panzwami 0 #1 May 3, 2004 http://www.cnsnews.com//ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=/SpecialReports/archive/200405/SPE20040503a.html QuoteKerry 'Unfit to be Commander-in-Chief', Say Former Military Colleagues By Marc Morano CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer May 03, 2004 (CNSNews.com) - Hundreds of former commanders and military colleagues of presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry are set to declare in a signed letter that he is "unfit to be commander-in-chief." They will do so at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday. "What is going to happen on Tuesday is an event that is really historical in dimension," John O'Neill, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy as a PCF (Patrol Craft Fast) boat commander, told CNSNews.com . The event, which is expected to draw about 25 of the letter-signers, is being organized by a newly formed group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. "We have 19 of 23 officers who served with [Kerry]. We have every commanding officer he ever had in Vietnam. They all signed a letter that says he is unfit to be commander-in-chief," O'Neill said. O'Neill, currently a Houston, Texas, based attorney, is no stranger to Kerry. O'Neill served in the same naval unit as Kerry and commanded Kerry's swift boat after Kerry returned to the United States. Kerry's command of the PCF boat lasted four months and ended shortly after he received his third Purple Heart. According to naval regulations at the time, any sailor who received three Purple Hearts could request a transfer out of the combat zone. Kerry and O'Neill engaged in a nationally televised debate in 1971 on The Dick Cavett Show over Kerry's allegations that many Vietnam soldiers had routinely engaged in atrocities such as raping and cutting off ears and heads of Vietnamese soldiers and citizens. Kerry was the then spokesman for the anti-war group Vietnam Veterans Against the War. "We are going to be presenting a letter that deals with Kerry's unfitness to be commander and chief that has been signed by hundreds of swift boat sailors, including most of those who served with Kerry," O'Neill explained. "The ranks of the people signing [the letter] range from admiral down to seaman, and they run across the entire spectrum of politics, specialties, and political feelings about the Vietnam War," he added. Among those scheduled to attend the event at the National Press Club and declare Kerry unfit for the role of commander-in-chief are retired Naval Rear Admiral Roy Hoffman, who was the commander of the Navy Coastal Surveillance Force, which included the swift boats on which Kerry served. Also scheduled to be present at the event is Kerry's former commanding officer, Lt. Commander Grant Hibbard. Hibbard recently questioned whether Kerry deserved the first of his three Purple Hearts that he received in Vietnam. Hibbard doubted both the severity of the wound and whether it resulted from enemy fire. "I've had thorns from a rose that were worse" than Kerry's wound for which he received a Purple Heart, Hibbard told the Boston Globe in April. Organizers are confident that Tuesday's event and the letter with hundreds of signatures will educate people about Kerry. "It is one of the largest outpourings of concern about him being commander-in-chief that anybody could have in a presidential campaign and it is by the people who know him best," O'Neill said. 'Unfit Commander-in-Chief' Swift Boat Veterans For Truth maintains that Kerry's fellow Vietnam veterans are almost uniform in their disdain for his military service and anti-war protests. "Not only a majority of the people who served with him feel that way, but a vast and overwhelming majority," O'Neill said. He added that more than "ninety percent of the people contacted by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth responded to the request to sign their name, with only 12 declining to sign. "Comrades who actually served with him, almost all of them, are opposed to him, and believe he would be an unfit commander in chief and intend to bring the truth of his actual record to the attention of the American people," O'Neill said. O'Neill hopes the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth can reveal to the American people what he sees as Kerry's flawed character. "In the military, loyalty between commanders and the troops serving them is a two-way street. We have here a guy (Kerry) that with all of us in the field [in Vietnam] -- actually fighting the North Vietnamese -- came home and then falsely accused all of us of war crimes at a time when the people in uniform couldn't even respond," O'Neill said. "And he did that knowing that was a lie," he added. 'Real John Kerry' B. G. Burkett, author of the book Stolen Valor and a military researcher, believes that Tuesday's event will not be dismissed easily by Kerry's campaign as a "partisan" attack. "There are probably just as many Democrats amongst sailors who sailed swift boats as there are Republicans. What Kerry fails to realize is this has nothing to do with politics -- this has to with Vietnam Veterans who served, who have a beef with John Kerry's service, both during and after the war," Burkett told CNSNews.com. "The American people do not know John Kerry and hopefully the swift boat crews and other Vietnam veterans will make sure that the American public knows the real John Kerry," he added. Jim Loftus of Kerry's press office referred questions about Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's event on Tuesday to spokesman David Wade. Wade did not return CNSNews.com's requests for comment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #2 May 3, 2004 Should really come as no big surprise.........after all a guy that would accuse his fellow sailors of war atrocities.........sounds to me like he would sell out his grandmother for the right "sound bite"Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #3 May 3, 2004 And King George "The only thing my AWOL ass served (after I spent $1,000,000+ of the Govt's cash in UPT) in uniform was a beer at the O-club" Bush is?? Get a friggin grip. GWB is a charter member of the Lucky Sperm Club. He's a bumbling idiot who has the right pedigree. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJohnson 0 #4 May 3, 2004 Thats pretty fucked up. I am speechless by that...really.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #5 May 3, 2004 I'll squirm with delight when I see this story appear on any of the major news media. Until then, it's a who cares kind of a deal. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #6 May 4, 2004 QuoteI'll squirm with delight when I see this story appear on any of the major news media. You'll see hell first. mh ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #7 May 4, 2004 These arguments serve as a counter to those presented by Kerry claiming credibility merely because of his Vietnam service. They do little however, to show what a poor job the man would do leading the nation and how goat-stupid his proposals actually are. Interesting reading in light of the direction he's taken his campaign. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot90 0 #8 May 4, 2004 http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/audio/kerry2.mp3 Here is one reason he's unfit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mirage63 0 #9 May 4, 2004 Will this be on today? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zinger 0 #10 May 4, 2004 CNN is showing bits of it right now (1:10 East time) so I guess it's true. Not much of it is being shown.. Wonder why? ------Have a good one!-------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #11 May 4, 2004 OK - look at it this way - Does Bush have EVERY COMMANDING OFFICER that he served under saying that he is "UNFIT" and signing thier name to it? ? You need to become clued in - there is no room for Kerry in the Presidency. He might have a place where he is - only by default and that there is no such thing as bad press.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #12 May 4, 2004 Out of the two hamsters running for president, sadly I will bet my sunflower seeds on the one from Texas. Kerry must think we are a bunch of booger eating morons.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mirage63 0 #13 May 4, 2004 Funny, but is this getting ANY press? I can't find it anywhere. Wonder if it will make the news tonight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #14 May 4, 2004 Probably not.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
panzwami 0 #15 May 4, 2004 QuoteFunny, but is this getting ANY press? I can't find it anywhere. Wonder if it will make the news tonight. "Good afternoon, thank you for calling Hell." "Why yes, sir, as a matter of fact we have frozen over." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBachelor 5 #16 May 4, 2004 QuoteFunny, but is this getting ANY press? I can't find it anywhere. Wonder if it will make the news tonight. It was in the (left-wing) LA Times today, May 4th, although quoted several people who questioned the validiity and motive of such a letter.There are battered women? I've been eating 'em plain all of these years... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #17 May 4, 2004 QuoteDoes Bush have EVERY COMMANDING OFFICER that he served under saying that he is "UNFIT" and signing thier name to it? Maybe because no one knew they were his commanding officer since he never showed up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #18 May 4, 2004 Fox news just aired it as of 3pm mtn time!!!!Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #19 May 4, 2004 QuoteOK - look at it this way - Does Bush have EVERY COMMANDING OFFICER that he served under saying that he is "UNFIT" and signing thier name to it? ? You need to become clued in - there is no room for Kerry in the Presidency. He was fucking AWOL! How could he be deemed anything?!? His CO was not able to evaluate a nonexistent Lieutenant who avoids a Court Martial simply because of who his daddy was. Kerry was not the perfect warrior, but at least he went when his country called. GWB took training resources ($ spent to make him a pilot) and gave no service in return. His only record is a few pay stubs and a dental record...Where are his OPRs? Where are his training reports? Where is any proof that he was not AWOL?? He's a criminal, and less worthy of the presidency than Kerry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #20 May 4, 2004 Odd you're making such a statement given the widely publicized evidence Mr. Bush has presented to the contrary. A more germane query: Why doesn't the Kerry campaign issue a statement condemning every American who served in the national guard or obtained an education deferrment during the Vietnam War. Call them all scumbags straight out, instead of implying it with inane rhetoric? Probably the same reason he won't scream his staunch support of racial discrimination from whatever podium he happens to be speaking...he lacks the courage.Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,117 #21 May 4, 2004 QuoteOdd you're making such a statement given the widely publicized evidence Mr. Bush has presented to the contrary. A more germane query: Why doesn't the Kerry campaign issue a statement condemning every American who served in the national guard or obtained an education deferrment during the Vietnam War. Call them all scumbags straight out, instead of implying it with inane rhetoric? Probably the same reason he won't scream his staunch support of racial discrimination from whatever podium he happens to be speaking...he lacks the courage. Bush's C/O in the Alabama National Guard has stated that he has no recollection of Lt. G.W. Bush, and neither did his X/O or squadron ops officer. No one has any recollection of Cheney serving either, but he did have "other priorities" to justify his FIVE deferments.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,090 #22 May 4, 2004 > Why doesn't the Kerry campaign issue a statement condemning > every American who served in the national guard or obtained an > education deferrment during the Vietnam War. Call them all > scumbags straight out, instead of implying it with inane rhetoric? I am sure he would be willing to do just that as soon as Bush publically declares all wounded veterans who were against the war to be lying, two-faced hypocrites. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mirage63 0 #23 May 5, 2004 Kallend, Remember the don't vote for the same guy twice rule. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #24 May 5, 2004 Why should Bush do such a thing? He hasn't said all wounded vets are two-faced, though I'm sure several other than sKerry are. Now virtually ALL of this 'Bush was in the National Guard', 'Bush didn't show up', 'Bush didn't go to 'Nam' rhetoric and inuendo coming out of Kerry's campaign and its syncophants, on the other hand, says a lot about their opinions of Bush's peers during those years. I'm sure all of them would just love to hear Mr. FlipFlop tell them what he thinks of them.Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #25 May 5, 2004 QuoteHe was fucking AWOL! How could he be deemed anything?!? His CO was not able to evaluate a nonexistent Lieutenant who avoids a Court Martial simply because of who his daddy was. His records show otherwise. In fact an OER he got said he was a "Fine leader that would be promoted over his peers". (Newsweek, What were they doing.) QuoteKerry was not the perfect warrior, but at least he went when his country called. And commited war crimes by his own admisson. QuoteGWB took training resources ($ spent to make him a pilot) and gave no service in return. Well he took training money and learned to fly a fighter jet. And as for the "no service" snipe..Does that apply to all National Guard troops? OH yeah and he asked about a program where NG pilots were sent to the war, but he was rejected for not having enough flight time. QuoteHe's a criminal, and less worthy of the presidency than Kerry. Kerry is an ADMITTED war criminal."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
