Kerry's Denials at Odds With 1971 Book He Authored

[HowdyDUit]

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200402%5CPOL20040220b.html

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has denied ever accusing American troops of committing war crimes in Vietnam. But his remarks during an interview on CNN Thursday are at odds with the excerpts of a book Kerry authored in 1971, a copy of which CNSNews.com obtained this week.

The New Soldier, which is currently so difficult to find that it was selling on the Internet for about $850, featured the following passage by Kerry about his experiences in Vietnam. "We were sent to Vietnam to kill Communism. But we found instead that we were killing women and children."

In the book, Kerry stated that Vietnamese citizens "didn't even know the difference between communism and democracy" and he instead blamed the United States for causing chaos in Vietnam.

"In the process we created a nation of refugees, bomb craters, amputees, orphans, widows, and prostitutes, and we gave new meaning to the words of the Roman historian Tacitus: 'Where they made a desert they called it peace,'" Kerry explained.

...

[Maat]

1. What is wrong with what he said?

[papau]

45. Nothing since he was quoting statements by others - and not his own

CNS is a fundi right wing source who do not admit error when contacted and it is pointed out.

HowdyDUit appears to not be on the Dem side of the political divide!

:-)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. Ummm-this is a Reich-Wing News Source

:eyes:

This is the parent website:

http://www.mrc.org/

On edit: Some of the headlines are below.

Media Reality Check
Kerry's Partisan Partners in Smearing Bush
After DNC boss Terry McAuliffe expressed his wish to contrast "John Kerry, a war hero with a chest full of medals" with "George Bush, a man who was AWOL in the Alabama National Guard," the three broadcast networks readily obliged. ABC, CBS and NBC aired 63 morning and evening show segments about the National Guard from February 1 through February 16 -- more than double the coverage of Bill Clinton's 1992 draft-dodging scandal.
Previous Edition: Partisan Tools, Not Objective Observers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notable Quotables
McAuliffe's Media Mouthpieces
Even after the White House disproved Terry McAuliffe's baseless "AWOL" charge, the networks refuse to let the story go. "The issue is not going to go away," ABC's Terry Moran pledged after reviewing Bush's 30-year-old pay stubs. Meanwhile, Tom Brokaw and the New York Times pat John Kerry on the back for smartly using the AWOL issue to show how he "will play hardball when it comes to patriotism and national security," Reuters sees a Kerry presidency as "a boon for U.S. markets," and ABC's Judy Muller sings the praises of the hard-left partisan group MoveOn.org.
Previous Edition: John Kerry, Rabid Right-Winger?

CyberAlert: Exposing Media Bias Daily
Friday, February 20:
• CBS News Producer Prompts Kerry to Refine Attack on Bush on Jobs
• ABC Re-Airs Story on Mrs. Bush’s “Harsh” Words About McAuliffe
• CBS’s Hartman Scolds Media for Obsession Over Vietnam Service
• NBC Forces Out Bob Arnot Who Delivered Upbeat Stories from Iraq
• “Top Ten Signs Bush is Considering Dumping Cheney”
Thursday:
• ABC’s Moran Condemns Mrs. Bush’s “Harsh Words” About McAuliffe
• ABC & CBS Morning Shows Hit Sean Hannity With Liberal Claims
• Couric Raises Criticisms of Nancy, Ignores Them With Hillary
• NBC Makes a “Friend of Bill” the New President of MSNBC
• MRC Job Openings: News Analyst and Media Archivist
Monday:
• Roger Simon of U.S. News: “Nobody Died When Bill Clinton Lied”
• Timing and Content of Friday Document Release Displeases Media
• CNN’s Schneider Awards “Play of Week” to Dems for AWOL Charge

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Should you hit alert or should I?

CNSNews...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. Already pulled the trigger, but be my guest!

:hi:

[HowdyDUit]

6. Are we supposed to know everything about every website?

I see nothing on their front page that hints toward any bias. Are you on a witch hunt because I support Gay Marriage?

[Cooley Hurd]

10. "Are you on a witch hunt because I support Gay Marriage?"

You're letting your paranoia get the best of you, Howdy.

On LBN, it's best to only post items from the wire services (AP, Reuters) or from the major networks. Read the LBN rules for further guidance.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[HowdyDUit]

13. Thank for the welcome...finally

I see many sources other than AP and reuters on LBN by 1000+ star posters. I really have no idea if cns is biased but their front page looks legit and there is no apparent rw bias.

[CO Liberal]

14. "Looks Legit ... No Apparant RW Bias ..."

Have you been fooled by Sun Yung Moon's Washington Times and Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting News (CBN) as well????

[HowdyDUit]

18. No I have not been fooled by WT or CBN

Their front pages are a dead giveaway. Looking at the front page of the Kerry story show no bias that I can see. Are you calling me a liar? Check it yourself. I'm sorry if I don't know every site that you consider biased and if you say this is a bad site then I promise to never use it again. Sorry for my ignorance.

[54anickel]

22. Hi HowdyDUit. I don't believe you broke any rules regarding LBN.

I've done the same thing on occassion. Heck I don't know which are RW and which aren't, outside the obvious. Besides, some of us here at DU believe ALL media is controller by the RW. :evilgrin:

Anyway, if someone did alert, this is obviously not locked, so I don't think any LBN rule was violated. I believe the RW ban only applies to the Primary related forums.

Here's the rules, check for yourself.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=87249

Welcome to DU :hi:

[Jackpine Radical]

63. Yeah, wow--if the rule against RW sites were truly enforced,

it would eliminate articles from the NYT, WaPo, CNN...just about everywhere except the Nation and WSWS.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

25. Not calling you a liar, but a quick glance DOES Show a bias

toward the right. I guess maybe you were focused on the Kerry story...

[HowdyDUit]

29. Sorry. Ijust tried to edit and delete my post and got this...

"You can't edit this message because the editing period has expired."

I'll try better in the future to not make this type of mistake again.

[mobuto]

16. No, CNS News is uh, not good

The Cybercast News Service was launched on June 16, 1998 as a news source for individuals, news organizations and broadcasters who put a higher premium on balance than spin and seek news that’s ignored or under-reported as a result of media bias by omission.

Study after study by the Media Research Center, the parent organization of CNSNews.com, clearly demonstrate a liberal bias in many news outlets – bias by commission and bias by omission – that results in a frequent double-standard in editorial decisions on what constitutes "news."

In response to these shortcomings, MRC Chairman L. Brent Bozell III founded CNSNews.com in an effort to provide an alternative news source that would cover stories that are subject to the bias of omission and report on other news subject to bias by commission.

------------------


L. Brent Bozell III
President, the Media Research Center and
the Cybercast News Service

Lecturer, syndicated columnist, television commentator, debater, publisher and activist, L. Brent Bozell III is one of the most outspoken and effective national leaders in the conservative movement today.

Founder and President of the Media Research Center, Mr. Bozell runs the largest media watchdog organization in America. Established in 1987, the MRC produces several newsletters and books. The very popular Notable Quotables lists the most biased media quotes and at year-end a panel of 50 opinion leaders selects the much cited awards for the year's most biased reporting.

Mr. Bozell's books include And That's the Way It Isn't: A Reference Guide to Media Bias; Pattern of Deception: The Media's Role in the Clinton Presidency; How to Identify, Expose and Correct Liberal Media Bias; and Out of Focus: Network Television and the American Economy. A sequel to And That's the Way It Isn't II will be published. The MRC web site at http://www.mediaresearch.org is quickly becoming one of the most popular conservative web sites.

Founder and President of the Parents Television Council, Mr. Bozell leads the only Hollywood-based organization dedicated to restoring responsibility to the entertainment industry. The PTC at http://www.parentstv.org features the Family Guide to Prime Time Television which aids parents across the country in making informed viewing decisions for their children.

In June 1998, Mr. Bozell launched his most ambitious venture yet -- the Cybercast News Service. CNSNews.com specializes in covering news stories the major networks seem to be omitting.

Mr. Bozell also serves as Executive Director of the Conservative Victory Committee (CVC). An independent multi-candidate political action committee, the CVC has helped to elect dozens of conservative candidates over the past ten years. He has also served as National Finance Chairman for the Buchanan for President campaign, and Finance Director and later President of the National Conservative Political Action Committee.

Mr. Bozell is a nationally syndicated writer whose work appears in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The New York Post, The L.A. Times and National Review. He is regularly invited to provide media expertise on news programs by all the major networks and cable affiliates. His appearances include NBC's Today show; CNN's Crossfire, Inside Politics, Larry King Live; ABC's Good Morning America C-SPAN, and TCI's series, Race for the Presidency, as well as the Syndicated Entertainment Tonight. He has appeared as a guest and guest host on hundreds of radio shows, from local talk shows to the Cal Thomas Show and the Rush Limbaugh Show.

Named the 1998 Pew Memorial Lecturer by Grove City College, Mr. Bozell is a frequent speaking guest on school campuses and for civic and political organizations around the country.

Mr. Bozell received his B.A. in History from the University of Dallas, where he was named the 1998 Alumnus of the Year. He is married, with five children.

[HowdyDUit]

20. Sorry. My bad. I'll never refer to it again.

I admit to not being as astute and smart as the web heads here. I found a story during a news search for gay marriage and this came up. Please forgive me for I have screwed up. It's not the first time and I'm sure it's not the last.

Again...my bad and please forgive me.

[mobuto]

24. Why would I hold it against you?

You simply cited a biased and unreliable source. People do that a lot. Just remember not to believe CNSNews from now on.

[54anickel]

28. No Problem. You've been quite busy racking up 33 posts in a day.

And exactly what came up on that web search for gay marriage that has to do with Nam?

[sangha]

33. Are we supposed to know everything about every website?

No, but you should make some effort to assess the credibility of your source. Do you believe everything you read?

If you don't know if a source is credible, why post it?

[HowdyDUit]

36. Why pile on?

I've taken enough of a beating for this screw up so please accept my sincere apology and move on.

[loudnclear]

12. What is wrong is that it is the truth. My uncle is a Viet Nam Vet

actually several people in my family are Nam vets but my uncle an I are very close. He attends today three support groups sponsored by the VA. The meetings are always full and still today many vets are trying to deal with what they saw and with what they did. The range of atocities goes from "fraging" to spraying women and children walking along to poop holes. And yes, there were children carrying grenades and guns and yes, some women were used as decoys. But this fact remains: these people were fighing in their own land. Every soldiers that was killed in Nam had to cross an ocean to get there. And for what? We are having normal relations with Viet Nam today and we are kissing cousing with the Russians. That's why so many Nam vets turned against the war when they returned home to find the media and the government lying to the people just as is the case now with Iraq.

[mstrsplinter326]

3. Hmm..

It sounds like Kerry called the processes, those in charge on the ground and the United State government at fault for the war crimes committed. At any rate, it's all just word games, reminds me of "That depends on what I meant by 'is'"...

[pookastew]

7. don't mean to jump in here, but...

...when did Kerry deny accusing American troops of committing war crimes?

Wasn't he was quite open about it during his Senate testimony? Thought he detailed all sorts of horrible deeds.

I think the trick in this smear is the set up, not the allegation.

[maggrwaggr]

11. in the Atlantic article, excerpts from the book about him,

Kerry describes how on their missions in the boats, the men under his command would kill pretty much anybody, just to get the points for the "kills". These were S. Vietnamese mercenaries, usually, felons and other criminals who were given these jobs.

[mobuto]

8. CNS = Conserbative News Service

No thanks.

[BeatleBoot]

9. Damn, I hate Freeper Sissies

Oh, such a Republican sissy...

[LoZoccolo]

15. Welcome to DU!

:hi: :nuke:

[saltpoint]

17. Right wing media bad.

Right wing media very bad.

Me no like right wing media.

Right wing media very mean.

And bad.

Very bad.

shame shame.

[HowdyDUit]

23. Ok Ok I got the message.

I screwed up by mistake. Please don't sue me or get me banned for one stupid mistake.

[Oilwellian]

19. Kerry never had to ACCUSE troops of committing war crimes

If you took the time to read his actual testimony before Congress, you will see he referred to 150 Vietnam veterans who came forward and ADMITTED to committing war crimes. Big difference.

[BeatleBoot]

21. I heard that Bush was in the Air National Guard...

Oh, wait. He went AWOL.

First not showing up for duty, then playing "Mr. Dressup" on an aircraft carrier..

Man, he flip flops...its hard to know where he is on the issues...

Oh wait, he's for jobs going overseas...

Bush is OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM....

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HowdyDUit]

32. No thanks

I'm more at home here if that's ok with you.

[RowWellandLive]

27. Am I the only one who thinks

that voters don't really give a damn about Viet Nam anymore? They don't care whether Bush was AWOL or not, or about Kerry's heroics and protesting afterwords. Even if Jane Fonda was around.

Trying to tar Kerry with this stuff is as a waste of time as harping on Bush's National Guard Service (or lack of). The vast middle simply does not care. People care about their present lives. A pissing match about Viet Nam only helps the incumbent because it takes the spotlight off of what really matters now.

It's best to ignore this stuff when raised by the right wing. It's a huge distraction that is not helpful.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

35. Excuse me, but I care about Vietnam and the folks that served there...

...even though, like Iraq, Vietnam was fought on the basis of lies from the U. S. Government.

I care very deeply about the families that lost loved ones in Vietnam and still grieve their loss to this very day. I care about the soldiers, doctors and nurses that still have nightmares and flashbacks.

I also care about the folks that protested the war and wanted to bring the guys home.

I also care about the millions of dead Vietnamese from the north and south of what used to be the DMZ.

I personally served in the military but never saw combat...but I also served my time, received my honorable discharge, and can account for every single day of my military service.

I personally don't give a damn whether you or the "vast middle" care about any of that or not. Somehow, I think there are more people that think like me than there are that think like you.

[RowWellandLive]

43. I meant care about

in the sense of how they will vote. People can have respect and sympathy for those who served and suffered during that time, but that does not mean they will base their vote on a 30 year old national tragedy.

A draft dodger from that era could easily beat a war hero. Voters can sympathize with however a candidate behaved then because the feelings on the war are so conflicted. People want to put this horror behind them. Volunteering for the conflict was noble, but avoidance was understandable (witness Bill Clinton). When I say people don't care I mean as something that will persuade their vote today.

For instance, if the choice this year was McCain or Hagel vs. Edwards or Dean would you pick the Republican based on his Viet Nam War service? I doubt most would. It is just not going to be a deciding election factor, despite the sympathy and respect for those that served. As it shouldn't be.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

58. You have your opinion...I'm happy it's not mine. I personally...

...don't believe you have a clue.

[RowWellandLive]

61. Same here

I think your prospective is so skewed as to be ignored as a non-factor. If you want to hang your hat on the Viet Nam War and what the candidates did or did not do, good luck. Best to focus on more relevant issues but good luck to you in your endeavors.

[TacticalPeek]

30. I hate weasely writing from anywing source.

Nowhere in these quotes does Kerry say "war crimes", nor for that matter did he say that to Woodruff. He has pointed out some of the dishonorable actions, but its "drawing a conclusion" to say that troops were war criminals (which some questioners seem anxious to do).

Surely nobody is questioning that some troops committed atrocities? Nor questioning that the brass shined it on, all the way up to the commander-in-chief?



Remember this guy? Nixon insured that his 'punishment' was to stay on base for a few months.

The monster crime is that his CO, "Mad dog" Medina walked away as slick as OJ, (absent the civil judgement). Wonder how CNS would write this one up?

[Algorem]

31. Does Kerry say how many women and children he killed there?

[Democat]

34. New poster posting right wing crap

What's that smell?

[TacticalPeek]

37. Smells like Clenis envy to me.

Clinton likes churches, or something???

[HowdyDUit]

39. I don't do men TP

My future wife adds that you are full of it.

[54anickel]

44. Future wife? Did not think you would use the terms husband/wife

:shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1142085#1142287

[TacticalPeek]

47. ROFLMAO! You bad, 54.

I guess DU has a life-changing effect on some.

:evilgrin:

[HowdyDUit]

54. Cute inside jokes an ridicule are best kept to private chat

I bet you think you are real clever with your public ridicule of me. Enjoy it and look in the mirror next chance you get.

[TacticalPeek]

56. Nothing inside about it, Howdy. You must have not checked the link in #44.

54anickel was pointing out your post in the "very left leaning" thread about "My vote will go to whomever allows me to marry my same-sex partner. Period." Kerry, Nader, blahblah.

And then he wonders about the husband and (future) wife line in your posts here.

You zigged when you should have zagged.

[HowdyDUit]

59. What the fuck are you talking about?

I am a woman that wants to marry my female partner. What kind of homophobic shit are you spouting?

As for your zig/zag comment...lay off the booze or whatever it is making you spew your hate for gays.

[HowdyDUit]

50. Enough of your inanity

My current woman (future wife) says you are pushing it. I agree.

[HowdyDUit]

38. Spare me please.

Read my admission above and get of my ass. Please.

That smell is most likely your own upper lip.

[54anickel]

40. Wow, up to 44 post now. You didn't answer my question above.

How did this new article come up doing a search on gay marriage?

[HowdyDUit]

41. Try asking me politely next time

I have taken enough of a beating for using an undocumented "bad" source and resent demands like yours for answers. If you want something from me then try being civil and lay off the hyperbole.

[54anickel]

42. I was civil. How did this article come up on a search for gay marriage?

[HowdyDUit]

48. Go fish

I don't return non-favors. An apology might get you the results you seek.

[oasis]

46. Right wing news source. (eom)

[HowdyDUit]

49. No shit

A day late and a post short of the obvious. Thanks for the pile on.

[oasis]

53. I didn't bother to read the other replies, noticing that a slam on Kerry

was based on an ultraright "news" source.

[NV1962]

51. Looks more like "RW at Odds With Reality, Can't Read Books"

Kinda sad, the RW yammers about education, yet even after having 33 years to read the book they still can't figure out what the difference is between an injust war and war injustices.

It looks like RW education reform needs reform, badly. Nothing like breeding an evil illiterate - oops, on second thought: I mean, like breeding a whole generation of evil illiterates.

Out of compassive solidarity, we must save the GOP from its miserable failure: WH and Congress to the Dems!

[JohnOneillsMemory]

52. Screw haggling this source. Kerry spoke the truth in 1971 as V.V.A.W.

Check the congressional record for his testimony. He said that he and others committed warcrimes. He said that was the norm in the war, not the exception.

Then he walked away from this difficult act of telling truth to power.
His recent book included him asking people who weren't soldiers to just forget about it, let it go. This is appalling.

So the right wants to beat him up for speaking the truth in 1971.
And the left wants to beat him up for denying the truth ever after.

We are in another Vietnam quagmire because of denial.

Please, America. Take the time and have the balls to look at your own tragic history so you don't repeat it over and over and over.

[Algorem]

55. Did the CIA and whicheverspookybastards send infiltrators into the anti-

war movement?Was Kerry one?

[w4rma]

57. Sen. Kerry is correct and is absolutely consistent.

And yes, if there is interest, I will elaborate.

[Emillereid]

60. God, if this guy could just have the courage and honesty of his youth --

I heard an excerpt today on a Pacifica radio station of the speech he gave to Congress -- if he could just find that fine and honest young man inside himself I could probably give him my support gladly. He told the truth then about the horrible stuff that our troops did in Vietnam. He talked about the meeting of the soldiers of winter where GIs confessed the war crimes they committed. It's stupid for him to deny saying it -- there's a public record.


When did he morph into the spineless, waffling, expedient politician? Between him and the sell-out dems in congress like Daschle and Feinstein, how am supposed to get excited enough to do anything more than hold my nose and vote for them.

[jamesinca]

62. I agree

I know there are a lot of supporters in here that will not agree to this, but that is my opinion of him also. He is going back to what he does. Dean is no longer there to call him out on this, Kucinich is not given any respect by the establishment. Clark is not there to hold him to anything, so he can go back to waffling on issues and denying books that he took part in writing. Right or wrong is not the issue with Kerry, it is if it is popular. He supported the right wing senate and Bush, before this he supported the democrat senate and Clinton.

Once again I feel the need to quote this.

"There is one lesson that I have learned that I hold above all others from my experience as a father, teacher, community organizer, and U.S. senator: We should never separate the lives we live from the words we speak. To me, the most important goal is to live a life consistent with the values I hold dear and to act on what I believe in."

Sen. Paul Wellstone - "The conscience of a Liberal"

[Moderator]

64. Locking

This is a RW slam, not a true news story.