Thank-you John Kerry

[ginnyinWI]

Why?

1. Because he showed me that a politician can be honest, upright and honorable--in other words, worthy of trust and support. Because of that I got involved in politics at a local level and am still involved and will be working to elect Obama and my state's Dems. Lots of people got re-energized during the last campaign.

2. Because he's one good guy in Washington, I know that there have to be more, and I have hope that our system can be fixed--that there are enough of them who are willing to restore what Bush, the GOP and big money has been dismantling for the last seven and a half years. Once we elect a Dem president. When Obama says "Yes We Can", it doesn't seem like such a pipe-dream as long as he has helpers like Kerry in D.C.

3. He's a super-cool surrogate for Obama this election season. For one thing, he's been through it himself and he always learns as he goes. Now he can pass along valuable information to Obama and his staff so that he can avoid the pitfalls. (Did Gore help Kerry out in this way last time? Hmm.)

4. On a personal level: he's nine years older than me and still does a lot of stuff with seemingly endless energy, so he's been a kind of roll model for me. No excuses--no saying I'm old and I need to rest! The more I do the better I feel, as a matter of fact. He's a bicyclist, and that got me interested in biking again. I bought my first new bike in 30 years (!) and like to go out on the bike trail on weekends.

[MBS]

1. yes to all of that! n/t

[YvonneCa]

2. This is a lovely post...

...ginnyinWI. Thank you. I couldn't agree with you more. The example that John Kerry sets for us as citizens...and just as everyday people...gives me hope that things in our country ARE going to get better. It will take ALL of us working hard...like he does...but it will happen.

I especially like this sentinece: "When Obama says "Yes We Can", it doesn't seem like such a pipe-dream as long as he has helpers like Kerry in D.C."

[WildEyedLiberal]

3. Amen, amen, amen - thank you so much for this post

I haven't posted a ton in this forum recently but my support for and love of John Kerry hasn't diminished one iota, nor will it as long as I'm alive. I will always be grateful to him for showing me that, even in a world so corrupt and cruel, there are bright shining beacons of integrity, hope, and courage. Whenever I want to despair, I think of him, still faithfully soldiering on for all that's good and right after forty years of the most vicious opposition possible, and I find strength.

[MBS]

12. oh, YES!!!

how are you? are you still on your overseas adventure?

[WildEyedLiberal]

14. Howdy - I'm doing allright, having a great time

I just got back from a trip to Denmark, which was a lovely country. I'm sick, though, so now I'm holed up at home trying to recuperate. Thanks for thinking of me :) :hug:

[wisteria]

4. I agree, Senator Kerry does deserve our thanks. He has changed my view of politics and politicians.

[Noisy Democrat]

5. Totally agree with all of it

I loved what you mentioned about the bike. That's so cool. I can relate because JK has been a personal role model for me too, in similar ways. I've long wanted to learn to windsurf -- I did it a couple of times 25 years ago, with no actual lessons, just "here's a windsurf board, give it a try" and I loved it. But afterwards I somehow just assumed that kind of thing was out of reach for me, and I never even investigated how much it would cost (turns out there are lots of ways to make it affordable). Back in '04, when I saw the way JK goes out and does all these fun things that he loves to do, it made me start to ask myself why I wasn't finding ways to do more of the things I wanted to do. Anyway, long story short, today I took beginning windsurfing lessons down at Community Boating in Boston. I spent about 5 hours out on the river practicing, fell off a lot, got sunburned, and had a total blast. So I really appreciate your sharing that you've been inspired in a similar way, but for you it's bicycling.

The irony is that according to the right wing and the MSM -- and most recently, Ed O'Reilly, who opened his speech at the MA Democratic Convention by demanding to know whether "a millionaire windsurfer" could represent us --, we're all supposed to look at JK and think, "Oh, rich guy who can afford expensive toys while the rest of us work for a living," instead of thinking, "Hey, I bet I'd have as much fun doing that as he does!" It strikes me as incredibly sad and pathetic that they continually push the idea that we should prefer leaders who don't do anything individualistic or interesting and who don't inspire us to grow beyond our own limits -- or that we should react with resentment when we see someone doing something we're not doing, instead of possibly being inspired to give it a try.

Anyway, I liked your post a lot; thanks for sharing that.

[ginnyinWI]

7. Yes, that's exactly the reason

that I decided to get back into biking--thinking "why can't I do something like that"--and seeing that an older person can and should still stay active. Sure, lots of us do, but JK specifically made it look cool to me. And showing that you should find the time for fun. If a busy Senator can find the time, I certainly could!

It's downright funny to watch the GOP try to fit Obama into the Elitist box! I mean come on. He got into an ivy league school and became a lawyer on student loans! How much more "pulling himself up by his bootstraps" do they want? He's the epitome of a self-made man.

Elitist is the current Occupant with is daddy's influence and his no-personal-merit! He is exactly what they preach against! But Karl Rove trying to make Obama into an elitist with his latest comments is really pathetic. Shows how they've really got nothing else left.

[sandnsea]

6. Ditto to what everyone said

They could be doing anything in the world they want, and they choose to devote their time, money and energy to the least among us. They just don't come any better than John & Teresa.

[YvonneCa]

8. "They could be doing anything in the world they want, and they choose...

...to devote their time, money and energy to the least among us." EXCELLENT words, sandnsea. :)

[politicasista]

9. Thanks for posting this

and the responses. :grouphug: :hi:

[ladym55]

10. And yay to ginnyinWI

and to ALL the responses to this post.

And that's why whenever I visit DU, this is one of my first stops. JK is a positive, classy force and my hero in so many ways.

And the people who support him, especially those in this group, reflect his values and his positive outlook. :applause:

[karynnj]

11. Wow - this is a fantastic thread

Almost 4 years later - and more than ever we know he is exactly who he says he is - and he's the real deal.

[Mass]

13. This is a great thread, ginny.

[beachmom]

17. Agreed. This is why this forum is one of the best if not the best on DU. nt

[BlueIris]

15. Everything I am, I am because of Kerry.

As I've mentioned here before, without his campaign in '04, without his example, I would have given up trying to make a decent life for myself. So, thank you, Senator.

[YvonneCa]

16. ...

...:hug: