Newspaper editor exposes Smear Campaign and Cambodia Info

[RamboLiberal]

If only all editors had the integrity of Jim Boyd.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4952080.html

We are in the middle of an important national event: the real-time confrontation of a political smear. In previous elections, the examination has almost always been in retrospect. Now the smear, against John Kerry's military service, is being critically examined as it happens. Vigilance is required, and a little courage.

I see the recent commentary by John H. Hinderaker and Scott W. Johnson ("Unwrapping Kerry's story of Christmas in Cambodia," Aug. 18) as part of that smear. It did not meet what I believe should be the standards of the Star Tribune's editorial pages. Such pieces should not appear here, and that one does so for the second time in 10 days pains me greatly.

We have a responsibility to separate legitimate political opinion -- and the latitude is great -- from deliberate smear. That responsibility is especially important in this campaign. Sometimes it's difficult to tell whether a piece crosses that line; to me, this is not one of those times. A legitimate piece might have raised hard questions about Kerry in Cambodia; theirs wasn't that piece.

<snip>

Perhaps it was a factor not yet explained. In December 1968, Sihanouk and the United States were at odds over cross-border incursions; that's beyond dispute. Sihanouk held 11 crewmen from a landing craft that ventured into Cambodia, plus another American. It took a personal letter from President Lyndon Johnson in late December to win their release. Contemporaneous press accounts suggest Johnson promised Sihanouk that the United States would try to avoid violating Cambodian territory. Perhaps that triggered Kerry's remarks.

I do know that this shouldn't matter. John Kerry served with distinction in Vietnam, in very dangerous duty. Lots of folks chose not to serve in Vietnam at all.

Make sure you read entire piece - Boyd exposes Repug attempts through their surrogates to smear Richard Clarke and Joe Wilson. Again wish all editors had the integrity of Boyd. He even labels the Wash Times "Moonie".

[mzmolly]

1. Gotta love that strib!

:hi:

The top of their piece is devoted to negatives: No record of this, no record of that, etc. This proves nothing. There generally are no public records of clandestine activities. The burden of proof here is on Hinderaker and Johnson, not on Kerry and not on me.

This is what I don't get ... these guys have NOTHING on Kerry and the media is completely irresponsible to give them an ounce of credibility.

[wryter2000]

2. OMG

That is awesome! Thanks so much for the link. I have a few freepers who need to read this.

:yourock:

[mzmolly]

3. PS. I'm gonna blast this piece to local media outlets now!

:hi:

[GAspnes]

4. Boyd has certainly irritated the radio blowhards

Hugh Hewitt is in town for the Minnesota State Fair, and has been going back and forth over this issue.

http://hughhewitt.com/

There is a battle underway in the Twin Cities between a pampered, bullying lefty deputy editor at the Star Tribune by the name of Jim Boyd and the Powerline bloggers. For relative newcomers to the blogosphere, Powerline is among the most respected political blogs in the country, credentialed to the RNC and widely and frequently cited by journalists working both in and outside of cyberspace. This isn't surprising because the three proprietors of Powerline are extremely smart, highly credential and successful lawyers with the work habits and intellects that accompany success at the highest levels of the law. They are also fine and good men, widely and rightly considered to be pillars of their community. They are serious intellectuals, of a center-right variety.

Go Jim Boyd!

[grasswire]

6. funny

I've never heard of Powerline. They must be talking to themselves.

[blm]

5. Everyone send to your local editors.

.

[Cha]

7. Spectacular! Many thanks to Jim Boyd!

" do know that this shouldn't matter. John Kerry served with distinction in Vietnam, in very dangerous duty. Lots of folks chose not to serve in Vietnam at all.

This is not about who is elected, but about how we allow this campaign to unfold, especially on our pages. I am sick to death of being played for a chump by the likes of Karl Rove. America can definitely do better."

I cannot believe my eyes!

A man of Truth in the coveted position of an editor in a State newspaper!