JK has been in Iraq - He is on his way home

[kerrygoddess]

Graywarrior posted in GDP that a staffer at JK's office said he was Iraq.

I called my contacts and was told, he was on his way home. He's due back tonight. The trip was planned before Katrina. It was not publicized - no press contingent with him.

Here's a little statement I recieved by email to answer any questions. It's not much, but it was not supposed to be public knowledge until he returned and discussed the trip.

"Senator Kerry was in Iraq in January and wanted to go again to thank our troops for their service, talk with military commanders about the situation on the ground and meet with Iraqi government officials as they work to establish a democracy in Iraq."

[whometense]

1. Thanks for letting us know.

That does kind of explain why he hasn't been front and center the past few days, doesn't it? No matter in exactly what way, he's always working for us.

[kerrygoddess]

2. I'm glad he was there

On many levels. One first and foremost at this time is that he could give the troops some level of comfort while they are worrying about their loved ones back home in the aftermath of Katrina.

[whometense]

3. I'm also glad to hear

he's on his way back. I admit I was concerned about this trip. I feel so fortunate to have a senator whose motivation I never feel the need to question. In fact, the country is lucky to have him. I wonder how many realize that.

[Island Blue]

4. I'm with you on that one Whome!

I'm glad he went and now is safely on his way home. Strange how quickly things can change - when he left, Iraq was the most important issue (or certainly one of the most important issues) to most Americans. Now the chaos at home is. I'm sure when the Senate resumes next week, Senator Kerry will be in the forefront of assisting the folks devastated by Katrina and Bush.

Oh and I wholeheartedly agree, the country is VERY lucky to have him!

[karynnj]

6. Same here

I think that's why it became so exciting last year. To have a President who would lead guided by a strong moral compass and his intelligence, augmented by a willingness to consider alternatives and other opinions seemed almost too good to be true.

As you said I'm glad he went and he gladder he is already on the way home. So, we didn't have to hold our breath or worry.

[politicasista]

5. I am sorry whome

for that should Kerry join Clark and calling Bush out thread.

P.S. I am glad he is coming back safely.

[whometense]

7. It's okay.

I've known JK for nearly 35 years - I guess it's probably unreasonable to expect that people who have only known him for a year or so to have the same kind of unquestioning faith in him that I do. :-)

As TayTay often says, I have certainly disagreed with him on votes he's cast, but I've never had a reason in all those years to think that he was ever considering anything but the public good when he cast those votes. I can't say that about very many other public servants.

[TayTay]

8. Hey, KerryGoddess, thanks for the sane posts

I just lost it in a thread there. I was sooooooo tired of the threads that said, where are the Democrats, and Kerry in particular. I think I posted more than a few times that Kerry *knew* what was going on in emergency planning in this country and the Rethug officials wouldn't listen.

I took one, where is Kerry too many and, ahm, my temper got the better of me. Thanks for being there, being rational and actually helping. I appreciate it.

That post should have been deleted. Oh well, the mods are busy today.

[ray of light]

9. I agree!

Thanks goddess and I'm tired of the idiots out there who constantly gripe about kerry or dems. let them get OFF their lazy butts and run for office if they think it's so easy.

[TayTay]

10. Ray, I'm losing my mind over that stuff

The same people who say, Kerry is a wonk and and too cerebral now complain that he isn't doing enough. I mean, come on, that 'wonk' stuff means that he knew what was going on and tried to sound the alarm.

These people can't have it both ways. Kerry, as much as anyone in the public domain, tried to tell the Bushies to implement a plan. He spelled it out for them. He has been on this stuff for decades. The criticism is so unfair.

[karynnj]

14. Your posts were good

Some of these people will never be satisfied with anything Kerry said or did. You reminded a lot of us once - I don't even remember why - that Kerry will continue to do what he thinks is right and will be most helpful without caring if people applaud him for it.

I would say that grilling Chertoff about not having emergency plans for port evacuations MONTHS before the flood beats comments by Kuchinich, clark, etc after the fact! I also think there's a real problem with potentially going too far before ALL the information is in. Some are blaming Bush for the breach itself - cutting funding didn't help - but it may well be the storm was so big it the breach would have happened anyway. Consider Biloxi apparently was hit very hard. The problem is if we hit thenm with: He ruined the infastructure, he didn't have a decent evacuation plan (and FEMA to execute it) and he had no rescue plan. If the first is false, they make enough noise that the other 2 valid points are lost.

You know there's a problem when he attacks not only Kerry, but the entire state of Mass! I also doubt we need to find a candidate who plays well in GA - I doubt any of the 9 candidates could have won GA. Didn't Kerry win their primary?

[jillan]

11. I just think it is awesome that he went to Iraq to visit the troops.

More presidential than the president!

[TheDonkey]

12. An actual working vacation that's stupid

he should have just relaxed on the ranch... played some guitar... took in a broadway play. Get on with his life.

[TayTay]

13. Buy some new shoes

Vacation in Maine, hide somewhere where no one can find you (good for VPs.)

Just relax and pretend the world has no cares and you have no responsibilities.

Thanks Gawd Kerry is there. I'm happy he went to Iraq. (Geez, seems like just last week that DU was screaming that Kerry needed to address Iraq. Fickle, fickle, fickle.)

[TheDonkey]

18. Is that what happened to Chenney!?

I have absolutely no clue what happened to him. Worst. VP. Ever.

Talk about chickenshit, this man can't even find a camera to tell the country he's alive (but perhaps that's a good thing he's not on my TV screen).

[Pirate Smile]

15. He needs to know that he needs to come out screaming (literally or

figuratively).

Kerrygoddess, please make sure they know to not do any of the happy, BS talk. It is infuriating. We are way beyond that. The media is way beyond that and so are the people.

He probably will know it but I have heard Republican LA reps be tougher BushCo then Mary Landreu. I have defended her. But we are way past the time to give up the empty, political praise for anyone involved in the disaster.

[kerrygoddess]

16. I hope when he gets his bearings...

He'll come out firing with both barrels loaded. Between Iraq and Katrina he must be livid.

[BlueIris]

17. Well, so much for my silly fears. Welcome home, Senator. nt