Half-truths exposed

Regarding John Buell’s column, “Presidential politics as morality play” (BDN, May 4), I agree with his comment: “We need an honest debate about issues.” Unfortunately, there is little honesty in President Bush’s Maine-specific attack ads that claim that Sen. John Kerry has “repeatedly opposed weapons vital to winning the war on terror.”

The nonpartisan Web site http://www.FactCheck.org is indispensable in cutting through deceptive rhetoric on both sides of the aisle. It notes that: “Kerry voted against a few large Pentagon money bills, of which Bradleys, Apaches and body armor were small parts, but not against those items specifically.”

It continues by saying: “Kerry voted for Pentagon authorization bills in 16 of the 19 years he’s been in the Senate. So even by the Bush campaign’s twisted logic, Kerry should – on balance – be called a supporter of the ‘vital’ weapons, more so than an opponent.”

Buell suggests that citizens should “think long and hard about the gaps, inconsistencies, and lack of clarity that may infect all political positions.”

I would suggest reading FactCheck.org to learn more about Bush’s unattributedhalf-truths.

Kent Bye

Winterport