John Kerry's Comments (unbelievable)

[SKC Eric S. Highland]

I'm a little surprised that a thread hadn't already been started.

I was outraged by John Kerry's comments Monday the 30th during a campaign event in California.

He is quoted as saying:

“You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

DID I HEAR HIM CORRECTLY?!!!??

Many people, bipartisan are up in arms over this. The veterans groups are all calling for an apology.

I can't believe he said that!! :eek:

Chime in please.. looking for your .02

v/r

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Ron, didn’t you hear? Kerry (don’t forget that he served two tours and was given two Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts in Viet Nam) explained that his remarks were not directed at the troops but at the President. He said it was all right wingers like Rush Limbaugh fault for mis-quoting him. I listened to the entire explanation and it was a friggin’ joke. The only thing that Kerry (Two tours in ‘nam, two Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts) did not say was that he served in Viet Nam (surprise!!)

Kerry served in ‘Nam only to score some political points and to use that as resume padding, (Kerry sought a deferment and only joined the Navy to avoid being drafted. After he got to his Nirvanna, he did everything he could to escape as fast as he could by cutting himself while shaving, then had the nerve to push for Silver Stars for doing nothing.)

Kerry, like the Clintons hate the military. One of the reasons is that the military traditionally votes Republican.

This kind of thing is nothing new for Kerry. He referred to the guards at Gitmo as Nazis and compared what was going on there to the Gulags of the Soviet Union. He called the military fighting in Iraq terrorists and has nothing good to say about them.

I am so happy we have people like Kerry out there trying to derail the democrat’s victory party on 7 November 2006. What Kerry did was to remind people that this idiot could have been President, a very disturbing thought.

BTW there was a lady dressed as a witch at my church's trunk or treat event. You know I just had to rush up to her and say, "Mrs. Clinton, I always wanted to shake your hand." The witch acted like I had insulted her so I apologized for comparing her to Hillary. She said she liked Hillary (she didn't care for my attempt at humor.)

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

While were on the topic a "warhawks" like Kerry, I found this in one of my files.

Born-again GI Joes

Larry Elder
Posted: September 7, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
Chicken hawks: "cowards" who support the Iraq war, but never served in the military.

An e-mail going around the Internet purports to list "chicken hawks," including Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Vice President Dick Cheney and others. It includes people like myself, who applied for and received student deferments during the Vietnam War.

Many oppose the Iraq war in good faith, believing the war ill-advised, while questioning its prosecution. But the anti-war critics' sudden respect for military service simply astonishes. Call them born-again GI Joes. When did military experience become so important?

Former President Bill Clinton remains rabidly popular among Democrats. The former president continuously offers his opinions about world affairs, including the war in Iraq. But where were the chicken hawk accusers when Clinton ran for president? Recall that Clinton campaigned – not once, but twice – against two opponents who not only served, but served heroically and with distinction.

Clinton first, in 1992, defeated George Herbert Walker Bush. Bush-41 enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday, and after completing 10 months of training, he became the youngest naval aviator in the war. On a mission to attack Japanese installations in the Pacific, Bush's plane was shot and the engines caught fire. Bush completed his attack – releasing his bombs scoring several damaging hits – then flew several miles out to sea where he bailed out, and rescuers fished him from the water hours later. Bush received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the USS San Jacinto.

Clinton, running for re-election in 1996, defeated Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan. Fighting the Nazis in the hills of Italy in April of 1945, Dole's platoon came under attack. His radioman hit, Dole crawled out of his foxhole to assist the downed man. Nazi machine gun fire tore into his upper right back and arm. His right arm was so badly damaged it was unrecognizable. He was not expected to live. The extensive therapy for his rebuilt arm took about three years and nine operations. Dole, twice decorated for heroic achievement, received two Purple Hearts for his injuries and the Bronze Star Medal for his attempt to assist the downed radioman.

As for Clinton's own record, his student deferment ended in 1968 following his final undergraduate year at Georgetown. A prominent Arkansas lawyer and former judge interceded, persuading the county draft board chairman to put Clinton's draft notice in a "back drawer" for a while. But in his first year at Oxford, Clinton received a draft notice. Influential friends helped Clinton get into the ROTC – even though he already had an induction notice – and Clinton managed to get accepted to the Arkansas ROTC program 11 days before his scheduled induction. The military expected him to attend Arkansas Law School in the fall and begin ROTC after his basic training.

Clinton instead returned to Oxford for the next school year. After the first draft lottery, Clinton's number was so high it was not likely to be chosen. Clinton then changed his ROTC reserve status – which he had never fulfilled – back to "ready to serve." In his letter to the Arkansas ROTC explaining why he reneged on his agreement, he stated that he "loathed" the military.
Clinton, at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, hailed the military record of the party's standard-bearer, Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass. In endorsing Kerry, Clinton stirred up the convention with the refrain "Send me" – contrasting Clinton's own non-service with Kerry's willingness to serve.
And yes, Kerry did serve honorably. But, according to the Harvard Crimson, Kerry first received four student deferments before graduating from Yale. He then applied for a fifth deferment so he could study in Paris, but the military turned him down. Shortly before he was to be drafted into the Army, Kerry joined the Naval Reserves. Kerry was awarded 3 Purple Hearts and two Silver Stars for actions that probably did not warrant such awards (Bob Dole only got a Bronze Star for his actions in Italy.) Most vets that saw heavy combat of the type that Kerry supposedly was in will not talk about it. Kerry, on the other hand, will not shut up about his service. It’s one thing to be proud about service, another to be arrogant about it. RGK

Filmmaker Michael Moore, former President Jimmy Carter's seating companion at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, once called President George W. Bush "a deserter." How, one wonders, does the filmmaker feel about the service record of the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean?

Dean, during a military physical, carried with him X-rays and a letter from an orthopedist noting a back condition called spondylolisthesis. U.S. military doctors classified Dean 1Y – a medical deferment. Yet Dean spent the next year pouring concrete and enjoying skiing in Aspen.

Do those who call non-military war supporters "chicken hawks" wish to confine the Iraq debate to only current and former members of the military? This excludes over 90 percent of living Americans. But, for the sake of argument, let's confine the Iraq war debate to those who served in the military, active and reserve, current and retired. Polls show 70-80 percent of military personnel supported Bush's re-election. We are at war against Islamo-fascism. Reasonable people can debate the validity and prosecution of the war in Iraq. But reasoned debate and cheap shots are two different things.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

I'm not now nor will I ever be a Clinton supporter. I know that every registered user has the right to basically post what they want (common sense of course) here but hasn't Clinton bashing gotten old. Our current commander in chief receives a ton of bashing as well and some of it may or may not be deserved.
I'm registered with a particular party however if an opposing candidate was able to prove to me that they cared more about the well being of this country than the well being of their particular politcal party I would jump party lines in a second and don't stand in the way. Is that concept truly too much to expect from someone who is running the greatest nation on earth? The President is for the country not his party hmm. These days it seems like politics is more about the liberals defeating the conservatives or the conservative defeating the liberals. When did the Republican and Democratic parties come to such a ridiculous way of doing buisness.
Find me the perfect candidate and I'll vote for them. But then I think he walked on water a very long time ago.

[BMCS Burt Ford]

here you all go.

[AMTCM John Long]

IMO...If Sen. Kerry had just manned up, admit the gaffe and apologize, he wouldn't have faced the amount of humiliation he did today. He didn't help his party at all. It appears he got recalled off the campaign trail and retreated to DC.

IMO, he made 3 mistakes.

1. He said it

2. He tried to spin it away from the source

3. He said something to the effect of "he will never apologize to anyone"

Morals of the story......

a. Never say never!
b. Don't use the military as source material for political humor.

[MSTC Michael Schmidtke]

How can you be so far off from what was a mis-read joke to what was said, unless you look at what he said to what he was trying to say, they are not even close?? How can someone be that far off based from what was being said, than if you couldn't read? He needs to hide in a closet for a long time. His excuse is pathetic!!!!

[BMCS Dave Considine]

The answer is simple! All Kerry has to do is what everyone else in Washington is doing in a situation like this - check himself into rehab and say he made the comments while under the influence of something, or he was having an adverse reaction to a Botox injection. We seem to forgive everyone if they use that excuse!

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I'm not now nor will I ever be a Clinton supporter. I know that every registered user has the right to basically post what they want (common sense of course) here but hasn't Clinton bashing gotten old. Our current commander in chief receives a ton of bashing as well and some of it may or may not be deserved.
I'm registered with a particular party however if an opposing candidate was able to prove to me that they cared more about the well being of this country than the well being of their particular politcal party I would jump party lines in a second and don't stand in the way. Is that concept truly too much to expect from someone who is running the greatest nation on earth? The President is for the country not his party hmm. These days it seems like politics is more about the liberals defeating the conservatives or the conservative defeating the liberals. When did the Republican and Democratic parties come to such a ridiculous way of doing buisness.
Find me the perfect candidate and I'll vote for them. But then I think he walked on water a very long time ago.

The problem with politics as I see it is that our elected officals at the federal and local level have forgotten or really don't care who they work for.

THE TAXPAYERS!!

This is what you get when we have politicians that get the job for life (Kerry, McCain, Kennedy, etc) and do not have to worry about term limits.

Term limits would solve the problem, however, the only way for term limits to have a chance is to have congress itself pass the measure, but that will never happen because they will not do anything that would cause them to lose their jobs.

Kerry is still angry that his pre-ordained election to the job of president did not happen. One more thing, Clinton broke the unwritten rule that out of office presidents do not criticize the current administration, even Carter did not break that rule after he was defeated by Reagan.

[AMTCM John Long]

One more thing, Clinton broke the unwritten rule that out of office presidents do not criticize the current administration, even Carter did not break that rule after he was defeated by Reagan.[/B] [/I] [/COLOR]

Both sure don't have a problem taking shots at Pres Bush. Pres Carter did it numerous times here and abroad on foreign soil.

Speaking of Botox.....all Sen Kerry's wrinkles have disappeared. Anyone notice that on the close-ups?

[FSC Jeff Stumpf]

Term limits would be great,but I don't think they should not be payed to be a congressman. They should just keep their old jobs and get together every 6 months or so make the laws and budgets then go back to work. It would solve a lot of problems like doing 4yrs and getting full retirement for the rest of your life>>> And as for Kerry I just thank God he is not our President!!!!!!!

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Term limits would be great,but I don't think they should not be payed to be a congressman. They should just keep their old jobs and get together every 6 months or so make the laws and budgets then go back to work. It would solve a lot of problems like doing 4yrs and getting full retirement for the rest of your life>>> And as for Kerry I just thank God he is not our President!!!!!!!

As I understand it, our "representatives" were supposed to serve their term and then go back home. Now it is a career. With all we know about Kerry and Kennedy and Byrd and Clinton and..................... how they still manage to get re-elected is beyond me. Must be some really stupid or more likely, ignorant people in Massachusetts, for instance.

BTW I had a hunch I spelled Massachusetts wrong...and I did, I had to edit my post to show I am not ignorant, sort of like the fool at a NY Mets game(?) shortly after John Rocker made his comments in SI. The fool (the fan, not Rocker) was holding up a sign that read "HOW DO YOU SPELL ROCKER? INGNORANT" If I recall that was the exact spelling of ignorant that was on the sign the fan held up. I wonder who was ignorant?

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

The whole draft dodger vs. war hero thing is as old as Clinton’s DNA on Monica’s blue dress. Do you really believe Kerry meant what he said? I’m sure most don’t as it’s just another FOX/CNN water cooler money maker. Is Kerry just another politico being seduced by public fame and the lure of speaking dollars – you betcha! They all are. In the end, Republicans were looking for a way to remove some heat from the GOP and Kerry walked right into it – horse face first. What both sides forget, as they point their collective fingers at one another, is some green card lost his/her life today based on an oath - and many more are in line to do the same thing day after day.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

This can all be summed up with one word:

DEMOCRAT!

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

How about INDEPENDENT!

[BMC John Phillips III]

Eugene, I would go with your choice if I thought they actually had a chance.

As far as what Kerry said, I am not sure it really matters. In fact I don't think people that intelligent say things by mistake (but I have been labeled a conspiracy theorist). I don't know if I want to get too deeply involved in any political discussions but I just wanted to add that John Kerry and George W. Bush are cousins. They are also members or were members at one time of the same fraternity (or secret society if you are living in reality). So would it have mattered if Kerry had won? Does it matter whose running congress? Maybe so, maybe not.

Oh and since I brought up the subject of family trees, maybe you can do a little research on G.W.'s brother you've likely never heard of...Marvin.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I am not a Kerry fan or Kerry defender. I personally think he has had is foor (feet) in his mouth so much over the last 3 years that he has a case of athletes mouth. That being said, I believe this last flap that has sent him out of the "campaign for others" trail with his tail between his legs was not an intentional thing. I believe that it was a Freudian slip. It is not what he intended to say, for obvious reasons. He is smart enough to know that a comment like that would piss off a lot of people. However, he is not smart enough to think BEFORE he speaks. I think that this is exactly what he believes. I am not a fan of party politics. I think of it as the unionization of politics. Seems if you are a member of a "party", you are expected to vote with the majority of the party and leave your own beliefs in the corner. I have a hard time buying into that when it comes to my vote. I vote for what or whom I believe in the most, regardless of party affiliation. Most importantly though, I VOTE.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Subject: Vote Next Week!


While walking down the street one day a US Senator is tragically hit by a
truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is
a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so
we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up... What we'll do is
have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where
to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down,
down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a
green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of
it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake
his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at
the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and
champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who
has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time
that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty
farewell and waves while the elevator rises . . .
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter
is waiting for him. "Now it's time to visit heaven," he says.

So, 24 hours pass with the Senator joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good
time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter
returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose
your eternity." The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well,
I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I
think I would be better off in hell." So St. Peter escorts him to the
elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the
elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and
garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting
it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don't
understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a
golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne,
and we danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of
garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says,

"Yesterday we were campaigning..... Today you voted."

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Deane that was awesome. My Dad will love that one.

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

My guess is he was talking from experience. If he would have done good in school and was a little more educated maybe he would not have said something so STUPID.

[BMC John Phillips III]

I have heard a similar joke to that but it had to do with kegs or beer and women, not a golf course. I think the kegs of beer had holes in them.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

Having been stationed in California and having seen the un-founded hatred they have for most things military, I firmly beleive that the comment was written for him, considered, approved and said with the intent of pleasing those he was talking to.

Perhaps his advisors are confused...

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Has anyone seen Flags of Our Fathers yet? One thing I got from it is that the "heroes" of Iwo Jima, the three guys that came back, believed that the real heroes are the guys that did not come back. They would not talk about it. John Bradley did not even tell his own family what happened, not even letting them know he won the Navy Cross. James Bradley only found out about his father's heroics after he passed away.

Fast forward to 2004 and Kerry's self described war hero status. True heroes do not want to talk about what they did, or what medals they may have been awarded. Kerry never shut up about his service, never once telling the people that said he was a hero that the real heroes never made it back from Viet Nam.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

Having been stationed in California and having seen the un-founded hatred they have for most things military, I firmly beleive that the comment was written for him, considered, approved and said with the intent of pleasing those he was talking to.

Perhaps his advisors are confused...

I would like to correct the above as follows, "the un-founded hatred a large and vocal percentage of people have..."

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Not everyone in California hates the Military. Orange County and San Diego County certainly do not. And though the military haters in Northern California are more vocal, there are many folks where I was stationed in Pt Reyes that were very supportive of the military. Berkley just sucks and is very loud about it.

[ETC (FT type) Ed Shank]

I believe we are all being way to offended by this. He brings up an excellent point. I for one have told my son on numerous occasions he needs to do well in school, and strive for college. Not that I haven't done well in the CG, but I would much rather my son go to college and join the corporate world then stand weekend duty and miss all the milestones in life that I have. Do you all allow mediocrity in your child's education and performance? Why not? They can just join the military. My brother has done two tours in Iraq and as proud as he is, the large mental toll on him and his family leaves him wishing he had done something else. Well, something else wasn't an option based on his lack of education. Kerry, awards and self proclaimed heroism aside, did time in the military (however short that may have been) and may be calling on that experience. Regardless of how good the CG has been, I definitly wouldn't have minded doing something else had I done well enough in school to follow different career paths.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I believe we are all being way to offended by this. He brings up an excellent point. I for one have told my son on numerous occasions he needs to do well in school, and strive for college. Not that I haven't done well in the CG, but I would much rather my son go to college and join the corporate world then stand weekend duty and miss all the milestones in life that I have. Do you all allow mediocrity in your child's education and performance? Why not? They can just join the military. My brother has done two tours in Iraq and as proud as he is, the large mental toll on him and his family leaves him wishing he had done something else. Well, something else wasn't an option based on his lack of education. Kerry, awards and self proclaimed heroism aside, did time in the military (however short that may have been) and may be calling on that experience. Regardless of how good the CG has been, I definitly wouldn't have minded doing something else had I done well enough in school to follow different career paths.

All of what you say is true, however, Kerry has made a career out of military bashing, unless of course it serves his own self interests to say nice things about men and women in uniform. Kerry's voting base is NOT men and women that are in the military or that have served in the military. Kerry's base is people like Ramsay Clark, Cindy Sheehan, Jane Fonda, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and other anti-war, anti-americans.

[ETC (FT type) Ed Shank]

So is the issue the comment or his political affiliation? If a conservative pro-military person said it would it be as offensive to everyone on here? There is truth to his comment, regardless of his political views.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Ed, I understand what you are saying and where you are coming from. I, however beg to differ. First of all, a pro-military person, liberal or conservative would not take a cheap, demoralizing shot at those that have the patriotism to wear the uniform. I think that you will agree that we have the most highly educated men and women serving at this time then ever before in our history. Maybe some are serving so they can take advantage of the educational opportunities afforded them in the military. Maybe some are serving because they just plane believe in the cause. Maybe some are serving because they saw the military as a way to get out of a dead end town. Who knows why people serve. I bet you would get a different answer from most anyone you ask. I doubt you would hear anyone say that they are serving because they were to dumb to do anything else. The simple fact is, Kerry is a premadonna that has done little for himself (or anyone else for that matter) other then shove his feet in his mouth. He married money (twice), and has bought his way into the Senate. The fact is, his money pays for his influence. I would be offended by whomever made those comments. The fact that Kerry made them is just indicative of the type of person that he is. This kind of trash just keeps coming out of his mouth and he can't seem to stop it. Now matter what his speachwriters write for him.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I keep hearing how it appears that Kerry was reading from a speech. I saw the comments he made. He was not using a written speech. There wasn't a teleprompter anywhere in sight. Kerry was speaking from his bleeding liberal heart.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

I keep hearing how it appears that Kerry was reading from a speech. I saw the comments he made. He was not using a written speech. There wasn't a teleprompter anywhere in sight. Kerry was speaking from his bleeding liberal heart.


I never said he read it. I said it was written for him. I am not basing that on fact, just my opinion. If you don't think politicians have a wheelbarrow full of sound-bytes just waiting for a microphone you are deceived...

And Ed-FT, I tell my kids the same thing, not word for word. I would not however, say it in a public forum where it might be misconstrued by someone or offend someone. ESPECIALLY during a time of "war" when there are countless more americans that have great concern for what is happening with the military. Whether it be pro-military Americans, or family and friends of those in uniform, what he said was bound to offend someone, and I don't think he cares.

[PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon ret]

The whole draft dodger vs. war hero thing is as old as Clinton’s DNA on Monica’s blue dress. Do you really believe Kerry meant what he said? I’m sure most don’t as it’s just another FOX/CNN water cooler money maker. Is Kerry just another politico being seduced by public fame and the lure of speaking dollars – you betcha! They all are. In the end, Republicans were looking for a way to remove some heat from the GOP and Kerry walked right into it – horse face first. What both sides forget, as they point their collective fingers at one another, is some green card lost his/her life today based on an oath - and many more are in line to do the same thing day after day.

He ABSOLUTELY meant what he said. Not only that, he continues to believe and mean it, regardless of his "apology" -- he despises the military, believes we are all stupid -- why else would anyone VOLUNTEER for service with no apparent compelling reason (can you say 'draft'?). Thank AMERICA he's not our president!