SwiftVets.com

[integritycounts]

http://www.washingtondispatch.com/page2/archives/000495.html

August 19, 2004
Old Media Lifts Blackout on Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
For over two weeks, ‘Old Media’ has ignored every facet of the story behind the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” anti-Kerry ad, and newly released book “Unfit for Command.” Now it looks like one ‘Old Media’ giant has decided to fight back. The Washington Post is leading with a front-page story on SwiftVets’ member Larry Thurlow. At issue, John Kerry’s bronze star. The article says the newspaper used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain Larry Thurlow’s military records. Fair enough, it’s about time some truth is made of these accusations. It now looks as if Thurlow was also awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic actions during the same incident in which Kerry was awarded his Bronze Star. But there’s a problem for Thurlow--according to The Post--the records contain several references to "enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire" directed at "all units" of the five-boat flotilla.

Thurlow has previously claimed that there was no enemy fire. He first said that he “never heard a shot” in an affidavit released by the SwiftVets. He stuck with that story when confronted by The Post with the records, “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." So, we’ve got a report that says there was gunfire, a denial by Thurlow along with denials from both Jack Chenoweth and Richard Pees who are two other Swift boat skippers who were direct participants in the March 13, 1969 incident. They also both said there was no “enemy fire.” Jim Rassmann says he was saved by Kerry and distinctly remembers gunfire. Who to believe?

One interesting piece of evidence was also contained in the report, John Kerry did leave the scene after the explosion and sped off down the river just as the SwiftVets have accused.

From The Post…

“For much of the episode, Kerry was not in a position to know firsthand what was happening on Thurlow's boat, as Kerry's boat had sped down the river after the mine exploded under another boat. He later returned to provide assistance to the stricken boat.”

Thurlow tried to diffuse the situation, saying he would consider his award "fraudulent" if coming under enemy fire was the basis for it. "I am here to state that we weren't under fire.“ He speculated that Kerry could have been the source of at least some of the language used in the citation.”

The report is the key here. Who authored it? Was Kerry the source? The Post says the records are unable to draw a conclusion based on the records it obtained.

This can come as little surprise to veteran observers of the old media. This story is over two weeks old and John Kerry has been discredited for his ‘Christmas in Cambodia’ lie by the ‘New Media.’ He has told the story for many years with many different versions. The Post ignored that, instead attempting to discredit one of the decorated SwiftVets. John Kerry is a decorated SwiftVet as well, and running for the highest office in the land. It’s admirable that The Post is after the truth in this incendiary story. Better late than never. But without the author of the report, and without vetting John Kerry as well, it’s of very little help, other than to even the score.

It’s always been clear that one of these sides is lying. With Thurlow apparently caught with his military records and Kerry admitting his ‘Christmas in Cambodia’ falsehoods by articles he wrote in his own hand, it’s time for the next logical step.

John Kerry’s full military and medical records need to be made available. Kerry can do that very easily. And if he has nothing to hide, he can discredit this anti-Kerry group with one quick and easy release.

Posted by CK Rairden at August 19, 2004 02:26 AM | TrackBack

[stealthy]

Don't hold your breath for that. The WaPo drew erroneous conclusions intentionally. The first sentence is a lie in their article.They don't want the truth but to bury it with "baffle them with bullsh**" articles. Too late. The right hand knows what the left hand is doing.
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American Conservative