SwiftVets.com

jbodell · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:55 am Post subject: Van Odell on TV

First I would like to thank all of the kind comments I have read in regards to my fathers interviews over the past few days. It has been quite an experience for us all to see this process unfold first hand.

I have scoured the web and read every article I can get my hands on and have come up with some observations I would like to share.
1)The Kerry supporters on tv, radio or in print are completely hung up with the notion that because one was not on Kerry's boat they dont know what they are talking about and have no right to speak on the issue.

-->I wonder how many of these people have seen a swift boat much less pictures of the boats on the river. I wonder if they have seen just how close in proximately they boats work together...Not to mention the fact my father states he was there and had the better vantage point in the bronze star incident.

2)I have also observed in numerous articles that this is simple a 'dirty trick' or negative campaining.

-->I do not understand how informing the public that the man running for the top job in our counrty has serious character flaws, is negative campaining. It is frustrating that when a simple everyday man wants to speak up, they the media wants to silent and discredit.

While there has been some frustrating moments nothing makes me feel more proud than when I get to hear my father tell his story. This is a story I have heard for years, and it is great that he is finally able to voice this to the nation. Thanks for the support!

Here is a link to the news story aired here in houston
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou040806_cs_antikerryad.4f9c90be.html

carpro · Admin Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 1176 Location: Texas

Give your dad my best regards.

I saw his interview on Hannity & Colmes and it was obvious where Susan Estrich was going from the beginning. She used a favored tactic of interrupting when the answer was not going the way she wanted and tried to trip him up by getting him to admit they would stop the ads if Bush asked them to. This was an effort to put the Swiftvets 527 status in jeopardy.

Your dad did fine. Very Happy

Norman Fagan
AKA carpro
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"If he believes his 1971 indictment of his country and his fellow veterans was true, then he couldn't possibly be proud of his Vietnam service."

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

JB...I don't suppose it's possible to be more proud of your dad's performance...again "under fire" in quite a different, but almost as lethal arena. He was REMARKABLE on Hannity...and please tell him so for me.
When he was "accosted" by that ill-prepared Susan Estrich with nothing more than her "game face", I thought he was gonna break out and laugh in her face several times. I wish he had Laughing

BZ to Van Odell and to all his family and to ALL the Swiftees and their families that are, once again, putting it all on the line for their country. Draw sustenance from the knowledge that you are garnering the support of MILLIONS of your fellow Americans in this most difficult endeavor.

Navy_Navy_Navy · Admin Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 5777

Welcome Aboard!

I heard your father on Hannity, yesterday. BZ's to him from this ex-airedale! Wink

We share your frustration with all the points that you have mentioned, as you can tell by reading through the message traffic.

But, there's an awful lot of us who are here for you and we're going to BE HERE for you - don't let it get you down.

Bring your father over and let him speak, let him read that there are so many here who respect his service back then .... and NOW!

Hang in there and don't let the turkeys get you down. Your day will come. It may take the Sept 12th demonstration, but at some point, the media is going to have to sit up and take notice and realize that this is not a BC'04 fronted Kerry smear site.

Kerry smeared himself.

He smeared himself in the blood of veterans and in the blood of the innocents slaughtered in the wake of our departure from Vietnam.

You guys hang in there - your father's story and all the Swifts' stories WILL get out there.

Hang tough!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

Theresa Alwood · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:35 am Post subject:

Tell your dad we support him 100%!!!! I heard your Dad on Sean Hannity and thought he did a great job! Just keep getting the interviews out and speak with the truth and all will be well. I am proud to have talked with some of you guys over the past couple months. You have done agreat honor to all us vets who served. Please give your dad my regards!! May God Bless him in this difficult time.

Theresa
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Born to raise a little hell!

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

I haven't yet seen or heard too many live interviews of the Swiftees but, of those that I have, I'm struck by a common characterization...a quiet confidence and assuredness that can only spring from unvarnished truth.

As Mark Twain said..."If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."

sullitms · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 5:26 am Post subject: Re: Van Odell on TV

ArmyWife · Lieutenant Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 218

I saw Van Odell on Hannity & Colmes last night. Susan Estrich's terse, pupil-enlarged, cross examination of Mr. Odell offended me so much that I jumped up from the dinner table to fire off my first-ever angry email at Fox News. What particularly galled me was that she kept emphasizing her twisted notion that Mr. Odell, from the same service and unit as Kerry, somehow DIDN'T serve with him, but that an Army guy, Rassmann, somehow DID serve with Kerry in a way that is more believable. What frightens me about this is that, as the numbers of people in our population that have served in the military drops, fewer people out there will know enough to apply critical thinking to statements like Estrich's.

When I cooled down a bit and watched the clips on Fox News' website today, I noticed that Rassmann said that HE put Kerry in for a medal. Has anybody got any info on that?

Marine4life · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 5:45 am Post subject:

Keep it a comin Mr. Odell, look out for land mines, listen for mortars and keep the radio man close. Give us a holler if you need the LZ cleared. All jokes aside, good job. We have to take the high ground and just let them rant and look stupid. We have all been trained to remain cool calm and collected when the s**t hits the fan. So camo up and get ready for battle. They have us surrounded but the good thing is they can't get away!! Kudo's Mr. Odell. Semper Fi.
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Helicopter Marine Attack Squadron 169 which is now HMLA-169. They added Huey's to compliment the Cobra effectiveness. When I served we just had Snakes.

JN173 · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:09 am Post subject: Re: Van Odell on TV

rds · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:42 am Post subject: Re: Van Odell on TV

LewWaters · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 7:10 am Post subject:

O'Reilly said he wanted some Swiftvets to come on his show, after he condemned the ad the other night. I wonder if he is ready for that?

Your Dad did real good. Many thanks to him and all the other Swifties who have come out.
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Clark County Conservative

rbshirley · Founder Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 394

The bandit · Commander Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 349

BelleC · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:30 pm Post subject:

Your father, Mr. Odell, was awesome when interviewed on the Hannity/Colmes show! He did exceptionally well when drilled instead of interviewed by Ms. Estrich.

Please pass on to your father the thanks of so many people here. I am so sorry he has had to live through any more pain associated with his service to this country.

I am so sorry he has had to endure the foolishness of Senator Kerry twice, once when he denounced his association with the Navy and again, when he tried to embrace it!

God Speed...
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Belle