I was wrong about John Kerry

[RevolutionStartsNow]

I just saw "Going Upriver", and I am humbled. John Kerry is the most brave, patriotic, intelligent and compassionate man I have ever had the privilege to vote for. What he did with the Veterans Against the War and testifying before Congress was heroic.

It was easy for me to dismiss him as a candidate, being distrustful of all career Washington politicians and especially one who cast a "yes" vote on the IWR. Howard Dean spoke to me in a new and refreshing way, and he reminded me that democracy demands my participation. He's a great man, but so is John Kerry. I do not regret my work for Dean -- he will always be my favorite politician -- but I regret that it kept me from seeing who John Kerry really is.

I know that Going Upriver only tells a piece of Kerry's story, but it's an important part, and one I admit I didn't really know. I have avoided the Swift Boat Liars nonsense because it seemed so ugly and so pointless when we are faced with such critical issues right now, but watching the movie made me incensed about the lies that are being told.

I cannot believe that we are about to elect such a great man. It's about time!

[Must_B_Free]

1. He's like a union of John Lennon, John Kennedy and Rambo

[aquart]

5. Now that just frightens me.

Can we please not worship the man as a god?

I'm completely uncomfortable voting for religious icons.

[AP]

7. Who's the religious icon? Lennon, JFK or Rambo?

What church do you worship in?

[Catch22Dem]

12. LOL, no shit

That's what I'd like to know. Besides, everyone knows Clapton is GOD!

[RevolutionStartsNow]

14. Uh, no, Tom Waits is God.

:)

[Cha]

16. Jon Stewart is

God! :toast:

[crispini]

38. Snort! n/t

[sandnsea]

29. You know what

Every now and then a man comes along who is truly deserving of complete trust, admiration and respect. Not worship, never worship. But we can't become so cynical that we can't recognize a true leader and hero when we see one.

Having said that, he goddamned well better do what he says he's going to do or I'll lead the march on the mall!

[aquart]

35. I recognize a leader.

I plan to disagree with him a lot.

And pray for him a lot.

We, who think we know how bad it is, are going to be stunned at how bad it really is, once we get in.

[sandnsea]

36. Let's just not be too cynical

That's all.

I haven't made any plans at all regarding Kerry.

I have made plans regarding the corporate media and global trade. But I'll wait and see on Kerry's response to them before I make any plans to disagree with him.

As to how bad it is, I think it's going to get worse before it gets better. You just can't have an economy in the shape this one is in and foreign policy and troop morale and think we're not going to do some suffering. I really don't know why the man wants to be President. I'd look at this mess and run screaming.

[AP]

40. That's why we need a Democrat to win. Because it is so bad.

[NMDemDist2]

2. he will surprise a lot of people i think

but everyone knows I've been behind the guy since 2002 so I may be biased :evilgrin:

[Hello_Kitty]

6. I was a Clark supporter until Kerry won the primary

But now I see that he is our best candidate. I become more impressed with JK with each passing day.

[rndmprsn]

3. i agree wholeheartedly

i came out of that movie theatre with endless respect for the man...i think he'll go on to be one of the greats.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

9. I know the movie was intended to be a commercial for Kerry

and in that sense, it was very effective.

But I saw another side to Kerry in that movie, the pre-Senator side. It was also fascinating to watch the evolution of the man. I was just continually struck by his bravery and his willingness to put himself out there.

One criticism I hear of Kerry is that he is somehow to be distrusted because "He's been running for President since 1969." Maybe he has, and if he has I am grateful, because it seems like so few good men actually do run.

[pacalo]

26. In the PBS documentary about Kerry & the coWard,

the Mass. governor who lost against him in the senatorial campaign spoke highly of Kerry. He said that his campaign people researched Kerry's senate record, hoping to find votes that would be damaging to Kerry; they found nothing. He said that, from looking at Kerry's votes, it was apparent that he looked ahead; that was his strength.

I agree that it's a strength: As president, Kerry will make us proud. How many people live their lives in a way that nothing bad can be said of them? That's character.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

27. Same thing in Going Upriver

Nixon's goons couldn't find anything on Kerry, so they had to recruit O'Neill to make shit up.

[pacalo]

32. And years later, both Nixon & Colson apologized to Kerry

asking for him to forgive them for "any harm they may have caused Kerry".

Only O'Neill carries on the lies about Kerry. He's a small man who enjoys his 15 minutes any time he can find the opportunity.

[evilqueen]

41. the really impressive thing is, he never gave up

so many times, it would have been easier for him to just quit, but he didn't. He keeps fighting the good fight and he's in it for the long haul.

[faithnotgreed]

4. right on! he has one heck of a mess to clean up but i believe in him

[Longhorn]

8. I had the same reaction when I saw the Frontline story.

I started out a Dean fan, too, and I still am. But when he fell behind, I cheerfully "settled" for John Kerry. But now that I know more about him, I don't feel like I'm settling at all! In fact, I think he'll make a fantastic president!

I'm also amazed that the flip-flopper story lasted so long because when you hear the things he said 35 years ago and 20 years ago and ten years ago, you realize that he's been extremely consistent. And you also realize that he does what he thinks is right and not necessarily what is politically expedient.

I'm proud to support his candidacy.

[mzmolly]

10. Hey there, long time no see!

Welcome back! :hi:

I am afraid to see the movie because as I've said to others "I don't want to fall in love with John Kerry" ... One heart break per election is enough.

But, I digress, I ordered the DVD and look forward to it's arrival.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

13. Hi mzmolly!

:hi:

I've been around, but just started posting more recently.

I know what you mean about heartbreak, but I don't think you'll regret falling for Kerry. And if he loses, it won't be because of anything Kerry's done wrong, it will be the stupidity of the people, the complicity of the media and the thievery of the GOP.

The movie is very emotional, not just as a historical piece but also because it is so tragic to see the parallels with today's illegal and immoral war. I couldn't help but think of the veterans coming back from Iraq who are getting almost no help and no recognition, and I'm sure that many of them realize that it was for nothing.

[mzmolly]

37. I agree Amerikav60, if Kerry loses, it's NOT because of him.

Further your analysis of the war is correct, Kerry seems like the guy we needed then and the guy we need now.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. Falling for Kerry is easy!

[jwirr]

11. Wouldn't it be a great idea

to have a "movie night" on the same night Sinclair shows their "news"? We could show "Outfoxed", "F9/11", "Going Upriver" and others - make it a party - potluck foods and movies all over town in every neighborhood. Down with Sinclair up with Free Speech.

[shelley806]

30. A GREAT IDEA INDEED!!!!!!!!!!

Really. We could draw media attention like that other event(?) yelling out of the window during the Republican Convention--anyone know what I'm talking about? (Shout Out?) I don't know, it got some attention, although I didn't participate. It would make a public declaration of the Nation's disgust with media's political manipulation, and could offer a reasonable alternative to viewing the show. Even with a small amount of participation, Sinclair will be harmed.

[Cha]

15. That's Sweet, Amerika..I can't

wait to see it..I asked one of my video stores if they would have it and they said "no"..so I will try at the other one and if they don't..I will buy it when it comes out Tuesday.

[SammyWinstonJack]

18. You can download it for free

I did that.

[Cha]

20. That's right...thank you..I don't

suppose you know where I could look for a link?..Thanks B-)

[RevolutionStartsNow]

22. Here you go:

http://www.thekerrymovie.com/

[Cha]

39. Thank you, Amerika!

I know what I'm going to do later today! Woo Hoo!

:toast::D

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. Going UpRiver will do that!

:-)It made me more in awe of John Kerry than I already was. The man is/was amazing..........! All Americans should see this!

[RevolutionStartsNow]

21. The movie should be seen at least by the undecideds

or those Dems who claim to just not be that enamored of John Kerry.
This movie will remind them that he is indeed the right choice, and he's much more than just "not Bush."

I am fully prepared to hold President Kerry's feet to the fire starting Nov. 3, but I am now more convinced that he won't need much of this.

The scene where he is sitting on the grass (just after the medals were thrown) with who I presume is his then-wife, where he is clearly just breaking down, is so moving and so stunning when you imagine what GWB must have been doing at the time.

It was obvious enough in the debates, but this image really drove it home -- these men are not even on the same planet. How could anyone be fucking UNDECIDED??

[pacalo]

23. You have got to see the PBS "Frontline" documentary!

Like you, I had my heart set on another candidate (Clark), but I threw my support to Kerry as an ABBer.

After learning more about Kerry, I was blown away by his integrity, his principles, & his convictions. This man has substance we'd be lucky to have in a president.

I am now a full-throttle admirer of Kerry's, & I believe he would be one of the greatest presidents we've ever had.

Please go here to view the documentary online:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/choice2004/

It's a side-by-side comparison of Kerry & the coWard.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

24. Will do, thanks!

I'm sorry I missed this when it ran on Frontline; I rely so much on TiVo these days that I forget to surf for good things like this.

[Borgnine]

25. Ditto.

I was another Dean supporter (and I still love the good doctor), and during the primaries, I had a rather low opinion of him. I can admit... I was wrong. JK is the best candidate we can have, and I'll be proud to have him as our President.

[Proud liberal Kat]

28. I agree

I am so thrilled to have a man to stand behind I would have settled for about anything and didn't look much farther than settling as I was so focused on defeating Bush. But the last few months as I started looking at the settled package in my lap to figure out how to sell him, I realized he sells himself if one is willing to listen. No he isn't God, and I am quite sure he will piss me off in the next few years!

But I am so excited to call him Mr. President while holding his tootsies to the fire (and I think he will thank us for it, I believe in him that much!)
Kathy

[JohnKleeb]

31. I have to say though I supported Kucinich in the primaries

I thought people were wrong to judge Kerry on the basis of the one vote and ignoring all the good stuff he has done, or at least being ignorant to it. He is great, and I think he will make a great president. I really need to see Going Upriver, bet you after I see it, I'll like Kerry even more and I already like him a lot.

[nonconformist]

33. I think it's amazing how many people have expressed this exact sentiment

I did too, right after I saw it.

The more people get to know about Kerry and his background the more they admire and respect him. The more people get to know about Bush and his background the more they distrust and dislike him. Interesting.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

42. I've met more than a few Bush supporters

who seem to have their hands over their ears and saying "Nah nah nah I can't hear you" like a 4 year old kid ignoring his parents. They don't want to hear MORE about Bush, they've already made up their minds. I actually had one guy tell me that he prefers Bush because "Bush may not be the most eloquent, but he loves us." WTF?

Meanwhile as a Kerry supporter I feel like the more I get to know him the more I will like him. I'm sure there will be times I disagree with him and want to tell him so, but overall I think I am going to be more and more impressed with him.

What struck me most watching that movie is how VASTLY different he is as a man than GWB. The character differences are stunning.

[ever_green]

34. Yep, I too have been pleasantly surprised

I was an avid Dean supporter, but I have really gotten behind Kerry and not just because he's "not Bush". He really is a great man.

[UnityDem]

43. Dittohead for Kerry

yep, we picked the right one, baby. Now, let's win this damn thing!