Wonky Muse

August 19, 2004

White Noise

I ignored this issue at first but decided it's important for every malicious fabrication to be challenged and exposed or it will be repeated until accepted as gospel truth. The Los Angeles Times has an excellent article [registration required] that explains the truth about the Swift Boat Veterans and their attacks against John Kerry.

To counter the veterans' ad, MoveOn has mounted its own ad questioning Bush's military service. It shows Senator John McCain--himself a victim of similar tactics in 2000---calling for Bush to condemn the Swift Boat ad.

When Larry King asked Bush if he would condemn the Swift Boat ad, he declined to do so. However, John Kerry did condemn the MoveOn ad, saying "this should be a campaign of issues, not insults".

In addition, Kerry made this strong counterpunch in a speech:

Of course, the President keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that. Well, if he wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam, here is my answer: “Bring it on.”
I’m not going to let anyone question my commitment to defending America—then, now, or ever. And I’m not going to let anyone attack the sacrifice and courage of the men who saw battle with me.
And let me make this commitment today: their lies about my record will not stop me from fighting for jobs, health care, and our security – the issues that really matter to the American people.
The situation in Iraq is a mess. That is the President’s responsibility and he owes the American people an answer.
America is on track to lose more jobs than it’s gained under George Bush and he supports a tax code that rewards companies for shipping jobs overseas. He owes the American people an answer.
Health care costs have exploded out of control. The President has done nothing and he owes the American people an answer.
The middle class is paying a bigger share of America’s tax burden. The President needs to answer to the American people why that is fair.
Unfortunately, those in the White House are coming from a different place than you and I. They see things a little differently than you and I. They tell us that today, when it comes to the issues that matter most, we’re getting the job done.

I couldn't agree more. All these allegations are designed to distract us from more important issues, like the economy and the quagmire that is Iraq.

As for those who question John Kerry's military service, one thing they can't deny: Kerry was a combat veteran who fought in Vietnam. Bush didn't even set foot in Vietnam. Everything else they say is just white noise.

posted at 8:18 PM by Wonky Muse

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