Dean Esmay, a self-professed conservative liberal, managed to get a phone interview with Van Odell, one of Kerry’s crewmates in Vietnam. I think this is absolutely an essential read for those wondering why the Swift Boat Vets have come after Kerry hard.
Maybe you really don’t care.
Maybe you should.
I’ve been reading “Unfit for Command” in my spare time. We’ve all been following the string for a long time. What continues to strike me is how many “brother officers” use such harsh language to describe Kerry and Kerry’s actions. And those words, more than the specifics of any individual charge, speak volumes. I can’t remember using such harsh language for any of the officers I served with. Except perhaps Wesley K. Clark, whom I loathe.
Comment by Paulie at The Commons — October 4, 2004 @ 7:32 pm
Well maybe people don’t care about this. He’s running for President after all, and not “Most Popular Young Naval Officer.”
Still, Kerry seems to think his service is important since he’s brought it up so much. So it’s hardly unfair to ask questions like these.
Comment by Dean Esmay — October 4, 2004 @ 10:05 pm
I can’t remember ever speaking of another officer in such terms, myself. It is below contempt. With all the skeletons Kerry knew he had in his closet, I can’t believe he used his tour as a springboard to run. The word hubris gets thrown around a lot.
I guess the election of Clinton in spite of being a draft dodger made him feel there wouldn’t be a problem.
Comment by Bunker — October 5, 2004 @ 5:39 am