Here is a quote for an editorial in the Quad City Times.
Charlie Dean by many accounts was a renegade, an anti-war activist who didn't scream objections and wave signs. He worked for George McGovern, and in 1974, began a world journey. The news stories called him a "tourist," but his activism would indicate the trip was much more than that.
http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1022060&t=Opinion&c=22,1022060end of quote
Note what isn't here. Not a single source to look up. A man, dead for close to 30 years, is called a renegade and not one source is given. Not one word is offered as to what activities he may or may not have engaged in, in Laos. This was despicable and uncalled for. And, for those who think Oh goody they did it to Dean, did you sleep through the Clinton years? Were you AWOL for the war on Gore? Make no mistake about this, if Dean isn't the nominee these slimy, gross, despicable tactics will be used on whomever the nominee is. You can make book on it.
There are many accounts of Charlie Dean. For some reason, Mrs. Dean believes and Mr. Dean believed that Charlie was working for the CIA. For whatever reason, Dr. Dean doesn't. I don't pretend to know if the press acounts which hint that he was are accurate or not. But I do know, that this journalist owed his readers some sources for what he wrote and at least a mention of the other side. Neither were provided. No where in a several paragraph editorial did this person see fit to type the sentence "several people think Charlie Dean worked for the CIA". And again, don't think this slimy tactic won't be used on your candidate. In point of fact I could easily find places where it has been for every candidate if I were so inclined. I am not.
Finally on the issue that is supposedly at hand here. It should be noted that under a strict reading of the question several candidates took liberies in their answers. Several of them mentioned people who had served when he asked for people who were still serving. (Kucinich, Graham, and without naming them Kerry). But that doesn't excuse Dean who left a false impression by giving the answer he gave. He should have directly mentioned why that made him feel close to the military at the time he gave it. He didn't and that was not smart. But that doesn't give iicence for a reporter to trash the dead and to refuse to provide any sources while doing so. And it isn't the lie this reporter is pretending it is. If Dean loses and your candidate wins this journalist will do it to him or her to. Don't you dare think he won't.