I am curious what the reaction to this commercial will be– after all, it was Kerry who made this the center-piece of his campaign.
I understand that John O’Neill hates Kerry, but there is no way the Democrats can get away with tarring all of these men as VRWC members and brownshirts:
The Kerry campaign featured the photograph in an advertisement released in May titled Lifetime. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has contacted surviving members of this group to find out how many actually support John Kerry, and discovered that of 19 Swift boat skippers pictured other than Kerry, 12 consider him unfit, 4 are neutral, two have died, and 1 is working with the Kerry campaign. Four other officers were not present for the photo session; all oppose Kerry.
It will be interesting to see the Democrat response to this- I am almost willing to bet it will be nothing more than character assassination of the 16 men who dared to speak out.
For the record-
On June 1, 2004, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth sent a cease and desist letter to John Kerry for President, Inc. on behalf of 11 officers shown in the photograph, pointing out that using their images in a campaign advertisement “wrongfully and incorrectly suggests their present endorsement of his candidacy.”
The video is still up on his website. Anyone know what happened?
(via the Back Country Conservative)
*** Update ***
Others agree that this is a simply devestating ad.
Jay C.
but there is no way the Democrats can get away with tarring all of these men as VRWC members and brownshirts
They may not be able to get away with it, but they are most certainly going to try.
Slartibartfast
But the timing…awfully _convenient_, wouldn’t you say?
Mason
I thought it was devestating, too.
Slarti, why is the timing convienent? KERRY is the one who used their images to imply their support, and didn’t stop when asked.
Jay
Mason, having read a lot of Slarty’s comments, I can say for sure he was just being sarcastic.
Slartibartfast
Jay’s got it. Not that being predictable is what I’m after, mind you.
Mason
My mistake! I’m just so used to seeing comments like that…. aiegh.
Slartibartfast
Me, too. My thinking is this: if I say something that I can predict will fall out of the mouth of, for example, Atrios, then a potential utterer of such silliness will perhaps think: if a Republican said it, it must be wrong.
So, if I get the stupid stuff said before they’ve got a chance to do so, maybe a lot of idiocy can be avoided. Probably not, but I Have A Dream.
Dean
Slarti:
That’s preemptive! You, you, you meanie, you!
Slartibartfast
Think of it as an attempt at inoculation. But thanks for the compliment, Dean.
CadillaqJaq
Silly guys; it’s OBVIOUS that the group photo is supposed to only promote Kerry as a former fast-boat Commander… (in Vietnam. He was in Vietnam.)
Those other guys are inconsequental at best; merely background. Political fodder. They just happened to wander into Kerry’s photo op.
And Kerry will soon give several opposing explanations as usual: all clear and forthright.
Bob
Where was Bush at this time?
stan
So what is the big deal?
What we have AGAIN are 2 politicians trying to say the other’s lies are more relevant to running a country.
Right now the dems are playing the same game as the reps have been doing since REAGAN won in 1980.
Remember the crap about clinton and not inhaling?
What would happen if the a bunch of people came out now and reminded the public about bush’s alcoholism and cocaine use? would that be fair? maybe not, but would it hurt BUSH? maybe. maybe not. but would it be relevant?
what matters is that people will choose the lesser of the 2 evils come NOV.
It may be liar BUSH or it may be liar Kerry.
My guess it depends on your personal wealth as to which way you will vote.
Richard Hope
Watched Bill O’reily, put major holes in your stories. Big shock..why was there no proof? The show makes it all a big lie.
jb
I will hold my comments until I can see fitness reports on both men.Wait a mimute Bush doesn’t have one!I guess you have to be there to get one of those.
Al
Did SWIFT boats keep a navigation log as they transited the waterways in Vietnam? How about a ship’s diary of crew members and passengers when they were on patrol? If so, where were these logs turned in for safe keeping since the logs are considered legal documents?
Mike
Did you watch the “debate” between John O’Neill and John Kerry. Kerry ran circles around this twit. O’Neill has been misrepesenting what John Kerry has been trying to do for this country for more than thirty years. This poor chump supported Nixon’s VietNam war policy then and most certainly supports the “Bush Doctine” now. It’s 30 years later and he still doesn’t get it. Lemming!
People need to get past the propaganda. It a smoke screen to take your attention of the real issue. We are at war to make Haliburton, et.al. (read as “military industrial complex”) a ton of money, alot of which will wind up in the pockets of Bush and his supporters.
If Kerry can get the International community to cover thier part of the check from our little venture into nation building, both in terms of capital and personnel, then he’ll be doing this country an enormous service.
Paid for by “Swift Boat Captains for Building Hospitals in Iraq, while VA facilities in the US crumble…”
Roger
Kerry’s campaign has now acknowledged that he wasn’t in Cambodia as he has stated. What else has he embellished?
chris
Kerry has still has shrapnel, Bush still has brain damage
John Bauer
Well,well,well it finally came out that Mr.Larry Thurlow is a liar in the first degree!Seems his own report which got him a Bronze Star by the way does say all five Swift Boats were under fire that day.The Rebublican liars are out in full force.I’m surprised that the Washington Post found his war record considering his boss’s disappeared!!
Rob Johnson
Those disputing John Kerry’s record are nothing more Bushs lying hintchmen. They have no real proof so they just lie. It’s easy, just have no morals. They love their lies more than their country.
brice
even if President Bush had wanted to go to vietnam they could not have allowed him because his dad was the Director of the CIA during that timeframe and it would have put national security at risk if george w, had been captured.second point for the liberals to digest is that Mr. thurlow’s citation for thebronze star was written up using the false after action report that john kerry submitted to get his own bronze star.
i wish you liberals would get your facts and learn how things are done in the military.as for the shrapnel it is from a grenade that kerry threw .(bad throw ,huh).i am sure that i cannot intelectually convince you liberals because your minds are clouded with to mant episodes of The Simpson’s and because you will believe anything said about Bush, but grow up.As for haliburton, there is not another company in the WORLD capable of the technology or resources to do the job.and by the way the profits of haliburton is going into everybodies pockets,the workers,the governments, and especially the small business owners and retailers in the states.
Joseph Dion
Congradulations swift boat vets. Lets get this kerry loser out of the white house and out of the senate. He is a disgrace to all the american boys and girls who have fought and died in any war.When did anyone get a 4 month tour of veitnam under fraud. Thank God it is still America and maybe this war demonstrator,liar etc will be put where he belongs in a federal pen
Alvin
I am a veteran of VietNam and find it interesting that you would promote Bush who did not serve overseas over someone who served. And that you would rather have a President that did nothing for 48 years rather than one who took an active role in life. Patriotism is being 100% for the country and for the government when it is right. We all had our views of that era.
Charlotte Richards
Kerry committed blatant treason by his association with the likes of Jane Fonda and others. He made uncalled for injurious remarks about returning veterans and about our role in that awful war. He showed unforgiveable disrespect for this country’s military by throwing away medals/ribbons awarded for his service. I am a Vietnam era veteran, a physical therapist who worked with those brave boys who didn’t come back in tact or tacked in, and I do not appreciate his lies.
toby
Its time for all the Clinton rats to go to work…. lenny Davis and the bald headed nitwit.. To try and destroy the 99% that aren’t for Kerry!
Kerry has always be an opertunist.
Jim Michaels
Johm Kerry did serve in Nam and came home as a back stabing, yellow belly, trader, who sold out this country and the men & women who served it. The name Fonda and Kerry are the same. May Kerry rot in hell for what he did and said about those who served proudly in Vietnam, and did NOT kill women & children
Jim Michaels
Federal Way Wa.
James McClung
I think the so called gentlemen who are critical of John Kerry’s service record should carefully consider the record of non-service by George W. Bush, a selfdescribed
“cowboy”–what a joke!!! He can’t even stay on a bicycle. You “carpetbaggers” should go back up north where you belong and leave Texas to the REAL cowboys!!!!!
smarty pants
There they go again
Kennedy started the vietnam war, LBJ escalated it
and Nixon ended it.
LBJ also was the first to raid SS and took away our Silver Certificates
raping the Middle Class ..you have to be stupid and have a very short memory to be a Dem.
smarty pants
There they go again
Kennedy started the vietnam war, LBJ escalated it
and Nixon ended it.
LBJ also was the first to raid SS and took away our Silver Certificates
raping the Middle Class ..you have to be stupid and have a very short memory to be a Dem.
Bob
Kerry should just publish the permanment orders for his medals and that would end all this as they will show what was accomplished and who signed the order.
brice
i believe that texas would be as bad as california is if george bush had not been the governor there.when he took over for ann richards texas was in the toilet.and as for him having done nothing in 48 years he has had experience in leading where as kerry seems to have had experience in being invisible and in lying.i mean really,if the one bill that he sponsered in the senate couldn’t even be approved by the likes of ted kennedy .i guess that shows what kind of leader he is.what has kerry done besides go to vietnam for a whole 4 months in which time he got 3 medals for being injured,2 of them self inflicted so it seems.his resume sucks.oh i forgot ,he did get a rich widow to marry him.i hope people will wake up and realize that being a good president doesn’t mean you have to be liked ,it means you have the moral charecter and the fortitude to do what is right even if it is the hardest decision to make.you can’t run a country by doing everything everyone wants and you can’t run a country if you can’t make decisions or have to look at polls to do it
DON
FOR SOME ONE WHO THREW HIS MEDALS OVER THE WHITE HOUSE FENCE ON HIS RETURN HOME FRON VIETNAM HE SURE HAS A HELL OF A NERVE TO BOAST NOW ABOUT HIS MEDALS AS A VETRAN OF THAT ERA IN TIME I WOULD BE SICK IF HE BECOMES COMMANDER N CHIEF HE IS NOT WORTHY OF BEING THE LT HE WAS DURING VIETNAM AN REMEMBER HES THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THIS WAR HERO THING TO LIGHT
jon
Kerry: Liar, Spinster, Waffler, Traitor, Gold Digger. Yea… just the looser I want as our president.
cra
as your presdident of vice said Fuck U
Liver Lips
Man, you guys are fucking nasty. I hate GW… Really, I think he is a self serving fundamentalist who is not helping the average american. I think Kerry is a self serving politician who may or may not care more about non-millionaire Americans and the inhabitants of the rest of world. I do think that these races get too mean and should be based on accomplishment and not mudslinging. I’ll vote for Kerry but I’m jumping up and down about it.
keith
brice, this is in reply to your posting on aug 19, concerning the possible reason the president did not serve in vietnam. please check your facts. bush 41 was not the cia director at the time that the president was in the guard. bush 41 was the ambassador to the united nations at that time, 1971 to 1973. he was the cia director in 1976-1977. the vietnam war was over by then. we have to make sure our facts are on target and truthful,if we are to defeat hanoi jane’s buddy in november. the truth will prevail. THANK GOD FOR THE VETERANS!
zero5bravo
I served in ‘Nam and most of us agree it was a very unpopular conflict. We went ’cause we were ordered to go. I don’t blame Kerry for speaking out against the conflict back then, some one had to, I admire the man for his honosty and guts to do what he did with the medals.Let bygones be bygones and move on!!!
Lauren O'Shea
The most patriotic position any person can take is to protect their fellow soldiers in war. I would like to assume that most people do not enjoy slaughtering others and to try and end war so that military personal can return to their families. I don’t understand why veterans of vietnam would be upset about Kerry protesting the war to bring the soldiers home. Protecting your country is one thing, but when thousands of men are dying for reasons that are unclear, is unpatriotic. Supporting your soldiers return home and rallying to end their demise seems to be a loving and caring thing to do. Thank you.
tim earley
Kerry’s voting record is below. Please consider this during discussions with your neighbors and friends between now and November 2. Use it when people defend him on what a “great guy” he is; more importantly, remember it when you go to the polls.
It is obvious that he cares nothing for the unborn, the military, defense, law & order, tax relief, school choice and many other issues.
I apologize if I’m preaching to the choir…
Here are the FACTS:
ABORTION
Voted to federally fund abortions.
Voted against parental consent for minors.
Voted against ban on Partial Birth Abortion (3 times) Voted against ban on sending money to UN population fund if the money was sent to pay for China forced abortion and sterilization policy.
NARAL lifetime rating of 100%
National Right to Life Committee lifetime rating of 0%
DEATH PENALTY
Opposes federal death penalty.
Voted against death penalty for terrorists. (recently flip-flopped in
2002)
Voted against death penalty for drug-related murders.
TAXES & BUDGET
Voted against Bush tax cut and wants to repeal portions of Bush tax cut.
Voted for 1993 Clinton tax hike. (largest in history) Voted against major tax relief packages at least 10 times.
Voted at least 5 times against balance budget amendments.
Voted at least five times to raid The Social Security Trust Fund.
MILITARY & NATIONAL SECURITY
Voted for 7 major reductions in military funding Voted against Gulf War I (1991).
Voted for Gulf War II (but then criticized and voted against military appropriation for troops).
Voted against MX missile.
Voted against Trident Submarine.
Voted against SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative “Star Wars”).
Favored UN control of US Troops (in the 1970s).
Supported Slashing $2.6 Billion from Intelligence Funding while serving as a member of Senate Intel Committee.
Voted to kill the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Voted to kill the M-1 Abrams Tank Voted to kill every Aircraft carrier laid down from 1988 onward Voted to kill the Aegis anti aircraft system Voted to kill the F-15 Strike Eagle Voted to kill the F-16 E/F (Block 60) Voted to kill the P-3 Orion upgrade Voted to kill the B-1 Voted to kill the B-2 Voted to kill the Patriot anti-missile system Voted to kill the FA-18 Voted to kill the F117
FAITH & VALUES
Voted against ban on human cloning.
Voted Against Defense of Marriage Act (to give states option to decide whether to recognize homosexual marriages in other states).
Sent letter to Massachusetts Legislature opposing Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman.
Favors civil unions for homosexuals.
Voted to extend hate crimes protections to homosexuals.
Voted against a constitutional amendment on flag desecration.
EDUCATION
Voted against voluntary school prayer.
Voted against voucher pilot program.
Voted against approving a school-choice pilot program
JUDGES, COURTS & LAW
Voted against confirmation of Clarence Thomas for Supreme Court Justice.
Voted against confirmation of Robert Bork for Supreme Court Justice.
Voted against confirmation William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Voted against confirmation John Ashcroft as US Attorney General.
Voted against punitive damages in products liability cases.
As Michael Dukakis Lt. Governor from 1983-1985, Kerry supported granting prison furloughs to hundreds of Massachusetts inmates.
FOREIGN POLICY
Against linking Most Favored Nation status to China human rights record.
Voted for Kyoto Protocol on Environment that exempted major Third World polluters.
Supported Iraq regime change as late as January, 2003.
Now has flipped-flopped For Unilateral nuclear Freeze.
Voted against deployment of INF missiles in Europe.
POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS
Leading member of VVAW (Vietnam Veterans Against the War) Attended and conducted anti-war and anti-American protests in the 1970s.
Organized the Protests.
Votes with Ted Kennedy an average of 94% of the time.
Received $300,000 contribution from Johnny Chung as directed by Chinese intelligence officer.
Supported Communist Sandinistas and visited with leader Communist Daniel Ortega days before Ortega flew to Moscow and received $200 million in Soviet aid.
Has a lifetime rating of 26% from Citizens Against Government Waste.
Has a lifetime rating of 0% from the National Rifle Association.
Lifetime liberal vote rating of 93% from Americans For Democratic Action (5 points higher than Ted Kennedy).
Voted with the liberal activist group, The League Of Conservation Voters, an average of 95% of the time.
BOBSITCH
BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE DIVIDING OF AMERICA THROUGH INSINUATIONS AND IDEOLOGY. WE ARE NO LONGER THE UNITED STATES BUT THE DIVIDED STATES OF AMERICA. LOOK BOTH CANDIDATES NEED TO TAKE A LESSON IN CIVIC SERVICE. BOTH BUSH AND KERY HAVE HONORABLE DISCHARGES, ENOUGH SAID. ONE’S SERVICE IS NOT LESS OR MORE HONORABLE THAN THE OTHERS. THE DEMOCRATS STARTED BY CALLING INTO QUESTION GUARD SERVICE AND CHARACTER OF SERVICE, DISPARAGING THE GUARD AND RESERVES ALONG THE WAY. WE ARE ONE FORCE AND WE ALL SERVE, ENOUGH SAID. MY COMBAT SRVICE IN NO WAY MAKES ME BETTER TO SERVE AS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF THAN THE SUPPLY CLERK WHO GAVE ME THE BULLETS AND FOOD. IF I WERE A GENERAL, MY RANK WHILE SERVING WOULD MAKE ME NO BETTER THAN THE PRIVATE WHO GOES ON TO CLAIM DEGREES AND “REAL WORLD” EXERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND RELATIONS. GET OVER THE VIET NAM WAR AND FACE THE TRUTH THAT THIS COUNTRY IS GOING DOWN THE CRAPPER BECAUSE OUR TWO PARTY SYSTEM IS DIVISIVE AND LEAVES NO ROOM FOR THE MODERATES WHO BY THE WAY MAKE UP THE MAJORITY. BOTTOMLINE I HAVE NO CHOICE, I SIMPLY WILL VOTE FOR THE LESSER OF EVILS. I CONSIDER THE GREATER EVIL A CANDIDATE THAT HAS SPOUTED COMMENTS OF OUR PENDING FAILURE IN IRAQ, THEREBY SETTING THE STAGE FOR MORE AND MORE ATTACKS AGAINST OUR TROOPS. CAN YOU SPELL TRAITOR?
Gene
George Bush was AWOL hiding in a spider hole in Alabama during the Vietnam War while John Kerry was picking shrapnel out of his butt. Is there any question who the real patriot is and who should be the next president of the divided states of America?