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09/06/2004: "Unfit for Command"

I read, “Unfit for Command” this weekend and if nothing else, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered that need to be answered by Mr. Kerry releasing his complete military records via a Form 180. The Swifties have already forced a confession from Mr. Kerry that the “Christmas in Cambodia” is not true despite it being seared, seared in Mr. Kerry’s memory and recorded for posteritie's sake from the floor of the Senate in 1986.

Mr. Kerry implies that while the President did everything he could do to not serve in Vietnam by joining the National Guard, he volunteered and joined the Navy. The after convention attack on Dick Cheney last week for “five deferments” must have been out of jealousy for successfully obtaining them as Mr. Kerry’s own deferment to study in Paris was turned down. Mr. Kerry then enlisted in the Navy. But Mr. Kerry did not enlist in the Navy; he enlisted in the Naval Reserve. From the book Unfit, “The Navy or the Coast Guard were considered good choices for reluctant young men who figured they were doomed to be drafted. Sailors could get into combat, but the risk of being assigned combat duty was less likely because the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong didn’t have battleships, submarines, or aircraft carriers. The top choice was the Navy Reserves where the duty commitment was shorter and a larger proportion of the period could be served stateside on inactive duty.” (p.23)

From the Kerry website-

"John Kerry enlisted in the Navy in 1966. After completing Naval Officer Candidates School, he began his first tour of duty on the USS Gridley, a guided-missile frigate in the waters adjacent to Vietnam. In 1968, John Kerry began his second tour of duty, and volunteered to serve on a Swift Boat, one of the most dangerous assignments of the war. Swift Boats patrolled the narrow inlets and canals around the Mekong Delta "to draw fire and smoke out the enemy," according to the The Boston Globe.”

Why does his own website incorrectly state that he enlisted in the Navy? Why does his own website spin his tour of duty on the USS Gridley “a guided-missile frigate in the waters adjacent to Vietnam.”

According to the Swifties, the first tour on the Gridley spent a total of five weeks off the coast of Vietnam and the entire rest of the tour was spent off the California coast and sailing to and from Australia. Is it a stretch for you also to think that “waters adjacent to Vietnam” include California and Australia? I’m beginning to have nightmares that this is another “It depends on what the meaning of is is.” Déjà vu, all over again.

No matter how the Kerry campaign tries to discredit the Swifties, it becomes obvious to the reader that Mr. Kerry has some “s’plaining” to do. What’s in Mr. Kerry’s military records that he would prefer to let this controversy whittle away any goodwill with the voter’s he has, rather than execute a Form 180 and release his military records? The fact that an incomplete record is available on his website is of no value to inquiring minds who want to know. It’s just not good enough and we’re just not that trusting. Seared in my recent memory is the fact that you didn’t spend Christmas in Cambodia. Release your full military record, if you have nothing to hide. If you have something to hide, just keep doing what you are doing, it’s all we need to confirm our suspicions and give credence to the accusations that the Swifties have made against you.

And while we are on the subject of releases….Hey Terezzzzza, how about your tax returns also? That would sure help bolster the confidence that no funny business is going on there in the Kerry camp, or would it? That’s for the voters to decide in the absence of full disclosure.

Replies: 3 Comments

The press has done its best to make the Swifties look like liars. LA Times, NYT and WAPO all waited over a week to have a single story of this single most important political story - they had to find something to cast doubt on the Swifties.

I've been working with the Swifties to some extent, and expect to meet a few at our rally this sunday in DC. The Swifties detest John Kerry.

By the way, here is another person who joined the Naval (Air) Reserve (for the 2 year service time) and ended up a Vietnam Veteran. My career was close to Kerry's in some ways. Same active duty date. I left Cam Rahn Bay 2 months before he arrived thereand got his purple scratch (which was definitely an invalid purple heart). He and I both got out of active reserve duty (although I did about a year of service before bailing out).

We both did not spend Christmas in Cambodia.

John Moore ( Useful Fools) said @ 09/06/2004 06:28 PM MST

John, have a safe trip to your rally in DC. I'll be looking forward to seeing what kind of press coverage we see of it.

Leslie said @ 09/07/2004 04:58 AM MST

Unlike Ahi tuna, John Kerry can be unseared....

Icepick said @ 09/18/2004 12:01 AM MST