Kerry calls on publisher to recall "hoax" book about his Vietnam service

[Democat]

The Kerry campaign has told Salon that the publisher of "Unfit for Command," the book that is at the center of the attack on Kerry's military record by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, is retailing a hoax and should consider withdrawing it from bookstores. "No publisher should want to be selling books with proven falsehoods in them, especially falsehoods that are meant to smear the military service of an American veteran," said Kerry campaign spokesman Chad Clanton.

Yanking the title may seem unlikely given the fact that Regnery Publishing, the conservative shop that is home to fire-breathing right-wing partisans like Ann Coulter and David Limbaugh, is behind the book. Thanks to the big-spending campaign of the Republican veterans group, which is bankrolled by major Bush contributors, the book has already hit bestseller lists and is sure to turn a big profit.

But there is a long-standing tradition by reputable publishers of withdrawing titles that prove to be hoaxes or frauds. Just last month Random House's Australian unit was forced to pull an international bestseller after it was determined to be a fabrication. The book, "Forbidden Love," allegedly detailed the death of a Jordanian woman, murdered by her Muslim father after he discovered she was seeing a Christian man. After questions were raised, an internal investigation by Random House concluded the book was a fraud.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/08/19/swiftbook/index.html

One small thing I would suggest to Kerry's campaign. They say that Bush is trying to "smear the military service of an American veteran" - it should be "smear the military service of many American veterans." The Bush group is smearing all of the veterans who support Kerry as well as any other U.S. veteran who got any medal in Vietnam.

Kerry should not make this just about himself, but about Bush supporting an attack on all Veterans.

He should point out that Bush and his followers are now spitting on Vietnam Veterans.

[blondeatlast]

1. Regnery is no small outfit, either. Watch out, here comes Ali! nt

[mzmolly]

2. Can you say "lawsuit"? I'd sue them for slander if it was possible.

:shrug: My guess is it's not but ...

[blondeatlast]

4. Having an already released book pulled will do two things--

get publicity and hit a major Repug fund source right in the pocketbook (I'm in the book biz).

They are often pulled right up to release, but this one is ON THE SHELVES. The Kerry camp is playing hardball now.

[mzmolly]

5. Are there legal grounds for pulling the book?

:evilgrin:

I love the sound of this!

[blondeatlast]

9. Not that I'm aware of, but if it would embarass the publisher too much

they'll do it.

[mzmolly]

10. Ahhhh, sounds good to me.

:hi:

[Warpy]

11. It's entirely possible

You have to prove it was malicious, intended to cause harm, and there's ample evidence of that. All you have to do beyond that is assemble the documents proving your case, and they're all readily available (at least, I don't think Daddy Bush managed to get Kerry's records scrubbed as thoroughly as Junior's were).

It's hard for a public figure to sue for slander because of the malicious intent provision. It can be done, and has been done. It would be lovely to see all the principals out of business and up to their armpits in debt.

[mzmolly]

13. I'd enjoy seeing a lawsuit myself.

Thanks for the information :hi:

I doubt they will sue, but perhaps Dems could somehow?

[codegreen]

3. just watch this get spun into "Kerry supports censorship"

i hope they remain very careful when/if saying anything about this at all... probably better not to even have commented on, really. not that i don't agree.

[quinnox]

6. I don't agree with this

There have been tons of anti-Bush books published that have wild claims and so on. I agree with previous poster this smacks of censorship, not good to go there.

This publisher is apparently one who publishes any sort of trash so the reputable angle quoted in the article is inapplicable.

[smada]

12. I'll second that

I believe in free speech. I don't believe in shouting people down or pressuring anyone to shut up or intimidating anyone into feeling like they don't have a right to speak.

Patrick Henry said, "I may disagree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

I hope we haven't lost our reverence for that sentiment simply for political expediency.

The damage caused to freedom and liberty by such actions is much greater than the damage caused by this little book.

[Joanne98]

7. "The Spitting Bushie" sounds like a good book title........

[Sparkly]

8. They're smearing the US Navy!!

But I don't believe Regnery has a shred of integrity.

[DeepModem Mom]

14. kick