Thumbnail refutation of the swifties, from Kevin Drum (Wash. Monthly blog)

[Bucky]

Kevin Drum said it all and promptly went on vacation. The CalPundit (dumb name) turned Political Animal (much better, but a less appealing color scheme) gave, with clickable sources, a run down of how each of the leading Swifties are lying now (or perhaps were lying separately and with perfect coordination in the past without any particular motivation) about Kerry's war service.

If you want the links, go here. But here's the quoties--

Roy Hoffman, today: "John Kerry has not been honest."
Roy Hoffman, 2003: "I am not going to say anything negative about him — he's a good man."

Adrian Lonsdale, today: "He lacks the capacity to lead."
Adrian Lonsdale, 1996: "He was among the finest of those Swift boat drivers."

George Elliot, today: "John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam."
George Elliot, 1996: "The fact that he chased an armed enemy down is something not to be looked down upon, but it was an act of courage."

Larry Thurlow, today: "...there was no hostile enemy fire directed at my boat or at any of the five boats operating on the river that day."
Larry Thurlow's Bronze Star citation, 1969: "...all units began receiving enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks."

Dr. Louis Letson, today: "I know John Kerry is lying about his first Purple Heart because I treated him for that injury."
Medical records, 1968: Dr. Letson's name does not appear on any of the medical records for Mr. Kerry. Under 'person administering treatment' for the injury, the form is signed by a medic, J. C. Carreon, who died several years ago.

Grant Hibbard, today: "He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate."
Hibbard's evaluation of Kerry, 1968: "Mr. Hibbard gave Mr. Kerry the highest rating of 'one of the top few' in three categories—initiative, cooperation and personal behavior. He gave Mr. Kerry the second-best rating, 'above the majority,' in military bearing."

In the past I've been quick to criticize DUers who cavalierly throw the word "whore" around at any journalist who ever says anything unflattering about the Democrats. But the situation is clear here--any journalist who covers the Swifty story and doesn't point out the flat out contradictions in these lame, transparent accusations is pathetically giving their favors away to the highest bidder.

[RobertSeattle]

1. Every Dem talking head should have these at the ready

I also like the Boston Globe "What if" Oped:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2004/08/22/big_lies_for_bush?mode=PF

IMAGINE IF supporters of Bill Clinton had tried in 1996 to besmirch the military record of his opponent, Bob Dole. After all, Dole was given a Purple Heart for a leg scratch probably caused, according to one biographer, when a hand grenade thrown by one of his own men bounced off a tree. And while the serious injuries Dole sustained later surely came from German fire, did the episode demonstrate heroism on Dole's part or a reckless move that ended up killing his radioman and endangering the sergeant who dragged Dole off the field?

The truth, according to many accounts, is that Dole fought with exceptional bravery and deserves the nation's gratitude. No one in 1996 questioned that record. Any such attack on behalf of Clinton, an admitted Vietnam draft dodger, would have been preposterous.

Yet amazingly, something quite similar is happening today as supporters of President Bush attack the Vietnam record of Senator John Kerry.

[Cha]

3. And dob bole is questioning Kerry's Purple Heart!

Oh the irony of such an unscrupulous charge!

[Cha]

2. Thanks for this, Bucky!

That Dr.Louis Letson seems to be the strangest story..saying he treated Kerry and his name is nowhere to be found on the records.

I'm sure he's lying but Why is he lying? Blackmail, money, ideology?