Selective memory & Green Bush

Source: Washington Times Inside Politics by Jennifer Harper August 9, 2004

Selective memory
It's not easy to tease out the truth of Sen. John Kerry's much-ballyhooed Vietnam tour. But some try.

"Pity the poor guy who has to reach back 35 years to show America just how great he is. And he does so very selectively," writes San Francisco Chronicle op-ed writer Adam Sparks.

"There's no mention of all his medal ribbons tossed with contempt over the White House fence for the same war he now fondly remembers. He brought a cast of sailors out with him on the convention podium and keeps a contingent with him at all times while campaigning, either to show Americans just how patriotic he is or to remind us incessantly that he served a grueling four months in Vietnam. For whatever reason, it's pathetic.

"The peaceniks know all about his antiwar theatrics; he needn't highlight those attributes. He's now going after the swing voter who respects America military strength ... . In Kerry's world, you really can be all things to all people."

Mr. Sparks noted that retired Rear Adm. Roy Hoffmann, who ran the swift boat campaign in Vietnam, said: "Only one of his 23 fellow officers in charge from Coastal Division 11 supports John Kerry. Overall, more than 250 swift boat veterans are on the record questioning Kerry's fitness to serve as commander in chief. That list includes ... every single officer Kerry served under in Vietnam."


Source: Washington Times Inside The Beltway by John McCaslin August 9, 2004

Green Bush
George W. Bush the "conservation" president?

That's what representatives from the nation's leading conservation groups say after Mr. Bush last week revealed plans for new initiatives developed to help protect wildlife, water and land resources.

"The Conservation Reserve Program has increased enrollment by 2.6 million acres since the president signed the 2002 Farm Bill," said Wisconsin resident Craig Johnson, treasurer of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, following last week's meeting between Mr. Bush, conservationists and farmers in Le Sueur, Minn.

A total of 34.8 million acres of "environmentally sensitive" lands have been protected since Mr. Bush signed the bill, he said.

The president last week also announced an additional 800,000 acres under federal protection and directed Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman to offer early re-enrollment and contract extensions to secure land-conservation benefits.