Sen. John McCain said it all, and said it straight: The TV ad smearing
Sen. John Kerry's Vietnam War service was "dishonest and
dishonorable." Just as important was what else McCain said: "It was
the same kind of deal that was pulled on me."

Indeed it was. McCain was referring to vicious lies told about him
during the 2000 Republican primaries; they were both false and
effective. Now, as then, it is absolutely critical to the workings of
this democracy that honorable men and women of all political
persuasions step up to expose and discredit these shadowy character
assassins.

It's beginning to happen. After weeks of simmering as a "he said, she
said" series of attacks and defenses, the sleazy story of a new group
calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is being laid bare for
all to see. It's an ugly sight, full of old grudges, changed stories,
unfounded insinuations and outright falsehoods.

Nearly all of Kerry's Vietnam crewmates, no matter their politics,
have stepped up to defend him as a courageous leader. And now several
newspapers have examined two sets of information: Vietnam War
documents, and data showing funding and other ties between the newly
formed veterans' group and GOP operatives close to President Bush and
his political adviser, Karl Rove.

The records plainly point to McCain's conclusion: The accusations are
dishonest, dishonorable -- and entirely reminiscent of the lies spread
about McCain in 2000.


From The Mineapolis Star-Tribune Editorial Page




http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4939507.html



--
// Walt
//
// There is no Volkl Conspiracy

"Walt" wrote in message
...
Sen. John McCain said it all, and said it straight: The TV ad smearing
Sen. John Kerry's Vietnam War service was "dishonest and
dishonorable." Just as important was what else McCain said: "It was
the same kind of deal that was pulled on me."......

Trouble is, smears work. Wisconsoners were treated to a poll purportedly
run by a local Christian group. Voters were asked who they planned to vote
for and if they answered a Democrat they'd be asked "Would you vote for him
(her) if you knew he was a homosexual?" or " ... if you knew he was about to
be arrested?" or a dozen other like themes. Turned out the calls were from
telemarketeers out of Louisiana.