John Kerry leaves for 12-day trip to Mideast, Asia and Europe

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry leaves for 12-day trip to Mideast, Asia and Europe
January 9, 2006

In late December I posted that John Kerry was scheduled to make a trip to the Middle East this month. AP News reports that Kerry left today.

Sen. John Kerry left Monday for a 12-day overseas trip to the Middle East, Asia and Europe where he will focus on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to global health problems.

His stops will include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, England and India.

Kerry will meet in Iraq next week with Gen. George Casey, commander of coalition forces. He will also visit with Iraqi government officials and Massachusetts troops who are stationed near Ramadi.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1604

[YvonneCa]

1. Thanks, kerrygoddess...

...for the information. Safe travels, Senator Kerry!:patriot:

[TayTay]

2. That is a very ambitious agenda.

That trip obviously addresses a whole slew of issues, from economic ones to issues related to the war and the status of the Middle East after the Dec. 15th election. (And a check on Israel, post-Sharon.) AHm, small thing, but I want that kind of energy. (Wow!)

I saw that the World Economic Conference in Davos, Switzerland is scheduled for late Jan, so I have a feeling this is not the only trip this month. (Again, wow. I want that kind of energy, just for a few days.) Good wishes and prayers are on the way for a safe trip.

[LittleClarkie]

19. I'm getting blasted at Kos because they think that the trip

is being paid for with 2004 election donations. Like it's a fucking pleasure cruise or something!

And they're pissed because they think he should be in town to fight Alito.

If he fights Alito, he's supposed to be in Iraq. If he's in Iraq, he's supposed to be fighting for election reform. If he's fighting for election reform, he's supposed to be fighting for health care. If he's fighting for health care... blah, blah, blah.

Those people twist themselves into such pretzels in order to continue the hate.

[karynnj]

20. He's not on the Judiciary committee

Don't they realize the Senators don't randomly show up - they made the same comments when the Miers hearings were starting. (I assume he'll learn lots of stuff for the SFRC where he belongs.)

[LittleClarkie]

25. A couple people over there just thanked me

That's why I go to kos, you know. Because there are people over there who like getting the news, and recommend me. As long as they're there, I'll keep going back, even if I could slap some of those people. Damn dittoheads.

[Mass]

27. Some of the answers to your diary are a perfect example of how people

do not know what they are talking about.

Kerry is not on the Judiciary Committee and therefore could not do anything this week on this issue.
The vote on the Senate floor will not be on January 20. First, it is a Friday and it is way too close to the confirmation hearings and would prevent any floor debate. This is really Kerrybashing for the sake of Kerrybashing.

Another good reason for me to avoid kos these days. Between the people who do not care at all about the country but only about political games and people who are just bashing for the sake of bashing, it becomes more and more difficult to find something good.

[globalvillage]

3. Godspeed, Senator.

Stay safe.

:hug:

He just makes me so proud.

:patriot:

[ProSense]

4. Finally more details. Thanks.

He sure plans to cover a lot of ground. Wonder if he's meeting with Blair in England? There have been renewed calls for his impeachment over Iraq.


Oh yeah, safe travels Senator.

[europegirl4jfk]

11. Interesting that he meets with Brown not Blair

Brown is considered Blair's successor and he has been backed by Blair. There was a Yahoo story out there just a few days ago, that Blair is now publicly naming Brown as his successor:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060106/wl_nm/britain_blair_dc_1

So (if our wishes come true) it's Bush's successor meeting with Blair's successor. That fits!

Well, I guess Kerry won't come to France this time. :-(

[TayTay]

12. That's very interesting indeed

Thanks for picking up on that. (God, there has been a lot going on lately. Thank goodness for this group. Someone always picks up on something good that might have been missed.)

Wouldn't that be something, Brown & Kerry, both future leaders of their country, meeting now. Sigh!

BTW, how far from Davos are you? (Just checking.)

[wisteria]

15. Something indeed! We can wish and hope this comes to pass. n/t

[europegirl4jfk]

18. Don' t give me idears ;-)

Davos is about 6 - 7 hours by car from here, I guess. But every place is too far right now for my purse. *sigh* I'm just back from a rather expensive New Year's London trip.

If you meet the senator again some day, tell him that he should come to the south of France. No beer here, sorry, but we could drink a nice bottle of red wine together. *g*

[ProSense]

13. Like your thought process.

That could lead to a trip to France. :)

[karynnj]

21. They also said British Intelligence officers

which sounds interesting - could he be trying to investigate something?

[europegirl4jfk]

23. DSM, secret prisons etc.

It wouldn't surprise me. After all he is a prosecutor. And these British guys seem willing to talk. If not there wouldn't be all these leaks and infos coming from Britain.

[_dynamicdems]

28. I'd be willing to bet he'll find some time for France!

He may not be meeting in an official capacity, but he will probably spend some time there visiting friends and family.

[jillan]

5. Is Kerry going to be back in time when the Alito hearings

reach the Senate? I hope so! No one can interrogate like our Kerry.

Was anyone going with Kerry?
My prayers are with him for a safe trip.

[TayTay]

7. Oh most definitely. But the vote is not scheduled for awhile.

The Repubs wanted to schedule it for around two weeks, I think, and the Dems wanted it in Feb. So we shall see. I don't think Sen. Kerry will get to question him, just the Judiciary committee members. :(

Sen. Kerry will have his hands full, I think, with some SFRC hearings and some Finance Committee hearings. (Oh and that lineup that Ted Stevens has in Commerce. Dear God, that man is diabolical. Hey, wait a minute here, how come Stevens has sceduled a hearing on Internet Pornography for the 19th of Jan. Won't Sen. Kerry still be on-the-road? Hey, he just filed a bill on that. What gives here? Diabolical.) http://commerce.senate.gov/

[globalvillage]

9. I hate that old bastard Stevens.

He's as mean as Santorum is stupid.

[wisteria]

16. LOL, you have that correct! n/t

[karynnj]

22. He's not on the Judiciary committee - but Kennedy is

[_dynamicdems]

29. Yes, have a safe trip, Senator!

I do worry about Senator Kerry when he visits Iraq.

[Island Blue]

6. Travel safe Senator Kerry!

I swear, no one in government works as hard as this man does. No one. I'll worry about him every day, but I'm glad he's off showing the rest of the world the positive side of the United States.

:patriot:

[wisteria]

8. I hope we are able to get almost daily reports on his whereabouts.

I'll worry and pray for his safety the whole time he is away.
Hasn't JK been over to Iraq now more times than or so called commander and chief?

[kerrygoddess]

10. Note in Dem Daily forum about posting this

see Dem Daily Kerry forum for details

[wisteria]

14. Can you tell me what I should be looking for at DD? I was just

over there and found no reference to this trip other than on the blog site. Nothing in the forum.

[kerrygoddess]

24. You found it...

I was stupidly cryptic. There is a better explanation there now.

[globalvillage]

17. Keep us posted, KG.

Thanks.
:hug:

[MH1]

31. Saw that. Interesting. n/t.

[Vektor]

26. Thanks, KG. Godspeed, Senator Kerry!

Now THAT'S a President!

[MH1]

30. Safe trip, Senator. Godspeed. Mega-prayers.

I worry for him.

Thanks for posting, kg.