A few things you should know about Vietnam Vets against John Kerry

[yankeedem]

Many of us have heard about this organization, which seeks to tarnish John Kerry's war service with allegations of treason.
But who are they? Well, their leader, Ted Sampley, has shown up before in the public spotlight. Seems he's been an activist for the POW/MIA cause for years.

He was the impetus behind the 2000 effort to discredit John McCain's service, claiming that he was kept in luxurious conditions, among other smears.

In 1986, he set up an elaborate protest, involving placing an oil slick on a freeway off-ramp, which could have seriously injured or killed innocent motorists if it was not foiled at the last minute.

http://www.miafacts.org/prankster.htm

John McCain released this statement about Sampley, addressing the Kerry allegations.

http://www.bigleftoutside.com/archives/000355.php

Seems our friend was also behind the release of the photo of Kerry appearing (three rows behind) Jane Fonda at a Vietnam protest. Surprise, surprise...the NY Times, (also known as the "liberal media") bought it hook, line, and sinker.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/13/politics/campaign/13VETS.html?ex=107...

Who are the other organizers?

Jerry Kiley seems to be the loser who harassed a Manhattanville womens basketball team member who had the nerve to turn her back on the US flag.

http://www.tennessean.com/sports/columnists/biddle/archives/03/02/2930...

http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0303/01/smn.16.html

Dan Tran, a NASA engineer, and Mike Benge are longtime agitators for the POW/MIA cause.

[seventhson]

1. And then there are Left wing Vietnam Vets who oppose Kerry

Like Brian Willson


http://www.counterpunch.org/willson1015.html

[underpants]

2. So Sampley says that McCain is an operative of the Soviets huh?

"The Manchurian Candidate"?
Because McCain helped a Cuban psychiatrist translate his words in English into Spanish (which he speaks too) and because of an obscure note by a former Soviet spy?

Yeah that sounds like the thinking of a reasonable person.


Thanks for the info-I could smell the BS on this guy through the TV screen. McCain's statement on him is very damning and should be enough to keep him off the air for the foreseeable future.

[revcarol]

3. Many Vietnam Veterans Against the War are against Kerry.

They're organized As VETERANS FOR PEACE.

NO connections with these sleazebags.:puke:

[Thistle42]

4. And many veterans, like myself...

joined VAIW...Veterans Against the Iraq War. We marched in Washington, DC and other cities around the country. We were mostly Vietnam vets but there were a few Korean and even WWII veterans. I hear from them via email and they do polls. Wes Clark was popular and Kerry also. Kerry's protests against the war are not being held against him by most veterans. They understand what this administration has done for the military and the veterans and they are not happy.

[oasis]

5. Thank you for your service to our country and welcome to DU.

[Thistle42]

9. Thanks for the welcome!

I had to get off the computer for awhile and just read your reply. I read more than I post as I am still learning the ropes here.

[revcarol]

6. Yes,welcome.

:)

You will find DU very vet-friendly. I, myself, went all out to defeat Domenici, who last cut vet benefits down to the bone. Now I am working for Kucinich, who is so pro-vet (and active duty, too.):)

[bearfartinthewoods]

7. doeas anyone know if the army guy going around on the shows,

telling that he was read Kerry's testomony during torture sessions is alligned with this org?

[UTUSN]

8. Kick n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. Most likely because that hasn't been proven either. eom