Kerry assails Bush on Iraq, addresses Downing Street Minutes

[G_j]

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

Kerry assails Bush on Iraq
Policies on Social Security, health care also draw fire

By STEVE URBON, Standard-Times senior correspondent

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.
<snip>

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."

..more..

[babylonsister]

1. YEAH!!!

Finally another big voice to stir it up!
Bandwagon here - jump on it!

[Ruffhowse]

2. It's finally starting to snowball and attention is being given. Let's

hope this continues and eventually brings about Chimpeachment.

[Stampy52]

66. DO NOT HOPE

DO SOMETHING DO NOT HOPE.

Go to www.downingstreetmemo.com and the "Take action" section.

be a part of our awaken mainstream media campaign, where we flood 3 media outlets a day with polite messages asking them to cover the memo.

go to www.dailykos.com and check the recommended diaries section for more information!

[renaissanceguy]

82. Good idea.

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

[Atman]

3. DAMMIT, IT ISN'T THAT WE'RE NOT INTERESTED, JOHN!

It is because THE MEDIA WON'T TELL US ABOUT IT!

Stop wasting your time bashing Bush or Americans. Bush is a crook doing what crooks do...being crooked. Go after the media, dammit! Tell the media to stop serving up pap and present the American public with some fucking NEWS! THEN you'll see some interest!

[TayTay]

18. Hmmm, perhaps he has. But the media does bash back

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/06/02/the_rights_balance/

The right's balance
By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist | June 2, 2005

JOHN KERRY had a complaint. Six months after winning more than 59 million votes in his bid for the White House, the Massachusetts senator was lamenting to a roomful of columnists and editorial writers that voters can't hear Democrats above the roar of the GOP spin machine.

The right, he groused, is far more effective than the left at making itself heard. To peddle their ideas, Republicans and conservatives have assembled an elaborate communication network, one that relies on the likes of ''Cato and Heritage and Grover Norquist" -- two think tanks and a well-connected Republican lobbyist -- to make sure its messages get plenty of attention.

''Several times a day, their message is amplified," grumbled the former Democratic standard-bearer. ''We don't have anything like that."

The media doesn't like navel gazing and doesn't like criticism. Kerry criticized them before and shows signs of continuing that trend. But one speech by one senator is not enough. Everyone needs to raise this.

[blm]

28. And we all know that the broadcast media will not cover Kerry's speech

or any of his atatements critical of Bush.

The editing room trash is full of remarks from Democrats critical of Bush.

For all we know, Kerry could have brought up the Downing Minutes in past speeches and none of us would know from this media.

[donkeyotay]

86. At Conyers's media hearing, which was carried on C-Span

Some of the representatives - Sheila Jackson, IIRC - was talking about groups of Democrats standing in the hallways giving press conferences to empty air.

Seems the only time the GOP networks have a Democrat on is when they want to trash one. Sheesh. I think people still need to understand the 2000 election and the media's character assassination of Gore, let alone the more recent achievement of Bush's War.

There is not anything slightly resembling a level playing field, and for all the talk about framing messages, this fact seems to get overlooked.

I agree, this is an issue that Democrats need to raise every chance they get.

[FreedomAngel82]

54. So let's me see

people want him to talk about the DSM and then when he finally does he gets bashed about it? Oy!

[SheepyMcSheepster]

4. finally, kick!

[seemslikeadream]

5. Downing Street MINUTES

[whistle]

21. Minutes which were included in a memo....

:wtf:

[Stampy52]

68. do not fight over this

it is a ridiculous debate. techinally, minutes are included in the term "memorandum" which is what memo stands for. technically, the downing street memo is a MEMO which consists of minutes.

do not get bogged down on semantics, but do be clear on the legal impact and seriousness of the memo.

do go to www.downingstreetmemo.com and "take action" . we are working to wake up the main stream media with a email/call campaign that will flood 3 targeted media outlets per day with polite calls asking for coverage.

more information can be found in the reccommended diaries section at www.dailykos.com

[Karenina]

74. For those who appreciate the subtleties of language

and FRAMING may I offer the opinion that our VERBAL CUES need to hit the mark. FRAMING is the issue.

MEMO, short for memorandum, (Merriam-Webster):

1. an informal record; also: a written reminder
2. an informal note of a transaction or proposed instrument
3. an informal diplomatic communication that contains directive, advisory or INFORMATIVE matter

MINUTES: THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING.

Fuck the "memo." The memo INFORMED the recipient of the MINUTES. Let's discuss what is CONTAINED in the MINUTES of the meeting.

DOWNING STREET MINUTES - OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MINUTES OF AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MEETING

[burrowowl]

78. GO! GO! GO!

and TAKE ACTION!

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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

[bitchkitty]

7. You're joking, right?

In case you're not, you should probably know that your message won't work here. In fact, that message only works with really, really stupid people. You know - like Bush.

[babylonsister]

8. Care to elaborate? nt

[impeachthescoundrel]

10. No it was STOLEN frum him and from us.

[KC21304]

12. Which message is that, Rebel ? nt

[EST]

13. huh?

[MeDeMax]

15. what did they get done ?

kill 1,600 soldiers,

wound oveer 16,000 more,

use $ 160,000,000,000 of public funds to serve their own interests.

Not to mention the 1,600,000 kith & kin orphaned at home and abroad due to this illegal war.

and the 160,000 innocent iraqi civilians that were sacrificed in the name of democracy they didn't want or request.

wow, this admin gets things done ?

News to me !

[bitchkitty]

19. "Get things done"

is rightwing-speak for kill brown people. So yes, I guess Bush "gets things done".

[wicket]

16. give me a break

He's still a US Senator and he's got every right to keep hitting them hard.

[whistle]

23. RebelAgainstEmpire just walked into DU, took a major morning dump

...and ran like hell!

[wicket]

29. LOL!

:D

[RebelAgainstEmpire]

24. This happened to me before

That's not my message. I know they stole the election.

That's the message the RW machine will put out there. They've done it with CBS, Newsweek, and many other instances. It's worked every time. They'll do it if anyone brings this issue up, and especially if it's Kerry. He just lost, or "lost", the election. He'll be the easiest target.

Like Colbert said last night on TDS, the truth just doesn't have the credibility.

[whistle]

26. Okay, that's better, an explaination that this isn't your message

...helps to avoid major flame throwing......welcome to DU!

[EST]

30. How would you propose to inject truth into the R/W noise machine

Any help is always welcome and any effective proposal for improving the quality of truth and integrity deserves serious attention. Suggestions??

[pgh_dem]

59. howbout Kerry sending out an invitation by email to 'the people'

to come to DC next monday (D-Day anniversay btw), and swarm the outside of Capitol Building while he brings up the Downing Street Minutes/Memo on the floor of the Senate. Afterwards we have a big party with him, Conyers and the other 88 House Dems.

Put up a big-screen TV outside and let us all watch it on C-Span.

Skip the press. They can cover the rally if they want to. Otherwise, fuck em, they're obsolete.

[karynnj]

79. Think you would need permits for a rally

In !971, Kerry got all the necessary permits. This time he doesn't need an invitation to speak to the Senate though.

[ChiciB1]

38. Just Happened To Me Day Before Yesterday...

I think we've all had our share of this phenom! I think it's because we've been living with far too much cynicism these days, our frustration with "the corrupt ones" and the MSM and a feeling of helplessness.

I know I've been tempted many times to inject sarcasm myself, and have... but I guess we need to attach the little sign when we're doing it.

Today on C-Span 2 is very interesting with Dean, Huffington and all the rest. I understand it will be rerun again on C-Span 1 later today at 1:00 PM. Good to see some voices out there not matter what!

[FreedomAngel82]

55. That's how they did Al Gore

And then Howard Dean too. They do that to people they're threatned by. Saying they're "angry" or "really liberal" or a "flipflopper", "sour grapes." etc. Oy! Like we don't have the right to be any of that? Only republicans can be angry?

[rhett o rick]

32. I got it Rebel. Sarcasm is tough to get across in print. Keep it up n/t

[LibertyorDeath]

48. bye bye AH

[Octafish]

50. "The only administration that gets things done." LMFAO.

George W Bush was selected pretzeldunt twice. The first time the Supreme Court stole it before the votes were counted. The second time Diebold, Sequoia and the rest of the paperless tabulators did the trick. If you find the time, I've got links.

[FreedomAngel82]

77. What have they gotten done??

I don't get it. Just bombing innocent countries and trying to steal oil and poppies. :shrug: Wow, real accomplishments. :eyes:

[wicket]

62. TOMBSTONED

Now go back to the roch you crawled out from under! And here's a big DU kick in the ass to help you out the door!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[ClassWarrior]

9. kicking and wondering where the usual Dem bashers are...

:kick:

NGU.

[babylonsister]

14. Look up-

#6. :eyes: Right before your very eyes.

[KC21304]

17. Yes, and all those links to more rubbish.

[RebelAgainstEmpire]

27. Rubbish?

Those links are the reason we're at where we're at.

I don't support those think tanks. I link them for anyone who doesn't know that people like Chuck Schumer are in bed with the people that thought up this war.

[ClassWarrior]

34. Oh, but he/she isn't one of the usual ones.

Not the ones that I had in mind, at any rate.

NGU.

[pgh_dem]

60. I bet you are referring to Dr Fate

This looks like a good test of competing viewpoints.

Kerry has publicly brought up the Downing Street Memo/Minutes, and announced his intention to bring it up before the Senate.

This looks like just what Dr Fate was hoping for (arguably to the point of despair)...let's see if the repeated counterarguments to his posts bear out (a la 'Kerry and Dean are doing plenty already, and shouldn't shift their focus', 'the MSM will ignore them anyway', 'what if the DSM are forgeries?', etc)

At least now there is no argument that Kerry has stood up and shouldered the burden Dr Fate hoped he would, so should expect Dr Fate to line up behind Kerry with a resounding 'Hell yeah!'

And if it works, and draws mainstream attention to the DSM, maybe some folks will concede Dr Fate had a point.

[welshTerrier2]

35. not a Dem basher but a policy criticizer ...

what's very unfortunate about the "Dem basher" label is that it fails to differentiate between personal attacks (e.g. Kerry is a wimp who will never get my vote) and disagreements on policy (e.g. Kerry continues to endorse the idea that we should remain in Iraq until we "succeed" and he's dead wrong for doing so) ...

and it's important to point out that when he does something good, like his push to get kids health insurance or his new focus on the Downing Street minutes, some of us applaud his efforts ... and that is the case with me on this issue ...

i strongly commend Kerry for taking up this issue ... i will say it is not clear to me why he and others waited as long as they did after all the great efforts Conyers has already made ... but that's not of great consequence ... the battle to prove bush manufactured the intelligence (i believe bush said the intelligence was faulty and he should know best since he manufactured it) has now moved to the Senate ... that's a really big deal ...

but still, appreciative as i am of Kerry taking up the Downing Street minutes, i do not appreciate his feeble analysis of the Iraq occupation ... let me preface my following remarks by pointing out that the article linked to in the BP was very poorly written ... it would be great to see the full context of Senator Kerry's remarks ... according to the article, Senator Kerry said:

"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."

again, i applaud Senator Kerry for referring to bush's deception (perhaps he's talking about switching the focus from Al Qaeda to Saddam but who knows) as "bait and switch" ... and i agree with Senator Kerry that the occupation has resulted in a horrible burden on our military because of troop shortages or a "hollowing out" of our military ... i commend him for speaking out on that ...

but then comes the last phrase in the sentence quoted above ... Senator Kerry refers to Iraq as a "mistaken policy" ... well, i couldn't agree more ... but in the end, whatever attacks are launched against bush, whatever evidence is brought out, whatever deceit is proved about the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, are, at least for right now, less important than getting the hell out of Iraq ... Senator Kerry is right to call the policy "mistaken"; he's wrong to limit his analysis to the pre-war observation ("bait and switch") and his only stated objection to the current policy ("hollowing out of the Army") ...

the current policy is "mistaken" for reasons that go way beyond the "hollowing out of the Army" ... and the current policy will not succeed, it will never succeed, as long as bush is in office ... the policy is mistaken because bush is not trying to achieve the publicly stated objective of stabilizing Iraq ... his mission there has been to create instability until he is able to gain sufficient control over the Iraqi government and the Iraqi oil fields ...

Kerry's done a great job with his recent statement but he continues to support bush's occupation ... the day he finally acknowledges that we have to set a timetable for withdrawal you'll find me cheering for him the loudest ...

[ClassWarrior]

37. And then there are those...

...who feign disagreements on policy as an excuse to launch personal attacks. Those are the "bashers" to whom I refer.

(And I agree with your assessment that JK has a long way to go on his Iraq war position.)

NGU.

[sandnsea]

49. our military defends oil fields

He also said that in his energy bill speech a couple of weeks ago. If I was on my own computer, I'd get the link for you. He doesn't support a date certain timetable. He also doesn't support permanent bases. In a speech last year, he laid out a plan that would have led to bringing troops home this summer. That's what he said. But because he wouldn't frame it as "withdrawal", the anti-war people couldn't hear the plan. The only plan I've ever heard anti-war people present, by the way, elections, reconstruction, security. Isn't it a shame irrational hatred helped the right paint a picture of a man nobody wanted, so the war goes on.

[MeDeMax]

11. good going John...

keep asking the questions no one wants to ask, remind people how poorly they chose.

Bring up the memo when you are back in washington...keep fighting the good fight.

[whistle]

20. I'll be watching on Monday to see how John Kerry follows through

...on this commitment: "When I go back (to Washington) on Monday, I am going to raise the issue," he said of the memo.

He needs to raise this issue on the floor of the senate and then mobilize a senate and house effort to bring the issue under full debate and hearings. No more threats. No more idle rhetoric. Action is what must happen!

[babylonsister]

22. Between Bolton and the minutes, next week

should prove to be very interesting. And I'm sure Kerry will follow through; we have it in writing, right? :) Seriously, we've been heard and this will have legs!:patriot:

[EST]

25. Keep hitting 'em, John!

This mantra needs to be, and no doubt will be, repeated by all, all the time.
They lie, all the time. The thugs in charge cannot tell the truth: if they did, the truth would bring them down.
The point also needs to be repeated that the use of anonymous sources (Curveball, anyone?) by the Bush crime family has resulted in the deaths of many tens of thousands. The way that JFK, perhaps the only way, can redeem himself, in my eyes, is to attack, attack, attack.

[rhett o rick]

31. Ok Ok so maybe Kerry has some guts. n/t

[quiet.american]

33. Kerry laments people's interest; I lament Senators interest

While Sen. Kerry expressed puzzlement over the American people's lack of interest in the Iraq war, I've been puzzled the past week or so as to why NOT ONE SENATOR has signed onto the letter from the House of Representatives demanding an answer from Bushco about the Downing Street Minutes.

If it's a matter of form, then why hasn't ONE SENATOR drafted their own query to Bush?

What's taking them so long?

[KoKo]

40. I've wondered, also why Senators haven't signed on...but, think maybe

it's a "protocol" issue. The Senate is waiting to see if Conyers gets an answer before taking up the Memo. If the Senate Dems piled on now the Repugs and the Media would turn it into a Democratics playing politics issue.

As it is now, we out here on the "internets" are trying to help Conyers and the 89 co-signers by stirring up interest, bombarding the media and anyone who will listen. We have formed the Bush Backlash that the Dems need.

Much as I'm angry that our Senators haven't supported Conyers, maybe in this case caution is the better strategy. They have Bolton to deal with and if they can get his nomination denied then maybe it clears the way for them to show more strength. :shrug:

I applaud Kerry for speaking out about this. Maybe it's a first step to signal that our Dem Senators hear us but just don't want to take the spotlight from Conyers, yet.

[quiet.american]

44. Reasonable enough, KoKo01 - could be. n/t

[thebigidea]

51. waiting for an answer? Even Conyers knows he won't get one from Bush

I was unaware of this "spotlight" you speak of. Not a particularly bright bulb, apparently.

[chelsea0011]

36. John Kerry, my states's very own who I have always voted for

in every election, should take this issue to the media and American people. However, I will always never have the respect for him that I gave him prior to the Iraqi War. He went along with the resolution and when given the opportunity to show the world the Bush who lied to the American people over Iraq, he caved. He split ends with his words trying to get elected. So he wants to talk up the DSM? Good for him. Let him take the airways on Sunday and take his message to the American people. Do now what you failed to do during the election.

[ooglymoogly]

57. imo senators who bucked the war would not have survived reelection

the m. media had already brainwashed the voters that iraq was at least partly responsible for 9/11, had wmd and was involved with al qaida and that war would be one big lark. when the facts were that g.e. et al could make piles of cash from said bushwar they were promoting. kerry and like senators were ambushed and had no choice. of course in hindsight, so far from 9/11 its easy to see things more clearly.

[EST]

72. Ambushed and stampeded.

They were push-pushed-pushed to get their fists up, right now!
Add the fact that most of the dem senators were still trying, without actually having to make a declaration, to distance themselves from the perceived iniquity of the Clinton white house and had ceded the moral high ground to the republicans. My personal theory holds that the democratic leaders were actually relieved to have somebody come in, promising to clean house and heal the dragged-half-to-death injuries to the public psyche.

They (the dem leadership) gave no indication of having read the cautionary tale of the compassionate farmer who, one icy morning, took pity on a nearly frozen to death snake who was begging for help and promising to have turned over a new leaf and would be forever grateful if only the farmer would save his miserable life. Of course, as most of us realists would predict, the poor farmer was so totally betrayed when the venomous snake took his life with that one non-partisan blow. In answer to the final, incredulous "why?" the snake, demented, rigid, psychopathic, "good" republican that he is, responds, "It's what I do, man."

The neocons are a new breed, apart. All bets are off.

[ooglymoogly]

85. and they have snake oiled the religious junkies into championing

their unholy uncaring greed.

[EST]

87. All the right kinds of oil.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$+powererererererererer

[Tuesday_Morning]

39. Tell 'em, John! n/t

[Broken Acorn]

41. I don't follow the MSM very often these days

but I was wondering how much coverage has the Downing memo garnered?

It seems like even none of my friends who are huge * haters have discussed the issue with me.

Has is gotten little or zero coverage to date?

[paineinthearse]

42. So Kerry senses a shift in the political winds

Welcome aboard, better late than never.

[ClassWarrior]

43. That's how the game is played.

Sad, but true. But let's not forget, we probably had something to do with that wind shift.

Go DU!

NGU.

[sandnsea]

52. Huh?

The only wind I've seen is the "so what" wind. Way to help make this a nonissue, 'Kerry's just playing to the political whims of the internet wackos'. Then wonder why we lose.

[cestpaspossible]

58. Yeah, look at him following all those other Senators to talk about this.

:eyes:

[DearAbby]

45. Doing the Dear Abby Okie Dokie Dance....

"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."

[jillan]

70. wonder what sites he reads!

[Pryderi]

46. Kerry/Conyers '08

[ClassWarrior]

47. I'd prefer Conyers/Boxer 08.

Or Boxer/Conyers. I'm not picky.

NGU.

[FreedomAngel82]

53. This is great!

About time Senator Kerry! This is great.

[Singular73]

56. REMEMBER: This happened BEFORE

Name this issue:

1) Media Won't cover it.

2) Bloggers/Internet people go ballistic on issue.

3) Media Covers it.

4) Senator resigns from post.

There is hope....

[Dr Fate]

69. Which Senator has had to resign over exposing a scandal?

???

[Dr Fate]

71. Oh- you mean Lott- I'm an idiot!!!!

Sorry!

[LuPeRcALiO]

61. memo to WH: get out your umbrellas

because a hard rain is gonna fall.

[dchill]

80. Shhhhh!

Don't warn them. Let them keep thinking that they're "makin' good progress."

[renaissanceguy]

83. I'm hoping more a tsunami

that will wipe out all those criminals.



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

[Terran1212]

63. He wasn't raising the issue on the senate floor a week ago when i saw him

Stop cheering for a man who is NOT committed to things.

Using it to advance his political career, maybe.

[pgh_dem]

64. Should we call your position "Better Never than Late"?

Using your logic, how does this advance his career this week but wouldn't have last week?

I'm all aboard the "About Time You Got Off Your Ass On DSM, Kerry" train, but I'll definitely take Late over Never, and give him slack at least until Monday, and see what he says.

[Dr Fate]

65. Kerry is doing the right thing. Contact him and thank him...

...when DEMs do right, thank them.

[Generator]

67. I adore Kerry but

I think he needs to risk everything to bring Bush down. There will be no more Democrats in the Presidential office until they are brought down. So many issues-but this is what I believe-all this yapping about who we want in 2008-there will be no 2008 chance without Bush going down.

This is not enough. He needs to risk the ridicule-the attack-the whatever they will sling at him-and risk any chance of 2008 to bring Bush down. Maybe not today but soon. Time is running out.

He needs to shock and he needs to tell the truth. He needs to join forces with all of those that know the truth-our heros-Conyers-Boxer and a few others in Congress. He needs to not be afraid to lead and not be afraid to have US on the streets protesting. We cannot go quietly. I'm waiting for the leader and I will be there. Nothing happens without risk. Kerry needs to risk. The insiders need to risk. A real journlist needs to risk.

And I'll risk the tear gas or the arrest or the money or whatever it takes.

Do they realize how many of us are ready to change this for the truth? I hope he realizes.

Right now Conyers is my man. He said he may send a delegation over to Britain. Well, Kerry-it's your move. I still believe, you, if anyone can be that leader.

[Pryderi]

73. In the 1974 Watergate midterm election, Democrats gained 49 House

In the 1974 Watergate midterm election, when Democrats gained 49 House and four Senate seats, that was a wave.

http://www.cookpolitical.com/column/2002/111202.php

That's why the Minutes are important

[paineinthearse]

75. Same paper's editorial opinion.

Accuses Dems of spinelessness by attacking the edges of the rethug policy.

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1519153&mesg_id=1519153

[zulchzulu]

76. Damn that John Kerry! Doing what he's been doing for the last 30 years...

What's got into him?

Why won't he just do what he's been doing for the...last....um...30 years....um...

[renaissanceguy]

84. I think he's sick to his stomach

over what's happened since the election.



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

[wisteria]

81. This all seems even more credible now that Kerry is involved.

Not taking anything away from Coyners though!

[G_j]

88. Conyers, continues his tradition of asking the questions

others avoid asking. Thus he is consistently marginalized.
There is no way to tell if his color plays apart in this also, but chances are, it does.