"John Kerry thinks our soldiers are stupid. He's going to regret it!"

[Atman]

Oh jesus fucking christ. Here we go. The bloviating blowhard, Bill Bennett, was just on CNN commenting on a speech in which Kerry pointed out that the rich kids get to go on to college and get good educations, while the rest are stuck with no other opportunity but Iraq.

Of course, they had to have a caller on bragging about his genius son, and how he and his boy were both soldiers, and "he coulda went anywhere he wants," but chose EYE-rak.

Bill Bennett and CNN obviously think EVERY American is stupid.

.

[trumad]

1. I betcha Bills jonesing for a slot machine right about now...

[Ganja Ninja]

22. or a transsexual dominatrix.

:freak:

[madokie]

2. family values bill puke bennett can kiss this okies ass

:hi:

[mediacenter]

3. Perhaps

Senator Kerry should have chosen his words more carefully.

[Atman]

4. Did you even hear Senator Kerry's words?

Or didn't they post them for you over at FR?

.

[Shakespeare]

6. ya know, it's possible to "get" what Kerry was saying and still recognize...

...that he chose an incredibly stupid way to say it. He fucked up, plain and simple.

[TankLV]

33. So, you automatically believe what the media whores say without READING

what KERRY says?

He has NOTHING to apologize for or be careful choosing words for!

He is stating the FACT that it's the hypocritical RICH who are repukes and SUPPORT this Illegal Repuke War of Choice Based on LIES and who have NO THOUGHT of EVER actually going and fighting over there! THAT is the point of his message if you had bothered to read and COMPREHEND what he was saying, instead of falling for repuke spin!!!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. How would you say it?

How would you explain how the military keeps lowering their standards because they need to get stupid kids to die in Iraq?

[malaise]

42. As long as Kerry stresses that point

in the press conference, the parents and youngsters being deprived of a decent education and being sent to the slaughter house will be receptive to Kerry. Press Conference coming up later.

[SouthernBelle82]

56. Go and read

his press conference transcript. Someone asked him if he needed to attend joke school and he said "sure" and than goes on about what all the republicans have done wrong for troops. If anybody believes this shit they seriously do not know John Kerry and all he has fought for regarding veterans.

[Shakespeare]

59. I've read the transcript. I've seen the video.

I'm aware of the context. I'm also aware that what he said was so miserably badly worded that he's now being beaten to death in the headlines. I don't think he should apologize for anything, but I also think was he said was profoundly stupid.

[mediacenter]

68. I heard the comment

Sorry but I don't visit FR. It looks like your anger is misplaced.

[Old and In the Way]

7. Huh? One example negates the reality?

C'mon, how many rich white kids are signing up for Iraq? They have options and they aren't choosing Iraq to add to their resume.

[Shakespeare]

10. And lots of poor smart kids have signed up for Iraq.

Including a few 19-year-olds I know personally. It's as much about classism as it is about intelligence and hard work, and Kerry should know better than to say what he said.

[Old and In the Way]

14. "poor" is the operative word.

nt

[sandnsea]

35. Put a sock in the Kerry hatred

Some things are more important. That's really what happened in 2004, people like you helped the Rovian attacks because nursing your grudges was more important than winning.

[Shakespeare]

44. What the fuck are you talking about?

What "grudge?" I campaigned for and voted for Kerry. Jesus Christ.

"People like you." What the fuck? People like WHAT? Go find where I ever trashed Kerry about anything. I'm not a "Kerry hater," and to say so is absurd. I'm saying this specific comment was thrown out less-than-wisely, and he's being crucified for it. You want to yell at somebody for hurting our chances, why don't you yell at a politician who can't choose his words more carefully.

I've seen the clip in its entirety and in context. I get what he was trying to say, but it sure as hell didn't come out that way. Ya know that bit about the road to hell being paved with good intentions? Whatever Kerry intended to say has been completely lost.

Kerry's not running for anything now, and while I appreciate that he's stumping for others, I think we'd all appreciate it if he didn't stick his foot in his mouth a week before the election. You look at what the lead story's been all day, and THEN tell me Kerry didn't fuck up. He may not have intended to sound as if he were insulting the troops, but in saying what he did, he handed Rove a cross and a bunch of nails to hang him up on. And just because I'm saying so doesn't make me a republican or somebody playing into Rove's hands.

Hey, I'm glad to see so many on DU sticking up for Kerry while simultaneously having ridiculous purity tests about their dealbeaker issues. :eyes: This board could collectively use a psychoanalyst some days.

[sandnsea]

48. Bull

They make stuff up, we all know they make stuff up, they just got through making stuff up about Jim Webb's novels. Maybe he shouldn't have written anything at all just in case a Republican might use it against him some day.

This is bullshit. You either stand by Dems - particularly a week before the elections - or you stand with the opposition.

We really don't need inch deep hold your nose support.

[Atman]

52. Two days ago, sandnsea, you and I were carping at other

Now we're in total agreement.

Ain't DU grand?

:hi:

.

[sandnsea]

63. Yes, I suppose it is! n/t

[Shakespeare]

58. Not bull.

Pointing out that Kerry made an ass of himself in no way means I'm not standing with my party. Betcha the party leaders are quietly fuming over this, too.

[sandnsea]

62. Except the ones who are delighted

and secretly joining in the right wing spin behind his back.

[Clark2008]

61. That sounds vaguely like "you're either with us or against us..."

I don't have a dog in this fight because I don't think it matters one whip in local elections... but that just, well... I didn't like the sound of that.

Sorry.

[Shakespeare]

65. That's exactly what it is.

People around here also seem incapable of complex thought. I think Kerry said something profoundly stupid--but because I DO understand the context in which it was said, I do NOT think he should apologize for anything. And for that, I'm on Rove's side. :eyes:

[shanti]

64. yeah, they signed up to get an education!

get real!

[qanda]

39. You again?

Just joined DU to criticize and lecture the Democrats on what they should and shouldn't do.

[Quantess]

66. I'm betting

this one will get a pizza soon.

[KoKo]

69. Just warning you....Harold Ford is coming up on CNN calling for Kerry Apology

I wanted to warn you so you don't watch it. ;-) Only so much stress folks can take...and it's probably better to just turn it off.

[WinkyDink]

43. Yeah, he could have said "peeance, freeance" like Bush. Or "food on your family".

Or "God told me to invade".

[Crankie Avalon]

5. How many Purple Hearts did Bennett win? Did that gassy, bloated rich kid ever even serve? n/t

[Whalesaver]

8. wasn't the best way to get your point across

Shouldn't have said it that way

[La Lioness Priyanka]

25. why not?

[Crankie Avalon]

28. And pray, tell what you think would have been the way?

Better yet, don't--more Chickenhawk freeper pap, is the LAST thing anyone needs.

And, I've looked it up: Bill Bennett did not serve, though he thought Vietnam was just dandy for other, less "important" people than himself.

A gutless, elitist, draft-dodging, wormy, Chickenhawk weasel--just like your president.

Pundits, Preachers, and Judges

Bill Bennett: Did not serve

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2006/Info/military-service.html

[Hippo_Tron]

31. Bennett probably got his purple hearts the same way Bush did

Somebody drew them on his face with a marker while he was passed out.

[Sensitivity]

9. Waiting to hear for KERRY on this. Hope he uses platform to ATTACK Puke

recruiting tactics.

What he said was a fatherly comment to the kids.

May not have been best for
his 2008 campaign.

[Cha]

50. Boy, did Kerry ever have a comeback..

buzzflash thought so! http://www.buzzflash.com/

[tjwash]

11. Good ol' Billy Jackboot. Living proof that...

...being a cold blooded sneering asshole gets one to the top of the conservative hero-heap every time.

Even the Republican Party doesn’t much care for him though. It goes back to when he walked out on Reagan as Secretary of Education for a higher paying gig.

[Atman]

12. the FoRce is strong in this thread!

They're heeeeeeeeeeeeerre!

:eyes:

[Shakespeare]

15. What, you wanna call me a troll, Atman?

Yeah. Good luck with that. I'm not going to blindly defend Kerry when he makes an ass of himself.

[Atman]

17. Ooh...did I strike a nerve? I didn't even mention you, Shakespeare

It wasn't even a reply to you. Me thinks thou doest protest to much.

.

[Shakespeare]

19. Of course you didn't mention me by name.

Because that would be against DU rules, and one wants to skirt those carefully when calling "troll."

It was a reply to your own OP, so that you weren't referring specifically to anyone, but it's clear it was intended for all who disagree with you.

No, I don't protest too much. I just get irritated when I see DUers blindly defending what was an incredibly stupid and insensitive statement on Kerry's part.

[Atman]

20. So what are you doing NOW, Shakespeare?

You're directly accusing me of something I didn't do.

You've been here a long time, you donate to DU, I've never had a reason to question you before. Why on earth, then, did you think I was referring to you this time? Have you read any of the other responses here, perhaps from people with fewer posts than they have fingers to type them with?

Back off. I wasn't referring to you, no matter how much you want to make yourself the center of attention.

.

[Shakespeare]

24. Because it was a broad-brush slam at anybody who disagreed with you.

And that pisses me off. I can disagree with someone without intimating that gee, they might be a troll if they don't think like I do. C'mon, Atman. I've never had a problem with you, either, but be better than that. Let's argue the statement on its merits without making the troll comment.

[Atman]

36. Well, see...all I had to do was sit back and watch...

Apparently I'm not alone in feeling that you and five-post boy are alone in your support for this type of Republican smear tactics.

:shrug:

.

[sandnsea]

32. Here's an idea

If you're helping Rove - just SHUT UP. How friggin' hard is that???

[TankLV]

29. Ha ha - good catch!!

[kestrel91316]

13. You might want to put quotes around your subject there, so folks don't

think those are YOUR words. They are Bennett's words.

[TayTay]

16. Kerry Response to this nonsense.

Statement of John Kerry Responding to Republican Distortions, Pathetic Tony Snow Diversions and Distractions

Washington – Senator John Kerry issued the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, assorted right wing nut-jobs, and right wing talk show hosts desperately distorting Kerry’s comments about President Bush to divert attention from their disastrous record:


“If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they're crazy. This is the classic G.O.P. playbook. I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.


I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq. It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.


The people who owe our troops an apology are George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who misled America into war and have given us a Katrina foreign policy that has betrayed our ideals, killed and maimed our soldiers, and widened the terrorist threat instead of defeating it. These Republicans are afraid to debate veterans who live and breathe the concerns of our troops, not the empty slogans of an Administration that sent our brave troops to war without body armor.

Bottom line, these Republicans want to debate straw men because they’re afraid to debate real men. And this time it won’t work because we’re going to stay in their face with the truth and deny them even a sliver of light for their distortions. No Democrat will be bullied by an administration that has a cut and run policy in Afghanistan and a stand still and lose strategy in Iraq.”

Bite me, you friggin lying bastids.

[global1]

26. I'll Bet You That No News Channel Will Air This Response By Kerry....

unfortunately.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

27. i love kerry....one of our best senators..would have made a great president

[rox63]

18. Kerry's response to this and other related RW distortions

Statement of John Kerry Responding to Republican Distortions, Pathetic Tony Snow Diversions and Distractions

Washington – Senator John Kerry issued the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, assorted right wing nut-jobs, and right wing talk show hosts desperately distorting Kerry’s comments about President Bush to divert attention from their disastrous record:

“If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they're crazy. This is the classic G.O.P. playbook. I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.

I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq. It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.

The people who owe our troops an apology are George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who misled America into war and have given us a Katrina foreign policy that has betrayed our ideals, killed and maimed our soldiers, and widened the terrorist threat instead of defeating it. These Republicans are afraid to debate veterans who live and breathe the concerns of our troops, not the empty slogans of an Administration that sent our brave troops to war without body armor.

Bottom line, these Republicans want to debate straw men because they’re afraid to debate real men. And this time it won’t work because we’re going to stay in their face with the truth and deny them even a sliver of light for their distortions. No Democrat will be bullied by an administration that has a cut and run policy in Afghanistan and a stand still and lose strategy in Iraq.”





# # #

[malaise]

21. Kerry made a good point

Only the poor are dying in Iraq.

[Atman]

23. He made a very good point, and as usual, people won't focus on it

They jump right into the cesspool with Bill Bennett and lend credence to his manufactured outrage.

Sometimes I just don't get how some DUers minds work.

.

[sandnsea]

30. That's it in a nutshell

Working people know why kids join the military - it's these right wing radicals who kid themselves into thinking the Iraq war is glorious.

[tabasco]

34. Bill Bennett has no military experience.

Who the fuck does he think he is speaking for American soldiers? He is an asshole. He doesn't speak for this veteran!

Kerry, on the other hand, has a Silver Star, and volunteered for combat at a time when milquetoasts like Bennett were busy filling out deferment forms.

[Atman]

38. Oh, I thought he did...

Maybe I misunderstood...I swear I heard Jeff Gannon say he had a purple heart on.

Oh...wait a minute...

;)

.

[stepnw1f]

40. Bill Bennet, Another Fat Rich Guy Who Never Served

.... real virtuous too from what I've heard... gambling problem.

[Giant Robot]

41. They are in overdrive for spin control

because any mention of classicism or class warfare scares the carp out of the conservative controlled government. They know there are more people in poverty than they can reasonably put down in case of open rebellion. Sorry for the starkness of this post, but I don't feel well and take class warfare very seriously.

[Jawja]

45. Yep.

They are falling back on the old GOP tactic, "the Dems hate the military." They sure jumped on this didn't they?

[Disturbed]

46. Is this the actual statement that J. Kerry made?

"I can't overstress the importance of a great education. Do you know where you end up if you don't study, if you aren't smart, if you're intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq." - Senator John Kerry

If so, it is directly aimed at Busholini.

[Atman]

54. It is the actual "joke" he's supposedly been making at college appearances

It's one of his standards to students, apparently, but yesterday he flubbed the line, and they picked up on it, the same way they picked up on Acuri's expenditure of $1.25 on a wrong number to a porn line. Facts mean nothing to these people, that is why so many of us don't have time for all the "Kerry shouldn't have said something so stupid" crowd. HE DIDN'T. Bush does EVERY DAY, and that is where our focus should be, not on eating our own when we're ten yards from the goal line.

Sheesh!

.

[brentspeak]

47. Bennett and the Republicans must think the American people are stupid

They're both gonna regret it on Nov.7th.

[Glimmer of Hope]

49. Good grief. This is so ridiculous. Kerry thinks Bush is stupid not the troops!

[Gin]

51. How Pathetic that the rethuglicans need to spotlight this , one week

before an election......their desperation is showing.

[moondust]

53. Desperation on display.

Embarrassing to watch.

[blogslut]

55. Hey Bill!

BOO!!!

[K8-EEE]

57. BushCo Thinks Their Cannon Fodder For Their Oil Wars

They need to apologize for their ACTIONS....not a single ambiguously worded sentence! What a bunch of bullshit.

[bdamomma]

60. What BS total BS.

we have an election to think about.

[MalloyLiberal]

67. What a jackass.

[SammyWinstonJack]

70. Is that a threat or a promise?