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The Liberal Version of Freedom of Speech

by John F. Tamburo, Editor in Chief, Publisher
Originally Posted: 11/29/2004 4:02:37 PM

The leftists have shown their true colors again.  The Chicago Sun-Times has run a story by Mary Laney about Steve Gardner.  Mr. Gardner is one of the two members of John Kerry’s Swift Boat crew who refused to stand with Mr. Kerry to assault the Swift Boat Vets for Truth.  This hero volunteered to serve in the Navy.  He was not drafted.  He served valiantly in Vietnam.  Her served for two years, compared to Mr. Kerry’s few months.

Mr. Gardner refused to endorse Kerry’s version of the story, and worked to let people know the truth, providing his account.  He ended up a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

"For his effort, Mr. Gardner was excoriated in a story named ’The 10th Brother’ at time.com, where he was condemned as ’politically motivated.’  John Hurley, the veterans’ organizer for Kerry 2004, threatened his finances for failing to support Mr. Kerry."

For his effort, Mr. Gardner was excoriated in a story named "The 10th Brother" at time.com, where he was branded as "politically motivated."  John Hurley, the veterans’ organizer for Kerry 2004, threatened his finances for failing to support Mr. Kerry.  His employer fired him, just days after giving him a glowing review, because of this (the employer made a pretense of saying that his position was eliminated, but it is now advertising for a replacement for Mr. Gardner). 

Douglas Brinkley, author of the sycophantic Kerry-worship piece named Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War, appears to have orchestrated this revenge, but the details are not yet clear.  The riotous point is this:  Brinkley called Mr. Gardner to "fact check" his book -- after it was published.

"What was Mr. Gardner’s sin?  He dared to disagree.  The liberals, showing their true love of Soviet style dissident-suppression tactics, managed to destroy a hero’s career and life all because he would not lie about John Kerry."

What was Mr. Gardner’s sin?  He dared to disagree.  The liberals, showing their true love of Soviet style dissident-suppression tactics, managed to destroy a hero’s career and life all because he would not lie about John Kerry.  This is liberal S.O.P. -- remember Chad Clanton’s direct threat at Sinclair Broadcasting over their plans to show a film critical of Kerry?  It was made clear that, should John Kerry have won, Sinclair would lose their local licenses and be driven out of business.  To the elite leftists, the First Amendment is printed on gilded parchment if you are liberal; it is printed on Charmin if you are a conservative.

Actually, I have no idea if Mr. Gardner is a conservative.  He simply was not a mindless Kerry parrot. He was not politically motivated.  He told the truth, and in a series of moves that would have raised Stalin’s eyebrows or gotten an approving nod from Himmler, his life was destroyed.  In fact, although the case for employment discrimination seems to be clear, Steve Gardner cannot afford to hire an attorney.  Perhaps Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham or Debbie Schlussel could take up the reigns on this one and work the case pro bono.  This hero of a man deserves a chance to vindicate himself.