posted on August 17, 2004 11:39:08 AM
On Fox News last night they were discussing why the none in the regular 'media' [CBS< NCB< ABC< Etc.] has chosen to investigate these Swift Boat vets statements/book and report on them. One of the panel members even mentioned that the dems sent Lanny ??, a dem lawyer to address some of these issues. He didn't do a very good job as he had not even read the book of the vets accusation.
Sure looks to me like a complete blackout to protect kerry from the exact same thing they put President Bush though with their investigations and oh-so-many, hundreds, of articles meant to make his service look like they did.
So now, it appears, we have the whole TV media....who don't want both sides heard....don't want kerry to have to explain some of his statements that have been proven to be lies. GREAT....now the TV media decides FOR US...just what we, as Americans, will hear and what we won't. Never thought I'd live to see this happen....but it has on this topic.
posted on August 17, 2004 11:43:44 AM
Gee, Linda, did you JUST NOW discover,
"
now the TV media decides FOR US...just what we, as Americans, will hear and what we won't. Never thought I'd live to see this happen....but it has on this topic. "
Just like the Bush administration doesn't allow pictures of the coffins returning from the war ????
Is that what you mean?
posted on August 17, 2004 11:50:47 AM
I was wondering why you see very little of this in the press. This is in contrast to every whacked out thing the nut brigade comes up with, like the "Pentagon wasn't hit by a plane", which you could at least find on page 20.
But I think this is changing. My major papers had a multipage report this past week on the accusations, plus a listing of the half-dozen or so "ammendments" the Kerry organization has made to his "official" record.
posted on August 17, 2004 12:22:48 PM
This morning there was an article in the local newspaper (which many accuse of being left-winged liberal based) that interviewed some local veterans organizations. This is a highly populated military area. The article said that many veterans they spoke with were voting for Bush because they resented Kerry's serving and them returning to become anti-war and throwing the metals away, etc. Surprising slant for a liberal newspaper, I thought.
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Each one sees what he carries in his heart - Goethe
posted on August 17, 2004 12:41:29 PM
Well, desquirrel and neroter I'm glad to hear that....but I think we know that most people get their 'news' from short little TV blurbs...and with the 'blackout' of all the TV media....not enough people are going to be hearing both sides. That's what disappoints me.
My girlfriend, who along with her husband listen to several 'right leaning' radio stations....tells me at least THEY are talking about it on the radio stations. And they're also pointing out this 'media blackout'. I hope it angers enough that they'll start calling or emailing the TV stations to find out why rather than doing what journalists should be doing - checking out the claims - they've chosen to not mention it.
posted on August 17, 2004 01:10:34 PM
Linda, I will take a guess and say probably most of the TV media personnel would like to see Bush out of the White House come November. Maybe they think its a silly claim and not worth exploring. Like its a republican ploy? Tell ya though, reading that article this am made me think maybe its not all hogwash if this is what vets themselves are saying among themselves?
But I also find it somewhat trifling if that is what they are basing their entire vote on? To me, neither one of these candidates have much to go on service wise. So I dont think that should be the deciding factor and really only given minute consideration if anything. [But then again, I never served nor will be planning to :0 and maybe the considerations are different among the military 'life'ers']
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Each one sees what he carries in his heart - Goethe
posted on August 17, 2004 01:17:36 PM
Have you considered that this "Black Out" is not necessarily protecting Kerry only? In my opinion... Until the truth is known without a doubt.. the Republican party has as much to lose.. depending on the truth.. for instance if what the Vets have said is proved true.. then Kerry's honesty and credibility is damaged... if this was a smear tactic from the Right and it is proved to be just that.. then Bush and the Republicans will be regarded as liars and dishonerable... so maybe, just maybe, everyone is getting their facts straight before they open their mouths.. just my thoughts...
posted on August 17, 2004 01:36:21 PM
Bush and his croonies are behind this smear campaign. The only reason legitimate press is silent is because they have vetted the stories by these guys and they have proved to be lies.
Bush did the same thing to McCain and Max Clellan (sp) of Georgia.
posted on August 17, 2004 01:37:12 PM
If you notice the Republican party does not say anything in such matters. Polling indicates the public does not like personal attacks. They estimate Kerry has lost several points because of the personal attacks his various supporters have launched against the President.
There was a discussion on a show recently (Dennis Miller?) about the old "right/left" wing bias of the press. The old adage is that it "balances out". One guy goes it's because they ask the wrong kinds of question. He said ask the following question of the newscasters and producers and you'll get a clearer answer:
Have you EVER in your lifetime voted for a Republican candidate for President?
posted on August 17, 2004 06:12:11 PM
Democrat Attacks Help Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Raise Money
hanks to favorable reception of their TV ad, and especially the publicity caused by the Kerry forces' attempts at censorship, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has raised a whopping $400,000 from about 8,000 contributors nationwide.
According to the Knight Ridder News Service, one of the few major news organizations that has been willing to investigate the veterans' charges, the money will be used to monitor Kerry's campaign travels and run ads in cities where he appears.
"That's our goal," said John E. O'Neill, a Houston attorney who is one of the group's leaders and co-author of "Unfit for Command," a 251-page book being distributed by Regnery Publishing.
Rather than address the substance of the organization's charges, which are backed by 254 Swift Boat vets, many of whom served alongside Kerry in Vietnam, Kerry's campaign falls back on the hackneyed claim of a "vast right-wing conspiracy."
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a so-called 527 organization and is not affiliated with any party, Knght Ridder explained. It got off the ground with a $100,000 donation from Texas homebuilder Bob J. Perry, who happens to be a prominent Republican donor as well as a friend of O'Neill.
Retired admiral Roy F. Hoffman, chairman of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, told Knight Ridder that the first TV ad, which ran for one week in Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia at a cost of $550,000, got so much national news attention that it generated the additional $400,000.
"We are putting together the second ad," said Hoffman, 78, of Richmond, Va.
As a Navy captain in 1968 and 1969, Hoffman commanded a unit of 1,650 sailors that included Kerry as a lieutenant. He is among the entire chain of command questioning Kerry's claims about his Vietnam service. He said the unit, known as Task Force 115, included about 16 Swift Boats and their crews, which patrolled the Mekong Delta looking for Viet Cong and other enemy fighters.
"I knew Kerry pretty well," he added. "I did not ride his boat, but we operated very close together. ... I can't say I was a personal friend or buddy-buddy, but I sure knew him ... and I never felt he had the qualifications."
Media's Leftist Bias Backfires
Hoffman hasn't been politically involved since leaving the Navy in 1978, he said. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth accepted cash donations from Republicans after the major media ignored a news conference announcing the formation of the group in May, he said.
posted on August 19, 2004 10:13:19 AM
The absolute worst bottom dwellers of this world must be in this Swit Boat Vets outfit. They shouldn't be trusted around women, children, or animals.
Records Contradict Kerry Critic's Charges -Report
Aug. 19, 2004 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Military records contradict a critic's charge that U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry did not come under fire during the battle that resulted in military honors for Kerry, The Washington Post reported on Thursday.
Larry Thurlow, who commanded a Navy boat alongside Kerry in Vietnam, has disputed that the Massachusetts Democratic senator was shot at during the March 1969 raid that resulted in Bronze Stars to both men.
But Thurlow's military records, partially obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by The Washington Post, contain references to "enemy small arms and automatic fire" directed at "all units" of the five-boat flotilla, the newspaper says.
Kerry has made frequent references to his Vietnam war experience during his campaign to make the case for his aptitude as a military leader. Thurlow is a member of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group that has sponsored a television commercial questioning Kerry's war record.
posted on August 19, 2004 11:34:13 AM
neroter - In response to your post about 'will it really matter, either way'....I think it will.
Not so much for their service but rather for the truthfulness of one against the lies being put forth by the other [kerry]. kerry made a decision a long time ago that he was going to use his service in VN as a political tool. President Bush did not.
And when people are coming out and saying kerry has lied...it should be checked out...talked about.
Just like this Cambodian issue...if those who served *with kerry* and those who *commanded kerry* are saying they never were in Cambodia...PLUS kerry's diary loggings are being used against him....that speaks to how kerry has tried to present himself...vs what really happened. It's a lack of honesty. I believe that will matter to many more people than their 'service' will.
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reamond - This looks just like they tried to do with Elliott. They tried to make it look like he had lied too...signed a false affidavit. Tried to smear his sworn testimony too. He then came forward and said he sticks by his original statement.
Now it looks like they're doing the same thing with Thurlow. BUT he wasn't the only one who made the statements he did. He wasn't alone in saying that....others did too. And anyone reading the SwiftBoat vets version will see that.
Here's a statement today, said to be from the rest of the Washington Post's article about this:
[it was on CBS online news this morning]
When reached by the Post, Thurlow said, "It's like a Hollywood presentation here, which wasn't the case…My personal feeling was always that I got the award for coming to the rescue of the boat that was mined. This casts doubt on anybody's awards. It is sickening and disgusting."
Stay tuned: this controversy isn't going anywhere.
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At least these stories are beginning to be discussed on the alphabet channels online news. Word will continue to spread and we'll be having a much needed discussion on what really happened...or didn't.
posted on August 19, 2004 11:44:34 AMUS Army is not going to show it on bases but has said they will sell the DVD's when they come out
Why show it for free when then Army can bilk the soldiers for money...like serving their country is not good enough now they have to charge them to get a movie.
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
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YOU CAN'T HAVE BULLSH** WITH OUT BUSH.
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We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union....
.....one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
posted on August 19, 2004 01:48:26 PMreamond - This looks just like they tried to do with Elliott. They tried to make it look like he had lied too...signed a false affidavit. Tried to smear his sworn testimony too. He then came forward and said he sticks by his original statement.
Oh Gee wiz Linda, which "original" statement by these liars are you talking about ? The statements they put in writing 35 years ago ? The statements they made 10 years ago or the statements they now make ?
Now it looks like they're doing the same thing with Thurlow.
You mean confronting this liar with the statements he put in writing 35 years ago and accepted a medal based on these statements ? Thurow was the SENIOR officer of the group. Does he now claim he never wrote nor read the citation ? What a lying piece of sh!t.
BUT he wasn't the only one who made the statements he did. He wasn't alone in saying that....others did too. And anyone reading the SwiftBoat vets version will see that.
Which lies and liars are you refering to ?
These liars have no credibility. Smearing Kerry's heroic service is about as low as you can go.
Why don't these wonder patriots go after Bush for deserting ?
