By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page panelist

John McCain doesn't want to be "swift-boated" by Barack Obama's supporters. So on Monday McCain's campaign is kicking off his own "Truth Squad." It's a good idea.

The group will "set the record straight about John McCain's military service in the face of recent attacks on his record," his campaign announced.

Among those on the squad are U.S. Sen. John Warner, a Virginia Republican, and three retired military officials, including Medal of Honor winner Col. Bud Day.

Here's one example of the type of article now circulating about McCain.

Obama, of course, was first out of the chute with his own fact-checking site.

It's intended especially to knock down rumors about his religious beliefs and his views on patriotism.