So a foot of hard rain fell on Dallas the day of John Kerry's("JFK"'s) ac-

[Algorem]

ceptance speech? http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/29/national/main633030.shtml "...Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin', But I'll know my songs well before I start singin', And it's a hard,it's a hard,it's a hard,it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall."-Bob Dylan,1963 http://home.worldonline.dk/justesen/index/lyrics.htm Seems like about 41 years of hard rain to me.

[Eloriel]

1. Do NOT refer to him as JFK -- EVER

It's insulting and disrespectful to the one and only JFK and his memory, to all those who (like me) lived through that tragic and heartbreaking time, and it certainly does Senator Kerry NO FAVORS in the comparison. IOW: reminding us of the real JFK reminds us Kerry is certainly NOT JFK.

It's also my understanding that Kerry doesn't want that reference either.

[Algorem]

3. That's why I put it in quotation marks.I don't refer to him as JFK.

I merely meant to remind of the amazing coincidence of their initials.(edited out regrettable snarkleties)

[anarchy1999]

4. Dear Algorem, You are very new here and Eloriel has been here a

long time. Your post back to Eloriel is incredibly disrespectful and you should be sorry.

[UdoKier]

5. Come on, it's a total overreaction on Eloriel's part.

I didn't read ANY disrespect to the memory of JFK in the original post. A lot of people have played with the fact that the initials are the same. Kerry may not measure up to JFK, or he may, we've yet to see that. Algorem's reply was a bit snarky, but hardly "incredibly disrespectful"

Lighten up.

[Hoping4Change]

7. I agree with you besides i think it dangerous to well nigh

deify any politican whether they are presidents or not. Politicans are humans not gods though many of them would like people to think that. IMHO if people wish not to use JFK to refer to Kerry that's fine but to insist that no one employs those initials and to do so is somehow disrespectful well that is way over the line.

[Zomby Woof]

12. Do not EVER let a person's longevity intimidate you

Kerry is even BETTER than the orignal JFK anyway. He is largely a myth created by a bullet.

Stick with your guns, and stand up to the bullies on DU who will browbeat you with all kinds of crap about the Kennedys.

[yardwork]

6. Fighting among ourselves and chasing off newbies is exactly

what the Republicans love to see.

It's possible to express strong opinions without attacking the poster, and it's always nice to give the newbies a little flexibility.

Just my opinion.

[blm]

8. Gee...maybe Kerry's parents should have checked with you first?

Kerry doesn't use it but there's absolutely no reason in the world to crab at someone who does, especially when it was meant to be a tender salute.

Geez, El. Show a little kindness, or at least a little tolerance for obviously good intentions.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Are you a member of John Kerry's family? Are you attempting to...

...prohibit someone from speaking freely on DU?

Interesting. I don't think you really mean to do that, do you?

And don't start with the comment that you were "around when JFK was President", because I was, too. And I thought the world of him.

Do you REALLY believe that it would even be remotely possible that anyone using the intials "JFK" for Kerry, could possibly confuse anyone into thinking that they might be referring to a beloved President that was assassinated forty-one years ago?

I also think that you may be selling John Kerry short. We won't know what kind of President he will be until he gets elected and has had some time to settle into the job. IMHO, Kerry is very similar to John Kennedy in terms of upbringing and the need to perform public service, both in and out of the military.

[Piperay]

19. John Forbes Kerry is also a JFK

and entitled to be called it but the worst reason for calling him JFK is that it makes it too easy to make the mistake of mixing the name up. I heard a couple of mistakes at the convention, someone at the convention said John Fitzgerald Kerry and Biden called him John Forbes Kennedy but luckily managed to correct himself fast. Practically speaking it is safer to just call him John Kerry.

[Walt Starr]

20. But, he IS JFK!

John Forbes Kerry

I don't give a shit what anybody else has to say about it, he IS JFK.

[anarchy1999]

2. Heed El's message well!

n/t

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. You went off on this same topic in another thread...what's the deal?

[Zomby Woof]

13. naw

It's just the harpings of a bitter Dean supporter who STILL wishes to piss on KERRY'S VICTORY.

[T Town Jake]

15. Exactly. I was thinking pretty much the same thing...

...but was glad to see someone with "1000+ posts" by their name post it first, lest a deluge of "waaaah! I've been here longer than you so shush!" flames reign down on my head.

[T Town Jake]

16. Are you the new free-lance hall monitor at DU? n/t

[Reciprocity]

11. Whatever happened to free speech?

Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

[underseasurveyor]

14. JFK (and family) was and still is very much adored by many

including myself. It is just that deeply personal for some and that's ok,...... to a point. I don't think using the initials JFK in reference to Kerry will 'catch on' at all (outside of the message board world) if that's what anyone is worried about. It just doesn't work or fit, ya know. Least it doesn't for me and I'd venture to guess a great majority realize and can tell the difference and take no serious issue with it.

But the fact remains, the letters JFK are Kerry's initials and to be 'commanded' not to "ever" use them in reference to Kerry is, well, how do I put this(?) I'll just leave it at that.

My mothers initials before she married my stepfather were JFK, and my initials are RFK. They are great initials to have ;-)

Yes John Kerry is not John Kennedy, but even if the initials are used in reference to Kerry on a board, I see nothing wrong with being reminded of the inspiration and hope that the JFK initials automatically carry (<--no pun intended) with them, and those are things we should not ever forget anyway. Most are capable of keeping the two JFK's separate. There are more pressing issues to attend to.
:pals:

[NightOwwl]

17. Just curious , bringing it up here because of all "newbie" talk.

How does DU define a "newbie?" Is it the number of posts, how long you've been a member, or something else?

[T Town Jake]

21. No, it's just a tactic used...

...to tell people whom one disagress with to shut the hell up (on the part of the person doing it). Sometimes, even, I've seen examples of folks replying to someone else with "1,000+ posts" check their join date, and then post something along the lines of "well, YOU'VE only been here since Oct. 2002, and I joined in May of 2002! So show some respect and shut up!", and other crap like that. It's usually "defined" and used strictly as a tact to silence people, and it's a pretty damn cheap way to debate, if you ask me. Just my two cents.

[sundog]

18. I think Algorem was simply interested in linking coincidences...

that's all... no big deal