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BLOGS FAVORITES
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The so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth started airing a commercial today claiming that John Kerry is lying about his service in Vietnam, saying he lied to get his Purple Hearts and his Bronze Star. John McCain is the only Republican to rush to Kerry's defense. He knows all about these smear tactics. After all, they're the same ones Bush used in 2000 when he beat McCain in the primaries.
A cursory search of the WHOIS reveals the domain for the swift boat group to be owned by Weymouth D. Symmes. A Google search of Mr. Symmes reveals a well-funded right-wing organization who's only purpose is smearing Kerry. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's biggest contributor is Bob J. Perry, a resident of Houston, Texas. Google his name and you'll find Perry to be a huge contributor to the Republican party. In 2002 alone, he gave close to $3 million to Republican interests in Texas, including the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, congressmen, senators, railroad commissioner, commissioner of public lands, and of course, the Republican Party of Texas. That year, Perry also contributed $200,000 to the Republican Party of Louisiana and $50,000 to the Republican Party of Arkansas. Figures for 2003 are not available, but I’m willing to bet he threw a few million towards Bush’s way. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are also touting a book by Vietnam vet John O'Neill called "Unfit for Command" which calls into question Kerry's wartime service. Oh, by the way, O’Neill contributed $25,000 of his own money to the swift boat crew, so it’s no surprise that they would herald his book as gospel. O'Neill is hardly a reliable, non-partisan individual either. In 1971, the Nixon administration tapped him to start an organization called Vietnam Veterans for a Just Peace. A young John Kerry was speaking to Congress about the wartime atrocities he experienced and was granted instant credibility by the public and the media as a spokesman against the war. He was educated and articulate and the Nixon folks were panicking that he would derail their plans in Vietnam. Nixon's chief counsel, Chuck Colson later said of Kerry:
From the Houston Chronicle, 3/31/04 (link not available):
Do a little digging on O'Neill's law firm and you'll find out that he clerked under Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist in the 70's. The swift boat group’s PR agency is Spaeth Communications in Dallas, run by Merrie Spaeth, a well-known Texas Republican activist. She also happens to be the widow of Tex Lezar, another partner in O’Neill’s law firm. Furthermore, one of his firm's partners, Margaret Wilson served as general counsel to George W. Bush from 1998-2000. But I’m sure O’Neill or his frim hold no personal grudges against Kerry. Hot damn! I feel like a journalist! Analyzing the swift boat group's commercial, I noticed a couple bits of odd revisionist history. In the spot, one of the veterans, a Lieutenent Commander named George Elliot proclaims, "John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam." If Elliot feels that way, then why does his signature appear on the REPORT ON THE FITNESS OF OFFICERS document dated March 26, 1969:
According to the header of that document, the report was based on "close observation". You'll find Kerry's complete service records on his site. When the Boston Globe called him on his flip-flop in April, Elliot said, "I just don't remember it." The Globe article goes on to report:
Another one of the veterans appearing in the swift boat commercial, Commander Adrian Lonsdale claims, "He lacks the capacity to lead." If that's the case, why did he also flip-flop and tell South Coast Today on November 4, 1996:
Yet another veteran in the swift boat commercial, Lieutenent Commander Grant Hibberd says of Kerry, "He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate." The Globe discredits Hibbard as well:
Hmmmm. Maybe these old guys are just getting a bit foggy. I mean, I know this stuff happened over 30 years ago. I'm sure the GOP helped jog their memory, right? The internet is a bitch. With Google's help, you can dig up every skeleton. If I can do it, let's hope the mainstream media follows suit.
©2004 Ron Lim unless noted |
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