Kerry's Form 180 - Signed, Sealed, Not Delivered

From the Boston Globe we learn that John Kerry has signed the Form 180, and is now rummaging about for a postage stamp.

OK, time to put some money on the table, metaphorically, anyway, and ask the following question - what are people looking for?

I see a bit of buzz at the Bear for confirmation of the rumors that Kerry had a less-than-honorable discharge.  We were skeptical last fall, but time may tell.

Our pick - if we could see one set of records, it would be the application for Kerry's first Purple Heart.  We reprise the controversy in more detail here, but briefly, our question is this:

Is there a witness statement that resolves the question of who was in the three-man skim boat that fateful night?  The answer could crush the credibility of either Kerry's Band of Brothers or Admiral Schachte (who was not formally affiliated with the Swift Boat Veterans, but certainly added fuel to their fire).

And if I could see a second set of records, it would be his medical history - I still have nightmares about the Times coverage on that.

And lest we forget - last spring Mickey Kaus was calling for Kerry to release his personal War Notes to complete the picture.  We still want them!

Michelle Malkin has lots of links, and notes a question - Swift Boater John O'Neill says that once Kerry signs the Form 180 his records will be open for inspection, but Capt. Ed thinks they will simply be released to Kerry.

Based on a quick look at the Form 180 (excerpted below), it appears that the answer, as is so often the case with Kerry, is "it depends".  As I read the form, Kerry can authorize delivery of the records to himself only, to selected news organizations, or to the world.

 

TIP - .cm
2. Restrictions on release of information. Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense regulations and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. The service member (either past or present) or the member's legal guardian has access to almost any information contained in that member's own record. Others requesting information from military personnel/health records must have the release authorization in Section III of the SF 180 signed by the member or legal guardian, but if the appropriate signature cannot be obtained, only limited types of information can be provided...

Emphasis added.  My conclusion - Kerry can authorize delivery of the records to himself only, to selected news organizations, or to the world.

Comments

[Brainster]

It's gotta be a less than honorable discharge cleaned up by Jimmuh. Otherwise the 1978 separation date that Kerry has cited makes no sense.

[Crank]

As we've all said before, if there's nothing embarrassing in there, this will make Kerry look like the worst political strategist since Mondale pledged to raise taxes.

[Geek, Esq.]

Even his supporters (of which I was one) want him to sign it.

[TM]

If there is nothing there, it is a huge "I told you so" for the Geek, and, as Crank notes, a complete puzzle as to the timing.

[Cecil Turner]

There's bound to be a few embarrassing tidbits in the record, but I doubt it's the discharge. If it is, the cover letter on the 1978 discharge is completely misleading, when it says: "you are hereby honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserve effective this date." (As opposed to words to the effect of: "your discharge is hereby upgraded to 'honorable'"). Letters of reprimand, or something similar, perhaps?

As to timing, I thought Terry Moran's response (When Hugh Hewitt asked about the lack of interest in Kerry's 180) was instructive:

TM: There is, in general, a lot less interest in what the loser has done, or is about, or you know, John Kerry is deluding himself, it seems, that he has a continued political life, and perhaps you share that.

That's really not the buzz he's looking for.

[Geek, Esq.]

Ironically, I kinda hope there is something there--I really really don't want this guy running in '08.

[Paul Zrimsek]

When you think of all the 180s Kerry has done in his career it's tough to figure out why he's having so much trouble with this one.

[richard mcenroe]

I also want to know who signed off on the after-action report that had Kerry charging back and forth through a two-and-a-half-klick rain of gunfire none of the other boats with him noticed.

Kerry probably thinks he's playing a nuanced game. If he has signed off on the form, he will probably start promising to release the "relevant" data "at the appropriate time." One of these days.

[richard mcenroe]

Of course, being Kerry, he may even think he can get away with pulling a Burkett...

[Otter]

...and, as Crank notes, a complete puzzle as to the timing.

And certainly none of this game-playing makes me think I underestimated his capacity for leadership last November...

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

'If it is, the cover letter on the 1978 discharge is completely misleading, when it says: "you are hereby honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserve effective this date." (As opposed to words to the effect of: "your discharge is hereby upgraded to 'honorable'").'

It might well be deliberately so, Cecil. Ted Kennedy pulling it off, would be my guess. Though I think what is likelier, is that the navy just let Kerry twist in the wind from 1972 on, because he hadn't fulfilled his obligation.

I wonder why the Boston Globe doesn't file a FOIA request of the Massachusetts Bar to see what Kerry had to say about his military career on that application.

[Keith, Indianapolis]

If there was nothing there, then releasing "to the world" before the elections would have diffused a great deal of the controversy that was generated.

So, a reasonable conclusion, is that there's something damaging there. And any incomplete disclosure will only perpetuate the controversy.

And, as has already been said, if there's nothing there, and he releases the whole thing to the world, then he looks like the biggest political looser of all time.

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Not a great place to be in politics.

[TexasToast]

"Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Not a great place to be in politics."

This whole controversy is something only you guys on the right care about. Who really cares about what happened on an Alabama National Guard base or a river in Cambodia 40 years ago except folks who have already made up their minds? Is it that important to confirm what you obviously already believe without any confirmation? If the “facts” go against you, will that change your opinion of Mr. Kerry?

I doubt it.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

"This whole controversy is something only you guys on the right care about. Who really cares about what happened on an Alabama National Guard base..."

Virtually every left wing looney. Dan Rather, Brad DeLong, Paul Krugman....

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

"or a river in Cambodia 40 years ago"

That would have been the guy who was, 'reporting for duty'at the 2004 Dem convention, as well as the guy who made the video and the people who cheered it at that convention.

[Cecil Turner]

'reporting for duty'

Exactly; it's an issue because Kerry made it one. (Probably to deflect criticism over his "Winter Soldier" idiocy--which was really the motivation for his military detractors.) That ploy came with some pitfalls, and he fell into several.

[Tom Maguire]

Is it that important to confirm what you obviously already believe without any confirmation?

Well, I believe that legitimate questions were raised, and that Kerry did a miserable job of answering them; now, I would really like to find out whether there was some substance to the attacks, or whether I was just a (eager, willing) dupe of the Right Wing Noise Machine.

I am surprised Dems do not want to find out - unless they are closed-minded to the truth.

Or do they already have answers to the many questions Kerry did not answer?

[kim]

They don't have the answers, but are afraid to hear them. They have been afraid to hear them because they feared bad news in the record. Now they are afraid to hear them for fear that there won't be any bad news, none worth sacrificing his credibility under the Swifties attack last August, anyway.
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