I am surprised by your attitude, because you are a guy who has actually gambled. When you set up a challenge for anyone, not just Kerry, you have to honor it as presented, not weasel out with new requirements once your challenge is accepted. If someone else had accepted the challenge, they wouldn't have access to the data the welsher is requiring from Kerry. And it was presented as a challenge, not a bet, so why should Kerry have to put up anything to answer a challenge?
The diary is simple. In a private journal, you will often make comments about people that you wouldn't want to see made public. For example, if he said, "Joe was nowhere to be found during that firefight. I will have to keep an eye on him to make certain he's not shirking under fire." Then, later, Joe proves himself, I'm sure he wouldn't want Joe to see those earlier comments in some sleazy right wing rag.
Pickens, who couldn't seem to find time to serve in the military, himself, despite the fact he was of prime age during the Korean conflict, probably has no idea what he's talking about. But he knows a lie when he sees it and that is why he is now waffling.
But the main fact is, if you are sure enough to make a challenge, and generate tons of negative publicity, you cannot change the rules after the fact. It's like winning the lottery and being told, to get the dough, you have to now run a 4 and a half minute mile. Only a sandbagger changes a deal like that. |
