I joined John O'Neill tonight at a book-signing celebrating The Leadership Institute's twenty-fifth anniversary. In addition to O'Neill (buy Unfit for Command), whose table was mobbed for several hours, the program included talk-radio host Laura Ingraham (buy Shut Up and Sing), rising singer/songwriter Kelly Minter (buy Water Into Wine), and former Congressman Bob Barr (buy The Meaning of Is).

The authors gave short speeches, with John O'Neill's closing address commanding the attention of the room. Among swift boat veterans, "John Kerry has zero reputation in terms of service in Vietnam," the bestselling author maintained. "True heroes don't brag," O'Neill remarked. "A fellow who parades like a peacock and claims to be a war hero," he said, probably isn't. He contended that two of Kerry's three Purple Hearts came from self-inflicted wounds.

Unfit for Command's chief author noted how the media twists the facts, pointing out that Larry Thurlow, whom he labelled "our greatest hero," is deemed a "goat" by the media, while John Kerry, whom O'Neill regards as a subpar sailor, is looked at as a "hero" among journalists. O'Neill likened John Kerry's '70s anti-war testimony to the Challenger explosion or JFK's assassination, explaining that for veterans who served with the Democratic nominee the memory is etched forever in their memories. "He gave speeches saying Ho Chi Minh was like George Washington," the swift boat veteran explained. John Kerry's testimony to the contrary, O'Neill declared that "The 58,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial are not the armies of Genghis Khan."

How does it feel to be a partisan hack O'Neill?

O'Neill projects himself as a serious, intelligent and well-informed individual who clearly thinks that Kerry would be a bad Commander in Chief thus a bad choice for President of the United States.

He does a good job of backing what he says with facts.

Can't say the same for the Senator-for-Life from Massachusetts.