really been an overall improvement in their behavior, a few changes
have occurred --- Olbermann, notably on MSNBC/GE!!!

And, perhaps, a little wiser public compliments of Jon Stewart!!

Personally, I think John Kerry has to do this ---
better late than never ---
even if he loses -- he will have tried.

[DFW]

117. As I read it, Pickens made the offer to "anyone who can disprove"

If Kerry disproves the Swiftboaters, then Pickens owes the money to Kerry.
Kerry can't lose. If Pickens is good for his word (no, I'm not holding my
breath), nhe pays Kerry, then Kerry makes the donation. If Pickens weasels
out, then Kerry can always say, "this is how Republicans support our troops:
they same way they always have, i.e. not at all." Then Kerry can make a donation
of his own, and say, "as usual, when the Republicans fail you, look for a Democrat
to come through."

[neuvocat]

118. That's exactly why Pickens should have shut up.

Another thing: with the way he (Pickens) has said it, anyone could collect a million bucks, not just Kerry. We should all send in written proof that can be found anywhere out there and demand payment.

When Pickens fails, Kerry could set up a lawsuit. After all, Pickens had a reason to do libel Kerry, and he did it with malice.

[bjobotts]

119. Yeah and then Pickens after Kerry responded starts changing the bet

First it wasw just to disprove one or any part of the lies of the swiftboat group...then after Kerry says alright. I'll take that bet, Pickens tells him he would also need all these records first, some of which Kerry may not be able to provide now after 35 years. Sorry Pickens...can't change it now. You said just to disprove one or any part of the accusations...period. You support the troops only after you qualify them to make sure they think like you do or else they are just "phony soldiers" undeserving of medical attention or medals. Still "playing" soldiers.

[sss1977]

120. in breaking news...

If Kerry wins, Pickens owes him the newest season of South Park, if Kerry loses, he has to suck Pickens' balls. A contract has been signed, dry balls are at stake.

[Voltaire99]

122. So this is what Kerry does rather than trying to end the war in Iraq.

Pathetic, truly.

Only the most delusional party hearties care about the swiftboating canards at this late date.

Consider, dear Kerry flock: there's a terrible imperial war on. And no one who opposes it can forget that your boy voted to invade. Or that he campaigned in '04 on his worthiness to take over fighting the war. That makes him quite nearly as complicit in Iraq's torment by the United States as the neo-cons. He was their enabler, and then, when opportunity knocked, he turned the '04 convention into a boot camp.

And four useless years on, he wastes our time on this?!

[Lasher]

124. Maybe we can multitask

I'm chewing gum right now, even as I type.

[panzerfaust]

129. Early in his run for president JK

... deliberately shot himself in the foot (as far as I am concerned) by basically saying that he would "stay the course" in Iraq.

My belief is that he had no intention of winning, that he was, and is, part of the problem. Do not forget which fraternity he belonged to at Yale - yes I do believe in the 'sound man (Good Ole Boy)' network.

Of course, the lies about his service must still grate on him a bit - hence the current brouhaha "full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing".

At least some of the crippled vets might get a little something out of it if the bet is paid.

[blm]

145. Untrue - he said he'd stabilize Iraq, bring un UN troops and start bringing home our troops

in 6 months.

Were you spreading disinformation purposely in 2004 or did you really not know?

[humbled_opinion]

167. Ummm Hmmmm and get this Hillary is his clone when it comes to Iraq..

We are going to get the same washing in the GE if Hillary is the Democratic choice. Believe me the Thugs are priming the muzzle loaders as we speak...

The biggest debacle in a generation is the Iraq War and instead of running a candidate like Senator Obama who can honestly, openly and correctly state that he was against the invasion from the start and therefore is qualified to judge the entire debacle for what it is and offer the correct solutions..

No No No Ladies and Gentlemen we will run Madam Clinton ... Who has flipped every way but sideways on her Iraq stance and wouldn't surprise me one single bit that after she wins the nomination will flip right on back to the neocon side...

Imagine 8 months from now with the GE really heating up and Betray Us back out in front exclaiming how Bush's plan has worked its successful troop deaths are only a fraction blah blah blah.. we need time, time, time, old record and the media accomplices onboard with that message... Gurantee Hillary swings her position on Iraq again...

[karynnj]

168. You should WISH she was his clone

then she would have spoken against going to war before it started and would have been a leader in defining an exit strategy and selling it to the American people. In fact, it would have been easier for her to effectively have done both. She had a far bigger microphone in 2003 than he did and it would have been so much much easier to push for setting a deadline if your own party is not vilifying you in the press behind your back. Though NOW, she practly steals his very words in saying that the Iraqis leaders won't make the hard decisions without a deadline - though I guess it's better that she is correct now as opposed to still siding closer to Leiberman than Kerry as was the case in 2006.

[cleveramerican]

125. Let it go, John

don't get sucked into this assholes sick web.

[blm]

146. He has every charge nailed to the floor and even has FILM. He should do what he and

his CREWMATES need and want to do.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1k0nUWEQg

There are those who REALLY support troops and those who FAKE support the troops GOP style.

[panzerfaust]

126. Too bad you did not do this

... when it would have made a difference.

BTW, ?what was the name of your Yale fraternity again??

[dailykoff]

156. It says Pickens made the challenge on Nov. 6.

Let's see, that was ten days ago. Let's bitch and moan that it wasn't ten hours.

[Cass]

133. Good for Kerry!

Those slimebuckets deserve to have their butts kicked into next week.

[lynne]

135. Sorry, Folks, BUT

- if he can do this for Pickens NOW, why wasn't Kerry willing to do it for US THEN???? :banghead:

[rodeodance]

136. firedoglake says Pickens now has put condions of this.

[NewJeffCT]

139. what sort of conditions?

pray tell

[blm]

147. He did - media muted many of his counterattacks. Amd many media players outright LIED

right along with the swifts.

YOU and I and the Dem party and the left media didn't break through the mainstream media's lies, did we?

[rodeodance]

137. T. Boone Pickens reneges on $1M bet with Senator Kerry

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject T. Boone Pickens reneges on $1M bet with Senator Kerry
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2302099#2302099
2302099, T. Boone Pickens reneges on $1M bet with Senator Kerry
Posted by babylonsister on Sat Nov-17-07 08:45 AM

Kerry takes oilman Pickens up on $1 million Swift Boat challenge

By GLEN JOHNSON AP Political Writer


BOSTON — Sen. John Kerry, whose 2004 presidential campaign was torpedoed by critics of his Vietnam War record, said Friday he has personally accepted Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens' offer of $1 million to anyone who can disprove even a single charge of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

Pickens, who provided $3 million to bankroll the group during Kerry's race against President Bush, responded by saying he won't consider giving Kerry the reward unless he surrenders his combat films, additional military records and wartime journal.

"While I am prepared to show they lied on allegation after allegation, you have generously offered to pay one million dollars for just one thing that can be proven false," Kerry wrote to Pickens. "I am prepared to prove the lie beyond any reasonable doubt."

The Massachusetts Democrat, a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, said he was willing to present his case directly to Pickens and would donate any proceeds to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

In an interview, Kerry added: "It's beyond me; it's important for all the vets who served with me, who cared about it, whose own records were lied about. The problem is, it's the way they operate on the other side, and we have to end swift-boating forever. The way to do that is to have this public accounting."

more...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5309076.html

[Paladin]

140. Why Don't You Kerry Bashers Take A Flying Fuck?

At worst, Senator Kerry can only be accused of a certain amount of naivete---in believing that his political opponents had even one-tenth the personal honor which he possesses, and in thinking that the American public was intelligent enough to reject out of hand the ridiculous claims of the Swiftboaters. That he was proven wrong on both counts is damning evidence of the sorry shape this country is in. Those of you who want to vilify Senator Kerry personally need to go over to Free Republic where you'll be more at home.....

[Tarc]

142. My 2 cents

I don't want to vilify him at all, but whenever this sort of thing comes up I just wish he would have been this forceful back in 2004. It is painful to think that we were so close to making Dubya a one-termer, and that maybe if the treasonous, lying pieces of swill that call themselves the Swiftvets were slammed IMMEDIATELY and completely, then it might have tipped the scales.

[Island Blue]

163. Thank you, Paladin.

You rock! :toast:

[Paladin]

164. And You, Ms. Blue, Are Entirely Too Kind

Many thanks.....

[boricua79]

148. that should be easy...

considering most of the Swift Boat accusations were, pardon the pun, SWIFTLY discredited.

Sounds like easy money...get em John!

[DirtyDawg]

149. If God Gave a Damn...

....about all this, then TBone's favorite school - the one he gave even more money to than the Swiftboaters, Oklahoma State, would not only not win another football game, nobody would want to attend and the buildings would fall down from bunch of folks parading around it blowing horns.

By the way John, where was this show of backbone four years ago? You'd be running for re-election now, and we wouldn't have to be bored with an endless arrary of 'debates'.

[ProSense]

150. Pickens is not just a lying weasel, he's a

lying, flip-flopping weasel

[dailykoff]

185. He's an assassin.

Character assassin by day....

[mountainvue]

151. Three years too late. n/t

[codjh9]

152. This same mother______ (Pickens) has done all kinds of offensive shit, from

giving a huge amt. of money to Oklahoma State solely for ATHLETICS (the most important thing in the world, of course), which among other things, resulted in eminent domain being used to push a lot of people out of an older neighborhood right by the university, even including some Professors!!! And, a few years ago he was trying to sell water from the Ogalalla Aquifer, in the TX panhandle, which is already being drawn down at higher-than-replacement levels, to big cities. Great man.

[patrice]

153. I'm looking forward to Kerry exposing the whole brainwashing machine,

otherwise known as the unholy alliance between America's churches and Republican Focus Grouping.

[rodeodance]

154. T. Boone Chickens (Swiftboater) Reneges on Bet with John Kerry!

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject T. Boone Chickens (Swiftboater) Reneges on Bet with John Kerry!
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2300588#2300588
2300588, T. Boone Chickens (Swiftboater) Reneges on Bet with John Kerry!
Posted by NormaR on Fri Nov-16-07 09:25 PM

Just up at http://www.prnewswire.com :

Looks like Boone Pickens just got proven a liar. He had to CHANGE THE TERMS of his deal, because he knows he just lost the bet!

(What's the bet? In short, Boone offered $1,000,000 to anyone who could prove the Swiftboaters liars, and Kerry took him up on it.
Read it here:http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/16/134310/90
Shortly thereafter...Pickens folds!)

Victory is sweet for Senator Kerry:


T. Boone Pickens Responds to Letter From U.S. Senator John Kerry

DALLAS, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a copy of a
letter mailed by T. Boone Pickens in response to a letter from U.S. Senator
John Kerry regarding the Senator's military record and ads in the 2004
presidential election by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

U.S. Senator John Kerry
304 Russell Building
Third Floor
Washington DC 20510

Dear Senator Kerry:
So glad to hear from you regarding the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
political ad campaign, and an offer I made public at an American Spectator
dinner in Washington, D.C. last week. I am intrigued by your letter, and am
certainly open to your challenge.

My concern at the Spectator Dinner was, and continues to be, that you
and other political figures were and are maligning the Swift Boat Veterans,
and I want to prevent this important part of American history from being
unfairly portrayed.
In order to disprove the accuracy of the Swift Boat ads, I will
ultimately need you to provide the following:
1) The journal you maintained during your service in Vietnam.
2) Your military record, specifically your service records for the years
1971-1978, and copies of all movies and tapes made during your
service.
When you have done so, if you can then prove anything in the ads was
materially untrue, I will gladly award $1 million. As you know, I have been
a long and proud supporter of the American military and veterans' causes. I
now challenge you to make this commitment: If you cannot prove anything in
the Swift Boat ads to be untrue, that you will make a $1 million gift to
the charity I am choosing -- the Medal of Honor Foundation.
Sincerely,

T. Boone Pickens


CONTACT: JAY ROSSER, 214-265-4165




Pickens changed the terms.

He changed the terms and he thinks we won't notice? And a liar and a coward, to boot!

Pickens is awfully old to still not have developed any sense of integrity or personal morality - is there any hope for him? All that money, and still no decency. Well, money is the root of all evil.

Maybe while he's at it, Pickens can come up with George W. Bush's TANG records. Oh that's right. Bush was womanizing and snorting coke when he should have been serving in the appointment Poppy Bush wrangled for him because he actively sought to dodge the draft.


How long did it take Pickens to fold? About 5 seconds?! How did he make so much money if he is such a pushover?

Pickens - defaming a sitting U.S. Senator during a time of war! Not very patriotic! Why does Pickens hate America?

Pickens should talk to his lawyer about Contract Law 101. Offer. Acceptance. Pickens made the offer. Kerry accepted. Done. You can't change the offer after it has been accepted. Wow - I am, quite frankly, shocked at the apparent ineptitude of this allegedly brilliant businessman.

Doesn't Texas rank near the bottom of all states for children's health care, teacher pay and pay for police officers? Kids, teachers and police can't pry those dollars out of Pickens' grizzled old hand, apparently - yet he has millions to waste on this BS. A real Montgomery Burns. Nice. (Kind of like his buddy Bob Perry, who made his millions building moldy houses, and yet can't be persuaded to solve the housing problem in his own state. He also chooses to waste millions on this BS, when people in his own backyard are going without decent housing. And he prides himself on what a "Christian" he is. Sickening.)


Pickens - be a man. You lost. Pay the $1,000,000 and shut up.


T. Boone Chickens and Dubya:

[LongTomH]

165. John Kerry is an authentic hero!

And, T. Boone Pickens is a goddam liar, a bet-welsher, and an totally unscrupulous robber baron!

I'm LongTomH and I approve this message! :grr:

[bigworld]

170. What WERE the original allegations?

If memory serves me, the Swift Boat ads just had a bunch of former servicemen saying that "John Kerry is untrustworthy," "I wouldn;t trust him," "He's no leader," etc. Were there concrete allegations? Guess I gotta read up on it all.

[wordpix]

155. I'm with you, Pres. Kerry!

[dailykoff]

157. "Pickens issued his challenge Nov. 6"

is what the article in the OP says. That means it took Kerry ten (10, X, zehn, diez, dieci) days to answer the challenge, which was not issued to him directly. TEN DAYS.

Fast enough yet?

[AngryAmish]

161. Right on time to win the election!

[razzleberry]

169. which allegations were disproved?

please be specific

[razzleberry]

186. anybody? n/t

[SKKY]

171. While my inclination is to say "Way to go John!", what I really want to say is...

..."About 3 and a half years too fucking late buddy!" He should have done this when it mattered. Not too many people really care about this.

[dailykoff]

175. This is what the Clintons should have done during the campaign.

As leaders of the party, they should have supported the candidate and left Kerry free to keep his message positive and campaign on the issues, which he managed to do anyway. Why didn't the Clintons come out swinging? I know Bill had surgery but Hillary didn't exactly resign her senate seat to devote herself to full-time nursing.

[jzodda]

176. 12 Days now and counting

I guess the guy was just full of it

[Harper_is_Bush]

178. It's sort of sad that they're STILL going after John Kerry. n/t

[dailykoff]

180. I would love to see this guy forced to make a big public apology

with all the trimmings to Kerry and all the military personnel past and present he slandered indirectly by disparaging Kerry's service to his country etc. etc. Too bad Kerry's such a nice guy because he could really make this weasel squirm.

[PatGund]

183. It's unwinnable....

Kerry could produce proof verified by God with letters of flame, and the Swift Boat liars and their backers will still "choose to disbelieve it".

We're seeing this already - Kerry accepted, and Pickens moved the goalposts. If Kerry provides the info Pickens asked for - Pickens will do it again and again and again and again until Kerry *can't* provide the info and THEN claim victory.

Kerry *should* hold Pickens feet to the fire on the original bet Pickens made - but if Kerry had that kind of brass gonads, he would have won in 2004......

[dailykoff]

184. Texas oilman engaged in nefarious assassination of Massachusetts liberal.

That has a familiar ring.