By Beauty Damned

Shut It

Well it sure sounds like Larry Thurlow is a bitter man bent towards exacting revenge on John Kerry for his anti-war activities by painting him as a liar.

As we all know, the republican campaign has resorted to trying to discredit Kerry's military record, as they have no positive platform of their own. What remains highly ironic about the whole scenario is the hypocricy that is always prevelant in the rightwing attacks. Not a single person has come forward, (even despite Doonesbury's offer of $10,000 to any person who would) who could credibly vouch that they served with George W. Bush. It astounds me that Bush supporters would even have the gall to turn around and attempt to dismiss the well-documented and honored service of John Kerry. Meanwhile, Bush's life and military service are a documented failure from start to finish, if not for the many breaks and boosts that he received as a result of his family's stature.

Bush supporters bash Kerry for being rich, when Bush's family is also extremely rich. They bash Kerry for his special interests, when Bush's family has more special interest baggage than just about anyone alive. The hypocricy is suffocating. But this attack on Kerry's military record takes the cake in the game of dispicable tactics. And I don't seem to be the only person who think so.

Military Documents Cast Doubt on Kerry Critic's Version of Combat, Published Report Says

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Military records appear to contradict claims by a vocal critic of Sen. John Kerry that the Democratic presidential candidate lied about coming under gunfire during a mission in Vietnam, according to The Washington Post. The newly obtained records of Larry Thurlow show that he, like Kerry, won a Bronze Star for the same engagement and that Thurlow's citation said he came under "constant small arms fire," the newspaper reported Thursday.

Thurlow, also like Kerry, commanded a Navy Swift boat during the war. Thurlow swore in an affidavit last month that Kerry was "not under fire" when he rescued Lt. James Rassmann from the Bay Hap River.

Thurlow's records, obtained by the Post under the Freedom of Information Act, include references to "enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire" directed at all five boats in the flotilla that day. In his Bronze Star citation, Thurlow is praised for helping a damaged Swift boat "despite enemy bullets flying about him."

Thurlow is a leading member of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a public advocacy group of Vietnam veterans who have aired a television advertisement attacking Kerry's war record.

Kerry has described how his boat came under fire from the river banks after a mine explosion disabled another U.S. Swift boat. Kerry and members of his crew say the firing continued as Kerry leaned over to fish out Rassman, who was blown overboard in another explosion.

Thurlow described Kerry's Bronze Star citation as "totally fabricated," saying "I never heard a shot."

Thurlow, a registered Republican, said he is angry with Kerry for his antiwar activities after his return to the United States, especially his claim that U.S. troops committed war crimes with the knowledge of their officers up the chain of command.

Thurlow told the Post that he got the award for helping to rescue the boat that was mined.

"This casts doubt on anybody's awards," he said. "It is sickening and disgusting."

He said he believed his award would be fraudulent if it was based on coming under enemy fire.

"We weren't under fire," he insisted.

Thurlow said he lost his Bronze Star citation more than 20 years ago. He said he would not authorize release of his military records because he feared the Kerry campaign would discredit him.

Members of Kerry's crew have said Kerry is telling the truth. Rassman said he has vivid memories of enemies firing at him from both banks.

Also:

KerryEdwards Campaign Debunks False Swift Boat Attacks

Posted by Maria at August 19, 2004 11:42 AM | TrackBack