The American Spectator

Reader Mail

The Swimmer

8.17.04 @ 12:01AM

CRAWL SPACE
Re: Thomas Lipscomb's Swimming From Cambodia:

Kerry's "experiences" in Cambodia tell quite different stories. We have the Christmas Eve one which resulted in the epiphany that shaped his post Vietnam conduct. Also, we have the secret CIA mission in Cambodia one (see the Washington Post article "Hunter, Dreamer, Realist," June 6, 2003). The latter experience proved to be so memorable for Kerry that he has kept in his attaché case a "good luck [green camouflage] hat" given to him by "a CIA guy" as they went into Cambodia on their "secret mission."

It matters not whether these two stories are true or false. What matters is that they are diametrically opposed, and, yet, Kerry consistently has recited them to this day. How can one Cambodian experience be so negative, while the other was, and remains, so positive? Kerry's calculated use of these Cambodian experiences, which produced lasting, albeit different, memories show the pathological nature of Kerry's need to self-promote his wartime experiences. As such, they become the ultimate in flip-flopping, even for John Kerry.
-- Don Kornreich
Frederick, Maryland

I have followed the Pinocchio ramblings of this socialist traitor for many years. Is it possible that his crew stuck together with the story because of the kid that was killed during a one sided firefight and the ensuing coverup? How many of the other crewmembers (on stage at the convention) were decorated like Pinocchio Kerry for the same or similar incidents that they would just as soon forget or pray that no one finds out about. Remember what Slick Willie said -- "We are the only ones that know what really happened" or something like that. I truly believe the Swift Vets are telling the truth. I also believe that Pinocchio Kerry lied in '69, he lied in '71, he lied in '86, and he still dishonors all MIAs, all military personnel that served honorably in SEA, and most importantly all of our "Band of Brothers" that gave their lives for a belief in Freedom.

Not Fonda Kerry,
-- Chuck Meyer
VNV69/70 6 August 2004

The senator is textbook example of someone being "hoist by his own petard" or hanging himself, having been given enough rope. Face it: John Kerry lied. Mr. Lipscomb nailed him when describing Kerry's handling of this: If lie is undeniable, attack messengers; if lie can't be sustained, fault memory.

How foolish of him and his handlers. Look at the energy he and they have invested in defense and how much energy has been poured from some quarters-not from the partisan press, of course-into trying to get him to speak the truth.

If he hasn't yet, what will it take? He won't, we should all know by now-unless he's going to wait until after the Republican National Convention and go public with some cloying, disingenuous contrite admission that he misspoke. He'll never admit outright that he lied, however.

Regardless of what he does, his comeuppance and the serving of his just deserts are certainly something to see, aren't they?
-- C. Kenna Amos Jr.
Princeton, West Virginia

Enjoyed reading the commentary about Kerry swimming from Vietnam. As a Vietnam vet, who kept his medals, based on the information that has come to light begin to see a very distorted picture of Kerry's alleged actions and reality. Seems Kerry has skewed the facts to suit his own agenda. Am glad that Spectator is exposing the truth, and the ramifications related to the character of candidate Kerry. Now it needs to get into the mainstream press.
-- Bruce Squires

Bravo for an excellent article regarding Senator Kerry's unfortunate "lapses" of memory (a sad malady affecting greater numbers of elected Democrats daily).

Regarding Kerry's presence for the "Kill The Senators" plot of the VVAW in November 1971 -- perhaps it is another memory lapse on the part of Kerry, but were you aware that the individual who proposed assassination as a tool of the VVAW political agenda, Mr. Scott Camill, was working on behalf of the Kerry campaign in Florida during the Democratic primary season? For all we know, he may still be working for Kerry in the Sunshine State.…
-- John Maxwell

Of course Kerry took his boat into Cambodia. He was carrying an agent on a mission to kill a deranged Colonel in the armed forces named Kurtz. The whole thing was documented by a photographer who went with them, who looked a lot like, uh, Dennis Hopper. Yeah, that's it, it was Dennis Hopper. In the pictures, now faded with time, of course, the agent looks very much like a young, well, Martin Sheen. Yeah, that's it! That's the ticket!

Wait a minute! Didn't they make a movie about that mission? A movie that was just about as truthful and accurate as Kerry's bull**** is now?
-- Mike Webster
Dallas, Texas

Harking back to Kerry's acceptance speech and in light of the two lying incidents (Christmas in Cambodia and the KC assassin's plot) maybe some one should investigate his trip to Check Point Charlie in Berlin at age 12. It holds that same ring of untruthfulness bragging of a pathological liar.
-- Gail Keasling
Millington, Tennessee

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Barack Obama, Constitution, Law, Military, Iraq, Iran, Israel, NATO, Nuclear Weapons, Energy