Did everybody see this column by Mark Shields

[Pirate Smile]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3000163

"WASHINGTON (Creators Syndicate) -- A couple of years ago, after the program had already begun at a political dinner honoring the beloved and then fatally ill Joe Moakley, a Boston Democratic congressman, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry made a late and highly visible entrance, walking to his table at the front of the room. The evening's master of ceremonies refused to ignore the interruption. With perfect mock sympathy, he "explained": "You'll have to excuse the junior senator's tardiness; he got caught in front of a mirror." The crowd erupted in knowing laughter.

Personal vanity had been only one part of the political-press consensus on Kerry. He was regularly described as aloof, patrician or emotionally detached. Yes, it was agreed, the man was smart, and he knew the issues. But John Kerry, it was agreed, was in love with his wife's husband. Never a shot-and-a-beer guy, he was not the kind of Massachusetts politician who could sing a song or tell a self-deprecating story. Although I was not an intimate of the man, it was a consensus from which I did not strenuously dissent.

Let me tell you about a John Kerry much different from that glib stereotype. Seven years ago, Kerry personally recruited Brendan O'Donnell, then 19, to become an intern in his Senate office in Washington. Senate internships are coveted positions, often reserved for the children of well-connected or deep-pocketed campaign donors. Brendan O'Donnell's mother, Kathryn, was an honored elementary teacher and a widow. Her husband and Brendan's father, Kirk, was an enormously talented lawyer-politician had died unexpectedly the previous September. In the cold calculus of power, neither Brendan O'Donnell nor his family could do anything politically for John Kerry or anybody else.

What I forgot to mention is that Brendan is learning disabled. In 1999, he explained his condition this way in a statement John Kerry later quoted on the Senate floor: "I think there should be a different name for learning disabilities ... to me, it's not a disability -- it's just that I have something which causes a storm in my mind. When I look at something, I have to take my time and take it all in." But take it in he does, performing all his assigned tasks in the Senate office with enthusiasm and dispatch."

more here: http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/24/shields.kerry/

Frankly, I think it is weird that anyone who has bothered to find out anything about Kerry would be surprised by this.

[JohnKleeb]

1. Thats a really nice story

I am also learning disabled, how inspirational. Good for Kerry.

[TayTay]

2. Geez, Kerry got kudos for that dinner

He got all teary and everything. Made a really sweet and emotional speech. And they remember the mirror quip. Sigh!

[CBHagman]

3. Leave it to Shields to focus on human decency.

That's the kind of pundit Shields is -- thoroughly a mensch and appreciative when kindness or honesty or honor is displayed among his fellow human beings.

And I've had it with the lazy shorthand of stereotypes that passes for reporting among a cynically and morally tone-deaf press corps.

[JI7]

4. not surprised at all

a few things about Kerry

during his campaigning he held some town hall event in New York and a guy who benefited from the youth build program Kerry set up got up and started talking about how much it helped him. he was really emotional and couldn't hold back from crying. and Kerry gave him a hug.

even as a young protestor during the war Kerry did not just protest for the war to end, he would organize to demand the government to provide the soldiers with health care, help for education, jobs etc.his own vietnam vets against the war would collect money for the soldiers and provide it to them to help with these areas since they couldn't get it from the government. of course the media would not want this part discussed as it would not play into the fake story about him being a traitor agains the soldiers.

some years back there was some fire that killed some firefighters and Kerry was early on the scene (no cameras or media present) and did everything he could to help them.

during the campaign a kid at a rally tells him he isn't old enough to vote but he raised like a thousand dollars for Kerry and Kerry gives takes off his tie and gives it to the kid.

[TayTay]

5. Worcester Warehouse fire

J17 wrote: some years back there was some fire that killed some firefighters and Kerry was early on the scene (no cameras or media present) and did everything he could to help them.

That was the Dec. 1999 Worcester warehouse fire in which 6 firefighters died. A truly horrible event. I believe Kerry was enroute to an event in Europe and had the pilot turn the plane around so he could be there to comfort the loved ones left behind. Did it quietly and without too much fanfare. Kerry was at the funerals and was able to stand with the families without it looking like he was exploiting the event. Great Guy!