Kerry Is the Candidate Who ...

[OrdinaryTa]

Just asking for a single sentence. Without getting long-winded, what can you say about this guy?

Fill in the blank. One sentence only.

John Kerry is the candidate who _______________________________________ .

[blm]

1. will beat the crap out of Bush with the AWOLSTICK.

.

[TheYellowDog]

2. who

served his country bravely in Vietnam and is a hero, in the truest sense of the word.

[Terwilliger]

3. John Kerry is the candidate who...

_________**CENSORED**______________________

[liberalhistorian]

15. LOL!

He's also the candidate that Rush LIEbaugh, in his great and infinite wisdom that he so eagerly and willingly shares with the world, called "French-looking", whatever the hell that's supposed to be. I'm not sure what the French are supposed to look like, anyway! Although he does speak fluent French, and that's a definite plus.

[deutsey]

30. who disappointed me the most with his vote

on the Patriot Act; evenso, I will support him if he's nominated.

[Walt Starr]

4. To easy

John Kery is the candidate who enabled Bush by voting in favor of the Iraqi invasion, but wants to be able to say he was against the war.

In other words, John Kerry is the candidate who is duplicitous as hell.

[blm]

8. helped prevent Bush from having the blank check he wanted to

bypass the UN, refuse further inspections, avoid presenting evidence to the Congress and UN, and additional bombings of Syria and Iran after the fall of Baghdad.

[killbotfactory]

10. No, that was Powell...

The IWR did do a goddamn thing.

Bush quit working with the UN, cut short inspections, and invaded Iraq without any proof of a threat. The only reason we are not in Syria or Iran is because we don't have enough forces.

[blm]

16. That's the GOP spin

about Powell, who promised the Senate committee that they weren't going to war, that they needed the resolution to threaten Saddam to comply.

[killbotfactory]

19. You're Right...

Bush never had any intention of working through the UN if he couldn't get his invasion. He said so before the vote, and after. And he proved it when the UN wouldn't bend to his will by stopping work with the UN and cutting short inspections and, in Kerry's own words, rushing to war. Why Kerry supported a war that was rushed when he repeatedly said he wouldn't, I don't know.

[sangha]

24. You're right

Powell is the real power behind the throne. Everything Powell wants, Powell gets, and to hell with what Chensfeld says.

[Mechatanketra]

20. Um, what world do you live in?

Memory refresher -- emphasis mine.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) AUTHORIZATION. The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to (1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq.
(b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION.
In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon there after as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that (1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone
either (A)will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq, and (2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorists attacks that occurred on September 11,
2001.
(c) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS.
(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION. Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

This bill specifically activates the President's war powers, to be used against Iraq, as he sees fit; without this bill, the President has no authority to attack any nation -- Iraq, Syria, Iran, Korea, whatever. Contrary to common myth on DU, being Commander in Chief only applies when there's something to command, and that "something" is created by Congressional authorizations like this bill.

This bill did not require the President to present any evidence to either the UN or Congress, and doesn't require him to pay any attention to what they think of whatever evidence he chooses to present. (Case in point: the UN wasn't swayed by Powell's "evidence", and we went in anyways without UN approval.) And even if it had required it, or even if one could argue that Kerry's backdoor handshakes moved the President to choose to do so, merely "presenting evidence" is meaningless unless there is a concurrent requirement to wait for approval of that evidence. Bush could have shaken a magic 8-ball, told us it said Saddam was going to attack tomorrow, and used that as his "evidence" and this bill says, "OK, you may attack".

This bill is a blank check with regards to Iraq. There are no restraints placed on the President's power in this bill, other than requiring him to tell Congress that he's using said power (which they might have figured out anyhow from all the bombs dropping on Bagdhad). Using it, Bush did bypass the UN (Q: are those US troops in Iraq under UN authorization? No? That's "bypassing the UN".)

This bill was one that Kerry voted in favor of, as much as anyone would wish otherwise. Kerry didn't stop the blank check, he signed it. That his vote alone wouldn't have stopped it is small comfort.

[blm]

22. Get real. Bush wanted a blank check. He didn't get it.

What Bush wanted was horrific. Your sanctimonious accusations against Kerry are absurd when you refuse to acknowledge they GOT a BETTER deal and they paid with their votes. There was only ONE alternative - Bush's REAL blank check. If you prefer that, be honest and say so.

[Egnever]

33. If we are going to be real

Biden lugar was clearly an alternative and it wasnt the only one.

[blm]

48. Except

Gephardt jumped the gun and settled for the IWR, when he felt it was the best they could get. Since it contained most of what was negotiated for, those who did the good faith bargaining paid for that BETTER bill with their votes.

That's the way the process works. If you don't like it, develop another system and lobby to get it accepted by the congress and executive branch.

[ThomWV]

38. Whoa There ....

Are you suggesting that the President is only Commander in Chief during time of war or other conflict authorized by the Congress? That is what you imply when you say "Contrary to common myth on DU, being Commander in Chief only applies when there's something to command". I have to disagree. We have a standing Army every minute of every day and it will respond to any order given from the White House, act of congress or not.

Thom

[ryharrin]

5. puts me to sleep

Not bad on issues and experience, but he sure does bore the hell out of me. Though, Lieberman and Edwards do too. Gephardt did until last night.

[sangha]

6. has got the goods on the BFEE

.

[JNelson6563]

39. I believe this to be true

which makes his vote on the Iraq resolution all the more puzzling to me. Did he actually trust the Simian? Knowing what he knows??

I don't think I'll ever understand that.

Julie

[Andy_Stephenson]

43. Sangha...we finally agree...he does have the goods on BFEE

and has em locked up tight, and no one will ever see em.

[blm]

89. Locked up like this?

You don't even care if you're proved wrong over and over again. Pathologically repeating something you know is not true based on evidence from so many sources. Here's yet another one, Gbnc.

THE NORTH NOTEBOOKS
From Washington by Tim Wheeler

EXCERPT...
In Washington, at the request of Irangate special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh, a new grand jury has been empanelled to consider evidence that Bush and President Reagan were very much "in the loop" on the criminal enterprise.

Also in Washington, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chair of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Terrorism and Narcotics, announced May 18 that he is examining thousands of newly released photocopied pages from Lt. Col. Oliver North's notebooks, which expose White House lying on the Noriega case. The National Security Archive and Ralph Nader's Public Citizen released thousands of the same pages at two press conferences on May 8 and May 18.

Senator Kerry declared, "The North notebooks confirm that high-level U.S. officials, including officials at the CIA and the NSC , knew about General Noriega's drug trafficking and corruption in 1986, kept him on the U.S. payroll and discussed helping him clean up his image in return for his help for the contras."

"The information was important because throughout 1988, while my hearings were taking place, the White House was denying that it had known about Noriega's drug trafficking." Kerry added, "There is something fundamental that is violated in a democracy when the White House can classify documents as 'Codeword Top Secret' in order to suppress politically damaging information in an election year." Kerry suggested that Walsh examine sworn testimony of former Assistant Secretary of State Elliot Abrams and Donald Gregg to determine if they committed perjury. Kerry said the documents also raise questions of whether NSC and intelligence officers engaged in domestic surveillance in violation of the law.

The North notebooks provide a wealth of new evidence. One page, released for the first time May 8, lists a "mtg w V.P." at 12 noon, August 6, 1986. North began that day by meeting with Israeli terrorist expert, Amiram Nir. According to North's notes, he then went to an extraordinary meeting at the White House with members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. According to his later testimony, North "lied, lied, lied" to the lawmakers about the Iran-contra conspiracy. North then met with several other covert agents, including Gregg. Finally he met with Vice President Bush. Did the Vice President discuss with North his lies to an official oversight committee of the U.S. Congress?

Asked about this notation in North's notebook, White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater declared, "The vice president's role in the Iran-contra affair was completely examined in the congressional inquiry and we have nothing to add."
CONTINUED...

http://www.skepticfiles.org/socialis/north.htm

[SweetZombieJesus]

50. And yet he was "misled" by their prodigal son?

The fact that Kerry knows intimate details of the BFEE's dealings only further exasperates those of us who were disappointed by his war vote. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, he fucking knew better, but he wouldn't stand against the war, even on principle.

[Eloriel]

67. and will never use them.

AND:

Kerry is the canddiate who said Bush is a good guy trying to do good things.

And to "get over it."

Eloriel

[oasis]

7. is the strong, sober, serious leader that America so badly needs.

[tsipple]

9. "is decent."

He's OK. I have a lot of trouble with his Iraq vote, and certainly his explanation of it, but he's obviously far better than Bush.

[Must_B_Free]

11. Started Veterans against Foreign Wars...

Met John Lennon at a peace rally...

[killbotfactory]

12. ...served in Vietnam.

[JVS]

13. belongs to a secret organization with Dubya.

Not that it really matters.

[KC21304]

14. Is the candidate that scares the hell out of Karl Rove.

And if he can get Wesley Clark to agree to be VP, Bush will be lucky if he carries Texas.

[RichM]

17. is a good senator, but was dead wrong on the biggest issue of our time.

[BurtWorm]

18. disappointed me

I was leaning toward him before the Iraq vote. What can I say? He disappointed the shit out of me. If he wins the nomination, however, I will support him and vote for him.

[mitchum]

21. drives the single issue fanatics batshit crazy

[sangha]

25. Good one!

.

[Eloriel]

71. Yeah, single issues like

thousands of needless dead; the physical invasion and destruction of a sovereign nation; depleted uranium all over the place for the next 4 billion years; billions of taxpayer dollars spent on behalf of a group of people to satisfy their oil lust and dreams of empire; wrecked U.S. reputation on the world stage; the will of the people (support for the war was a mile wide, but an inch deep -- very, very thin support).

Yeah, those single issues. Just life and death, that's all. LOTS of death, 4 billion years worth of various kinds of death coming up.

Just single issues.

Eloriel

[mitchum]

82. I never thought of the war. I was thinking of the people who hate him...

because he has a long face. What? Were they traumatized by Fred Gwynne?

[Andy_Stephenson]

88. Call it the

Death Issue...

[seventhson]

23. is the closest sociopolitically to GWBush

Richest man in the US Senate

Sworn member of a secret society with both Bushes

Lied about throwing his war medals away

who fools a lot of dems into thinking he is a Dem.

He fakes well

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. is considered a sell out by his fellow vets from Veteran's for Peace.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. knows how to avoid a political trap when he sees one

because the president can order troops into action without congressional assent anyway.

[Eloriel]

72. Avoiding that political trap would have included his other

favorite escape clause: simply not voting.

Naaah, You guys can try to spin that Iraq vote a hundred different ways. It still won't wash.

There are plenty of other things I dislike about Kerry, but the war vote trumps them all, triple-fold.

Eloriel

[yellowdawgdem]

28. who can win

if he relaxes a little, laughs a little... and chooses Gephardt, Graham or ? for vp.

[newyawker99]

32. Hi yellowdawgdem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[yellowdawgdem]

93. hello Newyawker99

howdy:-)

[Egnever]

34. Is the consumate poser!

:puke:

[stickdog]

29. wants to have it both ways on Iraq

and

puts me to sleep when he talks.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

55. so true

sadly so. Many stars for that one.

[Andy_Stephenson]

77. As if Kerry Doesn't

ever parrot Republican talking points.

[peabody71]

35. wants to have it both ways about everything.

Just like any Senator does.
\That's why they don't win Presidencies.

[poskonig]

36. thinks invading sovereign nations is cool.

O8)

[Jonte_1979]

37. ...Looks the most regal (nt.)

[DemVet]

40. will win the Nomination

[phillybri]

41. ...will win the nomination and along w/ Wesley Clark, defeat * in 2004.

:kick:

[Andy_Stephenson]

42. John Kerry is the candidate who

Gave us War, the patriot act and Homeland Gestapo.

[Octafish]

44. Kerry has the brains, backbone and experience needed to be President.

Back in 1988, John Kerry served Michael Dukakis in his campaign for President. At the time, I found it strange how Dukakis and Bentsen ignored the Savings and Loan scandal with the fingerprints of Poppy's brood: George W, Jeb and Neil.

Turns out Kerry wanted Dukakis and his running mate Lloyd Bentsen to go after Poppy Bush for his involvement in the S&L Scandal, an organized-crime-"rogue" CIA-inside-job that cost taxpayers well over $1 Trillion.

The reason Dukakis didn't slam Bush with the S&L stick? Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, Dukakis's running mate, was deep into the S&L doo-doo with his own son, just like the Bush. Funny how these multi-billion dollar scandals like BCCI are bi-partisan.

Kerry is a former officer of the United States Navy. In that capacity, he was given Command of a river patrol boat during the Vietnam War. In combat, he never lost a man under his command, even though he volunteered for the most dangerous missions. As a result, Kerry was wounded three times in four months. When he got home at the end of his military service, he decided to take a stand and speak publicly against the war.

Fact: Kerry did all he could to end the war in Vietnam — in uniform and as a civilian. Guess he takes his oath to defend protect and uphold the Constitution of the US seriously.

Bottom line: Kerry is the best person to serve as President of the United States.

[Andy_Stephenson]

45. "Kerry did all he could to end the war in Vietnam"

And 100% backing on a new war in Iraq.

[Octafish]

49. What your horse do? Ski? Study? Skip out on the protests?

What did your horse do in the war? Not much.

Kerry, as a Navy officer, volunteered for hazardous duty and brought ALL his men home. As a Senator, Kerry voted to protect the United States. As a decorated veteran, here's what he told the Senators about Vietnam:

Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement by John Kerry to the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations

April 23, 1971

EXCERPT...

We are asking Americans to think about that because how do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?....We are here in Washington to say that the problem of this war is not just a question of war and diplomacy. It is part and parcel of everything that we are trying as human beings to communicate to people in this country - the question of racism which is rampant in the military, and so many other questions such as the use of weapons; the hypocrisy in our taking umbrage at the Geneva Conventions and using that as justification for a continuation of this war when we are more guilty than any other body of violations of those Geneva Conventions; in the use of free fire zones, harassment interdiction fire, search and destroy missions, the bombings, the torture of prisoners, all accepted policy by many units in South Vietnam. That is what we are trying to say. It is part and parcel of everything.

An American Indian friend of mine who lives in the Indian Nation of Alcatraz put it to me very succinctly. He told me how as a boy on an Indian reservation he had watched television and he used to cheer the cowboys when they came in and shot the Indians, and then suddenly one day he stopped in Vietnam and he said, "my God, I am doing to these people the very same thing that was done to my people," and he stopped. And that is what we are trying to say, that we think this thing has to end.

We are here to ask, and we are here to ask vehemently, where are the leaders of our country? Where is the leadership? We're here to ask where are McNamara, Rostow, Bundy, Gilpatrick, and so many others? Where are they now that we, the men they sent off to war, have returned? These are the commanders who have deserted their troops. And there is no more serious crime in the laws of war. The Army says they never leave their wounded. The marines say they never even leave their dead. These men have left all the casualties and retreated behind a pious shield of public rectitude. They've left the real stuff of their reputations bleaching behind them in the sun in this country....

We wish that a merciful God could wipe away our own memories of that service as easily as this administration has wiped away their memories of us. But all that they have done and all that they can do by this denial is to make more clear than ever our own determination to undertake one last mission - to search out and destroy the last vestige of this barbaric war, to pacify our own hearts, to conquer the hate and fear that have driven this country these last ten years and more. And more. And so when thirty years from now our brothers go down the street without a leg, without an arm, or a face, and small boys ask why, we will be able to say "Vietnam" and not mean a desert, not a filthy obscene memory, but mean instead where America finally turned and where soldiers like us helped it in the turning.

CONTINUED...

http://pages.xtn.net/~wingman/docs/kerryst.htm

[SweetZombieJesus]

52. Guess what? Vietnam's been over for thirty fucking years

In a war that is killing hundreds of my peers, Kerry stood up to be counted with everything that is wrong and immoral about this country. If John Kerry circa 1969 could see John Kerry today, I think he'd be ashamed to see the man he became.

Feel free to defend his bullshit vote, but be aware that if you make another bullshit attack on Dean, who OPPOSED THIS WAR, I'm putting you on ignore with the rest of the wastes of space Dean bashing Kerry apologists.

Frankly, I don't give a flying fuck about Vietnam right now, when Kerry aided and abetted my generation's own slaughter.

[Octafish]

56. Nice mouth. Kerry voted to protect America.

Do you talk to everyone you disagree with like that? You sound like Rush Limbaugh. You don't sound like a Democrat.

BTW: Go ahead and put me on ignore.

[SweetZombieJesus]

73. Oooh, saying I sound like Rush = original

What a pithy and well thought out comeback! God forbid you actually back up your position with facts, your ilk is more suited to impotent ad hominem attacks.

Kerry voted to protect America, huh? From non-existent WMDs? From living in a country that doesn't openly and disgustingly flaunt international law?

If you honestly believe that this war protected anyone in this country, you're out of your mind. But judging by your contentment in living in the past, I'd say you just don't care.

[Octafish]

80. LMAO. Usually I don't argue with idiots.

They tend to back up their illogic with evidence.

So, where are YOUR "facts?" Were you there when the White House and the CIA briefed the Sentate Intelligence Committee? Where you there when they said there were no WMDs?

Bonus Question: Did you fail to notice the former Soviet republics are now run by a mafia that would deal in nukes if they can find a buyer with the bread.

I don't THINK so.

[Andy_Stephenson]

53. I am not sure what Dennis did during the war...

But I would love to hear.

[Octafish]

58. You've been for DEAN since way back when.

You said the other day you just switched to Kucinich. No matter, as long as I remember you've worked 24/7 to smear John Kerry.

Here's a reminder for those new to DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=4927&forum=DCForumID70&archive=

On this one you say you'll keep smearing John Kerry "until President Dean takes office."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=13193&forum=DCForumID66&archive=

[Andy_Stephenson]

60. I have never smeared.

I repeat the same mantra that is all

WAR, PATRIOT ACT, HOMELAND GESTAPO....Disqualifies them for me.


Oh and BTW....I can change who I support. I am allowed. Dennis is the best Man for the job IMHO...and I will be voting accordingly.

[Andy_Stephenson]

54. An open letter to John Kerry.

Dear John,

It has been a long time since we have had contact. As you might remember our very first meeting was at VVAW's Dewey Canyon III, "A Limited Incursion Into the Country of Congress," April 19-23, 1971, in Washington, D.C. I'm sure you remember asking the Senate that week in an impassioned speech, "How do you ask a man to die for a mistake?" You also stressed the importance of being "totally nonviolent."

Our second and many subsequent meetings occurred in Massachusetts after you were elected Lt. Governor, 1982-84, while I was active in veteran's issues in Western MA. As director of a veterans outreach center in Greenfield, and the Western Massachusetts Agent Orange Information Project, I served on the Massachusetts Agent Orange Task Force under Governor Dukakis' veterans commissioner and your office as Lt. Governor. I subsequently also served on Dukakis' homeless veterans task force.

When you decided to run for the Senate in 1984 against Ray Shamie, a wealthy businessman, remember that I loyally supported your campaign as one of the dozen or so Vietnam veterans the press called Kerry's Commandos, you called "Doghunters." We accompanied you throughout the state, and fended off right wing criticism from folks such as General George Patton III, who accused you of "giving aid and comfort to the enemy" for your earlier VVAW activities. I'm sure you remember with fondness that critical time that launched you into national office. Your lawyer brother, Cameron, concluded that it was the veterans' support that pulled your first campaign out of a nose dive and created the necessary "galvanizing energy."

Your critics had suspected that your activities, both in the war, and in years following, were prompted, at least in part, to an intense political ambition, even as you addressed your Yale law school graduating class with an anti-Vietnam War speech shortly prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Your career in the Senate has revealed your all consuming ambition, but that is quite typical of politicians.

The first hint of a bit of disconnect in your style was when during your first Senate campaign you denied returning your war medals, with a thousand other veterans, in protest of the war during Dewey Canyon III. That was a bit of a shock, since for most veterans who returned their medals in that emotional ceremony on Friday, April 23, 1971, it was a very proud and healing moment. Your 1984 campaign response: You had returned the medals of a WWII acquaintance at his direction. All those 13 years everyone thought you had had the courage and leadership to return medals that to veterans who returned them represented medals of dishonor drenched in the blood of innocent Vietnamese who did not deserve to die for a lie, any more than our fellow US Americans. I guess you knew then that you were to be running for office.

The second hint occurred at the celebration party you organized for us "doghunters" at your friend John Martilla's Beacon Hill house in Boston in late June 1985, 6 months into your term as a junior Senator. In the wee hours of the morning, you made two comments that troubled me: (1) you stressed your initials as "JFK" that would help you one day in your quest for the White House, and (2) that after War Department briefings (and perhaps CIA as well) about the need for funding and training contra terrorists in Afghanistan and Nicaragua you had a new appreciation for their importance in furthering U.S. policies. That did not mean that you necesaarily voted for Contra aid but that once in power, information becomes part of an elite circle preempting genuine democracy. I had driven in from Greenfield for that celebration party, and after those remarks I immediately left the party and drove the two hours home. I never forgot it, obviously.

In late September 1986, you, along with some other Senators and Representatives, reluctantly supported the four veterans (myself being one of them) participating in the open-ended Veterans Fast For Life (VFFL) on the east steps of the Capitol building, protesting aid to the Contras. During that fast one of your fellow Senators, Warren Rudman (R-NH), stated in October 1986 that our "actions are hardly different than those of the terrorists who are holding our hostages in Beirut." Shortly thereafter, both our VFFL offices and separate housing accommodations were broken into with many files of our activities and addresses of supporters taken. The FBI initiated a "domestic terrorist" investigation of the members of the VFFL which was revealed later when an FBI agent refused to comply and was fired after nearly 22 years service in the agency.

In September 1987, as you remember, I was severely assaulted by a US weapons train in Concord, CA, during a peaceful protest of a Pentagon munitions train moving lethal weapons to Central America, suffering permanent injuries. Later it was revealed that they suspected me of planning to "hijack" the train, and had accelerated the train 12 miles above the legal speed limit of 5 mph rather than stopping and awaiting police arrest.

Such is life. Contra "terrorists" in Nicaragua called freedom fighters by US presidents, while nonviolent protestors of terrorist policies are labelled the "terrorists" to be investigated. Then look what happened with our terrorists, the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Now the Congress is giving the resident of the White House virtual carte blanche authority to launch pre-emptive strikes against more evil lurking beyond our borders. It is a no-brainer to many outside the beltway that we are really experts at knowing how to create rage, then revenge, with our policies of aggression and arrogance.

In the life of being a Senator, John, I'm afraid that your career again proves that power corrupts (and blinds), and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Of course you have many friends in the same camp. With your vote for essentially agreeing with the selected resident of the White House's request for incredible authority in advance to wage wars against whomever he wants, you have contributed to finalizing the last of the world's empires, and the likely consequent doom of international law, peaceful existence, and hope for the future possibilities of Homo sapiens. Of course, it also means that searching for the motivations of other people's rage and desperate acts of revenge will be overlooked, dooming us to far more threats and instability then if we had seriously pursued a single-standard in the application of international law equally with all nations in the first place. We are too much of a bully to do that, and have stated over and over again that the American Way Of Life is not negotiable. Can you understand that this means species suicide?

I'm sorry and terribly fearful for this state we are in. Your vote is terribly misguided, John. Now that veterans have reorganized throughout the nation as once again an important part of the growing movement, know that we shall work hard for your defeat, whether as a Presidential candidate or for another Senate term.

Sincerely,

S. Brian Willson
Arcata, California
Veterans For Peace

[NewYorkerfromMass]

57. Does someone pay you for every time you post this letter?

Seriously....I think you must have posted it about 100 times here, give or take a dozen. I know I have seen it from you at least a dozen times myself. And IMHO it is a weak anti-Kerry testimonial at best.

[Andy_Stephenson]

61. I find it rather pertinent

and a valid source to use. Brian was an insider.

[ima_sinnic]

76. I had never seen it before

I hope I have heard the last "Kerry has inside info on BFEE/Iran-Contra" because this confirms everything I've said about how he doesn't have the backbone to do anything with it--except of course maybe further his own interests.

Give me the "outsider," Howard Dean.

[ScreamingMeemie]

78. I love this letter, and post it again and again myself. Thank you for

posting it one more time. Especially as so many seem to think that Kerry can ride the wave of his vet status to the presidency.

[blm]

81. It's a helluva lot more than that....

30 plus years more than that.

Deny his progressive efforts for this country all you want, but you can't prove your case using his actual records.

[ScreamingMeemie]

84. I don't vote for liars, and people who deny their constituents to save

face. Sorry

[blm]

85. Don't.

I know I am certainly not voting for a liar, because I understand every word the man says.

You calling him a liar is fair for what YOU believe.

[ScreamingMeemie]

87. It's what I READ not what I believe.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2079783

I mean his own people were led to believe he was Irish, by his own comments? Yeah, this is a man to trust. I'll stick with Veteran's for Peace, thanks.

[blm]

91. Weak. MWO proved that to be a hyped nonissue.

.

[ScreamingMeemie]

92. ...and your link is ? where?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

46. is now trying to justify his pathetic vote FOR the slaughter.

Now that the "war", that he voted, for has turned sour, he is trying to make it sound like he was really against it.

Too late, John.

[polpilot]

47. epitomizes the lameness of the demo-lites.

Dean '04

[Octafish]

59. Ted Rall — among others — says DEAN is the Real GOP Lite.

Love Me, I'm (Not Really) a Liberal

Liberal Democrats Project Their Desires onto Howard Dean

MONTPELIER, VERMONT--Howard Dean, media-anointed Lord of the Left and Prince Protector of Progressivism, is surfing a tsunami of Democratic discontent that could carry him to the White House. But as Vermonters tell anyone who's willing to listen, the former governor they call "Ho-Ho" is at best a leftie-come-lately. "The Howard Dean you are seeing on the national scene is not the Dean that we saw around here for the last decade. He's moved sharply left," says John McClaughry of the Ethan Allen Institute, a rightie think tank, of Dean's campaign rhetoric.

Vermont created proto-gay marriage "civil unions" during Dean's term--but that was the state Supreme Court's doing, not his. Even though Vermont's constitution didn't require him to balance the budget, he was a fierce deficit hawk who vetoed proposed Democratic spending. He sided with ski resort owners over environmentalists. And when big business called, he always picked up the phone. "We would meet privately with him three to four times a year to discuss our issues, and his secretary of commerce would call me once a week just to see how things were going," gushes IBM's John O'Kane.

According to Vermonters, Dean is a shrewd operator who saw millions of anti-Iraq war demonstrators last spring for what they were: untapped Democratic primary voters. A few well-placed verbal broadsides spread his reputation as the only presidential contender willing to go after Bush while other Democrats remained silent or supported his war. His opportunistic Bush-bashing attracted liberal voters tired of being taken for granted and disgusted by do-nothing "Republican Lite" Dems.

Liberals are driving Dean's come-from-nowhere campaign, but they don't share his take on most issues. "If he gets the nomination, he'll run back to the center and be more mainstream," predicts Republican resort owner Bill Stenger. "He was not a left-wing wacko."


CONTINUED...

http://thomasmc.com/0813b.htm

[IndianaGreen]

51. Waffles

Lieberman has Kerry tagged as a waffler, perhaps one of the few times that Lieberman has said anything that I agreed with.

Case in point, on his announcement by the aircraft carrier (how original), Kerry said that he had opposed the war and that his vote was to pressure Saddam to allow the UN inspectors.

The following day, Kerry does a U-turn when he said that Dean was wrong to oppose the invasion of Iraq, and by extension, all of us were wrong as well.

Senator Waffle deserves our contempt!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

62. Suggestion for IG and other Kerry bashers:

Try just a little bit harder to understand Kerry's concern for appearing united as a single strong nation against Hussein, whilst in fact hoping to avoid an actual armed conflict.

[poskonig]

63. This makes zero sense; Kerry voted *against* Gulf War I.

Why would Kerry want to appear united to occupy Iraq for no reason?

Fuck, Kerry was against the 1st war. Why support Bush on this one when 23 Democrats opposed him?

[Octafish]

64. Kerry knew Gulf War 1 was for oil and empire.

Post-9/11, Gulf War 2 was, ostensibly, to protect the nation. Here's Rober Parry of Consortium News' reportage on Gulf War 1:

Missing U.S.-Iraq History

By Robert Parry
February 27, 2003

EXCERPT...

Having been egged on by the oil-rich sheikdoms to blunt the revolutionary zeal of Iran, Saddam felt betrayed when Kuwait wouldn’t write off Iraq’s debts and rejected a $10 billion loan. Beyond that, Saddam was furious with Kuwait for driving down world oil prices by overproducing and for slant-drilling into Iraqi oil fields. Many Iraqis also considered Kuwait, historically, a part of Iraq.

Before attacking Kuwait, however, Saddam consulted George H.W. Bush’s administration. First, the U.S. State Department informed Saddam that Washington had “no special defense or security commitments to Kuwait.” Then, U.S. Ambassador April Glaspie told Saddam, “we have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait.”

As Foreign Policy magazine observed, “the United States may not have intended to give Iraq a green light, but that is effectively what it did.”

While Glaspie’s strange diplomacy drew some congressional and press attention during the previous Gulf crisis, the full context of George H.W. Bush’s relationship with Saddam – which might help explain why the Iraqi dictator so disastrously misread the U.S. signals – has never been made explained.

CONTINUED...

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2003/022703a.html

PS: Not trying to convert you by playing nice, but you've got a great handle poskonig. Is it a transliteration of POS Koenig? POS König? POS King? If not, it's still cool.

[Andy_Stephenson]

65. Where are the WMD's?

Where is the 15 minute nuke?

Where is the evidence of a Nuclear Program?

For that Matter

Where is the Biological Program?

Where are the missiles we were assured would fly on a moments notice?

Colin Powell said they were "hidden under large groves of palm trees". Did kerry fall for that old line?

I wonder if the DLC/DINO supporters will cheer if WMD's are found? If only to exonerate their candidate?

[Octafish]

68. Ask Rumsfeld. He sold them on behalf of Reagan-Bush.

And their names are on all the receipts and CODs.



"Nice doin' business with 'cha!"

[SweetZombieJesus]

74. And yet John Kerry gave his boss a blank check to go play in the sandbox

Yeah, Kerry is just the picture of moral clarity and leadership. Take the blinders off for just three seconds, will you?

[blm]

83. You preferred Bush get a REAL blank check?

The one he wanted?

[JanMichael]

66. "can beat Bush"

No the only one, mind you, but he's certainly a good candidate.

[OrdinaryTa]

69. Makes More Money From His Investments

John Kerry makes more money from his investments than most people do from working. Kerry has oodles and oodles and oodles of money.

Why did he get out of Vietnam early? Don't ask a silly question - it's because he could. He had somebody on the other end pulling strings at the Pentagon. After four months in Vietnam, John was simply tuckered out. "Been there, done that", he said. And he came home to a cushy job, wagging his tail behind him.

http://www.bop2004.org/dtaweb/bop2004/default.aspx?SECTION=CANDDET&CID=4#asset

[Andy_Stephenson]

86. interesting

GENERAL ELEC CO Stocks or Bonds Spouse $1,000,001 $5,000,000
WAL MART STORES INC Stocks or Bonds Spouse $1,000,001 $5,000,000
GANNETT INC Stocks or Bonds Spouse $1,000,001 $5,000,000
BIOMET INC Stocks or Bonds Spouse $1,000,001 $5,000,000
PFIZER INC Stocks or Bonds Spouse $1,000,001 $5,000,000
MERCK & CO INC Stocks or Bonds Candidate $15,001 $50,000
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES Stocks or Bonds Spouse $0 $1,000
GLAXCO SMITHKLINE ORD Stocks or Bonds Spouse $0 $1,000

TESCO ORD Stocks or Bonds Spouse $0 $1,000
BP AMOCO ORD Stocks or Bonds Spouse $0 $1,000
CONOCOPHILLIPS Stocks or Bonds Candidate $0 $1,000
EXXON MOBIL CORP Stocks or Bonds Candidate $15,001 $50,000
TRIOCO RESOURCES OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $100,001 $250,000
STALLION ENERGY HOLDINGS OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $100,001 $250,000
WHITE OAK HOLDINGS CORP OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $100,001 $250,000
PERMIAN RESOURCES HOLDINGS INC OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $100,001 $250,000
CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash, Savings Spouse $100,001 $250,000
CLASSIC PETROLEUM INC OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS
NOVEON HOLDINGS INC DEVELOP & MARKET CHEMICALS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $100,001 $250,000
CH4 HOLDINGS L P OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $15,001 $50,000
NGP POWER CORP OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $50,001 $100,000
CHARIOT ENERGY INC OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $50,001 $100,000
PROTON OIL & GAS INC OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $50,001 $100,000
GRID RESOURCES LTD OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS Stocks or Bonds Spouse $50,001 $100,000
ANDERSON ENERGY LTD OIL AND GAS RESERVE ACQUISITIONS

The list is long but medicine/healthcare oil/gas telecommunications.... What exactly is his stand on healthcare reform? I wonder how he profits from it? I need to read his healthcare proposals a bit closer and see the effects on his stock holdings. How come the House and Senate get 100% best medical care and we get squat? Frankly , I think his prime motivation to be President, is to sate his need for power. He has more than enough money. Oh look he is even making money from the war...GE "we build good weapons of war" right near the top of his investment holdings. That one has made him bank in the last year from 21.30-31.32 as of fridays close. Thank God! I was worried his barber might go hungry.

Look at all the gas an oil corps. Seeing as how he "supported" Kyoto...why would he make bad investments? My guess he is hedging his bets, and when the Iraqi oil starts flowing freely (emphasis on freely) again...he will once again be reaping huge dividends from these investments. Way to go John...Save the American people from a non-existant threat and make bank! A true American Progressive. A Patriot! I truly have misunderstood you.

His investment in Wal-Mart is a shrewd move. Shows he really cares about the plight of slave labor in China and for those living in the US, working for slave wages. My hat is off to you sir. This more than any of your other investments shows me your true and inner self A real "Man of the People"! One who knows what it is to feed a family on a Wal Mart wage. Bravo! I say again!

Finally Pfizer...made huge profint off of Viagra. Was it John that asked old Bob Dole to plug it? RESCRIPTOR $496.98, VIRACEPT $635.97, I really do wish you would talk to your friends at Pfizer about lowering the cost of these drugs at least a few $10's of dollars. They are vitally important to some. But Laura and GW send their thanks for Zoloft. Over at Glaxo Trizivir @ $2,950.77 is really pulling in the dough. With products like Zovirax at $418.98, Retrovir @ $911.95, Epivir @ $855.95, Combivir @ $1,699.99 he must sleep well at night knowing his fine investment is helping so many and making him money to boot.

[ima_sinnic]

94. excellent assessment

could you please post the link to this information? would like to check out some others' investments.

[Butterflies]

70. looks the most "presidential"

of the bunch, in my opinion.

[ScreamingMeemie]

79. Tallish with nice hair?

In a Ted Koppel kind of way.;-)

[Ellen Forradalom]

75. doesn't really whet my whistle

Let's see some fists swing, kiddo.

[LSdemocrat]

90. Kerry will change positions to gain popularity in the polls

http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=20030213