So what's going to happen to the Swift Boat Vets

[DoYouEverWonder]

Once George W Bu$h has finished using them for his political gains?

One of the Swift Boat Vets in the first commercial is a Mr. Joe Ponder. Turns out that Mr. Ponder, lives in my area. He was one of the vets scheduled to appear at the Pro USA Rally, in Gainesville the past weekend.

Well when the you-know-what hit the fan, he was advised to cancel. Since then his phone has been ringing off the hook and it isn't his old 'friends' that are calling any more. It seems Bu$h and the other SBV don't want much to do with him at this point.

Now some people might think, why should we feel sorry for these guys? Well, because a fair number of them are not sophisticated and savvy about the media and politics. A lot of them had real resentments about what John Kerry did when he came back. What Rove & Co did was find the ones, who they could take advantage of. They played on their emotions in a number of ways. Then they started linking it all back to Kerry's service in Vietnam. It was easy to find a few, that were willing to believe all the other bad things about Kerry, that they started to tell them.

Rove & Co knew they could find at least a few easy marks. They took these Vets, used and abused them, and now they are letting them hang out to dry. Way to go George & Karl. Thanks a lot.

[A_Possum]

1. I believe you that they are unsophisticated

However, I think the fact that they lied, or talked themselves into lying about a fellow vet and thereby trashing all vets, simply because of their dislike of Kerry, negates any sympathy for their naivete.

I am actually hoping they get taught the lesson of their lives.

[renotyme]

2. they will end up on the garbageheap of history, forgotten

when kerry wins these guys will then be 15 minutes overdue on their 15 minutes.

[krkaufman]

3. If Bush wins, may they all burn in hell.

A bit harsh, perhaps, but they've sided with a truly evil cabal.

p.s. I'm agnostic, so it's a fairly weak hex.

[DURHAM D]

4. Maybe they were confused . . .

at the time of the interviews but your friend could not have still been confused when he agreed to appear at a rally many months later. I don't feel sorry for any of these guys that have participated in these recent events. However, I do have some compassion for them, and their families, because it appears that none of these smearboat guys have purged the negative energy from Vietnam and really gotten on with a healthty life.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Two Words:

Jane Fonda.

--bkl

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. I agree some of these guys

are total schmucks.

But some of them are not. Bush took advantage of them and they are now being hung out to dry.

Rather than focusing the on blame them, we should focus the blame on Bush & Rove. The Vets did not do this on their own. This was Bu$h's idea. And he is the one who is using Vietnam Veterans for his political gain.

[daveskilt]

7. political darwinism - let the lying bastards swing. nt

[Democat]

8. When Kerry wins they will each file lawsuits againt him like Clinton

Remember all the lawsuits that the right wing tried to file against Clinton for every rumor or lie? That's going to happen to Kerry, but even more.

These guys aren't going away. The right wing, unlike our side, knows how to fight and isn't afraid to piss people off to get their point across.

We need to learn to be as mean as them. Our side has given Bush a free ride for three fucking years.

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. What a compassionate bunch of folks around here?

I was just trying to show folks that there is a human side to this story.

These guys did go to Vietnam, some of them came back a bit screwed up, and a few of them got suckered into participating in this fiasco. Sometimes a little bit of kindness will get you a lot further, than wanting to hang 'em all out to dry.

[Democat]

10. Most, or all, of these guys were paid to lie!

No excuses.

The only way they should be forgiven is if they come out and admit their mistakes and help bring down Bush.

They are helping destroy America and hurt the entire planet.

[emulatorloo]

13. Maybe your friend Mr Ponder will step up and do the right thing

Your point is taken that some of these guys were played by Rove.

Now it is up to them to come clean. That would be a good way to redeem themselves.

Maybe you can have some influence on your neighbor. Regards and best of luck with him.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Actually, I've never met him

I got this information from a local reporter that I spoke to today.

Apparently, Mr. Ponder is very angry and very confused right now. I think if people were to show him some kindness, it would be beneficial for our cause.

Too bad we have so many disrupter types around today, who keep saying we should lash out at everyone.

[emulatorloo]

17. Take him a basket of fruit and introduce yourself!

you seem emphathetic. . .maybe you can get somewhere w him.

[Doosh]

11. we're going to swiftly eradicate the cretins

[DeaconBlues]

12. I think these guys are big boys

Am I supposed to feel sorry for every person who is a stooge for the right-wing? They deserve much worse than will happen to them.

[arbusto_baboso]

14. Pity the Swifties - We all KNOW what happens to business associates the

BFEE no longer has any use for: they are "dealt with". To wit: manuel Noriega, Saddam Hussein, Usama Bin Laden.

If I were one of the swifties, I'd be afraid. VERY afraid.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

16. They are adults. Some may be "unsophisticated" and even lied to

by Roveco, but they would have to be real idiots to not have any idea about the implications for the country, for Kerry, and for all veterans for getting involved in something like this. And for SIGNING a piece of paper lending their names to baseless lies. They bear responsibility. Any bad thing that befalls them as a result should be a lesson to everyone else till the end of time about reaping what you sow.

[VOX]

18. They made a conscious choice; now, they must face consequences...

If indeed there are any in store for them.

That's the way the world works, and these guys deserve no special favors.

If they're so motivated, they are welcome to come forward and publicly state that BushCo took advantage of them.

Won't hold my breath, however.

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. Unfortunately, they really don't see it that way

all they are seeing right now is how much Kerry wronged them 30 years ago. Some of these guys have been holding a major grug against him since he came back and protested the war. Kerry was all over the media at the time and to them it was a big deal. They felt Kerry attacked them personally and they have never gotten over it.

I'm not trying to say they are right. It just that the way it is for some folks. Heck, I'm still pissed off at my 6th Grade teacher, Sister Grace Agnes, for purposely recording an incorrect final average on my report card. It's still on my school records, f*&k*ng b@#?h