Swift Boats vs. the Media
When the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth first got started, they probably thought they were taking on John Kerry.
Boy, where they wrong!
The press has made every attempt to tie the veterans to Republicans, repeatedly noting that it got started with a generous gift from Republican donor Bob Perry:
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a so-called 527 organization, not affiliated with any party. It got off the ground with a $100,000 donation from Texas homebuilder Bob J. Perry, a prominent Republican donor.
A search of Perry’s donations for the last three election cycles shows that he is indeed generous, giving a total of $188,000 to various Republican candidates and causes.
And yet I never seem to read that MoveOn.org is a Democrat organization. I wonder why.
And calling Perry a “generous donor” is really a matter of perspective. Take a look at the top 25 contributors to 527s for the 2004 election cycle. Who do you think tops the list? George Soros?
No, Soros is second with a measely $12.6 million, well behind Peter Lewis who has thrown out over $14 million.
How far down the list must you go to find a conservative? Carl Lindner is tied for tenth place just a little over one million dollars. Paul Singer is tied for 22nd with half that.
Together, they account for just 2.6% of the $57,713,283 donated to 527s by the top 25 donors.
Liberals account for 97.4% of the top donations to 527s, giving over $56 million.
Yet they myth continues that it is the Republican Party that is the party of the rich.
Roy F. Hoffman, a retired admiral and chairman of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said the first TV ad, which ran for one week in Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia at a cost of $550,000, got so much national news attention that it generated an additional $400,000 from 8,000 donors around the country.
Doing the math, the average donation from these 8,000 people is $50.
To match the donations made by 23 rich liberals, 1,123,865 people would have to donate $50 each.
As soon as I make this post I’m going to go change that number to 1,123,864.
If you click here to go to the Swift Boat Vets, we can change that number to 1,123,863.
Making a difference, $50 at a time. Ain’t no rich liberal commie bastard gonna buy an election in America while the heartland is still American.
Update: Say Anything has more on a related matter: in a transparent society one would expect full disclosure of campaign donations. Go see the numbers.
Update: Truth Laid Bear finds a neat graphical display of the disclosure stats for all the candidates. Kerry ranks last save for Gen. Clark. I wonder what these guys are hiding?
Some Perspective on 527 Donors
Kerry defenders and the media in general like to bring up the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth’s status as a 527, and the fact that Bob Perry, a rich Texan with Republican ties, gave the group $100,000 in seed money. AlphaPatriot points to the OpenSecrets…
John Kerry has mafia connections. Don’t let the next Attorney General be Tony Soprano!
Millionair Mafioso Stephen Bing donated $16 million!
http://donkerry.blogspot.com/
Kerry Condemns Ad
Waa, waa, waaa…
Submitted for Your Approval
First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… here are all the links submitted by members of the Watcher’s Council for this week’s vote. Council links:Libe…
RepublicansDemocrats are the party of the richAlpha Patriot has the lowdown and the links. Excerpt: …Take a look at the top 25 contributors to 527s for the 2004 election cycle. Who do you think tops the list? George Soros? No, Soros is second with a measely…
The Council Has Spoken!
First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… the winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are Swift Boats vs. the Media by Alpha Patrio…
The Council Hath Spoken
Boy, what a time to get started. Some great entries in this week’s Watcher’s Council, and some great results. Hearty congratulations to AlphaPatriot for winning this week’s Council category with the very informative and interesting entry Swift Boats…
The Council Has Spoken!
First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… the winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are Swift Boats vs. the Media by Alpha Patrio…
THE COUNCIL HAS SPOKEN.
Congratulations to this week’s Watcher’s Council winners! Council member: Alpha Patriot, with Swift Boats vs. the Media Non-council member: Captain’s Quarters, The Alston Story Goes Back Farther Than First Thought You should check out all of the winnin…
The Council Has Spoken
The Watcher’s Council has met and voted on the posts of the week: Winning Council Entry: Swift Boats vs. the Media Alpha Patriot Winning Non-Council Entry: The Alston Story Goes Back Farther Than First Thought Captain’s Quarters Happy Friday….
The Council Has Spoken ! ! !
First, we welcome Chadster of Ubique Patriam Reminisci to the Watchers Council. Glad to have ya onboard! This week’s winners are: Swift Boats vs The Media by Alpha Patriot, and The Alson Story Goes Back Farther Than First Thought by…
Hey, I Won!
I discovered when going through my e-mail … belatedly … that I won the Watchers Council contest for non-Council post of the week! The Watcher of Weasels was kind enough to let me know (it’s been a busy week!) I…
Watcher’s Council
The Council has spoken. Congratulations to Alpha Patriot for the winning Council entry, Swift Boats vs. the Media, and to Captain Ed Morrissey for the winning non-Council entry, “The Alston Story Goes Back Farther Than First Thought.”
Watcher of Weasels
As you may or may not already be aware, members of the Watcher’s Council hold a vote every week on what they consider to be the most link-worthy pieces of writing around… per the Watcher’s instructions, I am submitting one…
527′s in Perspective
“They’re funded by hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Republican contributor out of Texas. They’re a front for the Bush campaign. And the fact that the president won’t denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to…
I don’t care what John Kerry did for 4 months, then cut and run. I want to hear him say what he has done for the past 20 years, and how deep his votes have dipped in my pocket.
Council Winners
The winners of the weekly Watcher’s Council vote for best posts of the week were announced here. Congratulations to AlphaPatriot for the winning Council entry, Swift Boats vs. the Media, and to Captain’s Quarters for once again taking the winning…
527′s in Perspective
“They’re funded by hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Republican contributor out of Texas. They’re a front for the Bush campaign. And the fact that the president won’t denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to…
Media Double Standard On Swift Boat Vets
With all the allegations of sinister partisan connections and ‘conservative media bias” floating about, I thought it might be amusing to compare funding, media attention, and attitudes toward the Swift Boat Vets and pro-Kerry 527s involved in this elec…
AMERICANS, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH?
For No PRESIDENT, No SENATOR has a right to tell anyone to shut up!
Both George Soros and his crowd as well as the Swift Boats veterans have every constitutional right to tell it like they see it.
Damned be anywhere WHOEVER supress or attempt to supress information!
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!
Felipe Fernandez
Miami, FL.33189
Amen! That goes for Congress shutting down free speech with the McCain-Fiengold constitutional atrocity.
Super-rich Liberals and Billionaires like George Soros are buying this election for John Kerry. Of the top 25 donors to 527s, 23 are Liberals, accounting for $56 million or 97.4% of the top donations given. Soros himself gave $13 million. John Kerry complains about one miniscule group that spent less than $1 million, while he benefits from over $100 million in attack ads smearing Bush, paid for by super-rich Liberals.
The shadowy activities of 527s are what McCain-Feingold was supposed to stop. It’s proof that ‘campaign finance reform’ doesn’t really work.
We should end the charade, repeal McCain-Feingold, expose the hypocrites who say they are for campaign reform yet benefit from this, and under no circumstance should we let George Soros buy this election for John Kerry.
Hi Pat,
Great article and damn fine website. Keep up
the good work. Maybe a little story on “turncoats”
like Kent Coleman.
BulletBillSR
why did George W. skip his air gaurd physical?
VP cheney requsted 5 times not to be drafted.
aschroft requested 7 times not to be drafted.
this is public record
why don’t all of you sheep, dem and rep, get rid of the wool and think for yourself for once. The it’s them or us will destroy what’s left of the country. we need someone to pull this country together. I don’t see that person at all.
Whatever happened to freedom of speech?
I’ll tell you it went down the toulet with President-select Bush/Halliburton Cheney,They
don’t allow people to Speak at any Campaign stops,
illegal search and seizure also out the door, this
is turning into a Communist country with these in power, Bush/Cheney Regime got in the same way Saddam and his Regime got into office and it wasn’t by the people
We poor enlisted guys know that officers need medals in order to furthur their careers, either in the military or politics. To help out their brother officers, perhaps a report or two gets “embellished” for that purpose from time to time. I don’t give a fat rat abour Kerry’s medals, but I do care a lot about what he has said and done stateside. His betrayal was and is despicable. He brought it up and now he can’t stand the heat. Calling his detractors liars and cowards only calls attention to his own lies.
Kerry made his bed! when he use reporting for duty for his champayne. It showed at the beginning he was missing in action when he failed to show up to vote in important matters. He betrayed his war buddies by protesting & condemning them when he only served 4 months. He failed to remember the men still fighting, injured,p.o.w. and those dying. Frankly I don’t care where Bush was in the National guards. Weigh out the facts. How many in Vietnam had cameras on them like him? Notice how clean cut he was for fighting. Kerry hides when it is voting time. He protest our heros. He is crying like a baby, and pointing blame! The big picture if he did get president. Oh boy, can’t you see his wife carrying the box of tissues! while he whines! And saying shut the hell up! and when the going gets though,or we get attack? don’t worry he will be somewhere else. Missing the importance of voting or makeing his own decisions. Nope wait a minute he changes his mind to much. maybe he’ll let Edwards, or find someone else to do all his talking. You have the freedom of speech don’t give it up!!!! Truth needs to be heard. For you the true hero’s !!
Tess in Ohio
John kerry’s way of dealing with al-qaida?
Let them all come over here to plan their attacks by videotaping our buildings, bridges, and places of interest. Have a “sensitive” mind when you approach these bastards and make sure you don’t upset anyone. Don’t do anything to them because its our fault and we brought this crap on ourselves…3 years later the suitcase nukes come ashore…watch out you libs ’cause we’re coming after you next!!
I keep reading from people that John Kerry only served 4 months in Vietnam. The fact is, after completing one complete tour, he volunteered to serve a second. If you are going to open your mouth and make a statement, please do us all a faver and tell the WHOLE truth.
Reeeaaalllyy!?
Try leaving a link to support this claim that I’ve never seen supported anywhere outside of DU and other cesspools.
What I do know is that when John F’ing Kerry put in for Swift Boats they were assigned to patrol friendly harbors and were considered “safe” duty. Also that W asked for a Vietnam tour but was told he didn’t have enough flight hours to qualify. BTW, a tour for W would have included combat and he knew it.
Let’s face it Kerry’s a flip floper and liar. How else do expect him to react to truthful ads like the Swift Boats for truth.
You folks are pitiful. For one thing I am guessing that you are either wealthy or stand to gain some kind of financial benefits from Bush being elected.
If you had a conscience you could not sleep at night knowing that our young people are dying in Iraq for NOTHING. But then again you probably hate anyone who is not pure white so you are most likely glad that black and hispanic and other minority children are dying for nothing.
It’s a shame that you cam back alive from Viet Nam. Complete share. Lisa Fay
Lisa Fay,
We “folks” are pitiful so you wish we were dead? If we were dead there would be more caring in your world, because we hate anyone who is not pure white? Man, that’s sick! And utterly hateful. I guess that’s just one reason you don’t care that about 2 million Iraqis were tortured or killed over the past 20 years by their own repressive government, including by – dare I say? – WMDs when he gassed the Kurds. Next time you reach for another bonbon and the greasy TV remote squirts out of your fat little fingers, stop a minute before popping it in your mouth and thank God that the all-volunteer black and hispanic and other minority and white soldiers who love America care enough about your right to HATE people you don’t agree with that they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you. I wouldn’t. The kind of hate you spew, Hippo-crite, makes me sick.
PS Have a nice day.
Kerry testifying in front of the Senate stated that US personnel committed atrocities routinely in Vietnam. This gave aid and comfort to the North Vietnamese. His words were used to intimidate POWs in North Vietnamese prison camps. Kerry lied about the what US military was doing in Vietnam. He never apologized for the harm he did to people like John Mc Cain while they were in the camps.
Kerry demonstrated his terrible judgement when he grossly misrepresented the human carnage that would occur if North Vietnam defeated the South. He said there would be minor dislocations. Kerry predicted that ONLY 40,000 refugees. He missed that number by about 900,000 people. John Kerry still hasn’t admitted he was wrong. He refers to his testimony as his “finest moment”.
My question to the Swift vets and to all readers.
“Where were you on January 5, 1969?” If you can’t remember that is perfectly normal… think about it… the Swift boat Vet can remember back thirty-five years to a single day in their lives, and they can remember a person whom they spent 4 months with. I don’t buy into it for a moment. All Veterans can look at their DD 214 and remember who they served with on a particular day..I find that extremely remarkable!
Vets – organize and make yourselves heard. Thank god we still have the freedom of speech, because of you vets. Let your voices be heard. Kerry did not expect you to speak up. Keep it up.
Thank you to all the veterans that serve our country. But those of you that stand by Kerry what are you thinking, He said you Committed atrocities. Don”t Vets stand together?
Here is my answer. You obviously have never been in combat. On February 2, 1971 at appx. 3:35am I was blown out of an MP station by a VC rocket.
On June 3, 1971 a convoy we were escorting was hit by a VC ambush. I bet other vets as far back as WWII can remember similar experineces.
Lisa Fay – you have my pitty.
TLS, nice answer. Thank you, and thank you for serving when I could not. (In 1971 I was in school and was not yet old enough.)
You no I don’t see whats so hard to understand here on one hand we have Kerry who went, It doesn’t really matter why its that he did.Then we have Bush who didn’t now it doesn’t matter why he didn’t he just didn’t.Now I spent 22 months over there and if you take in the ten years that my father worked for Air America and we lived in Laos. I can tell you this you can die there on the first day all the way to the last day you were there. I’m sure those of us who served over there will agree.And as far as war crimes man I had to take History I’m sure some of you old guy’s like me remember that class you know the one that teaches man always has and always will make the same mistakes Now history shows that there were war crimes committed by all sides in every war fought in the world since the first war that was ever fought.But my book ended after world war two. Now I did talk to my Uncle who fought in Korea and he told that sometimes war brings out the worst in even good men so I’ll take that as a yes, So let’s not kid our selves Viet Nam wasn’t any different OK I can tell you that I should think that those of you who served over there who are honest with them selves know it happen then to so lets not kid our selves OK. But that isn’t the real problem I’m having with this, Its what could have happened, First Kerry the worst, Heart stop beating dead to the world put under ground or pieces of him any way. Bush what could have happened to him a real bad hang over where he would have to go to sick call and not have to take any flight training that day or the family friend lose the election and did the guy win or what I mean from what I read about Bush that was maybe more important than defending this Country? I don’t know its hard for me to decide vote for someone who went to war and at least heard deadly fire and may be a liar about a few things or some one who could have served over there but had to go help a family friend win a election and maybe a liar. I thought when we were in the service we weren’t to get involved in politics of coarse I could be wrong about that I just can’t decide who to vote for.
Greg, there are two kinds of voters in this election. Those who believe that there is a dedicated cadre of fanatics that want to kill us and those who have forgotten that 9/11 ever happened.
If you don’t believe that there is a war on terror in spite of planes being blown up in Russia, buses being blown up in Israel, Australia taking precautions for the upcoming election, truck drivers suspected of having terrorist ties being shot in Tennessee (all stories from this week) — if you can ignore these things, then Vietnam is relevant. In that case what do you make of Kerry who won’t sign the form to release his records and of the press that covers up the story that W put in for ‘Nam but was told he didn’t have enough flight hours? What do you make of Kerry who met with the enemy while still in the reserves (perhaps twice) and a media that doesn’t report this?
OTOH, if you believe that there are people who would willingly walk into your Wallmart and blow themselves up if they could take your wife/mother/sister/daughter/niece with them and there are others who are working to get those people the materials necessary for this to happen — if you belive that then you must decide between a man that has the vision to free 50 million people and take the war to the enemy’s heartland, and a man who voted against military pay raises and military equipment and actively pushed for budget cuts in intellegence.
Forget the war, Greg. Look at what has happened in the last ten years. One man has character and conviction. The other is a political opportunist who will say anything to get elected.
Look past the media and find the truth. In the end, I am certain you will do the right thing, because whatever you do, if you put your mind and heart to work on it, you will do the right thing because it will be the right thing for you.
God bless America.
P.S. Thanks for serving. I really mean that.
from a friend who road the swift boats.
why is john kerry talking about his three months in nam.when he should be talking about his sorry record of a senator for the last twenty some years…
a john kerry we don’t need for president
I am contacting you to tell you I fully respect your right to speak out, the conflict of Vietnam in this country hurt us all. You need to get it out, and if what you say is true it needs to be heard, I am sorry that Mr. Kerry decided to run his race on the his medals and service to Vietnam, instead of what his future goals and vision is for our country, it saddens me.
I trust President Bush, he is a man of his word and I believe he does his very best and them some for his country. I volunteered at POW headquarters in San Diego, during that war and still have POW braclets, some never came home.
My husband was in Vietnam on the USS Tripoli,
I am sorry for what you have had to endure and the hurt and anger that it has caused you. I respect what you did in Vietnam and your service to this country, and I respect your right to make your voice heard now. YOU MUST do what you feel is right. And I hope and pray that somehow the hurt can be put to rest.
God Bless YOU all, and God Bless America.