Ed Rasimus wrote in message . ..
On 20 Aug 2004 11:09:32 -0700, (Fred the Red
Shirt) wrote:

...

Would you also attest to your ability to BETTER observe what was
happening than the pilots (and crew if any) of those other planes?

I'll give more stock to the men whom we know were on the boat with
Kerry, and are willing to stand with him today, over what we are told
is said by others whom we are told were on other boats.

... it is possible to know very much about
performance even if not a rider in the same vehicle.

...

I will state unequivocally that YES, I could BETTER observe and
comment on the capabilities of the others in formation which I led. I
could definitely tell you more about individuals that were under my
authority as a fighter squadron operations officer, and I know for
sure that the folks who were in my chain of command, even though they
weren't flying in the same airplane with me, could tell you plenty
about my capabilities, leadership, and shortcomings.

If you give "more stock" to the subordinates on the boat with him
(that would be 13 or so out of 24 that served in that capacity) than
you give to the 60 out of 240 that were in the Swift boat operation
during the period and have come forward to counter the "band of
brothers" comments, then you don't really understand the concept.


I am confident that those 13 or so who say they served under him
actually did so because Kery himself would remeber them and they
would remember each other. I am not confident that those 60 or so
others ot whom you allude ever saw him or his boat.

At least one of those 60 or so received a Bronze Star in the same
engagement for which Kerry recieved the Silver Star and yet today
denies that there was enemy fire in that engagement. Does he argue
that he did not deserve his own award?

--

FF