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[winterbadger]

full text here

Nobody asked me to join John's campaign. Why would they? I am a Republican, and for more than 30 years I have largely voted for Republicans. I volunteered for his campaign because I have seen John Kerry in the worst of conditions. I know his character. I've witnessed his bravery and leadership under fire. And I truly know he will be a great commander in chief.

Now, 35 years after the fact, some Republican-financed Swift Boat Veterans for Bush are suddenly lying about John Kerry's service in Vietnam; they are calling him a traitor because he spoke out against the Nixon administration's failed policies in Vietnam. Some of these Republican-sponsored veterans are the same ones who spoke out against John at the behest of the Nixon administration in 1971. But this time their attacks are more vicious, their lies cut deep and are directed not just at John Kerry, but at me and each of his crewmates as well. This hate-filled ad asserts that I was not under fire; it questions my words and Navy records. This smear campaign has been launched by people without decency, people who don't understand the bond of those who serve in combat.

As John McCain noted, the television ad aired by these veterans is "dishonest and dishonorable." Sen. McCain called on President Bush to condemn the Swift Boat Veterans for Bush ad. Regrettably, the president has ignored Sen. McCain's advice.

Does this strategy of attacking combat Vietnam veterans sound familiar? In 2000, a similar Republican smear campaign was launched against Sen. McCain. In fact, the very same communications group, Spaeth Communications, that placed ads against John McCain in 2000 is involved in these vicious attacks against John Kerry. Texas Republican donors with close ties to George W. Bush and Karl Rove crafted this "dishonest and dishonorable" ad. Their new charges are false; their stories are fabricated, made up by people who did not serve with Kerry in Vietnam. They insult and defame all of us who served in Vietnam.

But when the noise and fog of their distortions and lies have cleared, a man who volunteered to serve his country, a man who showed up for duty when his country called, a man to whom the United States Navy awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, will stand tall and proud. Ultimately, the American people will judge these Swift Boat Veterans for Bush and their accusations. Americans are tired of smear campaigns against those who volunteered to wear the uniform. Swift Boat Veterans for Bush should hang their heads in shame.

Mr. Rassmann, a retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, served with the U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam 1968-69.

Comments

[mazzie.livejournal.com]

i am so infuriated by the attacks on kerry's record in vietnam that i have been unable to articulate it. the people that produced the commercial with the men who say kerry is lying are the same assholes that morphed max cleland's face into sadaam hussein's and questioned his patriotism because he vote against the president in a particular instance - and cleland left half his body in the ground in vietnam. (the dissenters will point out, though, that it was in a non-combat situation. fuck that. you're deployed and fighting a war and lose three limbs you fucking gave half your body for the war.)
that anyone by way of trying to prop up George W. Bush would go about it by questioning an opponent's record in Vietnam - you know, the war our "war president" sat out - is astonishing and appalling. that is seems to be fucking working makes me want to scream. it's all about sound bites and impressions. america as a whole seems to be so intellectually lazy that we will be led by our fat noses toward any manner of thinking that he with his fist clenched tightly around the biggest wad of cash wants to take us.
this administration (that refuses to denounce the anti-kerry, unsubstantiated ads funded by a "third party" wink wink) is so desperate to maintain its stolen and negligent status quo that any semblance of ethics or morality, let alone decency or honesty, is so far out the fucking window it's hard to imagine a time when it existed.
rargh.

[winterbadger]

*hug* You are so cool! :-)