Kerry’s no flip-flopper

He is just confused

The LA Times investigates how Sen. John Kerry made his decisions about going to war. It explores how Kerry opposed war against Iraq in 1991 and how his fellow liberals could not understand his support for war this time:

Despite the doubts he had expressed about the administration's commitment to diplomacy, Kerry said he would back the resolution on the strength of assurances from Bush and Secretary of State Colin L. Powell that they would not go to war unilaterally or without exhausting diplomatic options.

"Let there be no doubt or confusion," Kerry said. "I will support a multilateral effort to disarm [Hussein] by force, if we ever exhaust those other options as the president has promised. But I will not support a unilateral U.S. war against Iraq unless that threat is imminent and the multilateral effort has not proven possible."

There was nothing in the resolution that guaranteed those conditions would be met. Nonetheless, he was one of 29 Democrats to vote for the resolution, which passed 77 to 23.

Kerry’s command

Editorial by: Roger Wm. Hughes

Sen. John Kerry, in a sledge-hammer attempt to present himself as a war hero of swift boat fame, took a trip across the Boston bay with his band of brothers. The question is whether Kerry is trying to parse his words and fool us.

When Kerry landed at Boston's Logan Airport, he was greeted by 13 veterans -- some of whom had served with him aboard a naval swift boat in Vietnam's Mekong Delta 35 years ago. The men hugged and slapped backs.

Kerry took a ferry across the Boston Harbor to emphasize his swift boat connection with his band of brothers. Kerry, reaching the photo opportunity, said “these are veterans who were under my command when I commanded a swift boat in Vietnam.”

The fact is that only two of those who served under Kerry’s command aboard his swift boat support him. The truth is that 11 of the 19 aboard that boat have written a letter saying that Kerry is unfit to be Commander in Chief. (See IPW link for further information.)

Let us grant the fact that both swift boat veterans who served under Kerry were present and there. We also know that the unfortunate Jim Rassmann, a Special Forces soldier whose life he saved, was there. That leaves us wondering ... who are these other ten individuals? Were they present in Vietnam when Kerry was there? Did they serve on swift boats in the Mekong Delta? Why does Kerry say they were under his command? Is Kerry trying to trick us into believing that his crew mates think he is a hero? Is Kerry a fraud?

Maybe John O’Neil -- the man who took over John Kerry’s swift boat in Vietnam after Kerry’s suspiciously abbreviated 4 month tour – is right in his new book of the title, "Unfit for Command."

Money, Money, Money

Harold M. Ickes is a leading fund-raiser for 527 groups dedicated to defeating President Bush. The NY Times reports on how the McCain-Fiengold law is dead. It also explores how Ickes is participating in many aspects that allow him to gain insider information that he uses in setting up his strategy and tactics for his organizations:

Harold M. Ickes is a founder of an organization created to help defeat President Bush this fall, a group that he emphasizes operates wholly independently of the campaign of Senator John Kerry and the Democratic National Committee.

But that has not stopped him from courting some of the Democrats' wealthiest donors here at the Four Seasons, a nexus of party operatives, Kerry campaign officials and friendly celebrities gathered for the party's convention this week. In a luxurious suite where guests nibble on chocolate ganache tarts and sip espresso, he asks them to give and give more.

Then, in the evenings, this onetime White House deputy chief of staff throws on his credentials as a Democratic Party superdelegate and joins party functionaries gathered for the Democratic convention at the FleetCenter as one of their own.

Stronger at home, respected in the world?

The theme for the culmination of the Democrat National Convention when Sen. John Kerry accepts his party’s nomination to run for President is: Stronger at home, respected in the world. From the Kerry campaign release, it does not look like it is going to live up to its billing:

The Democratic National Convention will come to a close Thursday with a focus on John Kerry and John Edwards’ optimistic plan to build an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world. Capped by Kerry’s primetime speech to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination, Thursday’s program will include the following notable events:

·        Appearances and remarks by Kerry’s Swift Boat crewmates and fellow Vietnam veterans;

·        A new, nine minute biographical film on John Kerry’s lifetime of service and strength;

·        Prominent speakers on the Kerry-Edwards vision for an America stronger at home and respected in the world;

·        Kerry’s daughters, Alex and Vanessa, speaking in primetime;

·        Satellites from across the country bringing Americans from all walks of life into the hall;

Thursday’s program will feature individuals closely tied to John Kerry’s life story of service and strength. Kerry will be introduced by former Georgia Senator and Vietnam veteran Max Cleland. In addition, Kerry’s Swift Boat Crewmates, who have stood by Kerry for more than 30 years since Kerry led them through the dangerous waters of Vietnam’s Mekon Delta, will join Jim Rassman on stage for his remarks. Rassman, the Green Beret that John Kerry rescued by pulling him out of a river in Vietnam under enemy fire, will speak about John Kerry’s tested leadership, strength of character and lifetime of service to the nation.

Kerry’s daughters, Alex and Vanessa, will also speak about their father’s faith in family and the values he lives by every day. They will be introduced by Andre Heinz.

Delegates will also learn Kerry’s story through a new, nine-minute documentary called "A Remarkable Promise." Advised by Steven Spielberg, created by award-winning producer James Moll and narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, the documentary stars those who know John Kerry best talking about the commitment and strength he has shown as a soldier, prosecutor, veteran, husband, brother and father.

More than any other night, the Convention Thursday will highlight a sampling of the Americans John Kerry will fight for every day by building a stronger, respected America. Delegates in the hall will be joined via satellite by military reservists from Orlando, Florida, young Hispanic women from Albuquerque, New Mexico and workers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Joining working mothers from Columbus, Ohio, seniors from Minneapolis, Minnesota and health care professionals from Portland, Oregon, these groups will also be incorporated into a "Mosaic of Americans" segment featuring Americans from all across the country and from all walks of life. Farmers, veterans, teachers, young Americans, and firefighters will be among the groups lending their voices to this segment.

Also speaking Thursday night about the Kerry-Edwards optimistic plan to build an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world: Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, General Wesley Clark and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

John Kerry and John Edwards believe Americans are can-do people, and that America can do better than the last four years. They will bring optimism, innovative ideas, a commitment to middle-class values and stronger leadership to the White House. Their focus on the middle class will make us stronger at home and their commitment to strengthening the military and leading strong alliances will make America more respected and safer in the world.

DNC Convention speeches link

Anyone wanting to read the text of the major speeches at the Democrat Convention can use this link to the Boston Globe who has all the speeches in one place for viewing.

Operation Street Corner

Vietnam Veterans for the Truth [LINK] has released a flyer detailing a innovative way to get the truth out about John Kerry’s Vietnam service – telling the story that the mainstream media refuses to tell, and doing so right on the street corners of America.

Here is the story:

In mid-June, former Swift Boat Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Tony Snesko couldn’t stand it — he HAD to do something besides talk about John Kerry. So he did something — something that is the model for what Vietnam Vets for the Truth intends to become a nationwide phenomenon.

What did Tony do that is so effective? He created an extension of himself as an American who cares about who will be our next president and commander- in-chief. And what he created is, in every respect, homemade—the essence of everyday America. In brief, Tony went to U-Haul and bought one of those tall wardrobe boxes that are used to store hang-up clothes during moves. He cut one corner of the box and, voilá! He had a ready- made display board onto which he pasted and stapled the VVT/Swift Boat Vets’ story about Kerry’s photo hanging in a place of honor in a museum in Saigon, along with other informational items.

Tony then took his display board to a location near the Viet Nam Memorial (The Wall) and set it up. Within minutes his first “customers” came by and began to ask questions; he was ready to answer them, and by the time his first day was done he realized that he was changing voters’ minds. Suffice it to say that Tony takes his little show on the road two or three days per week and talks to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people each day—almost all of them tourists from across this nation of ours.

We at VVT are so impressed at Tony’s effectiveness that we are in the process of setting up what we call “Operation Street Corner.” Since we tested the waters, six or eight volunteers have put up their own displays, often with fantastic results. The results have been so encouraging that we have prepared a budget to support Operation Street Corner by providing posters, photos, bumperstickers, fliers, and other assistance to those who would like to help.

That, in a nutshell, is “Operation Street Corner;” it is a winner, and it offers EVERYONE a chance to stand up and be counted without spending a lot of money (or even ANY money). We will supply you with what you cannot supply on your own. We intend to place similar displays all over the country, but we can’t do it without YOU!

Help get the “Kerry Lied” story told in YOUR neighborhood; volunteer NOW! If you are interested, send an e-mail to Larry Bailey at larryklr@cox.net , telling him where you live and providing your street address.

This is what really makes America great—ANYONE can make a difference. Tony Snesko is making a BIG difference, and you can, too. Let us help you.

VIETNAM VETS FOR THE TRUTH

P.O. Box 49

Mt. Vernon, VA 22121

http://kerrylied.com