This is in three sections. Follow it though. No way to tell if Kranish confused Elliot, or deliberately misquoted him. An any case, the Globe seems to be carrying water for Kerry.
1 - Wizbang - Friendly fire
David Anderson is a loony leftist moonbat who, despite those obvious character flaws, is a decent, honest, likable, honorable guy. We’ve had several spirited discussions, and I’ve posted about my discussions with him before. I don’t think either of us have convinced each other of anything, but he’s certainly given me a lot to think about.
He’s been getting more and more fed up with the whole Kerry-Vietnam thing (like a lot of us have), and the other day he finally snapped. After the Boston Globe ran a story announcing that one of the Swift Boat Veterans For The Truth, Commander George Elliott, was retracting his accusations, David announced he had had enough and was boycotting the story.
The end of the story for David, however, was merely the beginning for the rest of the world. Absolutely no other media outlet had the story of Elliott’s retraction. Further, Elliott was out front declaring he had been misquoted. Finally, some people (Drudge included) noticed that the Globe reporter, Michael Kranish, was listed on Amazon.com as the author of an upcoming official, authorized “inside story” of the Kerry campaign.
Others have noted the incredible confusion concerning Kranish and books. Amazon and Barnes and Noble both listed him as contributing to the book (although Amazon has taken down the page). Most telling is that the Kranish book and the Kerry-authorized book share the same ISBN number.
Yesterday, the Glob went into full spin mode. They are standing by their story, saying they have a second affidavit from Elliott that contradicts the affidavit he gave the Swift Boat Veterans. They also say Amazon has admitted it was mistaken in it’s listings; it confused a canceled unauthorized project with Kranish’s contribution with the book it replaced, an authorized by the campaign book.
In response to the Glob, Captain Elliott has issued yet a third affidavit. In it he acknowledges that he made misstatements concerning minor points in his first statement, but restates the substance (and many of the details) behind it. He says the Glob completely distorted his correcting second statement – and the Glob has yet to release the full text of that statement.
Over on CNN, they are quoting another Swift Boat veteran who is with Kerry. He’s accusing the Bush Administration of being behind “these dirty tricks.” The Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth have no official ties to the Bush campaign, and in fact the Bush campaign is calling for an end from all ads from advocacy groups such as the Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org, the Media Fund, America Coming Together, and a host of others spawned by the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform law. Apparently to people with the Kerry campaign, people with those organizations who support Bush are completely owned and operated by the Bush campaign, while those who back Kerry are “independent, patriotic, concerned Americans” who have so far outspent the other side by a good eight figures at last estimate.
Back to my original point, however. I feel bad for David. I’ve been burning out the whole Kerry – Vietnam mess, too. But it’s a shame that the straw that broke his camel’s back was such a flimsy reed.
J.
2 - Letter to TV Station Managers Regarding Captain Elliott
Author:
Dated: Friday, August 06 2004 @ 03:32 PM PDT
Viewed: 8057 times
CLEMENTS, O'NEILL, PIERCE, WILSON & FULKERSON
A Registered Limited Liability Partnership
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
WELLS FARGO PLAZA
1000 LOUISIANA STREET, SUITE 1800
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-5009
______________________
(713) 654-7600
Facsimile (713) 654-7690
www.copwf.com
JOHN E. O'NEILL
Partner
(713) 654-7604
oneilljohn@copwf.com
August 6, 2004
Re: Swift Boat Veterans For Truth
Dear Station Manager:
The Kerry Campaign has continued its effort to prevent our voice from being heard. You were presented with an article from Kerry's hometown newspaper, The Boston Globe, written by Michael Kranish, Kerry's biographer, claiming that Captain Elliott had withdrawn his affidavit and disavowed the ad. This is totally false.
Enclosed is Captain Elliott's affidavit executed this morning after the false Globe story.
Captain Elliott affirms his original affidavit; affirms his ad statement; and adds additional detail. In the ad, Captain Elliott says that Kerry was not honest about his service in Vietnam. This is indisputably true.
The use of a surprise false article to strike pending ads represents a new low in ambush journalism.
Very truly yours,
John E. O'Neill
3 - PDF affidavit -(I can't paste it) swiftvets.com |
