WP, p1: Keen Focus on Lt. Kerry's Four Months Under Fire

[DeepModem Mom]

Keen Focus on Lt. Kerry's Four Months Under Fire

By Lois Romano
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 23, 2004; Page A01


As a senior at Yale, John F. Kerry harbored doubts about the war in Vietnam, and as a Navy veteran he became famous for opposing it. But in between, he fought aggressively during an extraordinary four-month tour in that country, earning some of the nation's highest commendations for valor -- and then he abruptly returned to the United States.

Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, was in the Navy from 1966 to 1970, leaving with the rank of lieutenant, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for wounds he received in combat. Most of the citations were awarded during his command of two "swift boats" on Vietnam's perilous coastal waterways.

Today, that record has become both an asset and an issue as he seeks the presidency. The senator from Massachusetts has used it to define his qualifications for the office, his experience in foreign policy, his leadership -- and, regarding the conflict in Iraq, his firsthand knowledge of war. But critics have cited it as evidence that he was opportunistic and have questioned whether he deserved one of his medals.

An examination of his record, supplemented by interviews with the candidate, his crewmates and some skeptics, found little to undermine Kerry's portrayal of his service....

(A long analysis of this issue follows.)


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34941-2004Apr22.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. This is a waste of time, Repukesters

Kerry's own mates swear by his leadership and valor on those boats, even those few who didn't particularly like him personally.

And then, there is the issue of Little Junior's undistinguished non-tenure in the Texas Air National Guard...

It shows how starved the media is for ideas that it plumbs these meaningless depths.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. What's to argue?

A patriotic AND liberal young Democrat decides to put his money where his mouth is. He elects -- requests -- to go to Vietnam and serve under fire.

He acquits himself well and earns several honors. He is also greatly disturbed by the conduct of that war, and actively works to end it.

Thirty years later, he runs for President against a powerful Republican whose own military record has come under strong and embarassing scrutiny.

Following standard Republican strategy, a team is assembled to uncover and disseminate damaging information on the Democrat. This attempt brings half-a-dozen partisan Republicans -- who also served, but who may not have known the Democrat -- forward to discredit the Democrat using the unimpeachable power of hearsay. Nearly every other piece of information confirms the exemplary record of the Democrat. So, the focus is on the partisans and their always-unverifiable assertions.

And the Republican with the unenviable service record escapes all scrutiny.

Mission Accomplished!

--bkl

[Media_Lies_Daily]

3. And not only did Junior go AWOL, but 30+ years later, he acts like...

...some over-starched banty rooster and orders Americans into a war based on a series of lies that he and the other NeoCons presented to the American people as fact.

Mission Accomplished, indeed.

[Racenut20]

5. God told him to do it.

I think there must be a bar tender at a Midland country club that goes by that name.

[saigon68]

4. The Re-puke mother fuckers are using VETERANS

In the last 3 days a number of RE-PUKE Viet-Nam veterans are going after him. Comparing him to Jane Fonda etc.

One of the Worst Whack Jobs is a certain retired Marine Colonel who just happens to be an extreme right Wing Congressman from Minnesota.

This creep is in Congress because a special district was created for him in the 2000 census.

These assholes need to be exposed, but sadly their CHRISTIAN Credentials are stronger than the truth.

[Luvpurp]

6. So much for Band of Brothers

It is really telling that any veteran would support Bush over Kerry. I cannot beleive the Repuke will try to make an issue of this when it so obviously tipped in Kerry's favor.

You're right John Kline is a creep.

[saigon68]

11. So is SAM JOHNSON

http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=2707


"When testified against the war, his testimony was un-American and untrue, and I think he lost all credibility as a real military man," said Johnson, asked to comment on a full 32-page transcript of Kerry's testimony that was obtained yesterday by HUMAN EVENTS. Johnson, a retired Air Force Colonel, was a prisoner of war for seven years after being shot down in North Vietnam in 1966.


Johnson said the idea that 200,000 Vietnamese were annually "murdered by the United States of America" was "not true. Absolutely not true." He also complained of Kerry's liberal use of his Vietnam service in his presidential campaign, particularly the use of the slogan "band of brothers," a Shakespearean reference to the camaraderie of men who have seen battle together.

"It's a phony deal," he said. "There are Vietnam veterans that you'll see who will call you brother and commiserate with you over experiences over there, but his use of that is totally false, and I don't know how anybody could fall for it."

[leetrisck]

7. Did Kerry serve 2 tours in Vietnam

or one - I thought it was 2, then 1, then I don't know - have heard both ways and I really don't know.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Two tours; Swift boats were Round Two

In other words, he could've gone home, but he went back to San Diego to learn how to pilot his own boat. He served on a destroyer in his first tour.

[Warren Stuart]

9. His first tour was on a Destroyer off the coast

Technically he was in the war zone, but realistically he might as well have been in San Diego.

[maddezmom]

10. what a waste of time...Kerry served in Vietnam

what exactly did bush* serve his time? oh yeah, no one knows.

[Ganja Ninja]

12. Oh please! Give it up will ya.

What exactly is the right wing media trying to insinuate here? Or maybe that's exactly the point. Make vague insinuations about nothing in order to give the impression that there is something wrong here. Meanwhile ignore the disgraceful record of the Republican Chickenhawks. It's like White Water all over again. Nothing to see here but focus on it as if there is. It'll keep people from noticing the emperor is buck naked.

[DeepModem Mom]

13. I think the "media," in this rare case, is actually...

setting the record straight. In this long page-one article the WP actually goes on to expand on the last sentence included in my snip: "An examination of his record, supplemented by interviews with the candidate, his crewmates and some skeptics, found little to undermine Kerry's portrayal of his service."