Planned Kerry Downing Street memo speech stirs controversy; Mass. Democrat

[MelissaB]

Planned Kerry Downing Street memo speech stirs controversy; Mass. Democrat mum

RAW STORY


Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and his press office remain silent as controversy mushrooms around a planned floor speech on minutes of a secret 2002 meeting between the officials of the U.S. and UK at which the director of British intelligence warned the intelligence was being “fixed” around the policy, RAW STORY has learned.

The minutes have fueled concern among Democrats in Congress that the concern over Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction was staged, a ploy to get Congress to go along with war.

Kerry’s remarks have taken on epic proportion, likely because a NewsMax article conflated Kerry’s quotes with Ralph Nader’s impeachment cry. AlJazeera.com (which is not affiliated with the news channel) led with a headline today ripening the confusion: “John Kerry to call for impeachment of George Bush.”

...snip

RAW STORY has confirmed that Kerry intends to deliver a statement on the Downing Street minutes.
Any detail beyond that, however, is up in the air. Spokespersons for the senator have declined to comment further, fueling fresh speculation about the Massachusetts Democrat’s move.

More: http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Planned_Kerry_Downing_Street_memo_speech_stirs_controversy;_Ke_06_05_2005_0341pm.html

Link to front page of RawStory becasue the other isn't working properly on my computer : http://www.rawstory.com/

[karlrschneider]

1. I think this link will work to go to the story

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Planned_Kerry_Downing_Street_memo_speech_stirs_controversy_Ke_06_05_2005_0341pm.html

edit: somehow a semicolon got stuck in there, I took it out & it works

[MelissaB]

4. Thanks! This is the second Raw Story article I've had trouble linking to.

[Nay]

2. I'm glad they're keeping mum until the speech. THAT'S how you

keep the buzz going. Kerry better be tough on *ijit tomorrow, and to hell with being nice to these rapists and pillagers.

[acmavm]

3. Damn! John Kerry can redeem himself if he has the guts to do the right

thing on the floor of the senate. And by 'redeem himself' I mean he can try to make up for rolling over and playing dead when bush** stole the 2004 election.

Please God, let it happen.

[kitty1]

30. No coiincidence that Blair's visit to U.S....

coincides around the same time as Kerry's planned presentation to congress on the memo. I guess they need to correlate their scripts to the world press when the sh#t hits the international fan.
I can't wait to see the government PR try to tap dance their way out of this one. With the Newsweek and Abu Graihb opening act going so well, the main feature Memo should be a hit. (Anything to add Saddam?)

[Imagevision]

51. "Who's going to be the last man to die for a LIE?" (again!)

That is pretty strong to use a second time around to get a point across

[Blue Belle]

32. We need to see the "Post - Veitnam Activist" Kerry tomorrow!!

We need him pissed off and fired up... and we need the rest of the Democrats to get his back (yes that means you too Biden and Lieberman) and stand firm on this issue. This is one issue we all need to be 100% solidified on - no wavering to the rght. Soldiers and Iraqi civilians have died... they've lost their lives due to this Administration's lie!! People SHOULD BE PISSED OFF TOMORROW!! And not just pissed in the mildly irritated variety... no, we need the Mad as Hell and not going to take it anymore variety!!

Of course the MSM will be confused and too bewildered to question these claims against the president... but that's all the more reason for the Democrats to stand firm. This war is not popular right now, and neither is the President (contrary to the bullshit the Pundits and Scott McClellen are feeding us)... people will listen if the Democrats are strong and show they have a spine.

[deadparrot]

5. Am I wrong to be getting my hopes up for this?

I've been disappointed so much before, and this may all be a lot of hype, but finally I'm feeling excited. Finally it feels like the ball is rolling on something...anything.

It'll give me something to look forward to tomorrow, at any rate. :)

[corbett]

27. You Need Balanced Hope

Kerry can start the ball rolling in the Senate in order to offer bicameral support for his good friend, Representative Conyers. However, Kerry cannot be the ultimate torch bearer for this issue because the Republicans will fling an unrelenting flurry of "sour grapes" rhetoric at him and the underlying facts of the shrub's treason will be drowned out just like Dan Rather's story about the Guard.

I knocked on doors for Kerry in 2004 and am all for his starting the process in the Senate but advise you to remain cautiously optimistic.

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050601/the_key_to_impeachment.php

[Call me Deacon Blues]

6. I hope he'll channel a little Al Gore . . .

or Robert Byrd, but I'm not optimistic. He'll probably be the epitome of decorum, but I think the situation needs a little Sam Kinnison, a little spittle-flecked indignation, if you get my drift.

[Vinca]

7. Thanks for invoking the memory of Sammy. nt

[antigone382]

17. Kerry has the ability to speak passionately when he needs to.

Remember that when Barbara Boxer grilled Kindasleazy, Kerry was right there with her. He was also extremely passionate during Bolton's recommendation hearing, and his efforts definitely helped there. I'll admit he's often too polite, but he's certainly honing his righteous indignation skills.

[CTyankee]

20. Yep. Hey, I love your moniker. Tell me why

you chose Antigone. I know the ancient story, which is one of courage against power, so I like to think that is why you chose her name.

[antigone382]

24. Well, I'm a Drama Geek, and Antigone has a special significance for me.

I can't explain it, it just has always had a big influence on me; I guess it's partially the struggle against power, like you said, but also some parallels I see between my life and hers. Sophocles's original version is one of the most perfectly constructed dramas ever (ironically, I've never read the version which is quoted in my sig, I just liked the quote). I've been fortunate enough to do a couple of projects concerning the play, and I've sort of turned Antigone into my alter ego.

Thanks for asking, and I hope you didn't mind my rambling. :)

I like your SN too; my uncle, who first got me interested in theatre, just moved to CT from NY.

Edited for a punctuation error...and now I'm gonna take my Drama Geek self to watch the Tony's. ;)

[karynnj]

26. I think his politeness is an asset

Boxer and Kerry were both awesome when they interviewed Condi. The Democrats had clearly divided the issues. Boxer was a great choice for the failures of 911. Kerry had a much broader range of issues and a much longer grilling. While he spoke in a soft, respectful voice and kept a pleasant demeanor, he forced Condi to answer several questions on Iran, Pakistan and North Korea that she didn't clearly didn't want to answer under oath. (Boxer was also a woman questioning a woman - Kerry, acting as Boxer did, would have seemed a bully and you can bet it would have played on every station to Condi's advantage. )

Don't you remember in any school or business interaction where you had to deal with someone who could get under your skin, but was able to do it while appearing to be polite and professional? If you couldn't modulate your response well, you invariably look like you are out of control. Condi is a professional, but it was fortunate for the Senator that looks can't kill. Kerry was very cool throughout this hearing.

[rawstory]

8. Thanks for notes on link problem... will have programmer look at it.

n/t

[MelissaB]

10. You're welcome! Thanks for all the great articles

that make me want to link. :hi:

[RDANGELO]

9. Kerry is going to duke it out.

I think Kerry has finally figured out that he probably is never going to be president which is why he is willing to jump in the mud and duke it out with *Bush. Even if they make him look bad because he vote for the invasion,He is going to drag him down.

[The Witch]

11. Is the Senate going to discuss Bolton?

Maybe Kerry will be asking about the Brazilian arms control firing issue and its connection with the DSM.

So they never got the documents, right?

[HereSince1628]

14. I hope that Kerry links Bolton as a mechanism to distort Iraq's

weapons status.

We need to at least try to stop Bolton
And we need the DSM to push towards opening an inquiry...personally I think the Dems need to conduct an inquiry even if the Republicans don't agree...I'd love to see the UN sponsor an inquiry...the outcome could be trials at the Hague.

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. They are scheduled to discuss a judical nomination today

[Ignoramus]

12. Do I hear the first notes of the democrat's tango?

1 step forward 3 steps back, that's how we do the democrat's tango.

Kerry steps into the spotlight to showcase his public persona, that personality with the slightly edgy "liberal" hint to it, without the distasteful actuality. Elevating his stardom while simultaneously killing the attempts of the weird people to actually accomplish something. Kinda MTV style cheapening, toss the meaning, save the empty uniqueness.

I would expect Kerry to fall over himself trashing the progressives and offering a neutered effigy of them to be be ritually torn apart by the republicans in a public spectacle, explaining how he is not like those loony people that have been trying to bring the memo to the attention of the public, and how he doesn't think that the Bush administration's intentions should only raise concern and not raise to the level of an impeachable offense and blabbity blabbity.

Honestly though, it would be great if I'm wrong.

[blm]

23. Yeah. I noticed how he tripped up YOUR efforts to expose IranContra, BCCI

illegal wars in Central America, and your testimony to allow gays to serve openly in the military.

He's NO hero to the left or to fans of honest governance. How dare he get in the way of those who have truly faced BushInc.

[JawJaw]

13. A word of advice, John

Fax it over to George Galloway first - he can sex it up for you, big fella

[karynnj]

22. Kerry speaking truth from the heart would be better

Kerry is a far more commendable person than Galloway. He also had enough ability at 27 to make a very memorable speech that went far beyond a recitation of what was wrong. I don't know if there is any speech of comparable fame that Galloway gave. The combination of Kerry's eloquence, sincerity and earnestness are what made it great.
His best speeches this year show a deep love for the constitution and what has been the American form of government. He is clearly outraged at the direction the country is going in.

Although I want to see this speech, I think the expectations are way too high. The main question is what will be Kerry's purpose - to raise the issue of Congress being lied to (which was already raised in the campaign - but the memo adds additional facts), to propose hearings (probably just by the Democrats (without subpoena power), although he might boldly request one of the committees hold bipartisan hearings (and start Democratic ones when that fails), to demand rhetorically that the administration answer whether certain conclusions people have are true?

Kerry is a far more serious person who is unlikely to chose theatrics over the ability to calmly move anyone he can to see what has happened. So, a persuasive measured step that gives the accusations more visibility might be more productive in the long run than something that would be dismissed as theatrical fireworks.

When trying to bring others to an unpleasant conclusion, it's sometimes better to co-opt them into being part of the investigation rather than hitting them with an impeccable already proven case. So, I would think that Kerry might attempt to make a case for why this needs further investigation rather than why this proves the Bush administration was guilty.

In the long run, the Democrats will have convinced more people of how astray this country is from its ideals and that they have an agenda that is more in keeping with America's true values. Kerry has been one of several people working on the later part and it now looks like he is joining the former part too.

[elehhhhna]

15. "Who's going to be the last man to die for a LIE?" would be nice.

[IndianaGreen]

18. That old Kerry quote is even more appropriate today

than it was when Kerry said those words in the early 1970s. Let's see what happens...

[Cha]

16. Kudos for Senator Kerry!

I know it's previous but I have high hopes for this statement, too.

[Fleshdancer]

19. If he does it, I'm going to contribute to the DNC again.

Who's with me? One dollar for each day this story was ignored by Congress. $37.

[blm]

25. 37 days....you're right. It's a good statement.

.

[Spazito]

21. Kerry has already achieve some of what we wanted, imo, ...

and that was to spur the media to bring up the Minutes. He certainly has done that simply by stating he was going to speak on the issue on Monday. The RW is in a froth which brings even more media in to cover the issue. I LOVE it! Well done already, Senator Kerry! I will be looking forward to Monday with even greater anticipation than I had previously felt.

[demgrrrll]

28. Does anyone know when he is going to speak? I will be in and out most

of the day but I can make special arrangements if I have some kind of idea about the time.

[wallwriter]

29. GIVE 'EM HELL!!

And give that piece of s*** Bolton a good thwacking, too.

[Niche]

31. Could you please tell me which C-span and what time?

Thank you in advance!

[deadparrot]

35. Senate reconvenes at 2PM.

Not sure about the exact time, but if you stick around on DU, I'm sure you'll know when it's on.

C-SPAN2 covers Senate proceedings, I've been told. :)

[Javaman]

33. So Kerry is going to speak about the DSM's on monday, what will the WH...

Release as a competing story to distract the sheeple?
I can only wonder. This should be interesting

[AnnitaR]

34. They're praying the Jackson verdict comes in!

Yep, that'd wipe out all other news tomorrow!

[Supersedeas]

36. now that Kerry has fanned the flames--he MUST follow through!!!

[MeDeMax]

38. (president) Kerry we are with you Sir

tell it like it is, let the American people know how all of us (congress, the nation & the coalition at large) were duped.

That this was premeditated war of the first degree.

[rocktivity]

39. Thanks, Rawstory

How can "Kerry’s remarks have taken on epic proportion" when no one knows what they are? Generating controversy? Sounds more like it's generating fear in GOPville.

At any rate, go, Johnny, go go! GALLOWAY 'EM, GALLOWWAY 'EM, RAH RAH RAH!


rocknation

[RedCloud]

40. So how do we stop Cheney from becoming Prez?

Assume they impeach Bush. Then you get stuck with Cheney.

That's why Spiro Agnew was made to bite the bullet first so Nixon could be properly targeted...

[Norquist Nemesis]

41. I'm betting Bush wouldn't bail without taking Cheney by his side

Just like he did for the 9/11 Committee "conversation". Bush only agreed to speak to the Commission with Cheney at his side. Any official proceedings, and he's likely to take cover with Dickie as a shield.

[autorank]

42. We need to stop his "consensus" replacement from becoming Pres.

We won't get rid of Cheney, "they" will. Fitzgerald is the loaded cannon awaiting instructions. All he has to do is indict a key Cheney aid or, if he wants to be thorough, do that and name Cheney a "person of intererest." Then they do the Nixon-Ford VP thing with Powell or some idiot. We are now somatized and willing to let les bon tempes roulez with trashing Bush. Voila, it's the magical consensus candidate, the VP who replaced Cheney.

Our job is to f'them up when they try this again.

NEW LEADERS FOR A NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY!

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

[CAcyclist]

44. How About Charging the Whole Administration with Treason?

Lying to the American public took the orchestrated efforts of the whole administration. Let them all be charged with treason.

[Pachamama]

56. You impeach Cheney too...So we end up w/ Prez Hastert....at this point

anything would be better than Bush & Cheney....Then my constant nausea just becomes indigestion.

:puke:

[yy4me]

43. Kerry Speech

I called both the Massachusetts office and the D.C. office of Senator Kerry this morning and was told he was in Massachusetts today and not D. C. I want to see this address but am afraid I will miss it, does anyone know when and if will be presented?

[Fluffdaddy]

45. Are we 100% sure this Kerry Speech about DSM is happening ?

Don't want to get my hopes up over a internet rumor

[seemslikeadream]

46. I just heard he's NOT in Washington today

internet rumor

:shrug:

[Fluffdaddy]

48. DAMN :(

[seemslikeadream]

49. That's correct

I just called his Washington Office and they said he was not in Washington today. I asked why he changed his mind about speaking on the floor today and was told that that was just a rumor on the internet!


Give 'em a call
[phone]

[Fluffdaddy]

50. And Evil wins out again

[MeDeMax]

53. it's not a rumor

here is the source

"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."

Kerry assails Bush on Iraq
Policies on Social Security, health care also draw fire
By STEVE URBON, Standard-Times senior correspondent

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/06-05/06-02-05/a01lo167.htm

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

59. And, what's also "not being missed on the Internet" is Kerry pussing out

I guess upholding the truth and making the greater public aware of HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS by the President is not as important as windsurfing.

I'm almost ashamed that I voted for the putz.

JB

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

57. And, one wonders why the spineless opportunist didn't cinch 2004 election

Kerry is such a piece of opportunistic bullshit. If he fails to put the memo in the Congressional Record...he'll be persona non grata with folks around here.

WHAT THE FUCK DOES IT TAKE TO FIND A SENIOR-RANKING DEM SENATOR WITH A SPINE!

JB

[MeDeMax]

55. not 100% sure about today, but its not a rumor

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/06-05/06-02-05/a01lo167.htm

[Imagevision]

47. What do you have to do to get national attention to suggest impeachment??

[Tyrone Slothrop]

52. How can Kerry lead the charge on this?

I might be mistaken, but I would have sworn during his campaign that he said he still would have voted for the war even if they had known that there were no WMD's.

So -- what difference would it make to him if we cooked the intelligence?

[artr2]

54. I don't think he will say anything

He will pussy out of it. I just keep remembering how he kept saying that he would fight for every vote and then bending over so soon after the election. I have NO faith in Mr Kerry

[Fluffdaddy]

58. Calling Dr Dean.................Paging Dr Howard Dean

[Dr Fate]

60. Dean has had 3 major recent TV appearances- he never brought it up.

So keep on paging him.

[deacon2]

61. "Reagan is our Great Alcoholic Father." Michael Ventura

Ventura was making an analogy that children of alcoholics would understand: good old dad (or mom) is always promising to come to the play, be at the game, keep this job etc. and though they know the history and the truth, they want so desperately to believe him/her that they put all objective fact aside yet again. And the heartbreak is all the greater for the futile repetition.

At this point, I feel the same way about Kerry, the DNC, Dean, Edwards et al. They promise over and over that they're going to save us. And though we know the objective facts... Jesus H. Commanche, if WE know about election fraud, the Downing Street "memo," ad nauseam, what FUBAR dossier do these people have access to? The only consistently straight shooter in my book is John Conyers, and it's ALL he can do to get a column inch in some backwater rag on the hastening death of our Republic.

Feeling a little used and desperate right about now? Sit a spell, friend, let me buy you a beer.