Tran Trong Duyet is hardly someone with a great deal of credibility: he is the former head of the notorious Hoa Lo prison — better known as the Hanoi Hilton. While Duyet has come out for McCain, he has accused him of lying about the torture that he endured. Now, all he needs is a 527 designation and we will be set for November with new Swift Junk ads out of Hanoi.
McCain has written about his brutal treatment at the prison — a record that has rightly made him a hero with everyone except Gloria Steinem.
However, Duyet ( who is now an amateur ballroom dancer) says that it is all lies. He insists:
“But I can confirm to you that we never tortured him. We never tortured any prisoners. . . . He did not tell the truth . . . But I can somehow sympathise with him. He lies to American voters in order to get their support for his presidential election.”
I guess being a notorious torturer makes it a bit difficult to get partners for the ballroom competitions. I hear his Tango is a real killer.
For the full story, click here.
Pows in Asia were treated as criminals. No better no worse. Actually better after 1969 If you want to find out about POW hardships don’t look to vietnam.. look to North Korea, German’s in Russia, Russians in German captivity. Visit Bergan Belsan KZ and see the monument mother russia has erected and the graves of Russian soldiers
JT
I listened last night to the BBC interview of Mr. Tran Trong Duyet — described as a “sprightly retiree and amateur ballroom dancer” — and found him to be at least as credible as John McCain whose relationship to the facts can be slippery at best.
Indeed, Mr. Duyet is a huge John McCain fan:
“If I was American, I would vote for him.”
But, is Mr. Duyet implying that Senator McCain lied about his treatment at the Hanoi Hilton?
Mr. Duyet states: “He did not tell the truth,” but I can somehow sympathize with him. He lies to American voters in order to get their support for his presidential election.”
Mr. Duyet’s political analysis, while a bit simplistic, is actually fairly astute. He seems to suggest cui bono?
Sadly, while warning its listeners about the propaganda value of Mr. Duyet’s remarks, the BBC couldn’t resist a dishing up a large platter of propaganda of its own:
“The propaganda-perfect version of events is impossible to verify – and should be treated with caution in a country where the Communist authorities still keep a tight control over the media.”
Is it not also possible, even likely, that John McCain’s version of events might be equally “propaganda-perfect” in a country like the United States where authoritarian control over the media is not necessary?
Since our journalists ask so few probing questions, engage in so little investigative reporting, and are too often content to take dictation from “senior administration officials” who agree to speak “only on condition of anonymity,” they have accepted McCain’s account without question or even curiosity — in much the same way they have bought the “Maverick” brand and repeat it like parrots.
You will recall that the New York Times withheld the story of Bush’s illegal warrantless surveillance program until December 2005, more than a year after the 2004 election, and they did so at the request of the Bush administration. Who needs “Communist authorities” to muzzle the media?
Finally, I’m hoping to see a lot more of amateur ballroom dancer Mr. Duyet during this campaign seasons:
Today — an interview with the BBC.
Tomorrow — Dancing With the Stars!