Veteran retracts criticism of Kerry

[obnoxiousdrunk]

WASHINGTON -- A week after Senator John F. Kerry heralded his wartime experience by surrounding himself at the Democratic convention with his Vietnam ''Band of Brothers," a separate group of veterans has launched a television ad campaign and a book that questions the basis for some of Kerry's combat medals.


But yesterday, a key figure in the anti-Kerry campaign, Kerry's former commanding officer, backed off one of the key contentions. Lieutenant Commander George Elliott said in an interview that he had made a ''terrible mistake" in signing an affidavit that suggests Kerry did not deserve the Silver Star -- one of the main allegations in the book. The affidavit was given to The Boston Globe by the anti-Kerry group to justify assertions in their ad and book.

Elliott is quoted as saying that Kerry ''lied about what occurred in Vietnam . . . for example, in connection with his Silver Star, I was never informed that he had simply shot a wounded, fleeing Viet Cong in the back."

The statement refers to an episode in which Kerry killed a Viet Cong soldier who had been carrying a rocket launcher, part of a chain of events that formed the basis of his Silver Star. Over time, some Kerry critics have questioned whether the soldier posed a danger to Kerry's crew. Crew members have said Kerry's actions saved their lives.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/08/06/veteran_retracts_criticism_of_kerry/

[GCP]

1. Perhaps he's like to go on Faux and explain himself

:grr:

[havocmom]

2. Yeah, that'll happen right after O'Lielly makes a big issue of Berger's

absolute innocence in Paper Down Pants-Gate.

[Carni]

3. The dog ate his affadavit

And he was embarrassed and had to fax back a blank sheet of signed paper (Hey...no excuse would be too lame for the bushites!)

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. We should recommend that Keith Obermann

tell this story. I just emailed him. I hope he tells it tonight!
Here's his email. :hi:

[e-mail]

[CBHagman]

5. Good idea!

As James Wolcott puts it, Olbermann is Clark Kent with attitude!

[obnoxiousdrunk]

6. great idea

done.

[mzmolly]

7. I love Keith Obermann.

:loveya:

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. Email Obermann...get him to cover this story tonight!

:bounce: :hi: :kick: