Kerry's Vietnam comrades join forces to tarnish war hero image

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918...

John Kerry's campaign yesterday fended off a new wave of attacks on the Democratic challenger's war record, timed to take the gloss off a new $25m (£14m) ad campaign touting his heroism as a young navy lieutenant in Vietnam.

The onslaught on Mr Kerry reopens three decades of bitterness, which began when the much-decorated young officer returned from combat and became an activist in the anti-war movement.

The barrage was delivered by more than 200 of his former comrades, commanders and fellow veterans of the boat crews that patrolled the waters of the Mekong delta. The group, calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, held a press conference, saying Mr Kerry's leadership in the anti-war movement made him unfit to be president.

The veterans group accuses Mr Kerry of betraying his fellow servicemen with his testimony in 1971 in which he said American soldiers committed war crimes in Vietnam. John O'Neill, the group's founder and an enemy of Mr Kerry for more than 30 years, also accused the Democratic leader of exaggerating the extent of his injuries so he could be awarded medals for courage and win an early release from overseas tour.

[aquart]

1. None of them are Kerry "comrades." They didn't serve with him.

The men who fought by Kerry's side campaigned by Kerry's side. They manned his phone banks.

These are GOP operatives. O'Neill, especially, is bought and paid for by BushCo.

Any more disinformation for the night?

[Fenris]

2. What is this "comrades" rubbish? These people just had the same occupation

That O'Neill is behind this should make that abundantly clear. It should be written as "more than 200 people who also served in swift boats during Vietnam."

[Josh]

3. McCain has already denounced O'Neill as an opportunist -

the British press probably hasn't done enough homework this time around.

[hayu_lol]

4. This very nasty group of vets...

were originally organized and supported by Nixon...this was an effort to shut up the young Kerry who was protesting the war in his congressional testimony of the time. The organization continues to be funded out of GOP coffers...and is another of these dusty old groups brought back into the light of day by Rove & Co.

The group's claim that 'hundreds' of commanders were against Kerry is false. No Navy Lt. has hundreds of commanders. Only those officers in command count...and they all gave Kerry great support and appreciation for what he accomplished.

The only people who accept this hogwash are 'chickenhawks' and draftdodgers like the mediawhores--Limbaugh et al.

Plenty of info on the net about this group. Kerry has produced all his military records including his DD-214. Bush has produced a dental appointment slip.

Anyway, everyone still not satisfied that this is a gang rape by GOP operatives, do your homework...and then openly call these people liars...because that is what they are.

Nixonian/Rovian/bullshit.

[bowens43]

5. They're a bunch of republican shill assholes

and if I remember correctly only one of them actually knew Kerry. Kerry's crew members have a much different view of his military career. This is a many headed Rove attack dog.

[xchrom]

6. not only are these guy's out to lie about kerry

they are out to rewrite hustory re: viet nam and the anti war movement.
it is in bush's best interest if at this time all wnti-war movement's can be denigrated and denounced. and this is what we see happening here.
viet nam was a nightmare and a shameful blot on american history -- the hero's are the vet's who came to see the light about our involvement there and spoke out about it.

[trumad]

7. Get the free pass at Salon

and read Conasons piece on these asshole... It's quite revealing.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2004/05/04/swift/i...

[xchrom]

8. thanks -- kick

[Imalittleteapot]

10. Conason says - "using the same vicious techniques"

"The "swift boat" veterans attacking John Kerry's war record are led by veteran right-wing operatives using the same vicious techniques they used against John McCain four years ago."

"Until now, Hoffmann has been best known as the commanding officer whose obsession with body counts and "scorekeeping" may have provoked the February 1969 massacre of Vietnamese civilians at Thanh Phong by a unit led by Bob Kerrey -- the Medal of Honor winner who lost a leg in Nam, became a U.S. senator from Nebraska and now sits on the 9/11 commission."

From http://www.swiftvets.com/Index2.htm : "We believe it is incumbent on ALL presidential candidates to be totally honest and forthcoming regarding personal background and policy information that would help the voting public make an informed decision when choosing the next president of the United States."

So when is Bush going to be "totally honest and forthcoming"?
Swift Vets are just a lame bunch of hypocrits.

[Bridget Burke]

9. If you read the whole article, doubt is cast upon these "comrades"

But how many people actually read past the headline or the first few paragraphs?