Questioning the SwiftVet questioners

Two people who I have tremendous respect for have come out against the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth.

Joshua Claybourn has joined ranks with John McCain in denouncing the ad:

This is politics at its worse and the type of discourse that drives so many people from the process. There are countless ways to legitimately criticize John Kerry, but his heroic service is not one of them, in my opinion.

And David, at Not Perfection, agrees:

The attack ad created by these men is shameful because it lowers, by association, all of us who support the President. This vendetta on the part of O'Neill and others is vile and should have no part in the national dialogue.

I cannot simply dismiss their criticism as the rantings of those blinded by their support for John Kerry. Both David and Joshua have been on my blogroll for some time and I regularly read their stuff. They are unabashedly pro Bush and they're both committed believers who I've grown to trust.

Yet I confess here to being more than a bit stunned and frankly, stung, by their critiques of the ad.

And I do so want to understand what they're fussing about. I've attempted to research this a bit more, and frankly, what I've found supports the Swift Vets and what they're doing.

Take Captain Ed's post detailing the counterpunch being thrown by the Vets after being threatened by the Kerry campaign with legal action for airing their ad:

The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth have hired their own lawyers in response to the Kerry/Edwards campaign's threat of ruinous lawsuits for anyone who allows the independent 527 to purchase ad time at their media outlet. For some reason, the Democrats seem to have a problem with the actual practice of free speech, even after having their party chairman, Terry McAuliffe, call George Bush a deserter and John Kerry question the quality of his National Guard service. When the shoe moves to the other foot, suddenly the Democrats switch from "Bring It On" to "We'll Sue You Into Silence," quite a difference in tone.

...

At any rate, the Swifties intend to stand their ground, showing a bit more character than anyone at the Kerry/Edwards campaign. I've been forwarded a copy of their legal team's response to Kerry's extortionate threats that they have sent to media outlets in which they've made their ad buys. I'm posting the letter [here], placing most of it in the extended entry. I think it aptly demonstrates the specificity of the recollections of more than 200 men who have nothing to gain and everything to lose by coming forward -- except for setting the record straight.

They've made a convert out of me.

And they've shored up my own support.

Josh and David, if you're still reading (or are reading at all), please fill us all in on the specifics to your critiques of the Swift Vets. I want to understand, I really do.

Thanks.

UPDATE: La Shawn has weighed in, as only she can:

Is this stuff true? If so, will any of these revelations break Kerry? Doubtful. Bush-hatred is too entrenched.

Afterthought: I guess “they” don’t make real men anymore. Instead of turning his lawyers loose on TV stations showing the veterans’ ad, Kerry should be a man and clear up the whole thing. Tell us if the allegations are true. If not, sue for libel!

The First Amendment protected Kerry’s right to bad-mouth his country after Vietnam; the same amendment protects the media’s (and the veterans) right to show political ads.

MORE: Mark Steyn, brilliantly:

Look, I would rather talk about the war. The current one, I mean — not the one that ended three decades ago. But, insofar as I understand the rules of Campaign 2004, every time any member of the administration says anything about the present conflict, he is accused by Democrats of shamelessly "politicizing" it. Whereas every time John Kerry waxes nostalgic about those fragrant memories of the Mekong Delta, he should be allowed to take his unending stroll down memory lane unmolested. After all, as everyone from John Edwards to Max Cleland to Bill Clinton has assured us, being a Swift boat commander for four months is the indispensable qualification for being president. When Hillary runs in 2008, no doubt she'll be leaning heavily on her four months running a Swift boat up and down the Shatt al-Arab during the Iraq war.

But hang on, most of these fellows in the anti-Kerry ad — the ones talking about how he can't be trusted, etc — are also Swift boat commanders? If being a Swiftee is the most important thing in American life, why are all these "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" less entitled to be heard than John Kerry?

Well, because they're part of the "Republican smear machine". Apparently, it's the GOP's fault that only one of the 22 surviving Swift boat officers who served with Mr. Kerry is willing to support him, and that a big bunch of the remaining Swiftees feel strongly enough about his conduct 35 years ago to appear in one of the most remarkable political ads ever seen.

Had enough of Vietnam yet?

Comments

[Sharon]

McCain is not always on the button when it comes to his opinions (in my opinion). He is something of a loose cannon and wants to be seen as a moderate and liked by both sides of the aisle. The evidence is pretty compelling, the swifties are telling the truth. I think it all so TELLING of the Dems; that Kerry is the best they can do for a candidate. It's just pitiful.

[Margaret Riordan]

I want to know how Kerry got to serve only 4 months in Viet Nam. The regular tour was a year. I heard O'Neill (author of Unfit for Duty) on several TV stations. This man has been going after Kerry for over 20 years (as seen on the Dick Cavett show in the 60s). He is certainly not a johnny-come-lately. When it comes to terror, I feel uneasy at the thought of Kerry in charge, waffling and lieing on every issue. It's amazing how people will vote for anyman (and a seriously flawed, unlikeable one as Kerry) just to vote against Bush. These people put our very lives in danger. They won't be happy until we are a third world country.

[Judith]

When you lie, one lie begats another. Kerry is so much of a snob, he reminds me of FDR who always was for "the little people". Just hearing Kerry talk about the middle class squeeze is so hypocritical--what does he know about everyday Americans? And his wife, God, what a crass b--ch, she's another Hildebeast. We have to win!!

[Harry]

Wouldn't it be easier to release Kerry's military records, than all this? Bush, released his.

[Sam Palfenier]

A logical question I would ask is If John Kerry has 3 purple hearts that means he got shot by the enemy at least 3 times. Since he was in Vietman only 4 months or so how long did it take him to recover from these so called wounds? On top of that he had time to get a bronze and silver star and go into cambodia. The logical conclusion is that his so called purple heart injuries were minor and this in itself, regardless of what the truth is, shows that he put himself in for a purple heart for a scratch. This alone shows his inferior character and how he demeaned a real purple heart recepient which should be reserved for someone who is in the hospital for months at a time from a real wound. Case closed

[dj]

Bush lied so many times and nobody talks about it. If !!! Kerry lied 35 years ago, why we have to make a big deal of it? Bush is still lieing about everything.....

[JA Stratton]

One should remember that it was kerry who raised this issue. I am a Navy Nam Vet, and river boat rider. I was not on the Swifts, but I listen to kerry's version of events, and read his citations for the PH's and other medals of valor. Then I listen to what the Swift boat men who served with him say. I think about the men I served with, and the flying body parts as rockets hit my boat and other boats. I will never forget the smell of burning flesh. I think about the mate without an arm still trying to fire his gun. Then I think again about kerry's stories and they just don't measure up to what were reasonable actions according to my experiences. The Swifties versions seem a more reasonable account.
Ok so say you buy his story of events....(barf)
Upon his return he goes before a Senate committee and makes up lies about what our honorable men are doing in the war, as if they were just everyday occurrences. I served with several hundred sailors and soldiers, and never saw the things he stated in the two tours I served in Vietnam. I did see honor and valor, one of my mates received the Navy Cross. kerry chose to flaunt his service as part of his political life. I had not given him a thought in a very long time but my cheek still stings where he slapped my face and the face of every veteran who served this great country of ours with honor. Some giving all they had in the process.
Hanoi honors two US citizens for assisting them in their war effort kerry and hanoi jane. To me that says it all. He should be investigated and tried for the war crimes he has amitted to taking part in with his own mouth. He is unfit to lead our nation. (just my opinion)

[Rick]

Mr. Stratton,

Thanks for your participation here and for your service to all Americans...

We are indebted sir, to men like you...

[Juan]

Senator Kerry should settle this once and for all....
Release his records(military) so that the American voters could see him for who he is....... A self serving
liar and a disgrace to all of the men and women who gave it all while defending our country.

Proud to be a veteran(against John(The Slime)Kerry.

[vander luitgaren]

Kerry served his country and that is a fact. Bush and Chenny both dodged viet nam. Bush and his staff has lied to the american public about Iraq. Bush has put us 7 1/2 trillion in debt. Anyone would be better then this group of politicions.

See if I have these facts correct. Kerry served a little over 4 months in country.
In that time he received 3 purple hearts for combat related injuries. He wrote the reports on these engagements himself.( In essence he put himself in for the commendations.) One of these hearts was denied by his commanding officer. Kerry went over his head through other channels & got the commendation. This wound was reportedly self-inflicted by Kerry. (shrappnel ricocheting off a rock from a grenade launcher fired by Kerry.) the wound consisted of a piece of shrappnel approximately 1 cm by 3 cm so severe that it was removed the following day with tweeser.s & a bandaid applied. Kerry was in an off duty status a total of 2 days for all his injuries. he spent no time in a hospital ward. I was a naval corpsman during the viet Nam era. I treated the wounds of the brave men & women who served our country. All I can is that Kerry's combat experience is either extraordinary or perhaps IMAGINARY.

[M. Busbee]

As far as I'm concerned, Kerry has earned the right to say what he wants about his time in Vietnam. Bush and Cheney didn't even go. Part of what makes this country a democracy is the fact that Americans have the freedom of speech to criticize or praise the decisions of their elected officials. That's what separates us from communism or a dictatorship. If you disagree with Kerry, fine. At least you have that choice. As for me, I'd like to criticize Bush on this war we are in now.(Not the brave soldiers.) What a mess. Not to mention
our pitiful deficit, his lack of environmental concern, and his loser of an education plan. I think Bush has great intentions, not great policies.

[Marilyn]

Just remember that the "beloved" Bill Clinton dashed to Europe to avoid Viet Nam service, yet he was elected twice! How different the standard is now that the Dems have their own war hero!

[KCR]

After studing the issues of both sides concerning
Mr. John Kerry's service in Vietnam, I myself who has
served with Honors doing the Vietnam Era. I find it very
distasteful to discredit the Truth of the events that
happen in NAM. These people who wish to conceal the Truth has no Godly Spirit in there Heart and is Doom to
judement of God. Thu shall not lie or bare False Witness
especially when you your self was not there.To attack a
fellow conrad who put his life on the line and not to
bring Mr. George Bush Jr. millitary record into question
is a one sided attack. As a register republic and a life
time member of the V.F.W.does not help the ticket of
Bush/Chaney for re election and the undecided voters. I
myself is finding it very hard to give my support and
vote Bush/Chaney because of the secrets of this Admin-
stration and the negative peaple, Ads, and support of
groups who wish to impose their false agendas and talk
about the true issues that americans are faced with at
home and abroard. I stand for TRUTH AND JUSTICE and not
what party I pledge my alledges, we cannot govern this
great nation by leaders and insterest groups who lie and conceal the Truth from the real issues we/all americans are struggling with today and the future.
God Bless America and the unadultery Truth.