SamSaid!

ERROR

     In an earlier publication (Politically Motivated), I referred to a WSJ article by John O'Neill, entitled “We are NOT GOP shills. Unfortunately, I dated the article for 6/27/04 when it should have been just yesterday  –  8/27/04. Sorry.

POLITICALLY MOTIVATED

    There is a major furor over the TV ads being run by an organization called The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The ads are being vehemently denounced by Democrats (and a few others) for both content as well as being “politically motivated”. Some time back I opined that Kerry would rue the day when he decided to make the centerpiece of his campaign his Vietnam military service. Now the chickens have come home to roost.

     “Politically motivated”? Anyone with a civics IQ over 20 knows that the ads are politically motivated. Of course they are. But when John Kerry trotted out his Swift Boat comrades to aid in his cause and embellish his heroics, that too was politically motivated. How could you describe it otherwise? The problem is that the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth see Mr. Kerry's service in a vastly different light  — and to make matters worse, they are throwing Mr Kerry's own words right back in his face, quote by quote. That's the worst kind of dirty trick.

     I don't think that the SWVT men are concerned all that much about a band aid Purple Heart or a phantom soujourn into Cambodia. But I think it rankles them no end that Kerry viciously condemned his military comrades in open public testimony that he no doubt now regrets. He simply cannot deny what he said.

     The leader and spokeman for the SWVT is John O'Neill, who has written a book entitled “Unfit for Command”, and his comments echo those of more than 250 other Swiftees who served in Vietnam at the same general time as Kerry. Naturally, the Democrats  blame the Republicans and George Bush for sponsoring and funding the “Swiftees” and their TV ads. On Friday 6/27, Mr O'Neill authored an article, “We are NOT GOP shills”, which appeared on the Op-Ed page of the Wall Street Journal. It should be required reading for all Americans. One key paragraph commands attention –  “Mr Kerry grossly exagerrateed and lied about his abbreviated 4 month tour in Vietnam. He disgraced all legitimate Vietnam War heroes when he falsely testified to Congress that we were war criminals, and daily engaged in atrocities that had the full approval of all levels in the chain of command. So, once Mr. Kerry decided to apply for commander in chief's job with a war hero resume, we felt compelled to come forward to explain why he is “Unfit for command”. The article is recommended reading   –  better than the left wing spin of the news media.

     Mr. Kerry opened Pandora's box. His choice. And now he wants George Bush to stop the ads. But the SBVT folks have their own agenda. Kerry will just have to stew in his own juice.