I suppose I ought to give the benefit of the doubt but it seems hard to do in this case. PowerLine and Captain Ed are reporting that Dave Alston, who gave a stirring testimony regarding Kerry's bravery ("Lieutenant Kerry was known for taking the fight straight to the enemy.... I came to love and respect him as a man I could trust with life itself.")

In case you didn't see this coming, it looks like Dave Alston's account was a complete lie, and Kerry had to have known it: Although the man did serve on PCF-94, he left before Kerry came aboard. They never served there together.

Go, read, learn.

Do we need any more evidence that the current crop of Democratic leaders -- say nothing of their willingly silent collaborators in the media -- are utterly without principles?

UPDATE: Byron York says Kerry and Alston did serve together, but several monthts after the events which they recounted in Alston's story about Kerry, and Kerry's stories which appear to be about Alston.

If so, my words above, "they never served there together," are wrong and hasty -- mea culpa! Nonetheless, it still looks like we've got a knowing deception, given that the stories in question still appear to be fabrication with Kerry cast in a starring role which was actually lived by one Lt. Ted Peck.

Perhaps all can be cleared up by releasing the records?