Changes

=Kerry's 1971 Senate Testimony=

=Kerry's 1971 Senate Testimony=

John Kerry had met with the North Vietnamese (in Paris) before testifying as a beribboned veteran before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971. That [http://www.c-span.org/2004vote/jkerrytestimony.asp testimony] corresponded very closely with the North Vietnamese talking points, and was of course damaging to the war effort. It portrayed the war in Vietnam as unwinnable, with America as the aggressor against a popular uprising. It accused American soldiers of routinely engaging in atrocities (which was actually the policy of the Viet Cong). It portrayed veterans as both vicious killers and hapless mentally ill victims - a characterization which has yet to leave the public consciousness.  

[[John Kerry]] had met with the [[North Vietnam]]ese (in Paris) before testifying as a beribboned veteran before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971. That [http://www.c-span.org/2004vote/jkerrytestimony.asp testimony] corresponded very closely with the North Vietnamese talking points, and was of course damaging to the war effort. It portrayed the war in Vietnam as unwinnable, with America as the aggressor against a popular uprising. It accused American soldiers of routinely engaging in atrocities (which was actually the policy of the Viet Cong). It portrayed veterans as both vicious killers and hapless mentally ill victims - a characterization which has yet to leave the public consciousness.  

A conservative critique of that testimony can be found [http://www.tinyvital.com/blog/2004/04/16/kerry-to-the-senate-1971-fisked/ here].

A conservative critique of that testimony can be found [http://www.tinyvital.com/blog/2004/04/16/kerry-to-the-senate-1971-fisked/ here].

=Veterans' Delayed Reaction in 2004=

=Veterans' Delayed Reaction in 2004=

Kerry's testimony was replayed on national talk radio and on television early in 2004.  Not surprisingly, many Vietnam veterans were outraged. Most had not been aware of Kerry's anti-war activities or how extreme and offensive his remarks and actions had been. They began communicating and spontaneously organizing throughout the country

Kerry's testimony was replayed on national [[talk radio]] and on [[television]] early in 2004.  Not surprisingly, many Vietnam [[veteran]]s were outraged. Most had not been aware of Kerry's anti-war activities or how extreme and offensive his remarks and actions had been. They began communicating and spontaneously organizing throughout the country

=SBVT Motivation=

=SBVT Motivation=

The Swift Boat veterans had an extra reason to be enraged: John Kerry had been one of theirs and was using his service for political ends. Swift Boat veterans did not want their service besmirched by John Kerry's 1971 charges, and they resented his use of combat medals for political purposes. Many had also served with Kerry and felt him to be an unfit soldier.

The Swift Boat veterans had an extra reason to be enraged: John Kerry had been one of theirs and was using his service for political ends. Swift Boat veterans did not want their service besmirched by John Kerry's 1971 charges, and they resented his use of combat medals for political purposes. Many had also served with Kerry and felt him to be an unfit soldier.

Their original goal was to defeat his bid for the Democratic nomination. Members of the group ere of all political persuasions, and thus wanted to stop Kerry before it would have a partisan effect. In that, they failed.

Their original goal was to defeat his bid for the [[Democratic]] nomination. Members of the group ere of all political persuasions, and thus wanted to stop Kerry before it would have a partisan effect. In that, they failed.

=SBVT Founding=

=SBVT Founding=