Swift boat ads push GOP veteran into Kerry camp

[True_Blue]

Ed Belfoure, who flew helicopters as a Marine in Vietnam, is a registered Republican. But he promises to cross party lines in November to vote for Democrat John Kerry for president.

Belfoure, of Washington, Pa., said yesterday he cannot abide the "despicable television ads" that donors to President Bush's campaign have aimed at Kerry.

A group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has attacked Kerry's service record in Vietnam. Kerry received Silver and Bronze stars and three Purple Hearts in the war -- honors that Swift Boat Veterans for Truth say he did not deserve.

Belfoure, appearing yesterday with other veterans at a news conference at Kerry's Downtown Pittsburgh headquarters, called the ads slanderous and untruthful.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04238/367395.stm

[Sugarbleus]

1. Thank you Mr. Belfoure!! Thanx camcb too =o) n/t

[Droopy]

2. Those kind of stories always warm my heart

It sounds like Mr. Belfoure is a class act.

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Does he have any friends in Ohio? n/t

[enough]

4. What a beautitul headline and a great story.

I imagine that this is happening all over the country.

snip>

"In their perverted attempt to discredit John Kerry, they have done a greater harm to all Vietnam veterans who for years have sought validation for their service to country," he said.

About a dozen other military veterans sounded a similar theme.

snip>

Baker estimated that 75 to 100 men who served on Swift boats have direct knowledge of how Kerry conducted himself in battle. He said none of them ever questioned Kerry's courage until he ran for president. Then, Baker said, Republican operatives sprang into action, attacking Kerry despite wartime mission reports that praised his service.

"If I had to go up the river today, I'd want John Kerry on my flank," Baker said. "He knows what it's like to be under fire."

snip>

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Hopefully this patriot is the tip of an iceberg

a rather enormous one.

[Inland]

6. Bump for coming forward nt

[HootieMcBoob]

7. That's my hometown!

I grew up in Washington, PA and my family still lives there. Don't know Mr. Belfoure though but he sounds like a good guy. :toast:

[KharmaTrain]

8. The Meme Has Turned...

A week ago, the Slimeboaters were being treated like they had serious bitches, this week, it's group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ...LOL!!!

A week ago, they were ready to spread the lies that Kerry's wounds were self-inflicted and he had some "master plan" to get medals so he come dominate the world. Ya think these goons might have overplayed things a bit? LOL!!

Now, we've got these assholes and the apparatus that funds and supports the BFEE slime network in the crosshairs. I can't see Kerry letting up at this point.

Let's keep digging folks. Every day another Freeperboat asshole gets discredited, and this is starting to really blowback on the "moderates" and "swing voters" who Rove thought he could "win" through lies and name-calling...his modus operandi. Instead, there are a lot of questions now about his operation and the competency of his puppet.

I think the alienation in the military is all but complete with this regime, and the disgust from the "masses" is going to be apparent as well.

This should be an interesting weekend as Repugnicans get a good dose of "home cooking" before their whorefest next week and the messages many will be bringing is "the natives are restless". The reply from Rove will be "go screw yourself...shut up and cheer...black is white, up is down, good is bad, the terrorists win...". It should make watching the GOOP Confab more fun than the DNC.