Alex Beam of the Boston Globe has an interesting column on the role being played by historian Douglas Brinkley as a chronicler of Johh Kerry's military service: "Historian's 'Duty': PR for Kerry?" We previously noted Chris Suellentrop's take on Brinkley's book in "Tour of Duty Condensed" and made a related point in "A Manchurian candidate?"

Yesteday Salon published a column partly adapted by Brinkley from his book on Kerry: "Why Kerry threw his ribbons." Here you can see the flack in action for yourself. (Courtesy of Tom Bevan and RealClearPolitics Commentary.)