The swift boat attacks have intensified because in the last months they have seen me climbing in America's understanding that I know how to fight a smarter and more effective war" against terrorists. That's why they're attacking my credibility. That's why they've personally gone after me. The president needs to stand up and stop that. The president needs to have the courage to talk about it.
Three things that are forever pictured in my mind since that day over 30 years ago are: (1) The No. 3, 50-foot long, Swift boat getting huge, huge air; John Kerry thought it was about two feet. (He was farther away from it than I). I think it was at least four feet and probably closer to six feet; (2) All the boats turning left and letting loose at the same time like a deadly, choreographed dance and; (3) A few minutes later, John Kerry bending over his boat picking up one of the rangers that we were ferrying from out of the water. All the time we were taking small arms fire from the beach; although because of our fusillade into the jungle, I don't think it was very accurate, thank God. Anyone who doesn't think that we were being fired upon must have been on a different river. The picture I have in my mind of Kerry bending over from his boat picking some hapless guy out of the river while all hell was breaking loose around us, is a picture based on fact and it cannot be disputed or changed. It's a piece of history drawn in my mind that cannot be redrawn. Sorry, "Swift Boats Veterans"- that is the truth.
Bravo to him for coming forward. I find the whole thing distasteful. Sure they are pissed at Kerry's anti-war stance after his return, but that doesn't sully his actual service...something they would do well to remember.
Yeah, he sullied it enough himself by his giving aid to the North Vietnamese after the war.
The "swift boat attacks" have not intensified, what has intensified is the Kerry campaign's attempts to minimize its impact. First, there were bold threats of lawsuits against broadcasters (but no actual lawsuits.) Then came orchestrated efforts to discredit the 200+ vets, and massive attempts to divert attention away from what these folks have to say.
It's obvious to me that the Kerry campaign is really scared of these swift boat dudes. They must have a good reason.