Kerry: “If anyone owes our troops in the fields an apology, it is the President”
Kerry: “If anyone owes our troops in the fields an apology, it is the President”
Transcript of John Kerry Responding to Attacks on his Remarks
Today in a press conference in Seattle, Washington, John Kerry responded to Republican attacks and partisan efforts to distort his botched George Bush joke.
Below is a transcript of Kerry’s remarks, as delivered:
SENATOR KERRY: Let me make it crystal clear, as crystal clear as I know how: I apologize to no one for my criticism of the president and of his broken policy.
If anyone owes our troops in the fields an apology, it is the President and his failed team and a Republican majority in the Congress that has been willing to stamp—rubber-stamp policies that have done injury to our troops and to their families.
My statement yesterday - and the White House knows this full well - was a botched joke about the president and the president’s people, not about the troops.
The White House’s attempt to distort my true statement is a remarkable testament to their abject failure in making America safe. It’s a stunning statement about their willingness to reduce anything in America to raw politics. It’s their willingness to distort, their willingness to mislead Americans, their willingness to exploit the troops, as they have so many times at backdrops, at so many speeches at which they have not told the American people the truth.
I’m not going to stand for it.
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What our troops deserve is a winning strategy. And what they deserve is leadership that is up to the sacrifice that they’re making.
Sadly, this is the best that this administration can do in a month when we have lost 100 young men and women who have given their lives for a failed policy.
Over half the names on the Vietnam wall were put there after our leaders knew that our policy was wrong. And it was wrong that leaders were quiet then, and I’m not going to be quiet now.
This is a textbook Republican campaign strategy: Try to change the topic; try to make someone else the issue; try to make something else said the issue, not the policy, not their responsibility.
Well, everybody knows it’s not working this time, and I’m not going to stand around and let it work. If anyone thinks that a veteran, someone like me, who’s been fighting my entire career to provide for veterans, to fight for their benefits, to help honor what their service is, if anybody thinks that a veteran would somehow criticize more than 140,000 troops serving in Iraq and not the president and his people who put them there, they’re crazy.
It’s just wrong. This is a classic GOP textbook Republican campaign tactic.
I’m sick and tired of a bunch of despicable Republicans who will not debate real policy, who won’t take responsibility for their own mistakes, standing up and trying to make other people the butt of those mistakes.
I’m sick and tired of a whole bunch of Republican attacks, most of which come from people who never wore the uniform and never had the courage to stand up and go to war themselves.
Enough is enough. We’re not going to stand for this. This policy is broken. And this president and his administration didn’t do their homework. They didn’t study what would happen in Iraq. They didn’t study and listen to the people who were the experts and would have told them.
And they know that’s what I was talking about yesterday. I’m not going to be lectured by a White House or by the likes of Rush Limbaugh who’s taking a day off from mimicking and attacking Michael J. Fox, who’s now going to try to attack me and lie about me and distort me.
No way. It disgusts me that a bunch of these Republican hacks who’ve never worn the uniform of our country are willing to lie about those who did.
It’s over.
This administration has given us a Katrina foreign policy: mistake upon mistake upon mistake; unwilling to give our troops the armor that they need; unwilling to have enough troops in place; unwilling to give them the Humvees that they deserve to protect them; unwilling to have a coalition that is adequate to be able to defend our interests.
Our own intelligence agency has told us they’re creating more terrorists, not less. They’re making us less safe, not more.
I think Americans are sick and tired of this game. These Republicans are afraid to stand up and debate a real veteran on this topic. And they’re afraid to debate—you know, they want to debate straw men because they’re afraid to debate real men.
Well, we’re going to have a real debate in this country about this policy. The bottom line is: These Republicans want to distort this policy. And, this time, it won’t work because we are going to stay in their face with the truth.
And no Democrat is going to be bullied by these people, by these kinds of attacks that have no place in American politics. It’s time to set our policy correct.
They have a stand-still-and-lose policy in Iraq and they have a cut-and-run policy in Afghanistan. And the fact is, our troops, who have served heroically, who deserve better, deserve leadership that is up to their sacrifice, period.
QUESTION: Senator, John McCain said that you owe an apology to the many thousands of Americans serving in Iraq, who answered this country’s call because they are patriots.
To those people who didn’t get your joke, who may have misinterpreted you as saying the undereducated are cannon fodder, what do you say?
KERRY: I never said that, and John McCain knows I’ve never said that and John McCain knows I wouldn’t say that.
And John McCain ought to ask for an apology from Donald Rumsfeld for making the mistakes he’s made. John McCain ought to ask for an apology from this administration for not sending in enough troops.
He ought to ask for an apology for putting our troops on the line with a policy that doesn’t have an adequate coalition, that doesn’t have adequate diplomacy, where we don’t have a strategy to win.
And what we need is to debate the real issues, not these phony, sideline issues that are part of the politics. Americans are tired—sick and tired of this kind of politics.
They know my true feelings. They know I fought to provide additional money for veterans. They know I fought to provide money for combat for veterans. They know I’ve fought to put money for V.A. They know I’ve honored those veterans.
They know that this is the finest military - and I’ve said it 100,000 times - that we’ve ever had. They know precisely what I was saying.
And they’re trying to turn this because they have a bankrupt policy and they can’t defend it to the nation and they can’t defend it to the world.
KERRY: And I’m not going to stand for this anymore; period. That’s the apology that people ought to get.
QUESTION: Do you need to go to joke school?
KERRY: Sure.
QUESTION: Senator, do you regret saying the remark? And what were you trying to say?
KERRY: Very simple: that those who didn’t study it properly, those who made the decisions, they got us into Iraq. Very simple.
The fact is they know that. The administration knows that. And they’re simply trying to distort this. They’re trying to play a game.
And, again, I’m not going to stand for it. This is the kind of thing that makes Americans sick. People know—I mean, there ought to be some level of honor and trust in this process.
I have fought a lifetime on behalf of veterans. We have the finest young men and women serving us in the United States military that we’ve ever had, and I’m proud of that.
But this administration has let them down, and that was clearly a remark directed at this administration. They understand it. They want to distort it. It’s a classic Republican playbook. They want to change the topic.
We’re not going to let them change the topic. The topic is their failed policy in Iraq. The topic is that they don’t have a strategy, they don’t have a way to be able to win.
You got Dick Cheney saying everything’s just terrific in Iraq only a week ago. John McCain ought to ask for an apology from Dick Cheney for misleading America. He ought to ask for an apology from the president for lying about the nuclear program in Africa. He ought to ask for an apology for once again a week ago referring to Al Qaida as being the central problem in Iraq, when Al Qaida is not the central problem.
Enough is enough. I’m not going to stand for these people trying to shift the topic and make it politics. America deserves a real discussion about real policy. And that’s what this election is going to be about next Tuesday.
One more question, then I got to run.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
KERRY: Let me tell you something: I’m not going to give them one ounce of daylight to spread one of their lies and to play this game ever, ever again. That is a lesson I learned deep and hard.
And I’ll tell you: I will stand up anywhere across this country and take these guys on. This is dishonoring not just the troops themselves by pointing the finger at the troops, it’s abusing the troops. They’re using the troops. They’re trying to make the troops into the target here. I didn’t do that, and they know that.
KERRY: And for them to suggest that somebody who served their country, as I did, and has a record like I have in the United States Congress of standing up and fighting for the troops would ever, ever insult the troops is an insult in and of itself.
And they owe us an apology for even daring to use the White House to stand up and make this an issue again. Shame on them. Shame on them.
And may the American people take that shame to the polls with them next Tuesday.
Thank you all.
QUESTION: What do you say to the men and women fighting in Iraq if they hear this in passing, that may be confused on the issue, sir?
KERRY: They will hear what I just said. I honor their service, and I always have.
399 Comments
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You are a disgrace Senator. As a proud servicemember I am ashamed to have you in the US Senate. I believe your comments have shown us a nice little Freudian slip of where your beliefs really are.
SHAME
SHAME
SHAME
Can you obtain and make available the entire video, showing the comments in context?
Even if your comment was a botched George Bush joke, do you, Senator Kerry, really believe that his so called failed policy in Iraq is something to laugh at? I don’t believe the policy is failing as bad as you want. And most Americans don’t believe that making fun of a policy that has put our troops in harms way is fodder for yuks.
You’re disgraceful. You’re chief of staff needs to be fired for not stopping you from saying what you said yesterday and now today.
Disgraceful; you’re an utter failure.
Regards
Jason M.
MI
My spouse & I are both veterans. You are a complete embarrassment to not only the uniform but the American people.
To Ben Harris:
If anyone wonders what John Kerry’s beliefs really are, they should look at his record: how he’s fought for benefits and respect for our troops, how he’s spoken out again and again as this Administration has used and misused and abused our troops, how he’s attended funerals for service members in Massachusetts (when is George Bush going to attend a funeral for even one of the soldiers he’s sacrificed?), and how he has always, always, always been on the side of the troops. Look at his record and judge the truth for yourself, rather than listen to right-wing spin.
Once more Sen. Kerry attacks and insults our service men and women. A joke? Please! We got a true sense of what the senator really thinks. No wonder this fool couldn’t win the presidency. Only in Massachusetts could this patrician empty-suit gigolo win an election.
Response to the dishonest attacks on John Kerry at Liberal Values:
http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=527
It is a shame that these people prefer to avoid discussion of the issues by spreading such information as to what Kerry actually believes.
I have no idea how you became a senator in my beloved country. I am a military wife and it makes me irate to listen to you constantly put down our troops. You definitely need to apologize to all troops and their families. There is no place in the senate for a veteran who constantly and continuously defecates on the very people that protect your freedom. Shame on you, Mr. Kerry!!!
Thanks for the new thread Dick!
New recipe:
One can opener
One can of whoopass
Open
TY
my son,Joshua,joined the army because he wanted to serve his country ,not because he was to stupid to do anything else.i am outraged by your comment.
since this is your belief be a man and own up to it.don’t hide behind some right wing conspiracy excuse.
dennis benoit
massachusetts
I am SO glad Sen. Kerry did not take the shameless GOP distortions of his remarks lying down. Only an idiot would think he could insult our troops. It was obvious to anyone but a cretin that
he meant BUSH was “stuck” in Iraq, not our brave, betrayed-by-Bush soldiers.
Sen. Kerry did not hide behind deferments or National Guard service in the 1960s as Cheney and Bush and others of their sorry ilk were! How dare these mealy-mouthed hypocrites attack a genuine hero like Sen. Kerry? And shame on the dupes who are insulting him in these blogs and asking for an apology. He spoke the truth about the liar and coward Bush.
I am sad to see that an otherwise good man, Sen. McCain, fell victim to the lying spin given to Sen. Kerry’s remarks. I hate to think that John McCain purposely misinterpreted the remarks. I hope he simply misunderstood, but he has no business calling for an apology. Sen. Kerry has every right to be proud of himself.
Sen. Kerry is so far the superior candidate for our nation that it is absurd for anyone to doubt it! And now that the truth is finally coming out (2 years too late!) about the cheating in Ohio and elsewhere, via Diebold and other methods, more Americans realize that Bush and Co. stole 2004 as surely as they stole 2000!
John Kerry,
You were a coward in Vietnam and you are still a coward just as John Murtha is. I had friends die in Vietnam and my daughter (who by the way was a straight A student) before joining the Air Force and going to Irqa. You cou care less about our troops. I was supporting many Democrats this election but after listening to you, John Murtha, and Howard Dean- I have changed my mind. You need to appoligize to our troops. I don’t care what you say about the President or the Republicans, but between the threr of you and being a big supporter of Joe Liberman and watching the way you have kicked him to the curb makes you a loser.
Howard McCartney
Look- A Rabbit
By: John Cole October 31, 2006 at 2:21 pm
See- you just have to vote Republican now:
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John Kerry said what?!
By Michelle Malkin · October 31, 2006 12:32 AM
***10/31 7:35am updated with more reax below…
...909am update San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Pasadena Star News reports on the Angelides campaign event at Pasadena City College where Kerry trashed the troops…”Kerry then told the students that if they were able to navigate the education system, they could get comfortable jobs – “If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq,” he said to a mixture of laughter and gasps.”***
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A general rule of thumb regarding controversies like this is to count how many posts Michelle Malkin has about the issue, and to note that there is a positive correlation to how trivial the matter is and how many posts she has about it. At my last count, she had four on her site, two on her spin-off site Hot Air (who I still think ripped their name off from me). That would tell me that this issue would be somewhere between Cindy Sheehan and crescent-shaped 9/11 memorials and Terri Schaivo in importance, but the possibility is there for a new record.
Predictably, lamentably, the right-wing blogosphere is grievously insulted and has put the grass-roots outrage machine in high gear. Expect record levels of umbrage from all corners.
I wish Kerry had not made the remark (even though he was trying to insult the President and not the troops), but I do find it a little amusing that the people who are ‘upset’ about this remark managed (if my memory is correct) to remain completely silent about this:
I am sure we all remember the Bush supporters wearing fake purple heart stickers at the 2004 RNC to mock Kerry’s service. Additionally, I note that Malkin and company have not yet moved to condemn the treatment Vietnam war hero Jim Webb is getting at the hands of Red State, where he has been compared to John Mark Karr and today called a pervert.
Of course, the ‘libertarian’ reaction is predictably ‘nuanced.’ Well, no, it really isn’t:
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JOHN KERRY —a gift that keeps on giving. Unfortunately, it’s a gift for the Republicans. . . .
Kerry’s suggestion that the troops in Iraq are dumb failures is not only reprehensible, but false on the facts. In other words, a typical Kerry performance, just in time for the elections. Democrats must be wondering what they were thinking to nominate him in 2004, and why he won’t go away now.
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Glenn then links to numerous outraged (OUTRAGED) folks alternately condemning Kerry and demanding an apology. A snide observer (and I am one), might wryly note that Glenn thinks the mainstream media always drops the ball, paying too much attention to trivial issues rather than issues of importance, and that is why the blogosphere is so important- to provide real reporting. I guess Glenn is right- who needs the mainstream media when you have tons of bloggers who can treat elections like games and horse races?
Again, I wish Kerry had not made the remark (or phrased it better), but really, it changes nothing.
The Republican party has no plan for Iraq other than rhetorical shifts, their policies are not constructed or implemented to actually accomplish anything but rather to maintain Congressional power, and we all will be better off if the GOP is swept out of power.
The Republicans are corrupt, morally bankrupt, have no ideas, no principles, and are hoping upon hope that this latest distraction will help to stop the bleeding. Unfortunately, the bleeding they care about is at the polls and not the bleeding in Iraq.
And another thing . . .
To all the defenders of his idiotic remarks about our soldiers who think we are listenting to right-wing propaganda, you are wrong.
We listen close to what Mr. Kerry says. He speaks well enough for himself and he is a disgrace because of what he says.
Jason M.
Dear Mrs Brown,
I have never, ever heard John Kerry put down our troops. I *have* heard him speak out many times against an Administration that belittles and dishonors their service by denying their benefits, cutting their pay, refusing to provide proper equipment, and most of all, putting them in harm’s way without a plan. The Republicans would like you to believe that Kerry’s criticisms of George Bush’s cluelessness are somehow a slam on the troops. The truth is that John Kerry has always been on the side of the troops and will be until his dying day.
I am one of your constituents, and I am ashamed to say I am from Massachusetts! You are a disgusting human being and I will guarantee that I will work extremely hard to remove you form office when you are up for reelection. Are you that stupid, well you did score less then the president while at Yale, so I guess you are. I will be distributing the video to everyone I can, to show then your true colors.
Disgusted Massachusetts voter
In 1971, our troops were murderers per John Kerry. Now they are just ignorant. I guess he’s mellowing out a bit in his old age.
Where would we get the idea that Kerry disrepects our soldiers?
Dec. 4, 2005 on Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer.
Sen. Kerry: “And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women...”
Maybe the senator just had his Botox shot and couldn’t speak correctly.
Thank you for the timely reminder of why we should all be grateful Mr. Kerry is not our Commander-in-Chief! I think few Americans felt as though they were watching a future president when Mr. Kerry went off on his rant this afternoon. Great timing!!!
I’m a dem. and I voted for Kerry for president, and to be honest I would not do so again based on his comment and this excuse.
I think Kerry might be making a political move to defend himself and not apologize to look tough but to be honest I think he should say he is sorry because a fair interpretation of what he said was offensive to the troops, if not the most likely interpretation.
To all the right-wing trolls that are coming here and pretending to be righteously outraged:
Don’t bother. Just don’t even bother. Your game isn’t fooling anyone.
Kerry threw down the gauntlet today. You don’t like the remarks he made in the press conference? It makes you uncomfortable that he’s striking back against this stuff instead of taking it lying down? Well, maybe you should send a note to FOX news and your Republican friends in Washington telling them that they brought this upon themselves. THEY attempted to make an issue of “dark humor” about Bush, and if that hadn’t happened, this press conference ripping them to pieces wouldn’t have happened.
I’m not sure how anyone can take what was said any other way than how it was said. It may have been a mistake to have said it, but it’s too late now. Not funny!
I’m not listening to “right-wing spin” I’m listening to what John Kerry said.
I take John Kerry as a whole and not a sound bite. He has been a great asset to our country. For those who will grasp anthing to attack him I am ashamed. I support our troops as he does, but not the people who put them there. Our military and their families should be proud of their service but should be greatly upset about what sent them to Iraq. I hope John Kerry and others will keep the truth coming about this war.
Senator Kerry.
At such a crucial time in the midterm election process, how can you even think for one second that a joke like this is appropriate. With the democratic party finally having some hope for recapturing both houses and the american people having hope of crawling out from underneath in oppressive regime, your blunder has given the opposition something to talk about that pushes the Iraqi debate back into their corner.
Whether you truly believe your comments were taken out of context or not, we live in an era of horrific spin, and this is like giving Bush and company and HUGE gift just one week before we go to the polls. Do they need anymore ammunition?
You must do whatever it takes to rectify the situation (apologies?), and advance the debate back to the real issues: the disappearing middle class, Afghanistan/Iraq/Iran/North Korea (ie. ineffective, naive and arrogant foreign policies), global warming, etc.
NoisyDemocrat:
Obviously you did not hear Sen. Kerry tell the students that if they didn’t study they would end up in Iraq. Joke or no, it is an insult to our troops.
Of course, you probably think it was a slam on Bush. That’s what you get for thinking instead of listening.
I was actually going to vote for a few democrats this time. Thanks for remaining me that my party of JFK has turned into the party of arrogant SOBs. The only one who is trying to spin your disgraceful comments is you.
FROM DAILYKOS:
Who Got Us Stuck in Iraq? Tony Snow Insinuates Soldiers
by beatstreet
Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 01:21:44 PM PST
Kerry joked about a person whom he didn’t mention by name, who had gotten us stuck in Iraq, and the entire corporate-owned media concluded he was talking about the soldiers. This article proves how anyone who comes to this conclusion (Snow, McCain, and Boehner) owes the soldiers an apology.
beatstreet’s diary :: ::
It was one thing to attack Kerry for his service in Vietnam; it was one thing for Bush to bury his own combat-dodging record, but for the repubicans to ax-murder the reputation of a decorated war veteran by hacking apart his unwavering commitment those wearing the American uniform is irreprehensible.
The latest White House reputation massacre for power stems from comments Kerry made at Pasadena City College, where he told students in a round-about way that Bush has gotten us stuck in Iraq.
No surprise there. More than 70 percent of Americans have acknowledged this obvious problem. What is astonishing is that not one single “unbiased” news agency clarified that Kerry’s comments were clearly directed at George W. Bush.
Here are Kerry’s comments:
‘’You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.’’
Anybody beside me know which combat-dodging failure he’s talking about?
That anyone in their rational mind could conclude that Kerry was talking about the soldiers is disgraceful. To do so, one would have to believe that the US soldiers responsible for our strategic errors, and those errors rest only on the heads of the generals and Bush. This is a backhanded way of dodging responsibility for Iraq.
As long as we’re distorting facts, let me say that this looks like the beginning of a long-term strategy to distort history and ensure that future generations blame the Iraq War on the US soldiers. Why doesn’t a reporter ask Tony Snow if this is the intention of the Bush Administration?
This mirrors a pattern of republican behavior: They blame the Democrats for Mark Foley’s behavior; they blame the Democrats for North Korea’s testing of a nuclear bomb, and now they blame the US soldiers for Iraq. When will we learn that anything these Republicans do is always somebody else’s fault?
This time it isn’t going to work. The American people know who got us stuck in Iraq. It damn sure wasn’t the soldiers. They loose their lives every day trusting that their sacrifice is a step toward the conclusion of this war, but not even Bill O’Reilly is willing to say that Iraq is anything but a stalemate right now.
So it’s the soldiers’ fault, President Bush? Why should we blame the soldiers for not sending enough troops? Why is it their fault that “stay the course” hasn’t worked for three years? If anything, the Bush Administration should apologize for trying to deflect responsibility for our stuck situation in Iraq to the US soldiers.
This is going to backfire big time against not only Bush but also John McCain and House Majority John “Little” Boner, who jumped out and sucker-punched Kerry after Snow kicked him in the balls. McCain has fallen a long way over the last couple of years. He must be as desperate for power as Bush. This will be remembered in 2008.
Somebody ought to find out who this reporter is who asked this question. Who is this reporter working for? I guarantee the White House planted this reporter. This has Faux News written all over it. I guarantee that the question was a setup because White House spokesman Tony Snow knew it was coming.
Here is an excerpt from the Times:
“The White House spokesman was clearly ready, consulting his notes to read a fuller account of Kerry’s statement and unleashing a sharp attack.”
Here’s Faux News giving us “fair and balanced:”
“A half-mocking Snow told reporters at the daily White House briefing that Kerry’s comments are EMBLEMATIC OF HIS DISDAIN for the military.”
What? Aren’t you going to renounce Snow for LYING? You’re going to let him get away with this self-interested, slanderous lie? Kerry ought to challenge Snow to fist-to-fist combat for slandering him so egregiously.
How about when the Moron-in-Charge made fun of “looking for the WMDs” at that press dinner a few years back --- has he apologized to the troops for sending them to fight in Iraq with a lie about WMDs - NO—and then he has the nerve to make fun of it! What a complete ass.
What this president has done to our military and to our society is so awful and so treasonous—words cannot describe my true disdain for Bush and his cronies. I only wish the military could speak out of how ill-equiped and under-manned the Idiot-in-Charge has left them in Iraq —but they cannot.
My only words to you Senator Kerry—where was this anger 2 years ago— and where is all the anger from Democrats now? How can we let those liars continue to rule from fear. I only hope than next week does bring a tidal wave.
Senator Kerry - You are a mean-spirited, sore-loser, so-liberal-you-are-a-communist idiot. You owe the military an apology. They defend your sorry ass every single day.
Kerry you are a disgrace.... Now the true reasons you lost the election are shining through the BS propaganda. YOU DO OWE AN APOLOGY TO OUR TROOPS!!!! It is obvious to all from the context of your statement that you WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE CURRENT ADMIN.
It’s funny to see all the misspellings and grammatical errors in the posts written by republicans.
Just can’t handle the truth, can you, republicans? The issue here is GEORGE BUSH’S LIES and DICK CHENEY’S LIES that led us into this illegal and unbelievably expensive war and the fact that we’ll BE THERE FOR YEARS thanks to Bush et al.
Thank you, Senator Kerry, for speaking the truth. The truth is poison to republicans.
To the freeper brigade, including those pretending to be former Democrats (brush up on your lying skills, by the way):
He didn’t say that students would end up in Iraq if they didn’t study hard enough. That’s just idiotic, for one simple reason: We have a VOLUNTEER MILITARY. NOT a draft in which the college deferment no longer works if they quit school. That interpretation of the comment doesn’t even make logical sense. It was obviously dark humor about Bush.
The Senator should say the following: “I botched a joke about the president - but the president has botched a war.” And Senator Kerry should say only that about it. Everyone else should say at every opportunity between now and next Tuesday: “John Kerry botched a joke about the president - but the president has botched a war.” Circulate it throughout the land, it’s a winner.
You nailed it Senator:
“They have a stand-still-and-lose policy in Iraq and they have a cut-and-run policy in Afghanistan.”
Return of the War Lords and heroin crops, rennaisance of Taleban, resurgence of oppression against women, and Afghanistan is as broken as ever and remains a haven for Al Qaeda like Pakistan, our promises of nation building long forgot. You should question why Pakistan remains untouched even after they admit to deals with Taleban to protect Al Qaeda. Why hasn’t the hunt for Osama been allowed to go to the logical ends? Why were our troops diverted to Iraq instead of finishing the real job in Afghanistan/Pakistan?
James Baker and Henry Kissinger now have the president’s ear on Iraq, and what accountability do they have to the Senate and Congress? Kissinger was part of what failed in Viet Nam. Baker has been involved in many international fiascos. Why is the president relying upon them to rescue his Iraq debacle?
Iraq is now a Catch-22 problem. Can’t ‘win’ without dividing the nation into 3 partitions. Can’t get the agreement to do so without Shiites being forced to yield majority control. Can’t get the Suni’s to trust the Shi’ites. The Kurds standing seperately will not trigger Turkish delight. Al Qaeda still recruits from the Suni clans and Shi’ites seek to vanquish Sunis and Al Qaeda.
But we also have utterly failed to tie in with Arabic ideas of justice, correct warfare, and judgment, and blurred it all into a moriband morass. Our real problem isn’t actually with those who practice Jihad. It is with those indulging in the practice of Hirab, a dirty, impure violence. If we became careful to denounce just this, we’ll probably discover a large portion of the Arab world will join us, and they’ll help us locate these. If we lack the sophistication to seperate this out, they’ll clam up and refuse to work with us. Show the Republicans what a difference a deeper, more cultured understanding can make in cutting through resistence and failure to progress.
My son is an army captain serving in Iraq. He is a distinguished military graduate from a top military school. This means he is not dumb or stupid. He serves with outstanding officers, NCO’s, and junior enlisted men. (Because he is in a combat unit there are no women serving with him). The responsibilties that he carries on his shoulder are far more than most people carry in this country. To say that he is stupid is an insult not only to our son and all the soldiers that he serves with, but to us as his parents. John Kerry says that it was a botched joke. I read what he was supposed to say....it still is an insult. I will not vote for a Democrat in this election. Way to go John Kerry! You just handed more votes to the Republicans in this election. Keep on putting your foot in your mouth so that the Republicans will win! Better yet, go to a room, lock the door, and put duct tape over your mouth. I’ll be waiting for an apologize from you on this evenings news.
Shame on you John. I also am ashamed to call my self a democrat. But...no longer. YOU have just pushed me over to the republican side. I am sorry that I ever voted for you. Shame on you...shame on me. At least I will do the right thing now.
Lets not let this uproar get out of control. Here is John Kerry’s apology:” I apologize to our troops and to the American people for having supported the resolution allowing the most ill prepared, poorly read, and maliciously intended President in the history of this country, to take us to a war that had no basis in fact or reality. As for our college students study hard, read and learn from your history so that when you become President a tragic error of this magnitude will never again occur.
Mikey51: Of course, you probably think it was a slam on Bush. That’s what you get for thinking instead of listening.
Wow.
Just… wow.
Damn those thinkers, who are interested in the full story instead of what they listen to from the Category 5 GOP spin machine.
Don McAllister:
I was actually going to vote for a few democrats this time. Thanks for remaining me that my party of JFK has turned into the party of arrogant SOBs. The only one who is trying to spin your disgraceful comments is you.
Posted by Don McAllister | October 31, 2006 4:37 PM
Don:
were you really? You would be doing so because you either didn’t like the way the Iraq War has been going, figured out that having some balance in the House and Senate was going to preserve the Constitution from further deterioration by an all-republican Congress, or that you no longer believed that the President was doing a heckuva job--nor that the republicans could keep us safe--vis-a-vis Katrina.
But please, to use John Kerry’s remarks as a basis to not consider voting democrats is HIGHLY suspect and completely disingenuous.
Please tell Michelle Malkin her desperate attempt to send you here to blame John Kerry for the ills of the world won’t protect her president from the justifiable wrath formed from six years of actual experience of the waste of space and oxygen this Administration has become.
So what if John Kerry made a stupid remarks. Your president and the republican party has flushed our country down the toilet!!!!!
All of us, including politicians have slips in speech. Unfortunately, this is a more sensitive time than most. I hope this event doesn’t distract from the key issues during election time. I hope we’re also still able to win more seats in Congress.
I’m not sure how Bush’s speech at 5 is going to serve the nation. My intuition tells me he’s feeling left out after not being invited on-board for much of the campaign activity…
I believe there are more Americans who are voting candidate than party. The way parties view citizens is insulting to our intelligence. Do you believe that if the comments made regarding the troops were made by a Republican that the Dems wouldn’t be all over it? While parties are busy poking each others eyes out Americans are looking for real answers on which to base their votes. The mudslinging is absurd. To pull out our troops to look like the good guys with no real answers as to how to resolve issues in Iraq is not going to bring votes to the the Dems. Your are exploiting the war to get votes, just as you are exploiting Michael J. Fox, instead of providing real solutions and for that you do owe an apology to our troops. I don’t believe for a minute that Clinton did all that he could do nor heed the warnings that a large scale terrorist attack would take place. If Bush is solely responsible for the attacks then where was Congress and what were they doing to prepare for an attack. Stop the mudslinging and get real with the American people. We are voting for a President and Congressional leaders not the board of the WWF.
My son and thousands of more like him, did not voluntarily join the Marine Corps because they lacked intelligence or education. If you cared enough to know what our military is, you would know that they are highly educated patriots who care more about this country than you do. Don’t try to white wash your disgusting remarks against our troops by claiming it was a botched joke about President Bush and the Administration. The rest of us common folk are just as educated as our military and we know a liar when we hear one. You make me sick John Kerry. You don’t deserve the protection our military provides you.
Let’s have the discussion of who really supports the troops.
Okay, Senator Kerry forgot mis-spoke and didn’t make it clear that he was blasting Bush for getting us into Iraq, but how many times has Bush mis-spoke and gotten a free pass. Does anyone remember when Bush said that the terrorists aren’t going to stop trying to find ways to destroy America and then added, “And neither are we?”
FACT: John Kerry has supported the troops in the Senate where it counts. He’s voted for amendmendment after amendment to increase benefits and to help our troops and returning veterans only to have these bills shot down by Republican Chickenhawks.
Let’s have a real debate, not on one mis-spoken statement, but let’s examine the entire Senate record since 2004 and take an honest look at the votes.
Senator Kerry puts his deeds out in front. He doesn’t just pay lip service to our military: he actually works to see that they are treated fairly. Which is more important, working for our vets or a botched statement in one of a hundred speeches? Remember , John Kerry has been stumping non-stop and leading fundraising efforts for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans running for office. This is far more important than one mis-speak.
People must think John Kerry has nearly achieved perfection because he isn’t allowed a single mis-speak while the President of the United States and leader of the free world does it on a daily basis with impunity.
Linda, I believeRepublican is supposed to be capitalized in the context in which you chose to use it.
A wise old man once told me, “Son, don’t worry about it; if they’re out there shooting at you, then you must be doing something right.”
By that token, the wave of repetitive pugnacious posts by putatively independent people coming here this morning to vent their stage-directed spleens surely must mean that Mr. Kerry is doing something rather right indeed.
Apparently, the reich-wing sympathizers out there in blogoland are upset that their side is gettingly heavily busted on its bullspin from every side these days, so they’re blustering away in blowback mode in order to make themselves feel better. They’re sad as hell and they’re not gonna fake it anymore.
Well, as a wise young girl once told me, “Nanny nanny boo boo.” Your side can Bush it out, but you can’t take it. Somebody calls you on your dreck collection and you get a collective case of the screeching fantods in response. Tsk, tsk. Too bad, so sad.
But as for those trying to debunk the distortions and debate actual issues with the under-the-bridge crowd, here’s something else that a wise middle-aged fellow once told me, too:
“Never waste your time trying to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time, and it annoys the pig.”
just my $.02; YMMV,
Otter
The truth is that Senator Kerry keeps dodging the issue at hand here. He tried to make a foolish joke and it backfired on him! Period. I guess I am just a dumb soldier who deserves to go to Iraq...oh I’m sorry, I have already been, and will go again! That’s funny, since I am also doing well in college....hmmmm. Guess your logic does not work on this one Senator Kerry, just like it does’nt on a number of things.
On a seperate issue, one thing that really ticks me off is that some of you “die hard” democrats REFUSE to address the PRESIDENT as such. He is not simply Bush or George. I give all respect to Senator Kerry and thus will address him as such, our President deserves that same respect! Senator Kerry, if the time ever comes and you get elected, you can expect that respect from me. But, let’s just get a simply apology and you admit that you made a mistake.....you would get so much more respect from those of us who serve!
I still think whether it what a joke toward President Bush or not it was uncalled for. Our troops are doing everything they can to help keep our nation free from terrorism. Please think before you speak.
Libs are wondering what connotation one could have taken from the senator’s words? How about:
“Study hard and get your degree. Those without the brainpower will have to join the military as a last resort.”
Where would I get this liberal claptrap? From teachers, who tell you that the military is just for hicks who can’t do any beter. How about from Charlie Rangel who proposed a bill to re-instate the draft (a bill he didn’t vote for, by the way)… in promoting the bill he said that military ranks are filled with the poor, the uneducated, and with minorities.
Gee, I don’t see minorities as a problem, why does he? Why don’t libs think that people join the military because they are patriotic and want to serve their country and countrymen. Why does it have to be a deficiency that leads some to enlist?
Poor Bushie probably wants an apology after it was explained to him that the joke was aimed at him.
How very amusing.
Fe: Of course these people weren’t considering voting Democratic. It’s a very common blog-trolling technique, pretending to be on your side (or almost on your side) but feigning outrage and whining about how whatever issue has turned them against the party forever and ever and ever.
John Kerry, you are a disgraceful person. It is hard to imagine such a disgraceful person in the senate or anywhere else in our government. I have no idea how you sleep at night. You are so out of touch with real people. Go get in one of your planes and hide in one of your mansions and leave real americans to do there work. I’m sorry, I mean your wifes planes and mansions.
There is one reason you don’t see many with a logical defense of Senator Kerry’s statement. It does not exist. Whether he was calling our military dumb, or the POTUS dumb, it’s namecalling none the less. It was a potshot and and his response today was a classic case of trying to remove the speck in his own eye, when he had an entire tree, with branches, leaves and all, sticking out of his own eye. An apology will be demanded, but will make no difference. There aren’t a whole lot of people in this country who can trust him. He’s been party to treason since he returned from Vietnam. It is morally distasteful to slander for political gain, or loss, as his latest statements have begun. Hopefully Congress and the Senate are not controlled by Democrats after this years elections. I don’t think I could stomach Senator Kerry being awarded yet another Purple Heart for shooting himself in the foot this week.
Shame on you. You are a total disgrace to your country and to your office. Move to France where you can be fully appreciated.
Mr. Kerry,
Not that I think you will ever read this or if you do, pay much attention to it but here I go anyways.
My son is stationed in Southern Baghdad. He was validictorian of his HS class and was on the dean’s honor list at Stanford, when HE choose to join the ALL volunteer Army. Not as a officer although he most certainly could of , but as a grunt. I certainly do not agree with your veiled reference to the poor or un-educated being the only people to man this countries Army. What does that say about yourself or other Democrat’s who are now riding the Veteran band wagon? Are you saying that the soldier’s of the Vietnam era were smarter and therefore better?
Am I neither a Republican nor Democrat any longer, I guess you may call me an athesist when it comes to the current polictial climate. But I am most certainly an American. For you or any candidate to so casually make remarks about the men and women who are serving America, right or wrong, on a battlefield in a foreign land is a disgrace.
Don’t attack the White House, the Congess or the soldiers, don’t condemn the Republican’s for their policy in Iraq, support the men and women who are being shot at daily. Support my son who choose to be where he is at, choose to follow others into battle who like yourself served their country in what was then (Vietnam) and is now an unpopular conflict (Iraq). When you stump against Iraq, you are standing on my son’s back. As well as the 140,000 other American there. But most sadly, for you, the 2,800 American who have died their.
I am so glad Senator Kerry is not President, can you imagine a person like this giving orders as Commander and Chief to our Troops, who apparently he thinks of as STUPID! No Mr Kerry when you don’t take education seriously, you might end up being a Junior Senator with a big mouth. Shame on you, don’t try to spin this one around you did it, be a man and own up to it!!! But of course you won’t because you are a DEMOCRAT before you are an AMERICAN. Please never visit our AMERICAN troops over in Iraq and any where else your presence would only dishonor our Brave Men and Women who serve AMERICA for all AMERICANS even you Mr Kerry. Sleep well Senator, with any luck you’ll be Mr Kerry again soon.
RESIGN YOU HYPOCRITE
Kerry was talking to students, whom who told to study, do THEIR homework, and be smart, or THEY would be stuck in Iraq. He did not say Bush was stuck, he clearly referred to our troops, people who are intelligent enough to ENLIST rather than being so stupid that they cannot do anything else.
you should be ashamed of yourself for demoralizing and undermining the american troops in iraq
Otter said:
A wise old man once told me, “Son, don’t worry about it; if they’re out there shooting at you, then you must be doing something right.”
....must mean our troops are doing something right in Iraq.
What a lousy human being you are John Kerry.
You’re arrogance is astonishing; how big of an ego do you have?
As a loyal Republican I would encourage you to keep speaking for the Democratic party. You are the best asset we have.
I am sure the Navy would love it if you started telling everyone you served in the Army.
Kerry supporters. Don’t spend time preaching to the choir here. Make your supportive comments on mainstream media websites like CBSnews.com for independents and Republicans to read.
Mr. Kerry,
I can not believe your comments. I have many friends who have children in the military. They are some of the best this nation has to offer! I am very proud of anyone who is in the military. How can you even say such a thing? You are a disgrace to the democratic party!
American Legion to Sen. Kerry: Apologize Now
INDIANAPOLIS, October 31, 2006 - The National Commander of The American Legion called on Sen. John Kerry to apologize for suggesting that American troops in Iraq are uneducated.
“As a constituent of Senator Kerry’s I am disappointed. As leader of The American Legion, I am outraged,” said National Commander Paul A. Morin. “A generation ago, Sen. Kerry slandered his comrades in Vietnam by saying that they were rapists and murderers. It wasn’t true then and his warped view of today’s heroes isn’t true now.”
While addressing a group of college students at a campaign rally in Pasadena, CA., Monday, Kerry suggested that they receive an education or “if you don’t, you’ll get stuck in Iraq.”
“While The American Legion shares the senator’s appreciation for education, the troops in Iraq represent the most sophisticated, technologically superior military that the world has ever seen,” Morin said. “I think there is a thing or two that they could teach most college professors and campus elitists about the way the world works.
“And while we are on the topic of education, why doesn’t the senator and his comrades in Congress improve the GI Bill so all of today’s military members – reserves and guard included – can achieve the educational aspirations that the senator so highly values?” Morin said. “The senator’s false and outrageous attack was over-the-top and he should apologize now.”
The 2.7-million member American Legion, http://www.legion.org, is the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Even I am amazed the democrats are finding a way to “flip flop” their way out of this one. Good luck even getting your power back when you are dumb enough to have leaders like Kerry, Clinton, and the rhyming reverends! God Bless our Troops!
PS. Just for the democrats here… Try to focus on the subject.
I studied hard and got pretty good grades in high school.
I chose to join the Army at 17 and was disabled and retired in 1984.
Since then I attended a pretty competitive undergrad program and am getting my masters in history - not to earn a living, but to teach.
I have been successful in corporate America and even more successful as an entrepreneur.
I am a volunteer firefighter, youth sports coach, Scoutmaster, father and husband.
I live in a state that is neither West nor East, but somewhere in the middle.
I am not a Republican or Democrat, but somewhere in the middle - but I am an American
Mr. Kerry, I don’t think you have any idea how deeply you offended most of us Americans. Quite frankly, I am disgusted that anybody would say what you said - REGARDLES OF WHAT YOU MEANT TO SAY. And then, to not offer an apology, but an attack… What were you thinking?
We have a VOLUNTEER military, Sir. Anybody that is in Iraq right now is there for one reason - because they chose to be there. Not because they didn’t study. Not because they didn’t get good grades, but because of conscious choices they made. Some of them, like me, are probably there because they believe in what we are doing and believe it is the right thing.
Before I saw your speech, I have to admit, I was pretty apolitical - ambivalent about the mid-term elections and upcoming presidential run. I am no longer. I will do whatever I can to make sure that you, and anybody from ANY party that thinks like you, are never again elected to public office.
You are killing our country. But it is your right - a couple of million Americans have given their lives to ensure that.
Please, go home and stop patronizing the rest of us. We are sick of it.
WSH
Senator Kerry you are an embarrasment as an American. During the Campaign in 2004 you said you had a plan for Iraq, a plan for victory. Why haven’t you shared it? Have all of our soldiers died while waiting for you to enlighten us all as to what we should do? These soldiers blood is on your hands Senator. You need not look farther than into a mirror to see what is wrong with this country. I served 20 years in the Air Force and I am a very proud Veteran. You owe me an apology. All the disgusting vile attacks that you and your Left wingers spew is only making the enemy stronger. Is that so hard to grasp?
I read: “Statement of John Kerry Responding to Republican Distortions, Pathetic Tony Snow Diversions and Distractions”
Was this really written and/or said by a person who once ran for President of the United States?
I don’t believe it. It’s high school level at best. And, I’m being kind.
The men and women fighting on the front line in the new World War deserve our thanks, our respect, and our admiration. It’s time to thank the American soldier. The American soldier fights for those who can’t fight for themselves. The American soldier fights for what is right and decent.
Senator Kerry,
Your supporters will not stand by idly while the neocons try to swift boat you again.
Americans are getting stuck in Iraq.
Young people are turning to the military when the economic conditions prevent them from finding needed employment.
The military is turning to drop-outs as well as patriotic young people in filling its ranks. The quagmire in Iraq is slowing recruitment for the military and the National Guard.
If you have made a verbal gaffe, you are not far from the mark. Nobody has died. Nobody has lost their arms, legs, eyes or their lives.
Political campaigns require candidates who can take a blow, stand up and keep going. America needs you to stay in the race, keep talking truth to power, and returning our nation to the values that made us great and once made us the envy of all of the nations of the world.
Rendition, Torture, loss of Habeas Corpus, outing of CIA agents, corrupt relationships with lobbyists, fraud in contracting, and dragging our nation into a war on false pretenses demands your continue efforts on behalf of all of us.
Nobody in America can carry the ball better than you. Nobody in America has the experience, wisdom, and passion that this pursuit demands.
Keep on Coming John!
Robert Freedland
John Kerry for President 2008
Is this supposed to be the transcript from a press conference? Where did Kerry find the objective reporters who asked these questions?
The first question is a dead giveaway:
“To those people who didn’t get your joke, who may have misinterpreted you as saying the undereducated are cannon fodder, what do you say?”
Who asked that question, John Kerry’s campaign manager?
Kerry, you have shamed our troops, shamed our country, and shamed your democratic party. I wasn’t 100% sure how I was going to vote until today. You made it easy to vote Republican. Your party is equally disgraceful for not having the courage to stand up to you and demand an apology.
Senator Kerry,
Your supporters will not stand by idly while the neocons try to swift boat you again.
Americans are getting stuck in Iraq.
Young people are turning to the military when the economic conditions prevent them from finding needed employment.
The military is turning to drop-outs as well as patriotic young people in filling its ranks. The quagmire in Iraq is slowing recruitment for the military and the National Guard.
If you have made a verbal gaffe, you are not far from the mark. Nobody has died. Nobody has lost their arms, legs, eyes or their lives.
Political campaigns require candidates who can take a blow, stand up and keep going. America needs you to stay in the race, keep talking truth to power, and returning our nation to the values that made us great and once made us the envy of all of the nations of the world.
Rendition, Torture, loss of Habeas Corpus, outing of CIA agents, corrupt relationships with lobbyists, fraud in contracting, and dragging our nation into a war on false pretenses demands your continue efforts on behalf of all of us.
Nobody in America can carry the ball better than you. Nobody in America has the experience, wisdom, and passion that this pursuit demands.
Keep on Coming John!
Robert Freedland
John Kerry for President 2008
You’re pathetic! You believe I am an idiot for serving in the US Army. I have invested my master degree in working for the peace that we had in 1990, met with world leaders far beyond your abilities to arrange, volunteered for mission work with my Church, and now proudly serve along side of my brothers and sisters who practice the art of combat arms. As a volunteer who has trained under a couple of service branches, I have always stepped up to the plate when needed. I am working with many intelligent men and women who are risking their lives to restore the US. I am doing this with a broad memory of the depletion of our capabilities that you helped to put on us in the 1990’s. I remember getting ready to go back to Iraq in 1997, but Clinton coward out. That is when we lost track of Iraq’s weapons capabilities. I fully remember the horrific limitations that your party put on us when you controlled the Congress in 1983—While in Beirut we were not allowed to have our weapons loaded and could only have one magazine clip with 20 rounds of ammunition. We lost 247 Marines, sailors, and soldiers on October 23, 1983 when the sentries couldn’t load and fire their weapons in time to stop the suicide bombers. This was because of your party’s control over the military. I challenge you to a debate any time and any place! Better yet, resign you shameless tick.
How can any one listen to his OWN words and not understand what he said...if your not educated, your stuck in Iraq...That is not a joke about Bush in any way...As a liar will do, if he tells the story enough, he thinks he can make it true..
I am disgusted
I am a seventeen year old young lady in high school. I keep a close eye and ear on my government’s actions, and with this recent speech by Mr. Kerry I would have to say that I am PROUD. I am proud to see a man stand, say something he means, and not try to back out when a few people don’t like it. I saw many truths in his speech. In fact, my stepfather happens to be a very strong minded Republican and I have seen these traits in him. (Especially when it comes to being a fanatic Rush Limbaugh listener!) At times I am disgusted by actions of not only my stepfather, but also by our Republican representatives. I only hope that maybe Mr. Kerry’s speech can open the eyes of others to see what is happening to with government’s ethics and strategies. I also hope that it possible for us to get a grasp on our view of the war in Iraq and what we are truly there to do.
Sincerely,
Heather R. Simons
Mr. Kerry,
Your WORDS, nothing else, and your back peddling, speak for themself. You are a fool, on a huge scale, but what’s worse, you are destructive, always have been. You said it, and now you look worse for your filmsy excuses. Really, you are becoming the person one loves to hate.
Senator Kerry,
Not only is your “attempt at humor” unbelievably insulting to our troops in Iraq, but your attempt to call it a “botched joke” is an insult to EVERYBODY!
It’s one thing to put your foot in your mouth and say something embarrassing - I know, I do it far to often myself, and that is part of the reason that I don’t try to be a representative in my government. But it is insulting to think that we, the American people, are stupid enough to believe that you didn’t mean to say that students need to study so they don’t end up with no other choice than the military!
You are doing yourself more harm by continuing to make excuses.
You sir do owe the troops an apology for your comments! Of course it’s your better than thou attitude which makes you not apologize to them.
To insinuate that our troops or anyone who joins the military is not smart is very stupid of you. Our troops are very intelligent, highly educated, highly dedicated young men and women who offer their lives in sacrifice for our freedom. Even the freedom for you to make such disparaging suggestions about them!
If you don’t like our great president’s policies, work with your fellow Democrats to change those policies; don’t make such comments about our fine military force! Of course, this does tend to follow your past tradition of putting down those who will defend our nation!
Unless you apologize to our troops, you are a loser!
Senator Kerry,
I hope that you will take to EVERY single outlet you can with the context of your comments (including Fox News!). I also hope that members of the Democratic Party have the courage to stand with you and fight back at the twisting of these comments into campaign fodder. Isn’t it sad that this is what Republicans want to talk about.... and even sadder that many Democrats stand for it?
I understand that this was a botched joke. But even with the mistake, let’s look at the facts: the educated middle classes and those who rank above them on the economic scale are NOT those who are losing their lives in this war that was based on a lie. The working class and poor are losing people (and I speak as someone with working class roots whose father is a Vietnam Veteran)… This is not a commentary on intelligence, but rather on financial means.
So, in that regard, even the botched statement is true in a way: if you can (afford to) study, you won’t wind up in Iraq… If you can (afford to study/go to college), you’re less likely to be recruited in the first place. Does it mean no educated people serve? Of course not! But look at the averages… and consider who is suffering. By and large, it’s not the Ivy Leaguers.
Of course I understand that this is not what you said… but wouldn’t it be nice if people actually considered truths instead of twisting reality.
Please stand your ground and be heard no matter what. That is the sort of leader America needs.
Stephanie in California
Why don’t you Swift Boat Veterans for “Truth” types go back to whatever cave you crawled out from… or at the very least, not insult our intelligence with your blatantly obvious attacks? At least give us some sport in trying to figure out where you’re coming from, whether you are sent out from Free Republic, RedState, the SBVT pit of hell, or your parents’ basement. It’s too obvious right now.
Treason?
Inflicting his own wounds? (Yes, I did get your joke, but--to turn your own line of reasoning against you--you made a joke about a wounded military man. Tasteless.)
Wishing that the Democrats would lose this year?
All of you claiming that YOUR child/spouse/whoever was personally insulted?
ADMITTING you are Republicans?
This is just boring. Please, please, for the sake of the Internet, get better at playing the troll game.
Oh—and KERRY ON.
That press conference he gave was one of the best things I’ve heard all year. THAT is a fighting Democrat, who won’t take any crap from Rove’s right-wing smear machine.
The sound you hear is the air coming out of the senator’s prsidential aspirations in 08. Forget about Fox News, even Gen. Wes Clark (another veteran by the way) is jumping on Kerry.
Re: your “joke.”
You are not helping. We don’t need this kind of blunder at this critical time.
RESIGN NOW
I too am a veteran, and you guys need to get over yourselves. John Kerry is trying to fight for us, and your attacking him for defending us from Bush.
Nuff Said - He sinks his own ship each time he speaks… now he is double talking and turing HIS own words around. He KNOWS what he said, and he meant it!!
“Then he said: “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”
And Eileen your suggested word(s) don’t even fit into the sentence: “he meant BUSH was “stuck” in Iraq”. Please, really!
Mr. Kerry. I am the mother of two well educated young men who joined after September 11th because you just can’t let these things happen to our Freedom and that of the World. We are proud of our young people who serve.
I am so very angry and sad for you. Don’t do this to our young people!
Your service is O-V-E-R. Retire.
How juvenile and nauseating, not to mention the pot calling the kettle black. The President misspeaks on a regular basis, has played the wrong national anthem, and joked while “looking around for the missing weapons of mass destruction” at a dinner, just to mention a few insults and embarrassments to us all. Senator Kerry would have a very long way to go before over-taking the current President of this great nation in the blunder department.
WAY TO GO KERRY!
Nice to see so many of the 59m idiots are still around and can sort of type / comment on a blog, too.
Let us hope they will soon move to Iraq once they have freed it from tyranny and democratized it, the the REAL AMERICANS can continue to live in this country.
To all of you negative whining Republican wannabees who can’t seem to understand the English language unless somebody spells it out in “My Pet Goat” level readers…
Why don’t you wise ass nut jobs take your little pissant right wing diatribes some where that finds your kind of smary below the belt kind of tactics acceptable.
Rove, Melman and O’neil are calling on line one they have your latest talking points.
Well the good news is that you lying scumbags are about to get your come uppance. Payback is just around the corner and it’s gonna be a bitch.
I was so proud of John Kerry today! He gives voice to the anger that I and so many others around the world feel in regards to how our president and his cronies have utterly destroyed America’s reputation and moral authority in the world.
Those who call Mr. Kerry a liar--prove it or stop your childish name calling. Those who say they are ashamed of him, you have an odd value system that causes you to feel ashamed of a faithful, astute public servant who has more integrity than most other politicians combined.
Mr. Kerry’s commitment to truth, dedication to serving America, and willingness to stand for his beliefs no matter what, as well as his true compassion for the oppressed and his commitment to social justice--these are the qualities that have made me a supporter of him.
These are the qualities that made me realize that I had been, up to that point (2003), supporting a party that neither reflected my own values nor displayed anything I could admire or respect. All my life, Democrats had been vilified, much as some Republicans on this thread are trying to do today. But when I looked beyond the noisy propaganda, what I found were true heroes. In Mr. Kerry, I found a politician I could respect and admire.
He’s why I became a Democrat, and I am proud of that and proud of him. I live in a red state and don’t have the honor of being his constituent, but John Kerry speaks for me.
Thank you, Mr. Kerry.
John Kerry, You should apologize to every service member that has served in the last 4 years. I did not join because i failed in school. I left college and joined the service after 9/11 to serve my country and President.
Senator,
I think most intelligent people recognize that you simply botched a joke. Lord knows, our president is the ultimate butcher of the English language.
As a lifelong Democrat who desperately wants new leadership, I ask for one thing… please shut up. Just go away until after the election. We have what will probably be the best chance of taking back the house that we will have in a generation. You have given the other side ammunition, and made yourself a motivator to get the other side to the polls.
From a US vetern, you have once again foot your foot in your mouth! You should be ashamed of your comments
I do not for a minute think that John Kerry disparaged our military. I find him thoughtful and intelligent and one of the few who is truly concerned for the people who were sent to fight this war. The fact that he is finally articulating what so many of us feel is encouraging. ‘Support our Troops’ seems to mean support for a failed policy. It breaks my heart to hear of the death and injury of so many of our citizens with no coherent plan to end this mess. I support the military men and women who are in Iraq enough to vote for people who don’t think honoring deaths means more of the same.
Try this on for size Senator:
My son is an A student at a university considered to be “highly competitive.” He is also a cadet in the US Air Force ROTC.
His goal is to work hard, study hard and succeed in his university endeavors so that when he graduates he CAN go to Iraq, or wherever he is needed to DEFEND WITH HIS LIFE *your* right to be an imbecile and say stupid stuff over and over.
Thank God you’re not President. And thanks to all who serve, notwithstanding dimbulb politicians like yourself.
Rusty
Need any more bandaids?
As a life long democrat would you please just go away? you ran a terrible campaign two years ago and now you have given the GOP a great opportunity to latch on to something stupid you said just a week before the election.
Maybe you should have said, “if you’re an idiot, you can always get elected to the U.S. Senate”
PLEASE GIVE ALL OF US DEMOCRATS A BREAK AND JUST GO AWAY!
My daughter scored a 33 on her ACT. She is currently enrolled in a University. Prior to enrolling in college, she attented a private school for her secondary education. She will be leaving for Marine boot camp in January. My daughter is neither stupid nor ignorant and I take great offense at your comments. You saying this was a joke is just like the protestors who say they support our troops. Ha! What a joke! Shame on Them? No Mr. Kerry. SHAME ON YOU!!!
I am the mother of two United States Marines—by the way—both college educated, Mr. Kerry, and I am outraged at your thoughtless remarks. My sons are fighting for the freedom that you and your socialite wife enjoy every day. Your remarks are typical of big-mouth liberals who are all talk and no action. You disgust me.
The Republicans show how desperate they are for attacking John Kerry for mispeaking on his statement.
Look how long it took for them to address FOLEY?
This is the same WH that takes advise from Henry Kissinger that tought of the troops as less than human!
Why is the WH NOt sorry for sending “Our Troops” to die to aquire wealth for Bush & Cheneys buddies?.
John, John, John, this should wrap it up for your career?
Can you sell Heinz?
right- wing trolls.now thats funny=). tho name calling does hold true to form for you.
Senator Kerry spoke the long overdue truth-
And he spoke with a passion and assertivness that I only wish he’d used against the “swift-boat” fools years ago.-
Lori Piestewa lost her life- because serving in the military was her best option for providing for her children- It’s about time the truth as ugly as it may be, was spoken and acknowledged by America-
Thank you Senator Kerry for taking a stand, and pulling back the curtain on the false ‘wizzards’ controlling this nation-
Those who use our sons and daughters like plastic pawns- faceless numbers, little more than names on a page- and Not the flesh and blood loved ones, who can no longer wipe the tears from the cheeks of those who mourn the emptyness left behind by their needless deaths-
Kerry,
Your criticisms of the president are not things he is guilty of, but things that you yourself are guilty of.
“I’m not going to stand for it”.
Sandy and Grant Taylor
Hooray - ‘bout time you showed your cojones Senator! Dean was right after all - you have to stand up to these organized cretins who listen to Limbaugh, Hannity, and Savage all day. These far-right Republicans are not above disgracing every soldier in and out of uniform to score political points, and they demonstrate it every day. It’s all part of Rove’s plan of dividing the country and mucking his way to 51 percent. We’ve got’em on the ropes for once - don’t let up!
I am utterly speechless. When I heard your comments, Mr. Senator, my heart was deeply saddened. How have you let it come to this? You have spit in the faces of my grandfather, father, and brother who have served our country in the past and present. And you apologize “to know one”??? The audacity of you to stand in front of the American flag and claim to have our country’s best interest at heart. You, Mr. Kerry, I will NOT vote for. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
What is this crap, did the RNC send out a mass email calling on its 101st Keyboardist Brigade to all claim that their children were personally insulted?
Thanks JK—Just what we needed before the mid terms. You are brilliant ! Notttttt !!
I support the military men and women who are in Iraq enough to vote for people who don’t think honoring deaths means more of the same.
I think that statement says it best.
Senator Kerry is a true patriot.
Senator Kerry,
It is your words, not a failed attempt at humor, that judge you. You insulted every US veteran and active serviceman and woman by implying that students should study and work hard or they will end up only able to serve in the our military. You furthered that insult by your refusal to simply say that you were sorry for your words.
While it is legitimate to hold a different view of our being in Iraq it is not legitimate to hold those who serve in the military in contempt. It is also not a valid form of arguement to criticize those who have not served in the military because they criticize you. In fact it rather bolsters their criticism because of attacking their argument you only criticize the one putting forth the argument.
I urgue you to reconsider your words and give our finest men and women a sincere apology for your words.
Reed
Senator Kerry: Isn’t it time you got over not being president??? I am so sick of hearing the arrogant, elitist, self-aggrandized comments by you. My gosh either GO AWAY or try to work toward unity between the parties in the US, the 60’s are over!
Mr. Senator learn something from Barak at the very least!
Unbelievable, you should resign. Our troops are dedicated, smart, and our nations best. You are out of touch with reality. Our military loves our country and will do anything for it.
Senator Kerry, stand fast. Most of these “responders” are RNC hacks instructed to clutter your blog with the distortions dictated to them by their “leader”. You are a true leader. Don’t back down, tell it like it is! Give ‘em Hell John!!!
Wow ! What a screw up. Everyone gets exactly what he meant. What the hell was he thinking? Can you say “Foot in Mouth” ? Unbelieveable
HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,
If Kerry had spoken like this during his campaign, he would be President Kerry; unfortunately he’s way too much a “gentleman”.
Republicans STILL lie through their teeth about John Kerry.
The treasonous cowardly traitor to the US Constitution is the man now occupying the White House.
If there are ever real investigations of this administration dozens of Bush’s people will be indicted, and convicted.
Bush and Cheney are politically and morally corrupt crooks and liars...and will be remembered as such, along with the likes of Bin Laden, by history as long as there is a human history.
Hundreds of thousands of innocents are dead because of Bush/Cheney’s actions: May the Good Lord have mercy on their “souls”.
The only adjectives I can state that come to mind when trying to identify Kerry are useless and “gutless,” a genuine coward.
A person use to running!
Mr. Kerry,
You are an arrogant SOB who has a disdain for the United States Military (by your actions after you came back from Vietnam and again now). Your comments about education level are a) not true and b) could not be construed to be any sort of “joke” aimed at President Bush. You didn’t even mention the president or the Iraq policy in that section of your comments…
I know that our military (and the American public) are both smart enough to discern your real meaning which is why I am not worried about losing the House or Senate. Democrats will hamstring our military and create another Vietnam and Americans will not do that a week from today.
Obviously Kerry has not only made a bad joke, but his response shows a huge inconsistency. Let me quote form his press confrence.
KERRY: Very simple: that those who didn’t study it properly, those who made the decisions, they got us into Iraq. Very simple.
The accusation is that Bush did not study enough so he led us into the war. Well my recollection is that Kerry voted along with the rest of the Senate FOR MILITARY ACTION! So who is worse, the person who “did not study enough” and led us into the war or the person who apparently also did not study enough and followed this leader?
I fully support Senator Kerry’s right to free speech. For years now there has been anger and antagonism toward the expression of any sort of opposition to the government’s decisions and policies. If you agree with the war in Iraq, you are free to say so because of what servicemen and women have sacrificed for the American peopel to enjoy that freedom. Is that right only to be exercised when people speak in support of the Administration? It is a dark day for the American ethic when any person who dares speak out publicly against policy is deemed a traitor to the country, and a disgrace to the uniform, when the ideas of free speech and expression are what our uniformed officers have fought and died for. I, for one, will not applaud the president for sending our men and women to this war and then not having the money, plan, or support to give them the protection they deserve for their courage in fighting for our country. Our troops deserve better than what this president has given them. I can say that and much worse if I so choose, because my country supports that right. The same for Senator Kerry and the same for everyone on this page that disagrees with Senator Kerry. We trek into dangerous ground when we are so afraid of differing opinions that we must shout them down before they can be heard.
0. Don’t back down ... I would not expect anything less from a party the supports hit men that mock Michael Fox as he attempts to find cures for parkinsons ... But you guys want a fight you got it.
1. I have had it with you self righteous,draft dodging ,flip flopping liars. You guys want to dish it out… be prepared to take it
2. Support your statements with recruitment facts.
- Recruiters have been quite busy in
parking lots and low income schools these days
3. Ask the admin to provide stats on how many college graduates from non-military universities serve in Iraq
4. How many of the nearly 3000 members who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan were college graduates
5. How many have left behind families to fend for themselves
6. And to John McCain: where were you my friend during those times when your hit men just out and out lied about my military record… no where john ... no where to be found ...
7. And to Tony Snow: how many years did you serve in the military, let me know when you are ready to talk about the military life, I’d like to discuss with you about how our soldiers are not paid enough for the sacrifices that they make for this administration stupidity ... and I would like to see you deliver those facts for the Fox press podium.
8. And to George: George you screwed up plain and simple ... just tell the truth ... when all the lies are played out ... just tell the American people the truth ... but most of all tell the brave men and women who are sacrificing their lives every day the truth… I wish you would spend a lot more time focusing on the strategy or tactics these days than running from state to state campaigning.
what a slap in the face to the men and women still risking their lives daily that you can once more shoot off your ugly and traitorous mouth.
I’d rather have a man of intent and determination leading us than a coward in the senate blabbing sensationalisms.
crawl back under your rock already.
proud career & OIF Vet Army Wife
I am insensed at the lack of sensitivity on the behalf of this Senator. It is one thing to disagree with the policies of the current administration, it is another to make light of the troops serving this country as ordered without political conviction. Mr. Kerry’s comments are a direct slap in the face of all that serve, their families and the people they protect. I serve with some of the greatest and SMARTEST Americans around.
Frankly, anyone can be a Senator. It doesn’t take much education...just a lot of money. Shame on you Mr. Kerry. I am so thankful that such a bitter man as yourself wasn’t elected to the most important position in the free world and moreover as the Commander-in-Chief.
MAJ Scott Bartlett
29th Infantry Division
Virginia Army National Guard
It is of continuous amazement how low you politicians stoop for the sake of selfish political party gain. If you have something to say to the White House then point your comments directly to the White House - do not hide behind backhanded playground insults (especially when the group you are truly insulting are truly selfless patriots of this country).
You should feel very ashamed as person, let alone a US Senator.
Dear Senator Kerry, thank you for finally responding the right way. I wish you had done this in 2004. Imagine how many Americans and Iraqis would still be alive.
As a veteran of the armed services and now a military wife, I am alarmed and disgusted to hear what you, John Kerry, has said about the people that risk their lives to keep this nation safe. When I say this nation, I mean my family, my friends, YOUR family and friends, and disgracefuls like you. No matter what you say about it being a slip up, YOU OWE A PUBLIC APOLOGY TO ALL THE TROOPS!!!
My little brother was able to navigate the country’s educational system just fine and still ended up “stuck in Iraq.” Not everyone in the military is there because the man is keeping them down. On the other hand, if you’re too dumb to get into community college maybe the military can force some skills down your throat. It never ceases to amaze me the way politicians oversimplify issue so they can use them as scare tactics.
Vote Libertarian!!!
You should have kept your mouth shut. You screwed us in 2004 already; now you may be costing us in 2006. What the hell were you thinking? Keep the focus on Bush. That was idiotic, and now you have made yourself a focus of attention. Great. This may cost us a couple of races.
SHUT your MOUTH. You had your chance and blew it because you cannot speak English like a human being. Just SHUT UP. And don’t even think of running for President ever again.
I spent 10 years in the US Marine Corps Infantry. Since then, I have realized that during that time, I was in the presence of greatness.
Those young men who were there to serve their country are the brightest, well educated, well read, well spoken people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Then today, I hear that Kerry says that if you’re a military member serving in Iraq, it’s because you are too lazy or too stupid to have applied yourself to education.
This made me angry, very angry. John, who’s never had a real job in his life, never contributed anything of value has the nerve to imply that my fellow Marines serving in Iraq “stupid.”
It pains me to no end that the people of Massachusetts continue to vote for this opportunistic cad.
Unfortunately, the comment invitation says it all..."We reserve the right to edit or remove comments.”
Well, I’ll give you one to remove: John Kerry is a traitor whose words before the senate 30 years ago likely caused the death of American servicemen held captive by a hostile enemy with whom we were at war.
In the interim, John Kerry has been a kept man, living off the fortunes of other men like a common gigolo.
Today, John Kerry’s eagerness to destroy America has taken his depravity to a new low. He made it obvious that military members are mere “serfs” in his view. It is obvious that destroying George Bush (another liberal), and regaining control of the government is worth the lives of a few thousand soldiers, more or less.
May you get what is coming to you John.
JUST SHUT UP BEFORE YOU HURT OR ALREADY HURT THE PARTY IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU. I VOTED FOR YOU BUT WON’T DO IT AGAIN. SHUT YOUR BIG MOUTH
John,
As the age old saying goes, “It’s better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” Open your eyes,shut your mouth and get a clue of what you’ve done to the Dems on the eve of an election.........
Can none of these people read? I thas been made very clear, despite all the noise created by the right wingers, that this was directed towards George Bush, not the troops.
There’s so many people willing to discuss this misinformation being spread about Kerry. Why are they so unwilling to discuss Kerry’s actual positions?
I am amazed how many people seem to “Know” how many current military men and women have or do not have college educations.
I most certainly do not but statistically, the number of people in the united states who are eligible to attend an Ivy League school is miniscule and therefore, percentage wise, would make up a misicule number of military people.
Secondly, going on my experience, I per