Tom Harkin, who in my opinion is one chromosome above pond scum, recently called Dick Cheney a coward for not serving in VietNam.
Fox News is reporting that Harkin himself lied about his service in Vietnam, once telling wild tales of engaging Migs over Hanoi, when in fact he never flew in combat.
According to the book Stolen Valor, it does appear that Fox News is correct. Harkin is a f–king liar:
Politicians historically have delighted in memorializing themselves in concrete. For distinguished public servants the practice can be deserved. Neither Specter nor Harkin, however, can be considered more notable than other distinguished solons who repeatedly convince voters to let them stay on Capitol Hill (though Harkin in his earlier political campaigns was notable, if that’s the word, for claiming to have flown combat missions in Vietnam and then having to admit that he had not, as recorded in the book Stolen Valor, by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley).
That would seem to make him less credible than the Swift Vote Veterans he wishes to silence…
*** Update ***
It appears Harkin is not above letting others embellish his service, either:
Harkin earned an undergraduate degree in government and economics at Iowa State University. Subsequently, he served as a Navy fighter pilot in Vietnam.
And of course the media plays lapdog:
The 64-year-old Harkin is a political icon in the Hawkeye State where he grew up.
A Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, he first went to Washington in 1974 as a member of the House, where he served for 10 years.
The party of Michael Moore. Maybe it was Harkin who was in Cambodia.
Why is Harkin’s lying so important- because it is the cachet afforded to Vietnam veterans in our political environment that makes attack, such as this one from 2000, so effective:
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, a Vietnam veteran and sometimes-mentioned possible running mate for Al Gore, said Cheney “had other priorities in the
kelly
Go figure.
Thing is, I wonder what the Democrats would look like if they really started working at being hypocritical, sanctimonious jackasses. Because they do a damn fine job without really trying.
Amazing.
Birkel
Is there any wonder the ‘mommy party’ tries to “embellish” (read: lie) its accomplishments. How else to be ‘tuff’ when the social experiment of socialism lite fails? I know, let’s invent history confident in the knowledge the NYT won’t cover it to provide any links for ????
?
You forgot to delete the comment by Birkel, who refers to the need “to provide any links for ????”
Sheesh!
?
Plus, you don’t have erase me–I won’t be back.
John Cole
That is a shame. I just erased all of them because I thought it would be easier. I didn’t really understand Birkel’s comment, so I just left it.
kelly
Birkel,
There’s only so many prepositions to be for at in on about around.
? must be allergic to dangling.
Ralph Gizzip
Could it be “????” = whatever the Democrats are lying about at the moment? Think of it as algebra for writers.
M. Scott Eiland
Now let’s not be hasty–this is Harkin we’re talking about. Has anyone considered asking the North Vietnamese to release their list of pilots? We want to give credit where it’s due, after all.
kelly
I like it, Ralph.
Casual math ref.
Pithy.
Harry in Atlanta
“Is there an honest man orwoman left in the whole damned Democratic party?”
No.
Well maybe John Breaux of Louisiana but he is getting out before he has to compromise his principles and integrity to continue to run and serve in elected office as a Democrat. I would have mentioned Conneticut senator Joe Lieberman but he completely abandoned his principles and dignity in order to achieve higher office as a Democrat.
dg
“Is there an honest man orwoman left in the whole damned Democratic party?”
No, and not only are they not honest, I believe many have actually lost their minds.
HH
Harkin caught misleading:
Spin that one, Media Matters.
RW
****”Is there an honest man orwoman left in the whole damned Democratic party?”****
Yep, my man Zell Miller.
HH
More here
Dean
Frankly, I long ago gave up expecting honesty from politicians *on either side*.
At this point, I’d settle for consistency in the argument, truthful or lying.
Unfortunately, the Dems (IMHO) are failing on that count, in this election. Otherwise, you’d not have “Bush-AWOL matters, Kerry-location doesn’t” or “Kerry in ‘Nam good, Clinton not in ‘Nam better” logic traps.
M. Scott Eiland
*Scott looks around*
My–the usual suspects don’t seem to be standing up for Senate Moonbat Caucus charter member Harkin this time. I thought for sure that my cheap shot about Harkin flying for North Vietnam would get some response.
Pretty sad when even knee-jerk lefty trolls won’t stand up for him.
HH
And it’s just too bad as our Media Matters’ buddies have no better friend in the Senate than Harkin, who took David Brock’s leading in getting the ball rolling again on “Hush Rush.”
john
I will be so glad when baby-boomers are gone from the political scene.