"Kerry's military records show a Highly Praised Officer"

[spanone]

Front page www.nytimes.com. Thanks KKKarl.

[AlinPA]

1. Rove and RNC screwed up again.

Trashing Kerry's war record and questioning the severity of his Purple Heart backfires. You'd think they would have known the details.

Records show high praise by the Navy:

"he has has made an exemplary record while serving his country ashore and afloat."

"a highly talented, polished and professional naval officer" and
"highly intelligent, well read and skilled.'

Bronze Star, Silver Star (3rd highest award in the USN)

Praise of his valor and judgement, and and reports of killing the enemy.

All Bush* killed was a lot of longnecker Lone Stars.

[Octafish]

2. Kerry's the real deal.

From the article:

Intelligent, mature and rich in educational background and experience, Ens Kerry is one of the finest young officers I have ever met and without question one of the most promising," wrote Capt. Allen Slifer, Kerry's supervisor aboard the USS Gridley, where he served his first tour in Vietnam but was far removed from combat as an electrical officer.

Hey Bush-sniffers! Bush is nothing but an unelected moron who deserted because he was afraid of taking a drug test.

[ezee]

7. Its amazing

how when you really serve, people remember you. I can't remember anyone saying this type of comments about shrub boy!

[blm]

9. EXCELLENT point.

.

[senseandsensibility]

3. I want to see more

about this on the mainstream media, especially cable news. The * administration blew it again, and it really makes Kerry look good, so guess what? They're leaving the story alone. I wonder.... what would they have done if there had been something damaging in the records? Kerry needs to get some surrogates out there talking about this. I just saw the piece on Anderson Cooper; looks like Kelly Wallace is trying to walk in Candi's shoes. Unbelievable!

[girl gone mad]

8. No..

ABC's evening news did a very good piece which left me smiling.

They talked about all of the criticism from Republicans and then they excerpted pieces of his record which showed him to have been an exemplary soldier. I think the statement was: one wonders why Kerry didn't release these records long ago (meaning they make him look so good).

[senseandsensibility]

11. Thanks

I'll try to catch it when it airs out here on the Left Coast.:-)

[ithacan]

4. I want to see the evaluations of Shrub!!!

I'd bet lots of money that they are the polar opposite of Kerry's...

[Mountainman]

5. Courage "under fire" "request" swift boat service

Kerry courage under fire

Kerry requests combat assignment

Kerry 3 times wounded

Bush AWOL

Bush requests discharge from state side NG to go to college.

Bush drunk or on drugs

Hey freeps. f..k you all to h..l

[leftchick]

6. WHOOMP! There it IS!!!!

:) wish it could be accompanied by the appropriate music!! :)

[Maestro]

10. More mainstream coverage

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/21/iraq.books/index.html

[Paladin]

12. Stupid, Stupid, STUPID

Did the morons in the Bush administration really think they'd find something incriminating in Kerry's military record that didn't come to light decades ago, when the Nixon administration was frantic to discredit Kerry in any way possible?

So now they're reduced to trying to cast doubt on the last of three Purple Hearts Kerry won. Not one. Not two. But three Purple Hearts. Earned while Dubya was protecting Texas skies from Ho Chi Minh. Unbelievable......

[calimary]

15. They probably assumed he was trying to hide something bad

by not releasing his records at first - MAINLY BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY THEMSELVES ARE DOING. Why wouldn't they suspect the worst? After all, THAT is what THEY know best.

[IronLionZion]

13. Here's his service record

http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/veterans/service.html

[No2W2004]

14. Smoking Gun Website has this document....

http://thesmokinggun.com/archive/0421041kerry1.html

LTJG KERRY was assigned to this divison for only a short time but during that time exhibited all of the traits desired of an officer in
a combat environment. He frequently exhibited a high sense of imagination and judgement in planning operations against the enemy
in the Mekong Delta. Involved in several enemy initiated fire fights, including an ambush during the Christmas truce, he effectively
suppressed enemy fire and is unofficially credited with 20 enemy killed in action. Though relatively new to the PCF he is thoroughly
knowledgeable of all aspects of his boat and PCF operations. He was instrumental in planning of highly successful Sea Lords
Operations. He was cited for his performance during action against the enemy by Commander Task Force in his message 0808072
JAN 69.