Atrios draws the wrong conclusion from at least one Vietnam Vet that is angry with Kerry in “Swift Boat Liar Update.” First the source material from Atrios [with my emphasis]:
“Newly obtained military records of one of Sen. John F. Kerry’s most vocal critics, who has accused the Democratic presidential candidate of lying about his wartime record to win medals, contradict his own version of events.
…Larry Thurlow, who commanded a Navy Swift boat alongside Kerry in Vietnam, has strongly disputed Kerry’s claim that the Massachusetts Democrat’s boat came under fire during a mission in Viet Cong-controlled territory on March 13, 1969. Kerry won a Bronze Star for his actions that day.
But Thurlow’s military records…contain several references to ‘enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire’ directed at ‘all units’ of the five-boat flotilla. Thurlow won his own Bronze Star that day, and the citation praises him for providing assistance to a damaged Swift boat ‘despite enemy bullets flying about him.’
…
‘I never heard a shot,’ Thurlow said in his affidavit, which was released by Swift Boats Veterans for Truth. The group claims the backing of more than 250 Vietnam veterans, including a majority of Kerry’s fellow boat commanders.
A document recommending Thurlow for the Bronze Star noted that all his actions ‘took place under constant enemy small arms fire which LTJG THURLOW completely ignored in providing immediate assistance’ to the disabled boat and its crew. The citation states that all other units in the flotilla also came under fire.”
Atrios concludes:
“It’s reasonable for Vietnam Vets to be angry about Kerry’s anti-war activities. That’s their right. But it’s truly puzzling that some would be so angry as to be willing to try to dishonor their own service and medals to attack him.”
I think Atrios has the wrong focus here. Clearly this is a case of Thurlow ‘completely ignoring’ the situation, or a case of ignorance. It has nothing to do with honor, it’s about having the Right perception.
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