How’s Democracy Doing in Afghanistan?

Ken AshfordForeign AffairsLeave a Comment

REALLY GOOD! Here’s what Bush said on Rush today: I just would remind your listeners that Pakistan is now an ally in the war on terror [Except for its government workers and scientists – Kman]. Saudi now takes Al-Qaeda seriously, and they’re after the leadership. Libya is no longer got weapons of mass destruction [They’ve given away the designs to … Read More

A Day I’ll Never Forget

Ken AshfordElection 2004Leave a Comment

On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers. I’ll never forget the day. A fellow pointed at me and said, "Do not let me down." Workers in hard-hats, and police and firefighters were shouting, "Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes." – May 7, 2004 On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins … Read More

Why They Don’t Like To Let Bush Talk

Ken AshfordBush & Co., Election 2004Leave a Comment

George Bush on the Swift Boat ads: “I can understand why Senator Kerry is upset with us. I wasn’t so pleased with the ads that were run about me. And my call is get rid of them all, now.” Upset with “us“? I thought y’all had nothing to do with those ads, George. Total credit for this catch goes to … Read More

Anatomy of a Smear

Ken AshfordRight Wing Punditry/IdiocyLeave a Comment

In this little essay (post, diatribe, whatever), I am going to write about the smear — the dirty black op of politics. The important thing to realize about a smear is that it is not a search for the truth. Rather, it is an attempt to create innuendo in order to muddy the truth. The goal isn’t to convince, but … Read More

One Swift Boat Vet Who Chose Not To Lie

Ken AshfordElection 2004Leave a Comment

This [Swift Boat Veterans] group asked for my signature on their "open letter" because I also commanded a Swift Boat in Vietnam in 1969 and served alongside many of them and John Kerry. I refused. I knew that what they were doing would only degrade the heroic actions of all Swift Boat veterans. You cannot challenge the process by which … Read More

A Lesson of Vietnam

Ken AshfordElection 2004Leave a Comment

The truth is that atrocities were committed in Vietnam. The worst and most horrendous atrocity was officially sanctioned. The American command coldbloodedly set about to deprive the Communists of the recruits and other assistance the peasantry could provide by emptying the countryside. Peasant hamlets in Communist-dominated areas were deliberately and relentlessly bombed and shelled. Free Fire Zones – anything that … Read More

Bush Flip-Flop Number . . . oh, Who-Can-Keep-Count?

Ken AshfordBush & Co., Election 2004Leave a Comment

MEET THE PRESS, March 5, 2000: Gov. BUSH: Bob, there are people spending ads that say nice things about me. There are people spending money on ads that say ugly things about me. BORGER: Should… Gov. BUSH: That’s part of the American–let me finish. That’s part of the American process. There have been ads, independent expenditures, that are saying bad … Read More

The Difference Between Kerry and Bush

Ken AshfordElection 2004Leave a Comment

Thanks to this post by Instapundit, I came across an out-of-print hard-to-find book called "The New Soldier". Although the book purports to be "by" John Kerry, it is simply a compilation of quotes and memories from various Vietnam veterans (Kerry didn’t even compile the quotes). In fact, Kerry’s only "new" contribution toward the book was the epilogue. I read it, … Read More

Swift Boat Flip Floppers

Ken AshfordElection 2004Leave a Comment

WTF?? Roy F. Hoffmann, a retired rear admiral and a leader of the [Swift War Veterans for Truth] group, allowed that he had disagreed with Mr. Kerry’s antiwar positions but said, "I am not going to say anything negative about him." He added, "He’s a good man." In a profile of the candidate that ran in The Boston Globe in … Read More

For Those Who Missed It . . .

Ken AshfordRight Wing Punditry/IdiocyLeave a Comment

. . . Oliver Willis’ site has the video of Michelle "Little Lulu" Malkin getting bitch-slapped by Chris Matthews. It’s wonderful to watch, on so many levels. She is unwilling to answer a simple question put to her . . . about whether or not SHE thinks Kerry shot himself on purpose. Of course, her TRUE answer is "Of course … Read More

Florida Black Voter Intimidation Starting Earlier Than Usual

Ken AshfordElection 2004Leave a Comment

From this NY Times op-ed piece: State police officers have gone into the homes of elderly black voters in Orlando and interrogated them as part of an odd "investigation" that has frightened many voters, intimidated elderly volunteers and thrown a chill over efforts to get out the black vote in November. Nice to see the Republican machine isn’t waiting until … Read More

Bush Forgets His Lines

Ken AshfordBush & Co.Leave a Comment

The thing about theater is this — you have to remember your lines. And if you forget them, you shouldn’t tell the audience that. Because then it takes them "out of the moment" and reminds them that they are watching a piece of fiction. Someone should tell that to the President. Here is Bush yesterday at his "Q&A" where he … Read More