SwiftVets.com

[SeriousBoa]

I am a little confused. I know what type of program Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" is, but, last night they were showing an endorsement ad for Kerry in his '96 senate run (I believe the vet was George Elliot doing the endorsing)

This raises two questions:
1) The endorsement mentioned "charging into enemy fire" and heroic action by Kerry
2) Given the charges being made against Kerry, how could the SBVT vet endorse Kerry? Was it because it was just a senate seat and not the President?

I know the Daily Show is left-leaning, but this senate endorsement was not part of a skit. It was real.

Please believe me that I am not trying to start a flame war. It is just that SBVT has made an excellent case against Kerry and this seems to go against the grain.


edit: it was not Larry Thurlow giving the endorsement... sorry for the error.

[neverforget]

From what I understand from "Unfit for Command," the publication of "Tour of Duty" in ?2003? led to 200+ Swift Boat veterans meeting and realizing they had been lied to and about. Recommend you read the book.

[SeriousBoa]

[tvaughan]

A lot of the vets, particularly the ones who came back to defend him from war crimes charges (and thereby accusing the Swift Vets of war crimes themselves for not reporting such acts) assumed Kerry got his awards and PH's for things they did not witness.

Many of them were more than a little shocked when they discovered what events Kerry was recognized for. Things they were present for and know were exaggerated, not only in the official record, but even beyond that in stories Kerry told over the years.

Quite simply, they did not know then what they know now.

Kerry's near auto-biography by David Brinkley was definitely the catalyst that got all the Swift Boat vets together and start swapping stories. The chain of command was particularly unfairly ripped and out-right lied about in Kerry's book.

Then seeing him actually campaign on his Vietnam record really got them boiling. He was campaigning for CinC on a myth and after what he said about them in '71 it was just too much for the swift vets. His lack of decency and character did not befit a man running for President.

The Swift Vet decided to tell the truth, no matter the cost. And make no mistake, the cost is high. They are being attacked by all sides, and they are not wavering.

The Swift Vets have not changed their story. It has been the Kerry.
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[Polaris]

SeriousBoa,

I suggest you go back and read the Boston Globe Articles for 1996. Neither man actually endorsed Kerry...even under media pressure. In fact they went at significant length to avoid doing so. All they said was that they thought he did the right thing, and was not a war criminal, and was of generally good character.

At the time, they had no idea that Kerry filed false reports. They didn't go into the field with Kerry for these instances, so they had no reason to disbelieve him. Even so, their press conference (and Kerry barely squeeked by on reelection that year) was a far cry from a positive endorsement.

note: bold emphasis added by admin...good responses Polaris and all. One suggestion tho...could you hyperlink the Boston Globe article?

We need to incorporate this type of response into our FAQ. I would encourage interested parties to join the development of our FAQ in the "Research & Resources" forum.
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-Polaris

Truth is Beauty

[tvaughan]

[SeriousBoa]

ok, I just watched the show segment again. The vet in question was George Elliot (not Larry Thurlow... sorry for the error). Elliot is standing beside Kerry on a dock endorsing him. He mentioned Kerry chasing down an armed enemy. The video shows a very strong endorsement (calling him a hero).

So to re-cap what happened, Elliot:
- heard of Kerry's heroism (Kerry's account)
- endorsed a fellow vet for senate (certainly knowing about Kerry's testamony)
- met other vets to discuss inconsistencies in Kerry's autobiography, speaches, etc.
- realized the deceit and joined SBVT

I am strongly leaning towards the the SBVT version of events. After Kerry's metal toss, testamony, and Cambodia claims, I don't believe him at all. Maybe Elliot could state the chain of events that lead him to make such a strong reversal. Is it in the book?

[Polaris]

SeriousBoa,

I don't think that Elliot actually endorsed Kerry for Senator. There is a difference. As for what turned him against Kerry, I believe you will find that in the first chapter of Unfit for Command.
_________________
-Polaris

Truth is Beauty