Jim Rassmann: Make It Clear We Will Not Tolerate Swift Boat Smears

[kerrygoddess]

Jim Rassmann: Make It Clear We Will Not Tolerate Swift Boat Smears
January 20th, 2006

Days before the Iowa caucus in the 2004 primaries, Jim Rassmann emerged from the political sidelines to step up to a podium and announce his support for John Kerry. Kerry had saved Rassmann’s life in Vietnam (we all know the story), it was time, he felt to “tell the American people about John Kerry, about his wisdom and courage, about his vision and leadership.”

Writing in today’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette on the recent Swift Boating of John Murtha, Rassmann reflects on the 2004 election cycle and says, “Watching the assault on his (Kerry’s) military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock.” We “shouldn’t have tolerated” the Swift Boat attacks in 2004, and we must “make it clear that we will not tolerate such smears today.”

Perhaps I was naive. Watching those same tactics used against another decorated Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha of Johnstown, has been a reminder of not just why I felt compelled to get involved, but why I must remain involved. I can’t in good conscience remain silent in the face of the “Swift Boating” of Jack Murtha for daring to challenge President Bush’s policy in Iraq.

Today I see that the very same smear tactics the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” used against John Kerry are now being unleashed against Rep. Murtha, a retired Marine colonel who served in Vietnam.

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1706

[Zenlitened]

1. "shouldn’t have tolerated” the Swift Boat attacks in 2004"

Ain't that the truth?

Kick a bully in the balls*, that's the only way to respond.



(*Guys, feel free to substitute "punch in the nose." :D )

[awoke_in_2003]

3. *Guys, feel free to substitute "punch in the nose."

That is how I have always dealt with bullies. Show them you won't back down, and they usually will (this should also apply to the bullies now in charge, if we don't back down, they eventually will).

[wisteria]

2. Wonderful editorial!!! n/t

[Bandit]

4. Delay threatens to sue any network that airs negative ads

Every network cancelled all ads against Delay. Is there a lesson to be learned here or do we just go on as always?

[kerrygoddess]

5. We need to fight back

harder it seems!

[Toots]

6. Talk is cheap

It would be nice but just as soon as some fighting back begins Reid goes and apologizes. When they start to squeal is when you are supposed to stick it to them not apologize. Why do you think the Ads against Delay are not "news" in and of themselves? Swift boat ads were run non stop on "news" networks as newsworthy items. Why are the Delay ads not newsworthy items? No one has made an issue of it. If you don't make an issue of it then how can you say you are fighting back? A little hard talk now and then is not fighting back. It is nothing more than bluster. Threatening a lawsuit is fighting back and actually filing one is really fighting back. Did Kerry do either? Will he? Will any Democrat? I am tired of talk I want action. The situation is entirely too desperate and actual lives are being destroyed for just more talk. We need action.

[robbedvoter]

7. Yeay! Will he retract the concession then? Say it was stolen?

[DeepModem Mom]

8. kick