What is going on with this:
GARRETT: And there’s a question about Kerry’s Silver Star citations. One written in late 1969 or 1970 summarizes his heroism on a February 28, 1969 reconnaissance mission that drew heavy enemy fire. It was signed by John Highland, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet and concludes Kerry’s actions, quote, “His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” But a second citation written in 1986, by then Navy Secretary John Layman [should be Lehman, I think – HH], adds these words. Quote, “By his brave action, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Kerry reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
GARRETT: So why are the 1986 citation conclude with more ringing praise of Kerry than the earlier version? The Kerry campaign says it doesn’t know. The campaign says Kerry asked the Navy for copies of all his military records in May 1986, while serving in his first term in the
United States Senate. The campaign says Kerry lost all his original records and wanted citations suitable for framing; the Layman citation
in the packet that the Pentagon sent over. And Kerry aides say the senator never requested the more glowing praise in that latest 1986
appraisal from Secretary of Navy John Layman — Brit.HUME: Let me just see if I have this straight. He originally got a citation based upon a document signed by Admiral Highland. Correct?
GARRETT: Yes. And before that he received a citation about the Silver Star from Vice Admiral Elmo Zumwalt.
HUME: Right. And so, this citation from the secretary of the Navy, there was no earlier citation apparently from the secretary of the Navy. He didn’t get one from the secretary of the Navy until 1986. And that one was signed by somebody who wasn’t in office back when the events
occurred. Right?GARRETT: That is correct. There are three citations. And the Kerry campaign can’t explain why, when the Navy sent over his earlier records, it just didn’t send over copies of the Zumwalt and Highland citations. But also sent over Zumwalt, Highland, and then Navy Secretary John Layman.
HUME: With some added language.
GARRETT: Right.
HUME: All right. Major, thanks a lot.
GARRETT: You got it.
If Kerry were a republican, this accusation alone would be enough for a front page NY Times story.
BTW- What else happened in 1986? There was this:
And while we are add it, what is going on with this?
Do I believe all this stuff? I don’t know what the hell to believe, but since Kerry won’t address any of it or release his records, but instead does nothing but launch attacks on the character of anyone who dare question his platform (which is his Vietnam service), why shouldn’t I post anything that comes down the road?
Hell, Josh Marshall and Kevin Drum examined every aspect of Bush’s record, never came up with anything, and still declared him AWOL. Fair is fair, right?
We spent months hearing how ‘Bush knew,’ how this was a ‘Jewish war’ this was a ‘war for oil,’ and now this is too much heat for the Democrats? The word of 250 vets?
JKC
Sez John:
“why shouldn’t I post anything that comes down the road?”
Can’t blame you, seeing as you apparently can’t support Bush on the issues.
John Cole
Can’t blame you, seeing as you apparently can’t support Bush on the issues.
Any time I discuss thedifference between Bush and Kerry on the issues, Kerry whines that I am questioning his patriotism.
JKC
Kerry his own self reads Balloon Juice? ;)
Look, there are legitimate differences between the candidates, and legitimate reasons why one might vote for one over another. But the more the Right babbles on about Vietnam, the more desperate they appear. Look at the polls, John: it ain’t working.
jjacitelli
Thats just fuckin’ hilarious JKC. Kerry has made his four months in Vietnam front and center in his campaign, yet noone can take him to task over it? Give me a break.
JKC
jjacitelli-
I’m ALL FOR the Swifties: let ’em keep lying, and let ’em remind the voters that Kerry was in Nam while Shrub was hiding out in the Texas ANG.
If you want to distract yourself from Bush’s record by shooting yourselves in the foot, have at it.
jjacitelli
JKC,
Whats up with this? ” let ’em keep lying”?
What lies would those be? Please explain. I’d like to know if this is just the new talkling point from the Democrats or you know something I don’t. They already called out Kerry on the Cambodia Lie he’s been spreading for 30 years, whats next?
Ted Barlow
John Kerry has a long list of records available on his website. Which relevant records do you believe he has failed to release?
Slartibartfast
Putting on my Bush/AWOL/shrieking moonbat hat for an instant, Ted, the record Kerry hasn’t released is ALL OF THEM. And he’d better be able to cover his entire period of service, or we’ll think maybe he was AWOL or even a deserter.
And all he has to do is sign a little slip of paper to get them released. Makes one wonder why he hasn’t done so, doesn’t it?
There. Taking the hat off now; hurts too much to leave it on for very long.
JKC
jjacitelli–
If the vocabulary’s not too far over your head, read this piece in the Times, or go find the similar article in the Washington Post.
JKC
Slarti-
Maybe Kerry’s records were lost in the same unfortunate Pentagon accident that claimed the President’s.
Dean
JKC:
Except *those* records (for the most part) have been found.
And if you accept Navy commendations for medals, why not ANG honorable discharges?
But here’s one for you: What are the duties and responsibilities of a Naval Reserve Officer? Do they include meeting with the enemy?
Where was John Kerry from 1970-1972? What was his status, military-wise, during this period?
ed
Hmmm.
“But the more the Right babbles on about Vietnam,”
ROFLMAO!
The irony so thick you could almost claim it for a medal.
Dean
ed:
I’d claim it for a medal only if *you* throw it over the fence!
ed
Hmmm.
“Maybe Kerry’s records were lost in the same unfortunate Pentagon accident that claimed the President’s.”
You’re about a month behind the curve. I’d suggest reading more and working on comprehension and retention.
Just to get you started: The Pentagon found those records.
JKC
forgot the sarcasm tags, kids.
JJACITELLI
The Times!
Thats the best you could do? The same NY Times that campaigns for John Kerry? Oh man thats rich!
pj
The cheez whiz lie — have you no response?
capt joe
Well, would those be the same medals that Kerry said he throw away (over a fence, I recall), wrote extensively about, forgot about it. Then one day, someone asked him, “Hey, if you threw them away then was is that mounted on your office wall?”.
Oops, caught.
Response: ooh, no, they were someone else’s medals.
Lots of lies, but they seem to be getting bigger all the time.
RW
****Maybe Kerry’s records were lost in the same unfortunate Pentagon accident that claimed the President’s.****
Interesting that the press was atwitter over finding all those records & nary a peep about Kerry’s.
The same goes for many supporters.
Intellectual consistency is a lost art.
HH
Little facts you get, say, in Human Events which you won’t get in the NYT or Washington Post with their sloppy logic and conspiracy-mongering…
talk2rusty.com/agnosticchart?charttype=minichart&chartID=3&formatID=1&useMiniChartID=…
humaneventsonline.com.edgesuite.net/he_akamai_swiftvetrebuts.html
quark2
Read the NYT? The same paper that refuses to release an unwarranted award for a pos that helped to cover up an act of genocide? Yup right.
The problem Kerry is having with his military record is of his own making. Go back and re-read all of his original statements and speeches. Over and over he reminded everyone of his military service and that he is a decorated soldier. Did someone walk up behind him and force him to start this fiasco? Of course with everyone mesmerized with this hooey, no one including him is talking about the important subjects, like national security.
And maybe this is just what he wants.