Seattle-PI - Kerry's Remark: Right either way

[Mass]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/290735_kerryed.asp

Kerry's Remark: Right either way

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

Republicans evidenced their election desperation by braying about an offhand comment that Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., made at a California college rally.

"Education" Kerry said "-- if you make the most of it and you study hard and 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."

Was Kerry making fun of the president, or warning students against the pitfalls awaiting the undereducated in general?

It doesn't matter. Kerry was right either way.

Kerry wasn't saying -- regardless of the Republican spin -- that our troops are stupid.

Kerry's intended point was obvious. President Bush didn't do his homework before he ordered the invasion. He didn't study the intricacies of Mideast religion, culture, politics and tribalism. He wasn't smart about it and we are stuck in Iraq.

Although there are plenty of well-educated people in our armed forces -- Kerry was one of them -- military service has long been an opportunity employer for those with less education and fewer skills than they need to work in the private sector. Indeed, the military sells itself as a place to garner skills and to help pay for higher education.

And wars, including this one, are often fought by those less privileged -- albeit no less smart -- than the sons and daughters of those who lead us into them.

Apologies? Sure, from the cut-and-run Democratic candidates who've cancelled appearances with Kerry.

It says it all.

[karynnj]

1. Fantastic editorial

I think it says what some of us tried to say - but much better. The ONLY interpretation that made no sense was the right wing's illogical conclusion.

[beachmom]

2. It wasn't his remark (which KO showed in context was nothing)

that made this whole thing so bad. It was the MSM and weak Democrats who sided with the White House. Then it became "conventional wisdom", and you can't battle CW all by yourself. The blogs on the left could not save him. So he apologized, for doing nothing wrong.

[Mass]

3. And showed he could do the right thing. If it is about apologies,

Hillary should be careful. Better apologize for a botched joke than for misleading people.

I am not bothered by that. He did what was needed to be done. Time will say how it will play.

[beachmom]

5. I was with a military spouse today. She didn't mention it.

But she DID mention how offended she was by Rush Limbaugh's remarks about Michael J. Fox. Why don't people demand HE apologize for what was NOT a gaffe but just a cruel thing to say?

And this person voted for Bush (and is leaning Dem for this election).

[MH1]

4. Posted in GD-P

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2921580&mesg_id=2921580

[ProSense]

6. NYT editorial

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2546975&mesg_id=2546975

[MBS]

7. this is great!

thanks so much for posting this! This got my morning off to a good start.