Kerry assails Bush on Iraq

[bemildred]

NEW BEDFORD -- Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday called on Americans to be more aware of the "bait and switch" Iraq war and the "hollowing out" of the Army in the pursuit of a mistaken policy.

In a swing through SouthCoast, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee attacked the priorities of the Republican Party and President Bush, elaborating on what they are sacrificing -- health care for children, infrastructure, Social Security -- in the pursuit of tax cuts.

---

Sen. Kerry puzzled over the apparent lack of interest by Americans in the Iraq war and the near silence in the U.S. mass media about the so-called Downing Street Memo.

That leaked secret document, the minutes of a 2003 cabinet meeting of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, says bluntly that Mr. Bush had decided to attack Iraq long before going to Congress with the matter, and that "intelligence was being fixed around the policy."

SouthCoastToday

[berni_mccoy]

1. WOOHOO!!!

We now have a Senator speaking out on the DSM!

Keep up the pressure DU. We ARE having an effect!

[babylonsister]

7. Weren't these minutes of a 2002 meeting? If so, let's keep

the timeline straight. And if I'm wrong, slap me upside the head!

[bpilgrim]

11. 23 July 2002 - hopefully he corrects himself in the future since the DATE

is KEY, good catch :toast:

The secret Downing Street memo
SECRET AND STRICTLY PERSONAL - UK EYES ONLY

DAVID MANNING
From: Matthew Rycroft
Date: 23 July 2002
S 195 /02

cc: Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Attorney-General, Sir Richard Wilson, John Scarlett, Francis Richards, CDS, C, Jonathan Powell, Sally Morgan, Alastair Campbell

IRAQ: PRIME MINISTER'S MEETING, 23 JULY

source...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1593607,00.html

peace

[stlsaxman]

36. It is the author of the article who needs to correct himself...

Kerry did not date the DSM in the article.

[Stand and Fight]

48. The Senator was correct.

The author of the article was wrong in his stating 2003.

[sarahlee]

103. We all need

to write the author and correct - then he will REALLY see the interest there is in these minutes!!!!!!!!!

[AuntiBush]

17. LOL: That "slap me in the head" thing...

Don't feel bad. Feel the same way "daily" w/all the fast-track Bushwack Repuk crap coming down the pike.

:hi: LOL! Well, that laugh lasted all of 2 seconds. Now back to sleepless in June.

[Pachamama]

25. Yes, they were "minutes" & as every good lawyer knows, they are more legal

and binding in a court of law than any memo....

I'm sure that the Lawyer in John Kerry knows this very well indeed....

We can refer to it as "The Downing Street Memo" but it really should be called "The Downing Street Meeting Minutes" or better yet "The Downinbg Street Meeting Minutes of how the Bush Administration plotted and planned to go to War on false pretenses - intentionally"

Hmmm....I hope Americans are finally ready to wake up from their coma that seems to be preventing them from seeing the corruption and deceit that is oozing from the White House and the irony of the "Deep Throat" story coming to the attention of Americans and a time when an occupant of the White House had engaged in deceitful, illegal behaviour leading to an impeachment proceeding and even at a time we were also in a "Quagmire" in Vietnam...maybe, just maybe Americans will wake up and realize that we are right back in that place again....

[confludemocrat]

43. Woohoo? BFD. Where does he admit we must withdraw?

And that he was wrong to have given Bush any authority he must have known the man would use fraudulently? We knew and so so did he (Kerry).

I voted for him in the MoveOn straw pole of June 2003, among the 15% who also did even despite his vote, won't get fooled again. But to me now he's dead meat.

[wisteria]

114. You weren't fooled! Sorry your so unyielding.

Good reasons have been given time and again about this vote. You may not have voted his way, but you weren't there and you didn't have the scope of information nor intelligence he did in order to base his vote on. I think this is just your excuse not to like the man.

[confludemocrat]

156. Like I said, he missed the only moral path of courage: get out now

"I think this is just your excuse not to like the man." Nonsense. I liked him enough to back him when few else would, saw something when not many others did. I was wrong.

But I'm finished with him. And for those who whoop it up about his belated awakening from zombiehood, I say dream on.

[Laurab]

117. But isn't it great that a well-known Dem is FINALLY

speaking out about the memo? Or is he too "dead meat" to you for you to care? FINALLY someone speaks out - he should be applauded for heaven's sake.

And for the record, I didn't know what you profess to have known about the shrub using authority fraudulently. I never, in my wildest dreams, would have imagined it. Now, being more familiar with the king and how he operates, I know better, but back then, I didn't. Perhaps not everyone is quite as smart as you.

[confludemocrat]

158. But what did he really say about the memo? Ultimately tepid pap.

He's dead meat as the presidential candidate he still thinks he is. I think he won in 2004. I think he failed to act with even the slightest bit of conviction that showed he thought so too.
Dead meat.

[Laurab]

167. But isn't it great that he's going to bring up the memo?

On the Senate floor even? I mean, no matter that he did't fight the election, even though there was no proof, and he had nothing to fight it with, which so many people don't seem to understand. Isn't it a GOOD thing when a prominent democrat DOES have something to fight with, and uses it?

I'm sorry, but I still don't understand what you expected the guy to do. There was NO proof, and the RW media machine would have made him look like a raving madman. And the apolitical, or undereducated people would have seen him the same way. You still do need proof to argue something. Gore had it, Kerry didn't.

Kerry is out there fighting for us. He has often fought against things, even though they weren't popular. I'm not sure he's doing it just to be "presidential material", although if he can help get this rolling, he may finally end up in the office I too believe he won.

[nittygritty]

122. We ARE having an effect!

from the above article, Kerry adds concerning the memo:

"When I go back (to Washington) on Monday, I am going to raise the issue," he said of the memo, which has not been disputed by either the British or American governments. "I think it's a stunning, unbelievably simple and understandable statement of the truth and a profoundly important document that raises stunning issues here at home. And it's amazing to me the way it escaped major media discussion. It's not being missed on the Internet, I can tell you that."

:woohoo:

[saltpoint]

2. Kerry's right to raise these points, as often and as loud as he wants.

Bush lied. Bush is a cheater and a liar and a scoundrel and an opportunist of the most craven stripe.

When Kerry and other Democrats speak to genuine crises facing our country, I stop and listen. When tv or radio does a Bush excerpt, I lunge for the Volume dial and tune him out.

I can hardly stand to hear Bush whine and jabber these days at all.

[O.M.B.inOhio]

16. Impeachment would be something the press couldn't ignore

About time Kerry talked tough! It wouldn't have been a flip-flop during the campaign to say, "Mr. President, I trusted you. We all trusted you. And you betrayed our trust. You lied to America, sir."

Last time I remember Kerry talking so on-target was at the Dem convention. It was starting to resonate across the country until, "STOP! ORANGE ALERT! TERROR TIP FROM 3 YEARS AGO IN NEW JERSEY!"

Kerry could redeem himself by using the Downing St. Memo (and a thousand other documents) to demonstrate that Bush's offenses are waaaaay beyond the standard for impeachment the Repukes set in their attack against Clinton. IMPEACH, if only to get the press crawl out of their hole. Now with Deep Throat revealed, presidential scheming is even topical.

[saltpoint]

18. Loved your emphasis on the Downing St. Memo, OMBinOhio.

And your comment on the press "crawl(ing) out of their hole," too.

Bartender -- get this DUer a beer, and make it fast.

[O.M.B.inOhio]

111. Thanks nt

[renaissanceguy]

39. This would be PERFECT timing

with Deep Throat in the news. I hope it inspires people in govt and the MSM to come out of their damn holes and TALK!


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

[CoffeeCat]

115. Loved your comments, too!

What you said about Kerry is exactly right!

Kerry (and others) need to say---No, Mr President--WE DID NOT FLIP FLOP!! WE TRUSTED YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING!! You did not. You lied. You garner our support, then abuse it--and label those who do not fall in lockstep with your recklessness as "flip floppers."

America believed that you would not take us to war unless absolutely necessary, Mr. President! We also believed that you were not lying to us and cooking the intelligence! YOU WERE DOING THOSE THINGS!!

YOU ARE THE TRUE FLIP FLOPPER, MR PRESIDENT AND YOU LIED TO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!!

[knowbody0]

3. bemildred

thanks for posting this...the article is great! man oh man, it's good to hear from him now

[BigBearJohn]

4. This is UNfucking believable. Kerry speaks up at LAST - RECOMMENDED

Sen. Kerry puzzled over the apparent lack of interest by Americans in the Iraq war and the near silence in the U.S. mass media about the so-called Downing Street Memo.

That leaked secret document, the minutes of a 2003 cabinet meeting of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, says bluntly that Mr. Bush had decided to attack Iraq long before going to Congress with the matter, and that "intelligence was being fixed around the policy."

It caused an uproar in Great Britain and badly hurt Mr. Blair in national elections but went almost unnoticed in the United States.

"When I go back (to Washington) on Monday, I am going to raise the issue," he said of the memo, which has not been disputed by either the British or American governments. "I think it's a stunning, unbelievably simple and understandable statement of the truth and a profoundly important document that raises stunning issues here at home. And it's amazing to me the way it escaped major media discussion. It's not being missed on the Internet, I can tell you that."

[babylonsister]

10. About time! I also e-mailed him! Enough annoyed

people do wonders, and we are being heard!

[Jo March]

I emailed him too!

I emailed him all of the links that Auntiebush put up yesterday. It was quite an effective list.

I'd love to see the entire * administration impeached for this. Once that ball gets rolling, someone will start spilling the beans about how they stole the election. I just know it!

I believe!

Never give up!

[Im with Rosey]

50. I emailed also

How about everyone else do the same, this is a critical time for all of us. We need to convince JK without any doubt that we support his speaking about this. The more we encourage him, the better it will be. Look what we've done by encouraging Conyers and Boxer.

[Blue Belle]

69. I emailed him to ask him to help John Conyers...

with his signature gathering campaign. Here is my email:

Dear John Kerry,

As a loyal supporter, and someone who worked diligently on your campaign, I've been impressed by the way you have kept your email list going and how you've continued to rally your supporters into action - sometimes when the bill or action request isn't even your own (as was the case with your recent request to help Senator Kennedy).

My reason for addressing you today is to help investigate a fraud committed against the members of congress and the American People. Congressman John Conyers is circulating a petition to collect 100,000 signatures to enact an investigation of the Downing Street memo revelations, and whether the Bush Administration is guilty of "fixing" the intelligence reports that- as a Senator - influenced your decision upon to commit our troops to the Iraq war. It is one thing for me to be upset as citizen by what the Downing Street Memo uncovers, but I can imagine that you - having trusted the pre-war intelligence and authorized the act of sending 1600+ American soldiers to their death - would be doubly angered by the egregious acts of fraud committed by the Bush Administration if the facts of this document are proven legitimate. Every American deserves to know the truth about this document. Every American deserves to know if they were deceived - especially those whose lives have been forever changed by the loss or injury of a serviceman.

Senator Kerry, I ask you to throw your support behind Congressman Conyers and help him gather the needed signatures by using your email list. It has been highly effective for you in the past, and with your help, it can be an effective tool for speaking truth to power once again.

Thank you,

[bpilgrim]

13. "It's not being missed on the Internet, I can tell you that." - wow

Thank GORE he 'INVENTED' the INTERNETs :bounce:

peace

[Ellipsis]

22. "It's not being missed on the Internet, I can tell you that."

Ya think the good senator is taking advantage of the deep throat momentum?

[silvermachine]

51. While I'm glad to hear him say this...

...it's a bit late really. If he had shown this much fire during the campaign, maybe, just maybe, we would have a different president. But then there's Diebold...

[Deja Q]

57. Well, my respect for him just went back up.

Right on Kerry! :yourock: :loveya:

[Supersedeas]

78. Rove has the corporate media spooked

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

169. Where Was He When It Counted? n/t

[evlbstrd]

5. I think Kerry is finally coming back to his political roots.

Opposition to an unjust war. And adding the media hole to his message is great!

[OKthatsIT]

41. and I hope he stays there...in his roots

Kerry's a chump. He knew Bush was BS when the inspectors werent allowed to do their job. Bush's rush job on the UN and Congress.

To say he didnt know what Bush was up to would tell me he's an idiot. Maybe you dont remember how Edward Kennedy wanted to use Bush's stupid claims of WMD(enough to invade Iraq) to bolster Kerry's future plans for election. They were all disgusting!

[YvonneCa]

100. Kerry never left his roots...

...he's been positioning himself for this fight for a while now.

[blueview]

6. Kerry could have definitely used this aggression last year...

...but I like seeing it. Better late than never, I suppose.

[silvermachine]

52. My feelings as well...

...and welcome to DU!:thumbsup:

[faithnotgreed]

60. were with you on that blueview - welcome

[expatriot]

8. Only five more months before the election, You got him on the ropes, John!

wait.... oh shit.

[still_one]

9. OK, Senator Kerry what would you do about Iraq?

During the campaign you said we couldn't just withdraw, and I assume you feel the same way. In that case there is very little difference between what you would do and what * would do. More Americans and Iraqiis would die. Didn't you learn anything from Viet Nam. Remember 1971 when you were before Congress:

"...how do you ask a man to be the last man to dies in Vietnam(iraq)? How do ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake? But we are trying to do that, and we are doing it with thousands of rationalizations..."

[berni_mccoy]

12. OK, but that's completely off topic

The point is, BUSH LIED to get us to go to war. In fact, he not only lied, but

1. FIXED THE INTELLIGENCE,
2. COLLUDED with a foreign power
3. Engaged in a COVERT, ILLEGAL WAR in 2002 to provoke IRAQ into a U.N.S.C. violation
4. AND THEN LIED for why we eventually went to war with Iraq

And THEN he had the nerve to BLAME THE CIA for bad intelligence and use that point AGAINST Kerry, saying Kerry had access to the SAME INTELLIGENCE HE DID! WHAT A SETUP!

No wonder Bush awarded Tenant that medal... if Bush didn't exonerate him, Tenant was going to blow the lid off this whole thing.

[bpilgrim]

14. they can all play dumb and cop the excuse that they were LIED to

IMPEACHMENT TIME :bounce:

peace

[sandnsea]

67. Or Nader, Or Woolsey

What's different about their plans and Bush's?

[me b zola]

15. Well blow me down!!!!

The DSM will not be silenced!!!! This is truely the beginning of something good.

Senator Kerry also made strong statements on other issues:

Earlier in the day, Sen. Kerry met in a "town hall"-style meeting with about 75 seniors, where he assailed the recently passed Medicare prescription drug benefit, the GOP's tax cuts for wealthy Americans and the attempts to privatize Social Security.
He said to the largely supportive group, "The next time one of those conservative senators or congressmen comes to you and starts talking to you about American values, I want you to look him in the eye and say, what is the value that is represented in providing the wealthiest people in America with a great big tax cut at the expense of the poorest people in the country?"
"I went back and reread the New Testament the other day, and I've got news for you. Nowhere in the three-year ministry of Jesus Christ is there any suggestion at all that you ought to take from the poor and give to the rich and leave children at risk," he said to a loud round of applause.
Invoking the legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal's "safety net," Sen. Kerry accused Mr. Bush and the GOP of misleading the public about Social Security and their intentions. "They're never telling the truth," he said.

~~~~~more~~~~~~

WOW!!!

[autorank]

19. ALL RIGHT KERRY! We'll take that...aligned with CONYERS!!!

The election's over. Kerry won, it was stolen, time to move on to the next battles.

And Kerry has. He can pull up the Downing Streed Memo big time. Watch him roll. Watch someone in the WH leak something. You think the military is happy about being pulverized for the * political whim of the moment. I don't think so.

Rock 'em John

NEW LEADERS FOR A NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY!

Contact the DNC and Give 'em Hell About NOT Acting on Election Fraud

[blm]

42. You think the CIA analysts are happy about being given the BLAME for 2yrs?

Some of them having been trying to get media attention for over TWO YEARS to get the facts straight.

Most of the media ignored them when they said that it was BUSH and CHENEY WHO WERE FIXING THE INTEL ON IRAQ.

[autorank]

59. I'm sure they're outraged and amazed that the press are such lackeys!

CM (corporate media) is just that; promotional literature for the munitions manufacturers (in the broadest sense). The WaPost has gone from Watergate in the 70's to nothing more than a newsletter extoling the vitrues of the status quo.

I'm sure those folks feel trapped. Hope tings change.

[Zhade]

174. The CIA, amazed the press are lackeys?

Well, maybe that the press are full of BUSH lackeys - after all, the CIA is used to having their OWN lackeys, through Project Mockingbird!

[Frederik]

91. And, according to McGovern

(former CIA analyst) even Colon Bowel visited Langley from time to time to ensure the analysts got it "right"... "Moderate" my ass.

[Rainscents]

20. Glad to see him talk about Down Street Memo...

You go Sen. Kerry!!!

[Helga Scow Stern]

21. Go Kerry!

[kster]

23. Timing is everything,

Senator Kerry lets get this party started.

:toast: :headbang: :yourock: :patriot:

[zann725]

161. Good Prosecutors know when to entrap, and when to "strike".

You go, John!

[ngGale]

24. Kerry is the perfect one to blare out...

"Downing Street Memo" on the Hill. What does he have to lose, the election? lol j/k Go John, make them listen and get the word out!

[Seabiscuit]

82. Gook for JK - would he now change his IWR vote if he could?

That's the statement I'd like to see from him.

[Zhade]

26. "When I go back (to Washington) on Monday, I am going to raise the issue,"

I'm waiting with semi-bated breath.

""I went back and reread the New Testament the other day, and I've got news for you. Nowhere in the three-year ministry of Jesus Christ is there any suggestion at all that you ought to take from the poor and give to the rich and leave children at risk," he said to a loud round of applause."

Okay, SO not comfortable with all this 'trying to out-Jesus the Jesus Fanatics' (aka rightwing fundies) schtick, but at least this is a good representation of the purported teachings of Jesus, which is more than the fundies can say.

Some good points, let's see where he goes with this.

[Melodybe]

28. Appreciating Jesus is completely different than shoving a bunch of

passages from the bible down our throat, especially when they are taken out of context to begin with.

Kerry is catholic, he is looking at his faith and the book it is based upon and calling BS on the Jerry Falwell's of this world. I applaud him and think it is high time someone fought the religious right with a bit of their own medicine.

I love Jesus, it's his fan club i have problems with.

OMFG I AM SOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!

The morning DUers are gonna fucking flip!!!

John Kerry is the PERFECT person to shout this out on top of hill.

ROCK ON!!!!

Indeed, lets get this party started!

Bush is looking more like Nixon every fucking day!

[Im with Rosey]

35. This morning DUer

is not only flipping, I haven't been this excited since I found DU! Let's send words of encouragement to JK. The momentum is shifting, Kerry usually responds to email positively, time to get busy.

[LittleClarkie]

107. For some reason I just thought about IF Stone

As atheist as they come, but he used to describe Jesus as a revolutionary.

As for Kerry, I had an article somewhere that described him as an old school Catholic, by which they meant that it had been drummed into him that it was a private thing. To be all showy about it was to be a Pharasee.

I think he's showing more of that side of himself lately. Perhaps it is in answer to Frist and his "Democrats are against people of faith." I know that made ME nuts. And Kerry has since made reference to people with the morals of the current crop of Republicans have no business talking about morality and values. Greed is not a biblical virtue.

Why do folks have trouble accepting that some Dems are also people of faith. Personally, I'm sick of being made to feel like a "second-hand Christian" by the Religious Right. They do not have a monopoly on God. They do not own him. He is not a Republican.

[lakeguy]

27. a little late!

[Melodybe]

30. Would you rather him keep it to himself?

Would you rather he still not utter a word?

Better late than never, if he pushes this as far as it can go, he will be my hero for life!

End of story!

[lakeguy]

113. it's easy to talk it up now but when it mattered more, at least to me,

he was nearly silent once he was selected.

[Voltaire99]

29. Better late than never. But not by much.

John Kerry's fingerprints are all over this war, too, alongside those of the Bushies. He was twice a cheerleader for this war: in the lead up, and during the election.

Prior to the 2004 election the US saw the history-making rise of a strong anti-war movement--the largest ever assembled so promptly in advance of a war. But what did the Democratic Party do? Rather than harness the power of that opposition it ran Mr. "Reporting for Duty," effectively declaring the war off limits as an election issue. (Indeed, the only concern up for debate was how Kerry would fight the war "better" than Bush.)

Now Kerry appears to have seen the light. And it's high time. If he is sincerely of a mind to fight vigorously against this phony war, then he is welcome to do what more sensible people have done all along without his help and despite his hindrance.

[Melodybe]

31. i know, I remember, let it go, and pray for the best.

But I can not sit on my excitement about this.

Kerry doing this will skyrocket the proof that Bush lied into the mainstream. It will only die if we let it.

I called over and over and begged for Kerry to mention this, enough of us did it and now the man that should have won last year, is speaking up.

I am happy that we here at DU are making a difference!

It's nice to see the fruits of our labor, so I get a little pissy when people try to take it away.

We did this! We made this possible! We must keep fighting to save our country!

Now is not the time to hold grudges, now is the time for us to unite and speak truth to power and get our fucking country back!


:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals:

[Frederik]

93. I hear you

and join in your woohoo!

:woohoo:

I was frustrated with Kerry before the war and before the election, but compared to what the other side of the aisle has to offer, he's a hell of a guy! Now if he could bring this all the way to impeachment, then I'll start to believe in the American republic again.

[Voltaire99]

102. Please rethink this, Melody.

We did this! We made this possible! We must keep fighting to save our country!

Oh?

"We" did no such thing. In fact, most of us voted for Kerry, even those of us who correctly opposed the war. If anything, what we did was to overlook Kerry's pro-war agenda and delay a reckoning on this illegal occupation.

And our so doing prolonged the war and its tragedies. All because "anybody but Bush" had to win. For many of us, it will have been the last time we fall for such bullshit again.

You may call it "holding grudges" when we call Kerry to account about his latest flip-flop.

But I call it something else: realism.

[Laurab]

119. His latest "flip flop"?

I just love when I see RW talking points used on here against our own. Now, if you can, please explain to me how our voting for Kerry prolonged the war, first, and secondly, please tell me how he could have brought up the Downing Street Memo prior to its having been leaked. How is that a "flip flop"?

I call it holding grudges, too. The majority of the public was still not anti-war when Kerry was running. I believe he was very careful with his words, and sometimes too careful. I believe he could have said a few things differently, but he didn't, for whatever reason. Maybe bad advice, maybe not wanting to be accused of being anti-patriotic, who knows. He DID however make it very clear he would never have gone to war until every other option had failed. You know, like * promised he was going to do.

Now, we have Kerry FINALLY getting some attention for the Downing Street Memo, and people are still whining about his campaign. It's over. This is a new battle, and I for one am ecstatic to see someone FINALLY bringing it out in public. Someone well known, who maybe, just maybe, will get some attention. And yes, I think WE did it. WE the people, who have learned to contact our representatives with our concerns over and over and over again. When they finally answer, some people are STILL not happy. The past cannot be undone, why don't we try focusing on the future?

[flaminbats]

171. unlike Bush, at least Kerry learns from his mistakes.

too bad Kerry didn't oppose the war two years ago..he would have won my primary vote.

[tmorelli415]

32. John Kerry Will Not Let Us Down

he's smart, calculated, methodical - he waits to make his move when he knows the time is right and he's got all the facts verified - it takes time to build a case and set up your defenses and we just have to be patient and trust what he said when he told us he'd have our backs. You can see the honesty in his eyes.

[Warren Stupidity]

34. kerry is a doofus who ran a lousy campaign

On the other hand, I enthusiastically worked for him and voted for him and would again, and he gets media coverage. So, go for it john. Speak up dammit! Truth is power!

[oasis]

33. Give 'em hell Johnny.

[wicket]

37. Alright Kerry!

:kick: :kick:

[emulatorloo]

38. Kicking EOM

:kick:

[Just Me]

40. It's time to impeach these people who intentionally deceived,...

,...and betrayed the American people!!! Impeach and convict!!!

:grr:

[Tesla]

44. Start the FIRE!!!

And don't forget the "Hammer" !!!
Com'on Senator Kerry......dosen't it upset you enough to know you WON OHIO!!!!!

I think you need to connect with the 2 Senators from Ohio.... they seem to be a little "bewildered" these days.......


PLEASE!!!!!!


From an Ohioian that voted for you!!!!

[halobeam]

45. I'm going to write Sen. Kerry again

I did write to encourage him to speak up. Now I'll write to mention I read this article, and I'm looking forward to his addressing this issue, with his usual vigor. He is thorough, got to give him that. He's exactly who we need to address corruption. He's done amazingly before, (Iran Contra) and he'll do it again. I hope many of us write to him.

http://www.johnkerry.com/contact/

[babylonsister]

53. Done, and thanks for the link! I wrote to bug

Kerry to address this issue, so the least I could do is write to thank him! :)

[bunny planet]

58. Just sent Senator a long-ass letter. I hope he really digs in and uses his

position to finally begin exposing this bunch of crooks.
I believe he will.

[gordianot]

46. Damn right Kerry's revenge!

[malaise]

47. Thank George Galloway for

waking them all up. About time.

[TexasLawyer]

49. FINALLY

[Stand and Fight]

54. I believe we need to remind Kerry of what he said in the article:

I love this man for a reason, but we need to make sure he follows through with these key words:

"When I go back (to Washington) on Monday, I am going to raise the issue," he said of the memo, which has not been disputed by either the British or American governments. "I think it's a stunning, unbelievably simple and understandable statement of the truth and a profoundly important document that raises stunning issues here at home. And it's amazing to me the way it escaped major media discussion. It's not being missed on the Internet, I can tell you that."

[Kadie]

55. Thank you John Kerry!

Finally!

[obliocactus]

56. Kerry -- redeeming himself?

I was an ardent Kerry supporter, and felt betrayed by his unwillingness to challenge the election results.

But here he has a chance to show the cajones he didn't have before. We all learn and grow. Let's see what happens.

Bushco have got to fall, and fall big. Liars and hypocrites usually do, though sometimes it takes time, and tragically in this case, lots of death and destruction.

[Straight Shooter]

61. Well said, obliocactus. Good points you make there.

Welcome to DU :hi:

[Rainscents]

63. Good point! Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Frederik]

95. Welcome!

:hi:

[Rainscents]

62. I just Sen. Kerry email... Thanking him!

I also told him, we need ALL (not just few) democratic Congress and Senators to grow spines.

[Goose3five]

64. Maybe he finally realized...

that no matter what, the MSM only reports on people they see as superstars. Kerry is a superstar ex-presidential candidate and therefore has the credibility in the media to at least get his sound bites picked up. There are only a few people on the left with this kind of power, Hillary, Dean, Kerry, maybe Kennedy. Can you think of any others? If so, maybe they need to have some pressure put on them to step up to the plate or go home.

[jillan]

75. great idea

I'm going to send one too.

Wonder if he ever reads them?

[jillan]

77. Kerry "We have your back"

Thanked him and told him that!

It felt good to say that again:loveya:

[Catchawave]

65. Also here:

http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=6283

[Goose3five]

66. By the way...

The DU is not the only place trying to keep this story alive. I have been posting about it in one way or another since I heard about it.

[lies and propaganda]

68. John Kerry yelling about shit will get as far as all of my yelling.

Because when you bow down and knowingly give in to Diebold and Dumbfucks, then you are allowed to blather on and on about a bunch of anti BuchCo crap because no one cares to or believes what a 'loser' has to say.

I care about the bait and switch of my fucking presidential vote, asshole. Maybe we wouldnt be stuck in the neverending hole if he wouldnt have laid down for the skull and bones fratboys come first mentality.

[Dr Fate]

71. Wrong. Kerry needs to speak up and this is GREAT NEWS.

Come on- Kerry listened to us on this- give him a chance to persue this.

[WildEyedLiberal]

81. Kerry could save the world single-handedly from a flaming asteroid

And people would bitch about it.

Don't sweat the whiners, Dr. Fate - MOST of us are THRILLED that the Downing Street Minutes are getting attention from Kerry, one of our best Dems.

[WildEyedLiberal]

79. SKULL N' BONEZ!!!

Whatever. :eyes:

[emulatorloo]

92. Butt-head. is that you? (Huh-Huh-Huh, he said 'Boner'!)

:toast: :bounce: :toast: Here's to you, WEL!!!!!!

[WildEyedLiberal]

97. Emulator, have I told you lately that you rock?

Well, if not: :yourock:

Anyone who posts a Beavis and Butthead picture is awesome in my book. :D

[emulatorloo]

109. Right Back At You

:yourock: :headbang:


ON EDIT: add another headbang

[karynnj]

84. If no one will listen about minutes the British Government

did not dispute, when it was in Blair's interest to do so, how much support do you think Kerry would have gotten if he screamed election fraud when he had no proof. He, like Gore, is a victim. He and his entire family worked extremely hard to get out a message with the deck stacked against them. He and his wife saw their reputations smeared. Why do you think he pushed himself and his family so hard if they intended not to win.

I don't know you, but from this sample of your ability to communicate and to reason, I think you flatter yourself in saying your yelling will get as far as Kerry seriously bringing up this issue. (which I assume is his intention - he preferred polite, logical speeches as a 27 year old, I doubt he will start screaming as a 61 year old.

[Laurab]

120. Well said Kaynnj - thanks! n/t

[Dr Fate]

70. Kerry to raise issue!!!! Excellent- Thanks John!!!! n/t

n/t

[Dr Fate]

72. Kick

n/t

[spanone]

73. Go John Kerry!!!

[Jacobin]

74. Jacobin assails Kerry for voting for IWR

And yes, I've read his 35 page apologia on why he thought he should vote for it and it made me nauseous for two days.

[WildEyedLiberal]

80. Way to be stuck on the past

Isn't that usually what Republicans do?

If you can't see that this is a great thing, then you are just as stubborn and ideologically recalcitrant as freepers.

[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WildEyedLiberal]

90. Oooooh

Fourth grade insults.

Too mature.

Shouldn't have expected much different from someone named after a murderous regime, should I?

[Voltaire99]

98. Why the slander?

Actually, the poster is being realistic and intellectually honest. Through such traits are politicians, especially flip-floppers, held to account.

Kerry's actions in support of the invasion and occupation made him an eager co-author of the war. His Johnny-come-lately criticisms--one month after the release of the Blair memo!--are hardly occasions for whooping it up.

Someone pointing out this not-so-little problem hardly justifies your slander; not the original post but your ad hominem, my friend, is the Freeperish deed here.

[WildEyedLiberal]

116. Johnny come lately criticisms?

Tell me, who else is spearheading this? Conyers, of course, who is an American hero. But who else? Not the "anti war" Dean, not any other prominent Democrat or progressive. Slander my ass. I didn't call him a Republican, I said he thinks like a Republican, and by that I stand. Also, take your Karl Rove talking points elsewhere. If I want to hear about John Kerry's make-believe "flip-flops", I'll go to Free Republic.

[Laurab]

121. Thanks Wild

I responded to the first "flip flop" post, you beat me to this one. Nothing like seeing Karl Rove's talking points used on DU again and again. Even nicer when they're used to bash a GREAT thing that the guy is doing right now, that none of the other Dems except Conyers seem to be doing.

[karynnj]

83. You obviously used extremely large font

for Kerry's Senate floor statement (not an apologia) to fill 35 pages.

[Jacobin]

88. It wasn't his senate floor statement

It was before the 2004 election when he published a 35 page screed trying to justify his vote.

Will Pitt was ciruclating that last summer.

by the by, I did vote for him and i even sent him money, as there was no choice.

I reserve the right to be pissed off though

[blm]

104. The IWR didn't cause the war. Bush, not adhering to IWR, went to war.

If the IWR had been adhered to, there would have been no invasion.

Grasping that fact shouldn't be beyond anyone with a semblance of comprehension skills.

[LittleClarkie]

108. Jacobin goes off topic

Film at 11.

[AuntiBush]

76. Senator Kerry: Stop reading and turn on the Tube!

Then you'll see where the problem lies.

It's called MEDIA-OUTAGE. CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS - you name it are all ignoring the REAL stories, for instance the "Downing Street Minutes."

Reportedly, 90% of the Radio airwaves is full of Ultra-Neo-Conservative talking heads, too! We need the Free Speech channel on Cable and Direct TV. At the moment it's only offered on DishNetwork.

[fedupinBushcountry]

86. HE KNOWS

Did you catch his speech and question and answer session at the Kennedy Center which was months ago, its at Cspan.org, where he narrows it down to the loss of the Fairness Doctrine and how he is trying to figure out a way to tackle this problem and he can't do it ALONE. I am so fed up with people saying stuff about Kerry when they do not even know what he has said or done since Nov. 3rd.

[jamesinca]

85. Do you think he could swing through Missouri

From the papers in MO there was this bit of information today.

"Currently, Missouri families of three with monthly incomes of $1,005 or less, minus child care, can qualify for Medicaid. On July 1, when the state's new budget takes effect, those same families can make no more than $292 a month to qualify for similar coverage."
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/politics/4559121/de...


Maybe he could do a little education on the effects that Frederal budgets have on State budgets. Kindly remind them that the Repubs have the majority in both houses and they have the presidency. This is a republican economy.

[VegasWolf]

89. Ya think some of these poor soldiers missing arms and legs woulda rather

bush had gotten a blow job instead?

[emulatorloo]

94. I am kicking this thread for the late afternoon crowd

:kick: :kick:

[graywarrior]

96. Thanks, my computer got fried by a lightnening hit

and I'm at the library getting my DU fix. This is great news.

[gristy]

101. Do you use dial-up?

If so, your modem was probably fried (happened to me). You can get a replacement that will fit in the PCI slot (that's what I did).

[YvonneCa]

99. John Kerry and Howard Dean...

are rallying the troops! Are we ready ? ? ?:patriot:

[Olney Blue]

105. Yes, reporting for duty!

:patriot:



and kick, kick, kick

:kick:

[paineinthearse]

106. South Coast Daily's editorial follow-up

South Coast Daily: United voice would focus U.S. attention - editorial follow-up.

See LBN http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1519153

[GetTheRightVote]

110. Kicking it to stay near top

:kick:

[wisteria]

112. Kerry! this is great! This is the man who should be president! n/t

[renaissanceguy]

118. Start the impeachment proceedings

and send Sir Chimp to the Hague!



http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

[Theduckno2]

123. Thanks Senator Kerry.

Now if only the MSM would get "fixed" around the Downing Street Memo! :woohoo:

[fujiyama]

124. A much needed voice

for sure to get the word out on this.

We need prominent senators speaking about this memo. It's very damning and shows what we've known for years now - that this administration manipulated intelligence reports to make their case for the war.

The war was based on lies and that has to be known - over 1600 Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are dead due to this...

We can't let this go without any attention.

[nittygritty]

125. kick.

[sabra]

126. Kerry Touts Bush Impeachment Memo (First FAUX now Newsmax)

This was the kind of article I expected from FAUX, though it does hit on some items (reference to Kerry, Nader, and minutes)...

Mods, just like the Fox article from Wednesday, I posted this in LBN because it is another right wing news source making reference to DSM.

<<SNIP>>
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/6/3/00901.shtml

Kerry Touts Bush Impeachment Memo

Failed presidential candidate John Kerry said Thursday that he intends to confront Congress with a document touted by critics of President Bush as evidence that he committed impeachable crimes by falsifying evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

"When I go back (to Washington) on Monday, I am going to raise the issue," Kerry said, referring to the Downing Street Memo in an interview with Massachusetts' Standard Times newspaper.

.....

The Downing Street Memo, first reported on May 1 by the London Times, was drafted by a Matthew Rycroft, a foreign policy aide to Prime Minister Tony Blair. It is said to be minutes of a July 2002 meeting where Blair allegedly admitted that the Bush administration "fixed" Iraq intelligence to manufacture a rationale for war.
......

The British memo, however, contains no quotes from either Bush or Blair, and is notably slim on evidence implicating Bush in a WMD cover-up.
Though largely ignored in the U.S. outside of rabid anti-Bush web sites like MichaelMoore.com, the Downing Street Memo won Sen. Kerry's endorsement in the Standard Times interview:

<</SNIP>>

[Pirate Smile]

127. Hmmm - "the Bush Impeachment Memo"? Well, OK, if you insist.

[baby_bear]

128. The important thing is to get it into the Congressional Record

If Kerry reads it on the floor of the Senate, it will at least be memorialized, instead of just ignored by the current media in this country, for the most part. He will be making it part of (accurate) history.

b_b

good for him

[Mythsaje]

129. Isn't it interesting

that they seem to bend over backwards to seem "impartial" yet somehow end up sounding entirely biased against?

Coincidence? I think not.

What the hell do they want, anyway? Streaming video of El Presidente* cackling madly with his pinky in his mouth like Dr. Evil as he explains his nefarious plot?



(*title not accepted in all venues)

[sabra]

130. it's so obvious, though it was nice to see the words

impeachment and Bush in a news article

[renaissanceguy]

153. hahahahaha

that's great!! :yourock:



http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

[LuPeRcALiO]

131. "Bush Impeachment Memo"

I like it!

[wiggs]

132. Just like the August PBD was "historical" in nature.

There's no shame.

[tex-wyo-dem]

133. Predictably dismissive...

but at least it's being covered and the visibility is being raised.

By the way, Faux, it is official government minutes to a meeting, which, if I'm not mistaken, are as good as an affidavit from a legal perspective (any attorneys out there please correct me if I'm wrong). If it weren't damning and true, why wouldn't Blair discount them publicly when fighting for his political life during the British election?

Any clear thinking person could see that the case for going to war was highly suspicious, even before "shock and awe." This just confirms those well founded suspicions.

[Gusto md]

134. But is this true?

Is the statement
"The British memo, however, contains no quotes from either Bush or Blair, and is notably slim on evidence implicating Bush in a WMD cover-up"

true, and if so , will this mean it is heresay? Can it be dismissed as they never actually said those things?

[sabra]

135. um, have you read the minutes?

[Gusto md]

136. .

Not in great detail. Was cookoo * at the meeting?

[sabra]

138. check out downingstreetminutes.com

and then let me know if you still stand by your hearsay question?

[Gusto md]

141. I quickly skimmed....

Cos I'm at work and meant to be doing work related things :D

I couldn't see anyone from the US government at that meeting who acknowledged the statements made.... did I miss someones name? (I'm not from the US obviously)

[LuPeRcALiO]

148. I think the idea is to use the memo to trigger an investigation

into the intelligence and diplomatic communications behind it. To get at those they'll probably need to use subpoenas.

[tex-wyo-dem]

137. Like I said, I believe that the DSM being an official government document

means it is legally binding. If you notice on the Senate floor there is always a court reporter taking everything down that is said, word for word. A transcript is later made, which is subsequently signed by the court reporter as an official transcript, and is legally binding, much like the transcript from a trial or deposition.

[Gusto md]

139. That's all good and well that the documents are legal

But the point to my question is that if Tony Blair said on the record that cookoo* said something, couldn't cookoo* just say he didn't say that to Tony?

I'm sure cookoo* said lots on record about what world leaders allegedly said, that doesn't mean they said them (we have the WMD for example)

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see this fuckin chimp linched on this one.

[tex-wyo-dem]

142. We are at the point now that, if we had an honest majority, there would be

an investigation by a special prosecutor. How likely is this with a Rethug majority? Not likely if left to there own devices. That is the point of Conyers' letter to the WH, to get enough signatures to force the issue as the will of the people.

How this will all pan out, we will just have to support Conyers as much as possible and wait and see.

[kster]

157. I think * is history (posted in another thread)

Honest Republicans were waiting for a reason so they could get rid of *. I think * is done, How would the Republicans look if they tried to Impeach Clinton for lying about an affair, and let * get away with the death of 1600 + kids. I'd say the ball is definitely in the Republicans court, I just wouldn't want to be in their shoes come Monday.

Look at the bright side we will be able to round up the Neo-cons with in the Republican party, Because I can not believe all Republicans are going to be in a hurry to jump on *'s already sinking ship.

[Ian David]

150. Newsmax. It comes from Newsmax. Almost as bad as WorldNetDaily

though not nearly as bad as Agape Press.

[lonestarnot]

140. Ewwww I like it!

[truthisfreedom]

143. well, this is one way to get that memo into the MSM. impeachment?

who woulda thunk it possible that Kerry would do this? wow. i'm impressed!

[katamaran]

144. I can't get past....

...the phrase "Failed presidential candidate John Kerry". Can't say "former"...have to say "failed".

Hate these Newsmax and Fox turds.

[Vektor]

147. ""Cheated" presidential candidate" would be more accurate.

Not failed, cheated.

[sabra]

154. or how about, just "president Kerry" ? :-)

we know the truth!

[Vektor]

166. I like the sound of that!

Nothing truer was ever said! :-)

[tmorelli415]

145. VERY IMPORTANT: Stop this propaganda machine NOW

It's Thomas the PR guy again for some more unsolicited advice to DU. Here goes...

This is not good. it is no surprise that they are one of the first to write on the topic - it is standard practice for right wing media: the aim is to define the terminology and the narrative of the story before anyone else does.

1. They are spinning by trying to label the document in a way that narrowcasts the story and make it appear as dubious and prejudiced. The terminology if picked up will bias the story before it is even heard - this is NOT the 'Bush Impeachment Memo' it is the 'Downing Street Minutes (or Memo)'. Very important.

2. They state that Blair alleges in the minutes that Bush lied. The document says nothing of the sort, but this minor but deliberate nuance sets up the story to be discredited. Blair is then asked if he did this and he says no, and the story is dismissed. This is also very important.

This is EXACTLY why I said in a previous post that we absolutely cannot frame this as about Bush lies, no matter how much it may be just that. It has to be understood that we are simply after the truth no matter what it is or where it leads.

We have to own the dialog or they will continue doing this and we're sunk with the media if it catches on. They are VERY good at this manipulation of the public dialog, and we have to be just as smart.

I've been making copies of the flyers from afterdowningstreet.com and sending them via mail to EVERYONE i know. Get the story establihed now and do it quickly without relying on the media to do it for us.

[LeahD]

163. Link to DU thread re Right-Wing Spin and DSM!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3777685
3777685, The Right-Wing Spin has Begun -- Kerry is NOT Calling for Impeachment.
Posted by Stand and Fight on Fri Jun-03-05 10:02 AM

The Right-Wing Spin Machine is working overtime to distort an important issue before it comes to the floor of the Senate. Consider this outlandish article that outright lies and says Kerry is leading the fight for Bush's impeachment:

[anotherdrew]

146. grounds to start an investigation

then draw in and torment everyone he's ever had business dealing with, friends, etc. Then the media can start running with groundless tabloid stories about him. Sound familiar? To bad we let the special prosecutor law go away. Now I see no way they'll ever let it come back.

[Ian David]

149. This is probably true, but take Newsmax with a grain of salt

I would not be all that surprised if Kerry was planning on circulating a proposal to impeach Bush.

I'm just uncertain that Newsmax is the best source of this kind of information.

[Mark E. Smith]

151. If Rove Can Make 2006 A Referendum On Impeachment ...

... we'll get clobbered.

[pinniped]

152. These monkeys know the truth but they cover their eyes and ears.

==Though largely ignored in the U.S. outside of rabid anti-Bush web sites like MichaelMoore.com, the Downing Street Memo won Sen. Kerry's endorsement in the Standard Times interview:==

[NightOwwl]

155. Got a phone call just the other day asking for money....

to support Kerry in his Child Health Care initiative. I told the caller, "I will not support Kerry unless he speaks out on election fraud and the illegal war in Iraq." Guess she passed my message along. ;-)

Keep it up, Senator!

[proud patriot]

159. I put a sign in my yard about DSM today

I hope we can get America to wake up .

[YvonneCa]

160. "I'm here for a set of hopes, dreams, and aspirations...

...that we know can make a difference to the quality of our lives."
-John Kerry, Los Angeles Valley College
April, 2005



Thank God for John Kerry ! !

He's not giving up and neither can WE.:patriot:

[Chicago Democrat]

162. yay!

well done john. (wish you would have realised he was lying two years ago like the 15 million who protested 2/15/03 did)


love ya.

[Name removed]

164. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

170. Kerry's Culpable

He's Almost as much to blame for the next 4 years as Shrub and his computer voting cohorts.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SHITHOLE WE'RE IN.

[JackDragna]

165. In further news..

..Sen. Kerry grows a spine several months too late. Details at 11.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

168. Shutup Kerry!

Go back to the Senate where you belong.

YOU LOST! Quit your damn whining. Where were you last summer when you should have been hammering this point home. WHERE?

Oh....and by the way....there's evidence you really Won the election. WHERE WERE YOU IN NOVEMBER YOU ASS!

You're irrelevant. We don't need anymore pointless campaigning from you, or posturing for 2008. Where were you when it counted?

[ckramer]

172. I agree. Kerry here is just trying to be an opportunitist here

He was not the anti-war candidate, was he?

And where is that anti-war candidate Howard Dean now? Feeling too comfy in Washington D.C. with these rich and famous?

[EST]

173. Howard Dean's whereabouts are so easy to determine,

his campaigning so transparent and his voice so prominent, your attempt to disparage him by the typical open ended questions is odious in the extreme.
I normally refuse to rise to this sort of calumny, but just how obvious do you wish to appear?

[ckramer]

175. calumny?

Howard was anti-war when he ran for the WH. That's a fact.

He's a pro-war man now as the chair of DNC. I don't recall that Howard Dean had morally condemned the Iraq war after moving to D.C. Did I miss anything?