Veterans' group critical of Kerry backed by Bush supporter

[JI7]

<AUSTIN, Texas - (KRT) - Bob Perry, a major supporter of President Bush and the Republican Party, is the biggest financial backer of a veterans group seeking to discredit Democrat John Kerry's military service, according to federal records.

Perry, a Houston homebuilder, gave $100,000 to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group that has been critical of Kerry's anti-war activities after he returned from Vietnam. That accounted for two-thirds of the organization's receipts to date.

Swift Boat Veterans for Truth also has hired a Dallas-area private investigator to gather information about Kerry's three Purple Hearts. Group members, including some who served with Kerry, argue he did not deserve the medals and is not fit to be president.

The Kerry campaign has accused Swift Boat Veterans of being a politically motivated group with ties to the Republican Party and the Bush administration. The Bush campaign said it is not associated with the group.>

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/special_packages/election2004/9219287.htm

[Parche]

1. military

I wonder if they were ever in the military
Those who served are all hero's

[kikiek]

2. Funny they aren't interested in finding out the truth about W's service

or lack thereof.

[JI7]

3. they remind me of bitter guys who can't get over things in high school

like some guy who can't get over another guy taking away his girlfriend or some other shit. the more i see of them the more they make themselves look bad rather than kerry.

[oneighty]

4. Step one with Vet's groups

Break out your DD214s and your Honorable Discharges. Prove to me you are what and who you say you are!

War hero phony vets are everywhere.

Recently several fakes were caught in our very own local VFW Post.

180

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. Damn Straight.

Wannabes everywhere. REMFs who are suddenly SpecOps killers. Motor Pool guys who "were in" MACV/SOG.

Look at the clown John O'Neill. "Served with Kerry". Kiss my salty ass.

Not YOU kiss my salty ass. Just a manner of speaking. ;-)

[TahitiNut]

9. It's a very straaange thing.

In the 70's and early 80's, lots of us did our best to "get it behind us" and not be seen as veterans. I know I did. Even though I was a USARV HQ REMF and not a tunnel rat, I had my own set of nightmares. Then, I started to see people claiming to be Vietnam Vets -- who didn't seem to have a clue. It was a strange flip-flop. Lots of actual vets didn't make it known but wannabes did the revers. At first, I chalked it up to the fact that guys had a variety of experiences. I couldn't really expect the experiences of somebody in the Delta to match those of someone in Pleiku or DaNang. I couldn't expect my experiences to match those of someone in I-corps. I couldn't expect the experiences of someone who was in country in 1966 to match someone's experiences in 1971. I know I didn't have the same experiences as Mike (the guy who first taught me to scuba dive in Tahiti) who did 'deniable operations' (cross-border excursions) in Cambodia. But Mike and I 'connected' in that strange way we do. With some guys, that 'connection' didn't seem to be there. It's not 'proof,' but there've been a few guys that just didn't ring true. The problem I have is that I'd hate to diss another 'nam vet (there really is a kind of fraternity) - just because my gut wasn't feeling right. Nonetheless ... :eyes:

[MetaTrope]

6. Wow, I didn't realize veterans are going so cheaply these days

Wonder how good they are at cleaning windows?

[0007]

7. ....and sleeping under bridges

So a few money vets that are promised the moon back junior! I can't see any vet supporting an AWOL president.

[DemoTex]

8. Is Bob Perry a veteran or just another squawking chicken-hawk?

He must be the Perry of mega-builder Perry Homes.