SOUND OFF: Bush Ignores Cleland But Cacti Rule

I was angry this morning because the Albuquerque Journal decided that the misuse of saguaro cactus images was more important than the fact that the distinguised vet and ex-Senator, Max Cleland, was refused entrance to Bush's pseudo-ranch yesterday. Bush was there when Cleland came calling, but Max wasn't offered even the courtesy of a cold glass of ice tea. Turned away at the gates.

The saguaro story captured the top headline on the Journal front page, color picture and all. Cleland's trip to Crawford was relegated to the inner pages and a black and white photo. I guess they thought no-one would be interested in a story about Cleland personally carrying a letter to George to demand that he order his minions to stop running the dishonest and dishonorable swift-lie ads. This, despite the fact that the letter was cosigned by 8 US Senators, including Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Sen. Daniel Inouye, as well as fellow veterans Sens. Tom Harkin (IA), Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (SC), Jack Reed (RI), Tom Carper (DE), Jon Corzine (NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (NJ). Here's the text of the letter.

So I thought I'd provide a nice color photo here of the obviously dangerous Cleland being confronted by one of those Kevlar-wearing "security" personnel so much in evidence these days. Kevlar stock must be soaring. You can see more of these incredible photos at another of my favorites blogs, Daily Kos.

Meanwhile, the media keep showing that swiftboat ad for free. Here's a nice site where you can check out what these "truth-tellers" are saying vs. what really happened: SWIFTly VET the Slander

To read Kerry's complete testimony before the Senate committee in 1971, go here: Kerry Testimony

For a taste of the stories told by the "Winter Soldiers" at a meeting in Detroit that Kerry was relaying at the hearing, go here for a Salon article, or access the transcripts of the soldiers themselves.

I was also very disappointed in the Journal's coverage of the Veterans for Kerry gathering at the courthouse downtown yesterday. They didn't mention the credentials of the main rally speaker -- Wade Sanders, who commanded swift boat PCF-98 in Vietnam from 1968-1969 and patrolled the delta alongside John Kerry near the Cambodian border. Anything to minimize the credibility of Kerry's backers. I guess the Journal agrees with Bush that the truth is something to hide.

Barbara Wold