The Opinionator

Christmas in Cambodia 1968

Cox and Forkum strike again!

Varifrank Bids Farewell to John Kerry

Varifrank makes it clear he will no longer blog about John Kerry and his reasons are solid. His prediction for the margin in November is beginning to look more and more likely.

(Hat Tip: Instapundit)

A Letter to John Kerry

It seems that many veterans do not like the fact that the same John Kerry who returned from Vietnam and expressed his opinion on the war is now trying to silence fellow veterans that want to express their opinion on him. Note the distinguished signatories of this open letter. This will leave a mark, if it is covered by the press, that is.

(Hat Tip: Instapundit)

Reuters Story II

In the story noted below, I forgot to point out the reference to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth as the, "so called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," by Adam Entous.

Ah, Adam, that is their name. Whether you agree with them and clearly you do not, that is the name of their organization. You and Reuters should keep the editorializing to the opinion pages.

Given Mr. Entous other activities, however, it is understandable that he may have an axe to grind. My question is, how is he allowed to pose as an objective journalist? Only in Reuterville!

Response Sent to Reuters

In response to an incredibly biased story by Reuters reporter Adam Entous, I sent the following to Reuters' editors. I will update you of any response.

Dear Sir/Madam,

In the story at this URL: http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/422708|top|08-25-2004::02:14|reuters.html, Adam Entous makes a serious error and an ommission. Both make one wonder, given his other writing, if this is because of bias or laziness.

First the error, Entous claims that Max Cleland lost his senate election after Republicans questioned his patriotism. That is incorrect, they questioned his votes on the creation of a Homeland Security department. Democrats have been using this claim to explain his loss and attack Republicans. At best, that assertion is opinion and has no business being presented as fact in a news story.

Second, Entous mentions that a Bush Campaign attorney has been providing advice to the Swiftboat Veterans for the Truth in his capacity as a private attorney. This is true. However, Joe Sandler of the Kerry campaign has been doing the same for MoveOn.org, a liberal 527 Group. The ommission of this information creates the impression of impropriety unique to the Bush campaign when that is not the case.

Again, I ask if it is bias or laziness. In any event, in both of these matters this appears to be poor journalism at best.

Congratulations Deena Kastor!

American Woman's Marathoner Deena Kastor won the Bronze medal at the Olympics today in a terrific effort. At roughly 22 miles, Ms Kastor was in sixth place yet put together a tremendous last few miles to finish third, passing her final opponent for a medal just outside the stadium. It was wonderful television as my daughter and I sat with crossed fingers as she inched closer to third place.

Ms. Kastor executed a terrific strategy to hang back in the heat and hills and then surge at the end in hopes of a medal. Great job!

For those of you spoiled by Michael Phelps and his many medals, understand that this is our first medal in the Woman's Marathon since Joan Benoit Samuelson's Gold in 1984. We are simply not the favorites in this event.

Deena you rule!

US News Weighs in on the Swiftboat Controversy

John Leo and Michael Barone of US News and World Report have weighed in on the Swiftboat issue and the result is not good for John Kerry.

Leo wonders why the media is refuses to cover the story and points out that Kerry is the one with the credibility issue regarding his alleged Camobodia exploits.

Barone also discusses the Christmas in Cambodia mythology and how it is a reflection of John Kerry's character. Give both articles a read.

Hat tip, Instapundit and Hugh Hewitt.

Live by the 527, Die by the 527

As i mentioned in the previous post, the Kerry campaign has used liberal 527 groups to attack the President. As pointed out by the Bush Campaign, John Kerry has not had to spend money in August due to these groups. So much for no coordination, eh? Yet, it is the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth, a small operation, that is gathering all the attention as their attacks are leaving a mark on the Kerry campaign. Just to give you an idea of how they compare to the liberal groups, I thought I would guide you to this comparison by N.Z Bear at The Truth Laid Bear.

Some comparison, eh? Hat tip to Mudvile Gazette.

Update: Here is another comparison by Blogs for Bush.

The Swiftboat Veterans and John Kerry

After watching the drama of the last few weeks unfold between the Swiftboat Vets for Truth and John Kerry, I offer a few observations, none of which are particularly unique.

First, none of us can really be sure of what happened in Vietnam all those years ago. This is true even of the participants due to the fog of war and different viewpoints.

Second, the mainstream press has tried to protect John Kerry from these attacks until the pressure from the blogosphere, talk radio and outlets such as Fox News made it impossible to do so any longer. They hid behind their claims that the evidence did not rise to the level of journalistic standards. However, this is what journalists are supposed to do; take both sides of a dispute and sort out the facts, not decide in advance who they believe. In addition, the New York Times, former home of Jayson Blair, has attacked the blogosphere for inaccuracy. That takes nerve!

The Kerry campaign is squealing like a stuck pig and is calling on President Bush to call of these attacks. They are also running ads claiming that the Bush campaign is behind the ads even though there is no evidence of any collusion between them and the Swiftvets for the Truth. That seems to be their new strategy, try to get the Bush campaign caught in a backlash. Hey, where are the Kerry people when liberal 527 groups like MoveOn.org and ACT are spending huge sums of money attacking the President? Live by the 527, die by the 527. We did not hear very much from Kerry when Michael Moore was passing off his lies as a documentary either. Turnaround is a bitch, huh John?

We also now know that John Kerry was lying when he talked about spending Christmas Eve in Cambodia. Seems to me that JFK is the one with the credibility issue, not the Swift Vets.

One last point, the second SwiftVets ad is more damaging than the first as it uses John Kerry's own testimony and the vets, including two former POW's, reactions. Hard to attack the credibility of a person's feelings as they are about to learn.

I may add more later, but those were a few initial reactions.

Kerry and Troop Withdrawals

Let me get this straight, Kerry wants to withdraw our troops from Iraq where they are needed but excoriates President Bush for bringing them home from Europe and Asia where they are no longer needed? Is he really that stupid? Does he think the American people are that stupid? This guy is a potential disaster as Commander in Chief!