Lawrence O'Donnell Meltdown
Dean
I've interviewed two of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, as most of you probably know. I have been given the opportunity to do a third interview, one with Steve Gardner, but to be honest I'm not sure I'm up to the task. The sheer level of vitriol and irrationality coming from the left has been soul-crushing for me to watch, and I've taken abuse from some people for just talking to these guys.
I saw this in action on national television with the Lawrence O'Donnell meltdown on MSNBC from late last week. I still find it stunning.
I used to really like and respect O'Donnell. But now there's him, there's Chris Matthews, and a ton of other people who, rather than say, "Wow, what would cause 250 people who served with Kerry, many of them decorated, two of them with Medals of Honor, to speak out so loudly against Kerry?" they seem to just want to screaem "lies! lies!" and occasionally even quote these guys out of context to "prove" that they lie.
So would another interview with any of these guys really matter? What difference can it make? It's so tiring, it really is.
Michelle Malkin published pretty much the definitive overview of the O'Donnell debacle, by the way.
I would love to read (and link to) that interview. Please do it if you can. If I am right, it could be one of your more important blog entries. But if you can't, I will understand.
In my opinion, the Swift Boat Vets are just trying to tell the truth as they observed it. While we are talking about John Kerry did over 30 years ago, Senator Kerry chose to make his Vietnam service a centerpiece of his campaign after the Swift Boat Vets had already started telling their story.
The Swift Boat Vets make me question Kerry's judgement 30 years ago. Kerry's handling of this very delicate issue makes me question his judgement today. I could overlook the former, but not the latter.
You know, that's just about exactly how I feel about it. The sins of 32 years ago, in a man who owned up to 'em and treated his fellow vets with some sensitivity--hell if he'd done it right he could have earned a lot of respect. Some would never forgive him but many would. I'm only 38 and if you held me responsible for everything I did and said when I was 25... I won't finish. 30+ years. Time enough to just say, "I'm not ashamed of opposing the war, but I'm embarassed at how over the top I was about it, and some of the gestures I took which were just too much. And like a lot of guys I puffed up my record becuase I was kind of a cocky punk. Now let's talk about my ideas for the future."
Instead they came down on these guys like the Hammer of God, and the press went right along with it. I always thought the press leaned Democratic but I never, ever thought it could be so blatant.
Yours,
Wince
Yours,
Wince
It just goes to show why I have gone from being President of the Young Democrats Club in my college days, to becoming a staunch Republican. The Democrat Party has become a party of extremes, and frankly, people like Larry O'Donnell. He has become one more name on my "media people to loath" list.
Just listening to the discourse (thanks to your link), made me want to reach into my computer and throttle him! What a complete and utterly contemptible jerk. One thing I did find humerous was his use of the Al Franken "lying liar" double up.
I am also amazed at the incredibly blatant bias the media is exhibiting as the election race goes right down to the wire. I can only hope that the average American will recognize it for what it is. This could lead to a massive backlash.
I am afraid however that the average American is either uninformed or misinformed, and a lot of that can be blamed on the mainstream media, where the majority of Americans get most of their information. With the full court press on behalf of Kerry now in progress in the media, it's a wonder that Bush is still as close as he is.
Let me offer this word of encouragement for you to go on. Consider what all the Vietnam vets suffered upon their return. Is your suffering greater?
And Thomas Paine
"These are the times that try men's soul's. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and women"
I also tried to get ahold of the Kerry people about an interview with any of the small handful of vets who served with Kerry then and support him now. No response from them.
But that's just the point. Until recently Mr. O'Donnell has always struck me as being more-or-less reasonable and temperate. This election really seems to be bringing out the worst in quite a few of us.
I'd be intrested in the article, if only to hear what Mr. Gardner has to say. You reach a large number of readers every day, and you'd be giving him a chance to get his personal stories to a wider audience. Anything that lets a vet have their say, and informs the electorate gets a YES, PLEASE!! vote from me.
I do understand your reluctance though. I would like to let you know I've appreciated reading your other interviews, and think you'd do a sterling job on this one too.
Well, that's my two pence. Hope it helps... :)