Letter: News media must help voters identify smears

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004 | 9:19 a.m.

The "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" have been exposed as having connections to the Bush campaign, and their lies have been exposed by official Navy records. They have attempted to put a cloud over John Kerry's admirable service in Vietnam in an effort to prevent his heroic combat service from being compared to the questionable Alabama service of George W. Bush.

Smears have been a hallmark of every campaign Karl Rove has been connected with -- they are his signature tactic. Smears will continue from now until Election Day unless they are exposed by the media. Freedom of the press was granted specifically in the Constitution because of its importance as a check to balance those who wish to gain power by deceit and deception.

There are too many important issues facing our nation to allow them to be obscured by tricks. Make George Bush stand on his record. Keep us informed and expose the smears. Honest government is not built on a foundation of lies.

JOANN FISCHELLA