Letters to the editor
Published: Monday, August 23, 2004 6:47 PM CDT
E-mail this story | Print this page
[Editor's note: Jim Russell's letter to the editor in the Aug. 20 edition of the Daily Planet placed the Vietnam veteran squarely in the center of national politics. His letter subsequently appeared on numerous Web sites with links to the Planet. Russell's account of Swift Boat operations in Vietnam with Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry elicited letters from around the country, some of which follow.]
The money
behind the ads
Dear Editor,
This weekend, Aug. 21-22, 2004, the truth about the Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth (SBVT) began to filter into the mainstream media. Your paper did its part by publishing the account of Jim Russell, who literally served with John Kerry.
Readers of the Daily Planet might also like to know a few incidental facts about the SBVT. A large part of their funding comes from Robert J. Perry, a long time Texas Republican, who according to some reports has given over $100,000 to their cause.
They are spearheaded by another Texas Republican, John E. O'Neill, who had previously attempted to discredit John Kerry back in 1971. The first effort was undertaken at the behest of Charles W. Colson, President Richard Nixon's top aide. He failed the first time, too. (John E. O'Neill has donated almost $15,000 to Republican candidates since 1990.)
The co-author of the SBVT book, John Corsi, and the Web master for the SBVT, Scott Swett, are both linked to the conservative, rabidly pro-Bush Web site, Free Republic.com. Further, Scott Swett, is linked to a Web site dedicated to debunking Vietnam atrocities, WinterSoldier.com.
Most recently, Col. Kenneth Cordier, a member of the National Steering Committee for Veterans for Bush, (Bush-Cheney '04), was forced to step down from his apparently volunteer position after appearing in a SBVT ad. It is illegal for 527's like SBVT to coordinate their activities with an election campaign. Worse, Col. Cordier was an acting member of the Bush-Cheney '04 election team.
The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is a well-funded smear campaign powered by a Republican agenda, namely, the reelection of President George W. Bush.
Allan Giles
Rowlett, Texas
Brave and patriotic
Dear Editor,
Thank God for brave service such as Jim Russell, who is also brave enough and patriotic enough to stand up to the gutter-swill propaganda of the Swift Boat Veterans for Bush. Mr. Russell speaks the truth for veterans of all wars in this country when he decries the politically motivated character assassination being lobbed by the radical and dishonest group. Thank you for publishing Mr. Russell's letter, Americans need to hear the truth.
Bruce Albertine
Santa Barbara, Calif
Denounce this conduct
Dear Editor,
Over the last several months it's been obvious because of John Kerry's military record, Vietnam was going to become an issue in this upcoming election and bring back a lot of old memories, memories that some guys buried many years ago. It's been over 30 years since most of us entered that country through the 90th replacement center as naïve young men, trying to believe in our hearts we were doing the right thing. In some cases we were pressured by our families to be patriotic, others were given no choice by the court systems, in some cases it was guys just wanting to be gung ho. Whatever our personal reasons for being there, we all had one thing in common, and that was to return home to a country that never supported our efforts, not to mention made us feel ashamed we never served in the first place. Some of us have been years trying to put our lives back together and others never did.
The open attack by John E. O'Neill and the so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth on John Kerry's honorable military record is a public disgrace to all of us who ever wore our country's uniform, not to mention the 58,000 plus that sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam era. I can only hope other veterans of that era will stand with me and denounce this conduct by the few veterans that choose to shame all of us for political reasons.
Lawrence R Martin
Hagerstown, Md.
Drafted Sept. 3, 1969
Our apologies
Dear Editor,
I would like to apologize on behalf of the staff at 9545 Restaurant and Bar to the VanderHeiden family, who had an unfortunate dining experience on Sunday, Aug. 15.
I have spoken personally with Mr. VanderHeiden and apologized, which he accepted, and expressed his pleasure that I followed up on his experience.
Every person has the right to wear, express or speak their own opinion in our restaurant without being judged or criticized by any member of the staff. This particular employee involved used very poor judgment in his actions and words by commenting about local politics. The server's comments do not reflect that of the restaurant management, and, of course, the server had no idea of the sensitive state of the VanderHeidens, who had just experienced vandalism to their SUV.
As the 2004 Presidential election nears, heated political debates will take place, and 9545 Restaurant will not stand for any employee to judge, criticize or express their opinions when performing their job responsibilities. We applaud Mr. VanderHeiden's courage to speak out, and hopefully we have all learned a valuable lesson.
Sincerely,
Thomas Turner
Director or Food and Beverage
9545 Restaurant and Bar
Grant gratitude
Dear Editor,
We'd like to express our gratitude to the Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities for their support and faith in our Black Canyon film project. It's an incredible feeling to have the community behind us in our endeavor. We are honored to have been selected as a small grant recipient, and look forward to sharing the sights and sounds of our newest National Park neighbor with the Telluride community, and hopefully the world.
Ben Knight
and Travis Rummel
