SwiftVets.com

[Jeff Carrington]

8/20/04

To: Editor, Washington Post

Re: the restless Wall

The rumble of demand for true investigative reporting of the Swift boat veterans compelling assertions about John Kerry has risen to an incipient national roar that even veiled animus and willful ignorance won’t strangle.

So the Washington Post reluctantly caved in via the editorial page (“Swift Boat Smears”, 8/12/04). As to the objective professionalism of that gem, the title says it all. Then you really took the plunge with a front page above-the-fold banner article (“Records Counter a Critic of Kerry”; Michael Dobbs, 8/20/04).

In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row . . . . . .

Noting the focus and tenor of Michael Dobbs, and coupling it with your unsigned editorial opinions of last week, the two dots are probably all any awake person need connect to see where this is heading. But just for complete verification, one more illustration draws an underscore so bold only a fool could miss it.

We are the Dead short days ago we lived felt dawn saw sunset glow . . .

During a television interview yesterday, John O’Neil, co-author of “Unfit For Command” commented that he and a group of fellow Swift boat veterans conducted a rendezvous this week in Washington. Among the attendees were the Swift boat Vietnam veterans who are principal figures and acknowledged eyewitnesses to the event that is the basis for your front page story. Undoubtedly your story was already in the pipeline—the facts of your research effort confirm this—yet when Mr. O’Neill telephoned you to invite you to interview these men, somehow you pushed a mental “agenda” button to drown out your journalistic duty and conscience, and took a rain check. By my recollection of D.C. geography, the Swift boat vets were in a hotel about a five minute cab ride from your altar of truth. Or if you’d asked, possibly they might even have come to your place.

To you from failing hands we throw the Torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep . . .

Well, Mr. Dobbs—and more importantly, Mr. Downey—here’s another five minute cab ride for you. It’s time you went back to the Wall and meditated just a little. It shouldn’t take much. Or if it does, I guess all is irrevocably lost and there will be no such thing as eternal rest for 58,235 of America’s finest and bravest.

Actually on a nice day you could walk it. It might help clear your sadly muddled heads.

Jeff Carrington
West Simsbury, CT
860-651-4885

[Beatrice1000]

[Ladder Yankee 33]

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