John Kerry on the Loss of the 2,000th American Service Member in Iraq

[kerrygoddess]

Statement from John Kerry on the Loss of the 2,000th American Service Member in Iraq
October 25th, 2005

Senator John Kerry released the following statement today the loss of the 2,000th American Service Member in Iraq:

“We learned today of the 2,000th American military fatality in the war in Iraq - Staff Sgt. George Alexander Jr. Throughout our history, brave men and women have stepped forward to serve our country and selflessly put their lives on the line in times of war and great danger. We are America the free because of them.

“This is another tragic milestone in the war in Iraq, a heart-wrenching day for more than 2,000 American families who have lost sons and daughters, husbands and wives. America honors the service of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and we join their families and loved ones in mourning their loss. Today as we laid another son of Massachusetts to rest in the soil at Arlington National Cemetery, I am reminded of the way our state of Massachusetts continues to answer the call to service. Each day is a blessing and a gift made possible by those who have answered the nation’s call. Their service and that of their families is as noble as their selflessness is humbling.

MORE -
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=941

[Mass]

1. Kerry does always make very decent and human statements on this subject

but, I think he is too optimistic if he thinks there is still something to do to leave a stable Iraq, unfortunately (at least without withdrawing troops and looking for diplomatic solutions very soon).

I am waiting with interest for his speech tomorrow.

[Mass]

2. And sadly, the statement is drawing yelling on GDP.

[JI7]

3. i knew that would happen

some people would rather debate on the use of words rather than focus on getting anything done.

also, this standard seems to only apply to Kerry for many.

[sandnsea]

4. or get the rest of the statement

“We have a sacred obligation to all our brave men and women in uniform to make the right decisions in Iraq so that we can bring our forces home as soon as possible, leaving behind a stable Iraq.

“I hope that everyone will take a moment and say a prayer for peace and a prayer of thanksgiving that there are people like these so willing to serve our country.”

[Mass]

5. leaving behind a stable Iraq - This is the problem with many

They have read the statement, but it is obviously too short to elaborate this part, so for those who always think Kerry is wrong, that means stay the course.

[sandnsea]

8. some did, some didn't

As is always the case on DU. But yes, they'd have a problem with stable Iraq anyway, even if the way Kerry would get there is completely different from Bush.

[karynnj]

10. Kerry probably felt compelled to give

some reason. As someone who couldn't imagine being in a war and being shot at, I was surprised how often Kerry's journals and letters worried about dying for nothing or something he didn't believe in. That this was a horror to him beyond dying itself was clear. (I found it easier to understand when he was concerned he would never marry Julia, have kids, or a career.)

It seemed to me that this statement gives the smallest goal there is for Iraq (though I agree it may not be possible). He's not saying spreading democracy or any of the grandiose goals that have been expressed. As a Senator of a state with soldiers dying in the war, he may have felt the need to say this out of kindness to those who have lost relatives.

[blm]

6. That's why I think it's importantr to put up entire statements when they

come out. Chopping it up for the mods isn't necessary on public statements.

[Mass]

7. They read the statement - As I said before, many consider ...

leaving a stable Iraq is not possible (I have the same pb with Feingold and Clark's position, for sure).

[Island Blue]

9. A nice, heartfelt statement from JK as always.

I'm really interested in what he'll be saying in his address tomorrow. I know whatever he says he'll please some and displease others, but I really hope he makes a strong, definitive statement and lets us know his true feelings on Iraq. (I'm prepared for the fact that his feelings about what should be done there and my feelings about what should be done there may differ.)

Knowing his history, I'm sure that all of this is terribly gut wrenching for him.

[karynnj]

11. This is what I thought so often last year

"Knowing his history, I'm sure that all of this is terribly gut wrenching for him." It was so strange seeing the 1971 testimony and reading Tour of Duty in parallel to what was happening in Iraq and his run for the Pressidency. I thought it was unfair that he was asked whether he thought people were dying for a mistake in Iraq.

As a person who might be CIC, he couldn't say "yes", for the same reason he couldn't tell the people on his boat how useless he thought the war was. They still had to fight and it was his job to do the best he could to get them through it. But I'm sure that he saw bits and pieces of his past last year and had the sharp realization that he was now the Senator rather than the young man speaking to the Senate to demand action. (He was pretty hard on the Senators back then - although he was politer than Cindy.)

[JI7]

12. wtf ?

they think Bush would not have gone into Iraq without the IWR ? the DSM and other evidence shows he was prepared to go in anyways and would have preferred it be that way.

[Mass]

13. They are just stupid and ignorant, that is all.

At least the one person who is claiming that. (he is on my ignore list so I normally dont read what he says).

Funny that somebody else who is opposed to the IWR was trying to make him understand his error and he refused to undertand what he meant.

[Mass]

14. Dean statement - asking for a plan for victory

(seems to me that this is worse than asking for a stable Iraq).

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/10/president_bush_2.php

[karynnj]

15. It is worse

Overtly political, without the same sense of empathy for the families, and calling for victory (which sounds more than stability)

What's weird is that in spite of that it will play better on the mentioned thread because of the Bush bashing, which I am glad Kerry refrains from here.

[TayTay]

16. Geez, I want a stable Iraq too!

We aren't the only ones doing the dying over there. There are many different opinions on how to get to a stable Iraq that doesn't involve 'stay the course.' It could be that the best way to a stable Iraq is to change the course and figure out a new way of doing things. It could be argued that current US policy is preventing Iraq from becoming more stable. It could be argued that the current govt in IRaq might be forced into action if they knew the US had a time table for withdrawal and that might lead to a more stable Iraq. When did 'stable Iraq' become code for 'stay the course?' This is ridiculous.

[Mass]

17. Kennedy's statement or how to say the same thing but in a way that

cannot be misconstrued by others. Here is the last paragraph. I am sure that Kerry and Kennedy agree on that issue, but by not adding either a date nor a qualification (a stable Iraq), Kennedy does not let any doubt where he stands.

http://www.tedkennedy.com/journal/294/2000

Instead of covering up mistakes in Iraq, it is time for the President to admit them, to adopt an effective strategy to end this war and begin to bring our troops home, and to stop ignoring the very real priorities facing the nation and the many many challenges facing us at home and abroad.”

Note that Kucinich said the same thing as well.

[JI7]

18. Kennedy always says they have the same position