Kerry friend Jim Rassman attacks the swiftboating of Murtha. (PostGazette)

[blm]

Jim Rassmann: A Swift-like attack
By muddying the waters, the smear merchants hope to sink a decorated patriot -- John Murtha
Friday, January 20, 2006

Before 2004, I'd never been involved in politics and considered my duty done at the ballot box. My memory of a man I served with in combat in the Mekong Delta -- Lt. John Kerry -- became my sole reason for coming off the political sidelines in the last presidential election. Watching the assault on his military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock.

Perhaps I was naive. Watching those same tactics used against another decorated Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha of Johnstown, has been a reminder of not just why I felt compelled to get involved, but why I must remain involved. I can't in good conscience remain silent in the face of the "Swift Boating" of Jack Murtha for daring to challenge President Bush's policy in Iraq.

Today I see that the very same smear tactics the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" used against John Kerry are now being unleashed against Rep. Murtha, a retired Marine colonel who served in Vietnam.

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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06020/641007.stm

[MH1]

1. Wow. Nice op-ed.

It's great that Rassman would write this. And I think it's helpful and important, the way he ties the Murtha attack into the Swift Lies of 2004 as all of the same pattern, driven by the Republicans while they yet try to pretend otherwise.

Rassman gets it right - it's not about Murtha. It's about discrediting the military service of any veteran who dares to disagree publicly with the * administration.

What does it mean to serve honorably in Iraq today, if, twenty years from now, everything you did will be called into question when you dare to oppose the ruling party? That hardly seems like "respect" for our military.

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7. I think alot of the Iraq war vets are running as Dems to counter the

concept, too. It's like they're saying COME ON - See if you think you can smear every damn one of us, you gawddam chickenhawks.

[bigtree]

2. Jim Rassmann

patriot

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3. Yes, and what did he get for it? Swifties said he was lying, too. Media

let them get away with it.

[seabeyond]

4. i think most were naive, and for valid reasons. remembering back

swift boats had a huge press conference adn came out in late april t the media. was suppose to be a big ole attack on kerry and man they were going to get him on this one. it fell flat on its face. this was the second time it had come out, not even new, but old. i made no leeway the first time. no traction. was dismissed. this time the media took hold and spread., even while media was saying to swift boat, you have no proof of this, even when media was getting all the way to you are lying, still, they allowed swift baot front and center to smear

was also aug, no money to spend on cmapaign. bush had broken the law extending his convention out and wasnt called on it, got away with it and had an upper hand on kerry. we all knew this

kerry wanted to come out
kerry knows he made a mistake
and he has defended his dems being attacked, since. and the dems did not defend kerry, at the time they should have all stood up for him. well some, a few did, again a couple weeks into, realizing the big deal it had become.

it has also been a year since,.... and people, the nation now sees bush does this, whereas they didnt recognize prior election.

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5. Rassman was just a shy, fairly conservative Repub when he came forward.

Now he knows what thugs the GOP party is made of these days and they are the exact opposite of what most conservative Republicans are like.

[seabeyond]

6. yes blm. yes n/t