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Kerry Email: They Deserve Answers - We Do Too - Sign the Petition!!!

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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:03 AM
Original message
Kerry Email: They Deserve Answers - We Do Too - Sign the Petition!!!
Dear Friend,

President Bush has a major opportunity today. He’s leaving Crawford to speak to the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ convention in Utah. When he does, he needs to leave behind the pep talks, the open-ended “things are looking better” claims and the empty rhetoric.

It’s time for the President to stand and deliver.

That’s why I am asking you to support an “America Demands Answers” petition to President Bush. Starting with today’s VFW speech, we’re going to keep the pressure on George W. Bush until he finally addresses questions that have gone unanswered for far too long.



Every American deserves straight answers from the President — and no one deserves them more than America’s veterans and our military families.

When will the President get it right in Iraq?

When will he deliver to the nation and those sacrificing so much in Iraq a concrete plan for peace and victory?

Why, at this late date, is the Pentagon still struggling to get the right supplies and body armor to America’s troops?

When will the President support a military large enough to face the challenges of today’s world?

And when will the President stop short-changing America’s veterans? When will he stop closing hospitals, cutting benefits, and making veterans wait weeks for a doctor’s appointment?

Tell the President, it’s time for answers. I am a veteran who is deeply concerned about the administration’s lack of clarity on Iraq and lack of compassion on veterans’ benefits. Join me in signing the “America Demands Answers” petition. http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/answers.php

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=307

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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:08 AM
Response to Original message
1. First a question:
When did you stop supporting the Imperial Invasion of Iraq?

Until you answer that question PUBLICLY, I am not interested in being part of your focus group test
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:10 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Oh for Shit Sake!
He's demanding answers from Bush - You want answers? Sign the friggin petition! He does not support Iraq, he wants out - a realistic out.
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:18 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. I'm sorry
during the campaign he said even knowing what he knew then, he would still vote to authorize Bush to invade.

Has he announced publicly that he's since changed this stance.

A demand from John Kerry to George Bush holds exactly ZERO weight.

Kerry is testing the waters to see if he should adopt an "anti-war" stance.
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bearfan454 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:24 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. Do you want answers from bush ? If you do sign it. nt
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. Signing it will NOT get answers from Bush
He has ignored pretty much every demand so far for answers.

Again, this is Kerry testing the wind.
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mikelewis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:13 PM
Response to Reply #5
15. Then if he's testing the winds, let's show him how nice the breeze is...
sign it.

Not for Bush who will ignore it but for Kerry who may just start believing that he has the support to actually take on this band of thugs.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:11 PM
Response to Reply #15
25. I liked the speech he gave last week
where he asked why Bush was so concerned with Intelligent Design in schools. How about some Intelligent Design in IRAQ?!

Testing the waters? Nah, he's already in the pool.

Even if folks want to see this as 2008 early campaigning, which would you prefer? Kerry shouting about Iraq and veterans benefits? Or Hillary shouting about video games?
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candice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:29 PM
Response to Reply #3
18. He DID NOT SAY THAT...at the Grand Canyon the wind and noise
made it impossible for him to hear all of the question. Kerry has hearing loss as a result of his Viet Nam service (his swift boat was extremely loud, not to mention the gunfire).

Kerry thought he was answering a question that he always got--are you supporting the war/troops now that we are in the midst of it? His aides were shocked at his response. When he found out what the real question was, the thought was to not emphasize what he misheard, the repug machine would just grind louder. The rest of the campaign made it clear that this was not the case. Google on Kerry + Grand Canyon for the Boston Globe article that came out after the election.
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. OK, I stand corrected, but he's STILL wrong
Was it right to give Bush the authority to go to war against Iraq? Kerry had simply given his standard "yes," with the proviso that he would have "done this very differently from the way President Bush has" -- yet the misunderstanding now muddied Kerry's message.

Kerry's exact quote on the matter:

"Yes, I would have voted for the authority; I believe it's the right authority for a president to have."


No, it was NOT the right authority for the president to have. You do not give a mentally retarded eight year-old a gun to use at his discretion.

The power to declare war rests SOLEY with congress. Kerry and everyone else abdicated this CRITICAL check on the executive branch and should NEVER be forgiven for it, nor allowed to forget it.

Over 100,000 people are DEAD because of this spineless action. The U.S. invasion of Iraq was as legal as the German invasion of Poland.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:34 PM
Response to Reply #21
31. Sure then the last war was WWII
Vietnam was not declared before we went in
nor was Panama, Kosovo, Grenada, Korea or any of the others we fought via overt or covert action. (The fact that Clinton didn't even go to Congress was heavilly used as an argument.) It was because Senators, including Kerry, argued that Bush needed to go to Congress and the UN, that there was a IWR.

Bush already claimed that the resolution to fight the terrorists covered Iraq and he already had soldiers in the Gulf. The US and Britain were already engaged in bombing raids. If the resolution failed, there would have been an "incident" and the war would have started when they originally wanted it to. The resolution and Saddam's acceptance of invasive inspections probably delayed it 4 to 5 months. They also allowed the peace movement to grow enourmously in size. (The DC peace rally in Jan, 2003 was many times larger than the one in Oct, 2002.)

Even if there were enough Senators to defeat the resolution - which there weren't even if JK changed sides - do you thing the soldiers would have been shipped home?
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:00 PM
Response to Reply #31
38. And they were wrong as well
The fact that the same mistake has been made in the past is not license to keep screwing up.

All the acts you mention Bush and Britain taken were illegal war crimes.

As to whether it would have made a difference at all, I answer "yes, it would." Kerry would have credibility right now.

Paul Hackett showed that going on the offensive will double your vote in a hardcore Republican district. If he had gotten more support earlier from the Vichy Democrats in charge of doaling out cash, we would have gained a seat.

More Paul Hacketts, fewer John Kerrys.
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:26 PM
Response to Reply #38
50. And Hackett supports staying in Iraq tgo clean the mess
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flpoljunkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:02 PM
Response to Reply #50
59. Evidently you did not see Hackett on Bill Maher this weekend.
Edited on Mon Aug-22-05 04:38 PM by flpoljunkie
"Right now it's not working. The country is in chaos. There is a civil war going on. It hasn't gotten any better in a year and a half. News flash. War's over. Let's get 'em home." - Paul Hackett on Bill Maher

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/20.html#a4537

This exchange, there's more, is at the end of the clip. Maher asked him at the of the conversation if we needed more troops in Iraq.
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:04 PM
Response to Reply #59
61. No, but I read his platform during the OH election.
Edited on Mon Aug-22-05 04:10 PM by Mass
So you mean they are two Hackett, one for the election, and one for left wing media.

http://hackettforcongress.com/index.php?page=display&id=69


No matter what your position on the war, if we pull out now the entire region will spiral into chaos and present our nation and military with a far more difficult challenge than we currently face. I don’t relish the prospect of my two sons going over there in twenty years. We need to get it right, and we need to do it now.

The Iraqi people and government are grateful that we eliminated their brutal dictator. They are capable of running their own government and building a democracy. It won’t look like ours; nor should it. But in order for them to succeed, we must not withdraw our troops before the Iraqis are ready to stand on their own.
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flpoljunkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:30 PM
Response to Reply #61
64. Hackett made the point that if the Pentagon had not trained the Iraqis in
2 1/2 years to defend their own country, there is little hope they will be willing to do what it takes to train the Iraqis in 1 1/2 years.

Perhaps Hackett has realized that Dubya is not willing to do whatever it takes to get it right, and do it now. He gave the same old "stay the course" speech today in Idaho showing that he he unwilling to change the course to offer any hope of success in Iraq.
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:35 PM
Response to Reply #64
65. Not surprising from Bush...
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:04 PM
Response to Reply #38
60. The Hackett/ Kerry comparison has a few flaws
1) It was a special election - the turn out was much lower than a normal Nov election. So, it is more like a primary - a dynamic candidate gets more of his angry base out than the opponent does.

2) The vote was in August - 10 months later - when the Iraq war is very much less popular

3) The stakes were different: One Congressman vs replacing the President in a time of war. Kerry had to appear Presidential, reasonable and likeable - Hackett didn't.

Also, it is very likely that in March 2003 when Bush invaded, John Kerry was far more against the war than Hackett was.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:08 PM
Response to Reply #18
24. I read that
Their exact wording was that half the question got lost in the wind.

Amazing how Bush could stumble all over himself, and no one would make much of it, whereas one false move and Kerry was toast. Where IS that liberal media we keep hearing about? I really don't see any sign of a "liberal" media. Only a corporate one.
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flpoljunkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:12 PM
Response to Reply #18
45. Read the story, but am still totally mystified why advisors let this stand
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/11/14/on_the_trail_of_kerrys_failed_dream?pg=full

The senator explained to aides that part of the question had been lost in the wind; he thought he was answering a variation on the same basic query he'd been asked countless times: Was it right to give Bush the authority to go to war against Iraq? Kerry had simply given his standard "yes," with the proviso that he would have "done this very differently from the way President Bush has" -- yet the misunderstanding now muddied Kerry's message.

Worried advisers briefly considered issuing a clarification, but feared it might further feed Republican efforts to portray Kerry as a "flip-flopper."

Meanwhile, back in Washington, the Bush campaign pounced: Kerry now agrees with the president! Bush media strategist Mark McKinnon crowed about Kerry's "forced error," while the president repeated Kerry's answer over and over on the campaign trail and the GOP later advertised the Democrat's varied Iraq statements. "How can John Kerry protect us," the narrator in those ads intoned, "when he doesn't even know where he stands?"

______________________

How could his advisors be so incredibly clueless? Just say the man is partially deaf from his service in Vietnam and did not hear the entire question! Damn! It still pisses me off after all this time.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:24 PM
Response to Reply #45
48. They're guess is that nobody would believe them, I reckon
and they'd just feed into the flip/flop meme.

It might have been better to come out and say what happened. Then again, it could have been a damned if you do damned if you don't situation.

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flpoljunkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #48
66. More a damned if you don't. Spineless advisors failed JK time after time
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candice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:50 PM
Response to Reply #48
77. Democrats don't have the evil instincts of a Karl Rove...
and I would hate them if they did. We do need to have access to the media. Did anyone read Bill Moyers letter in this Sunday's New York Times book review?

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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:16 PM
Response to Reply #77
87. Sometimes there is a call for that
and it make my teeth itch each time I see someone say we need our own Rove. We'd cease to be the good guys then, I reckon.

I wonder if Current TV will help, since it appears anyone can send them stuff.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:20 PM
Response to Reply #3
27. not to invade
He wanted the inspectors in - which was the only way war could have been averted. He never said "Bush should have invaded"
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msmanners Donating Member (26 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #2
58. from an unbiased person
"kerrygoddess" he he
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:43 AM
Response to Reply #1
8. I agree with Kelvin Mace.
John Kerry; Until you stand up straight and show some real spine, like demanding an exit from this war, stop jerking us around.
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. Hmmm...
Where you been? Kerry has been saying we need an exit plan - a timeline for months now.

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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:55 PM
Response to Reply #9
20. I didn't say exit PLAN....
I said EXIT. And I've been right here.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:51 PM
Response to Reply #20
36. To exit required a plan
lest our men and women in uniform get their asses shot off as they hightail it out of there.

So what does it mean to just say "exit". Sorta like saying "cut"? Like we're in a movie or something?
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:01 PM
Response to Reply #1
23. If you don't know he's certainly not going to tell you
He supported the invasion of Afghanistan. He supported holding Iraq accountable, something he had been calling for since 1997, according to a Senate speech I read. I've read his book on international terror and crime. That was his focus before the war.

He was shown false intelligence. And he thought that people like Powell and even Bush's own father would stop the moran from doing something truely stupid. He seems to have underestimated how much neocon chickenhawks hate military brass, esp. when that brass tries to stop them. Bush also seems to be on a mission to do these things without daddy, so apparently his advice went unheeded as well.

Knowing the full truth, Kerry 1. is pissed 2. considers Iraq a waste of time detracting from the real goal of finding Osama Been Forgotten 3. nevertheless, doesn't want to see that part of the world destabilized by not trying to finish what we started.

What, do you think he has stock in Halliburton or something? His focus was never imperialism. His focus is and has been for a long time international crime. Such is life when you've investigated international crime for most of your Senate career.

I got my current impression of the man and his stance in Iraq from

"A New War" by John Kerry.

A Rolling Stone interview just before the election

and

A Senate speech of his from 1997 I looked up in the Congressional Records

And your current impression came from....?
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:18 PM
Response to Reply #1
26. If you read any of his speeches or comments
he never supported invading - there were public statements and op-eds asking to let the inspectors finish their job. (Note: Dean was less anti-war than Kerry at that time.) Kerry also was among the first people who stated our continued presence fueled the insurgency and very clearly called for no permanent (or long term bases). He gave his exit plan in September, 2004, and then updated it as the situation worsened in Jan/Feb, 2005 (MP) and again this July in the NUT op-ed. All these plans were designed to rein in the chaos while getting our soldiers out - none were imperialist plans seeking long term empires. Look at Kerry's record, he is neither poll driven or an imperialist.

Blame Bush for the war. The Democrats could not stop it.
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seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:24 PM
Response to Reply #1
28. i have a 7 year old that often cuts his nose off to spite his face
i am hoping he outgrows this in maturity.
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #28
67. LOL! N/T
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Skwmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:25 PM
Response to Reply #28
74. What's mature about rewarding someone who
sent our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers off to war because he thought it would benefit him politically? What kind of message would that send to a seven year old (ask not what you can do for your country but what your country can do for you)?
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seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:56 PM
Response to Reply #74
78. you are telling a story. it isnt reality, it is something
you made up for your agenda. what a waste of time
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Skwmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:10 PM
Response to Reply #78
85. I'll leave the story telling and spinning to the politicians and
they're political hacks.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:07 PM
Response to Reply #1
42. Do you also seek out threads regarding the following people
and ask that same question? Or is Kerry just the lucky winner?


Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carper (D-DE)
Cleland (D-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Daschle (D-SD)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hollings (D-SC)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Schumer (D-NY)

(I cut out those I could remember who aren't in office any more, including Edwards, Zell, Daschale)

Why does no one berate Dodd? What about Dorgan? There was a thread about Cleland possibly running for office not to long ago. Where was the call for a recant of his vote there? Reid is our Majority Leader and most folks seem to like him, but he's on the list. How come every time his name is mentioned, there isn't a call for a recant of HIS vote? Rockefeller? Schumer?

What, was Kerry the deciding vote or something? Or is it some kind of popularity contest (Oh, but we like those other guys)
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Skwmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:21 PM
Response to Reply #1
73. Why didn't he ask the demanding questions before he signed
on to the Iraq War? Oh yeah, that's right he was planning to run for president (and he couldn't have a silly thing like a war getting in his way). It's not like his kids were going to be shipped out to Iraq.

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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:26 PM
Response to Reply #73
76. Guess you missed that too
Amazing how many people around here miss things... oh well...

Nice snark... save it for Bush, he's the enemy.
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earthside Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:28 AM
Response to Original message
6. Waste of electrons.
It's a waste of electrons to sign this kind of 'e-petition'.

Until Kerry renounces his vote for the Iraq War Resolution -- then all this is just political posturing for him to run again in 2008.
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mary195149 Donating Member (231 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:36 AM
Response to Original message
7. done. I have full confidence in John Kerry.
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Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 11:53 AM
Response to Original message
10. He should have asked some of these questions during the campaign...
...and more Democrats would support him NOW. The damage has been done and NOW he wants answers? What phony BS.

And he clearly wants a "military large enough to face the challenges of today’s world"...which means he wants more cannon fodder for more wars fought in the name of the 'war on terrorism'. The war profiteers will have something to look forward to if one of the DLCers ever becomes president.

Kerry just doesn't get it. He's not asking the right questions. He should be asking why Bush LIED THIS NATION INTO WAR. He should be demanding his resignation or impeachment. But instead...he continues to perpetuate the Big Lie and ignores the illegal war, torture and war crimes being committed in our names.

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Maccagirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
11. I signed it, but...
Edited on Mon Aug-22-05 12:08 PM by Maccagirl
1) it's meaningless
2) the question is to you, John Kerry-Why aren't you in Crawford, Texas?
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. Are you in Crawford?
Kerry spoke up days ago and said Bush should meet with Cindy Sheehan.
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Maccagirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:37 PM
Response to Reply #12
19. Why I'm not in Crawford?
I live about 1500 miles away. I have about $30 in my checking account. I'm desperately looking for a job after being "displaced."

BTW, I stood in the rain for 4 hours to vote for Senator Kerry last November. Was it worth it, and would I do it again-yes.
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:08 PM
Response to Reply #19
68. I hear that...
We're in the same boat. Kerry's doing what he can... let's be grateful... please?
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PresidentObama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:10 PM
Response to Original message
13. For the love of god...
If you want answers from President Bush, sign the petition.

If you want to be a whiney little baby, don't sign it.

Whether or not you think John Kerry's motives for this petition are questionable, the petition is still giving voice to the voiceless. I commend Senator Kerry for calling on his supporters, and the American people to stand up to the President and demand answers.

Forget this even has anything to do with John Kerry. The prinicple behind the petition is right. We should be demanding answers. And if you think we should get those answers, sign it. Regardless of your opinion of Senator Kerry. For peep sakes, get over it. He lost. We lost. Move on....

If you don't want him for 2008, do everything in your power to stop him then. Otherwise, sit down, be quiet, and stop the bashing. He's still one of our partys top leaders, and a big force in the country.
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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:12 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. "Otherwise, sit down, be quiet, and stop the bashing."
How to win friends and influence people?
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:22 PM
Response to Reply #14
47. Bashing is different from criticism
And sometimes one gets sick of exactly the same sentiment expressed every time the name Kerry is mentioned.

Makes one feel like saying "Okay, so you're still pissed at Kerry. Alrighty then. Same time tomorrow?"

Yeah, we got it. Still pissed. Groovy. Some of us still have our short-term memories. We can remember yesterday. No need for the daily refresher.
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:22 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. You're not winning any converts
If you want answers from President Bush, sign the petition.

If you want to be a whiney little baby, don't sign it.


Signing this will get no answer from Bush. Bush answers to no one.

Kerry lost because he refused to stand up and fight. He doesn't need a petition to demand answers from Bush.

Sorry. Kucinich has a credible stand on this issue, Kerry doesn't.

I also find it suspicious that Kerry starts this the same time Edwards puts out a similar trial ballon via his wife.

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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:45 PM
Response to Reply #17
34. Kerry has been talking about how to get out and Bush's lies
since the beginning of this year. This is the first mention I've heard from the Edwards. Elizabeth's letter was beautiful, warm and personal. It deals more with dealing with the families griefing tham the war itself. As you attack Kerry on the war, remember that Edwards actually was more pro-war than Kerry.

The Edwards and the Kerrys are not enemies - and I doubt they will become so even if they run against each other.
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #34
43. When John Kerry stands up
and calls George Bush the liar he is, he'll have my attention. I will oppose any attempt by Kerry/Edwards to make another run as they have demonstrated their complete unfitness for the jobs.

I will only vote for them in a national election if I have no choice, like last time.
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #43
69. He's done that before
No one was listening. Guess you missed it.

Oh and I guess that the Repubs stole the election makes K/E unfit. WTF?
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #17
72. Huh?
Edited on Mon Aug-22-05 05:16 PM by kerrygoddess
Edwards what? Grasping...

Frankly, Kelvin, you're not convincing Kerry supporters to change their support of Kerry here either. Maybe we could call it a draw and you could allow people who want to support this to do so in peace.

What say you...
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PresidentObama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 12:15 PM
Response to Original message
16. I'm tired of being the nice guy....
and reasoning with the unreasonable.

I think it's sick how people jump on their own so fast. I'm sure glad I didn't pounce on Al Gore when he lost (but won) in 2000.

John Kerry's still one of our top fighters, and a good man. He doesn't deserve this...
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 01:19 PM
Response to Reply #16
22. At least Gore
fought the theft of his election.
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Generator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:31 PM
Response to Reply #22
29. I don't think that's fair
But I'm not signing any more petitions. What a frigging joke! As you said Bush doesn't give a crap what Americans think-who the hell is Kerry kidding? I know he cares what his base thinks. I used to be it..but until I see something that is "outside the box" and truly a risk for Kerry-well I'm off the list.
And what I think is that extraordinary times call for extraordinary men. So far what we have is one-Conyers-and a bunch of WOMEN. And yes I signed Conyers petition and saw that one personally delivered to the locked gate of the White House. That's it. Petitions are a joke, and yes I do respect Conyers more at this point because he is actually trying to bring Bush down. Kerry apparently can't risk that-and here's my ta da-Kerry lovers-and I used to be one of the biggest-if Kerry doesn't bring Bush down he will never be President-ANYWAY. The corruption is so stinking deep it's got to be exposed NOW before they are out of office. I, you and everybody else realize this is nigh impossible-but still risking everything and going for it-is the only way to get America back.

And I do appreciate all the good work Kerry does in the Senate. But that's it...he's a senator..not a president...he has to do more or a Democrat PERIOD will never be elected again in our lifetimes.And yeah-that most certainly includes election fraud.

A petition that a despot will never read ain't it.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:57 PM
Response to Reply #29
37. I can't believe a progressive would use the WOMEN in such a
deragatory way. First you say we need an extraordinary MAN, then you say there's only one man and a bunch a women. Think about what you are saying.

Kerry is pushing to get the WMD Part II done, tying the need to the DSM - why aren't you pushing other Senators to sign it. (Mine already did) He has given this issue some visibility. He should have more success pushing for this as Bush's popularity goes down - and with it his iron clad control of the Senate and the media. The Senate already committed to precisely this investigation - more Democrats need to get behind this. If the weight of more Senators (including Republicans) is added, this may be what brings down Bush.



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Generator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:07 PM
Response to Reply #37
41. It's a play on words
The point being there are more WOMEN being extraoridnary than men. And anyway...I hate the PC police..whom I will never be "progessive" enough for anyway.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:10 PM
Response to Reply #41
63. Sorry, that's not how I parsed the sentence
As to being PC, I never saw the point in the he/she man/woman that made reading memos tedius so I would have had no problem with the first sentence. I read the second differently. Sorry
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:38 PM
Response to Reply #22
32. How would you have had Kerry fight?
Specifically. No generalized calls to fight without saying how. Without the popular vote. How? With even his own advisers saying they didn't see enough evidence in the span of extra 12 hours or so they gave it (speedy concession my ass) to contest at that time. How? What exactly are you looking for? He's doing exactly as he said he would in the video on Nov 19th. He continues to fight for exection reform. There are two lawsuits he's involved in regarding the suppression of the vote, I'm told. Plus action teams he's putting together on his website (some lovely rhetoric on there as well about ricketty machines run by partisan politicians.)

It's not enough to just stand there and shout "fight, fight, fight" like some kind of cheerleader without facing reality and explaining HOW you think he should have fought.

And may I remind you that the way Gore tried to fight failed. So why repeat that exact tactic again, with the ensuing circus and media spin all working against victory and the perception from many on your own side being that you lost? I never meet people (Democrats, I mean) in my daily life who think Kerry had any choice but to do what he did. Only here. They usually say "What else could he have done?" So that's what I'm asking.

What specifically did he have to fight with. They needed someone to stand up and sing like birdie. Said birdie doesn't seem to have materialized.
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:43 PM
Response to Reply #32
33. Ohio would have been a good start
http://www.thoughtcrimes.org/mt/archives/002632.html

Fighting then instead of now, ten months later...
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:00 PM
Response to Reply #33
39. How.
Ohio. Okay. How Ohio? Specify. With his advisers in Ohio telling him it was a no-go.

I remember a reporter from one of the online news sites pming me that the word on the grapevine was that he'd been set up in Ohio. Not that he'd caved. That he'd been set up by those he thought were on his side, but weren't.

So if you've got people telling you it's useless in Ohio, what do you do?

And then there's the lawsuit that he's apparently about to drop re: fraud, and two more he's involved in re: suppression.

I'm still confused as to how people can call for him not to drop the fraud lawsuit, when the same folks have said he was doing nothing. Alrighty then. Glad we cleared that up. So if people don't think he ever started fighting, I don't know how they can call for him not to stop. That makes good sense, right? Of course right.

My favorites on that front are those who think he was only ever doing the lawsuit in the first place for political gain. Oh sure. A handful of people who even know about the lawsuit in Ohio are going to swing the primaries in 2008. Riiiiiiiight.

Truth is, he's still involved in Ohio, whether people want him to be, whether they give a shit about him in 2008, whether they ever give him credit or not. He IS still fighting.

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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:04 PM
Response to Reply #39
40. Which is more important?
What his advisors tell him or what right?

I didn't vote for his 'effin advisors.

We keep losing because we keep refusing to fight. We don't have to use their tactics but damn, can we at least skin our knuckles?

(Temperature check: Not mad at you old bean, just debating).
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:12 PM
Response to Reply #40
44. How do you do what's right when your eyes and ears
ie, those on the ground who were supposed to be telling him what was going on, are giving you wrong information.

You do what is right according to what you know about the situation. He's not imnipresent. All he knew is what he was told. And so he made the decision according to that knowledge.

That's what he told Jesse. He acted according to what he'd been told. And from rumors floating around, he was set up.

I'm convinced he'd have tried to do what was right if he thought he had the evidence. As a lawyer, he wasn't coming out without something rock solid to back him up in the way of "take it to court" evidence. No evidence, no coming out.

Meanwhile, you're still doing it. "FIGHT!" How? With what?

(Same here.)
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Kelvin Mace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:26 PM
Response to Reply #44
49. Well, there seems to have been sufficient evidence
to appoint a special prosecutor to look at crimes now. Imagine if they had gone digging when the evidence was fresh. A full court press in Ohio might have broke open all the Ohion scandals that much earlier, inclusing evidence that Taft suppressed the bad news.

The allegations being investigated now were made at the time of the election. I'm glad they are looking into them *finally*, but it would have been more helpful ten months ago.

As to who to believe, he picked his advisors. He should have been in Ohio the day after the election finding out for himself, instead he conceded.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:34 PM
Response to Reply #49
53. Sufficient evidence to appoint a special prosecutor NOW
we're talking about a limited amount of time between election night and the next morning.

But yeah, maybe they could have vetted the people in Ohio better. Advisers is probably too strong a word for what they were. Advisers implies an inner circle of people around him. These were probably party people in Ohio, or lawyers he'd sent there. Not completely sure who made the call.

Personally, I still think he got fucked over. But that's just me. He seems to have been trying to make up for it since, mostly on the suppression front.

Which allegations? Coingate? But that doesn't have to do with Kerry, did it?
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:30 PM
Response to Reply #22
51. 300 votes in Florida - I hope he fought.
And Kerry surely would have contested the election if it had been the same case.

AT least, Kerry is still trying to do something to change the law and to get some answers in OH concerning voter suppression.
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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:35 PM
Response to Reply #51
54. With all due respect, I don't include an e-petition as "doing something"
All else aside, do people really think Bush would respond to a "petition"?
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:37 PM
Response to Reply #54
55. Me neither, but he did a lot more.
including co-sponsoring laws concerning election rights and still having at least two law suits in OH.
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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:40 PM
Response to Reply #55
56. I thought he was withdrawing the Ohio lawsuits?
I hope not!
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 04:06 PM
Response to Reply #56
62. Lawsuit. Singular. So goes the rumor. But there are two more
The one that will possibly be dropped at the end of August is the fraud one connected with the Glibs.

The other two are related to the suppression. It's a matter of what their lawyers are saying is winnable and what is not winnable. The suppression lawsuits, one of which involves the League of Women Voters, are deemed more winnable.

But still we won't know for sure if he's dropping the Glib suit until the end of August when he does it.
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TayTay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:32 PM
Response to Original message
30. Did anyone even read the friggin letter?
Edited on Mon Aug-22-05 02:34 PM by TayTay
Item: The Veteran's Administration is CHARGING returning WOUNDED soldiers coming back from Iraq FOR THEIR IN-HOSPITAL MEALS.

Item: There are American soldiers, many members of supposedly PART-TIME reserve units units who are on their 3rd TOURS in Iraq. This has caused incredible hardship and difficulty for American families and for these troops.

Item: The Rethugs in Congress TOOK OUT of a FINANCE bill earlier this year an amendment that would have closed a tax loop hole that allowed American Companies to deduct the cost of outsourcing American jobs to foreign countries and used that money to help out Veterans. The cowardly bastards did this in a conference committee meeting so that none of the ball-less wonders would have their names recorded in a voice vote in either the House or Senate.

Item: The Bush Administration continues to forbid photos of the coffins of returning American soldiers killed in Iraq. Families of the dead are not allowed too close to the returning planes and are not allowed to take pictures at this event, lest the publicity hurt the Bush Admin.

Where is the fucking outrage at this? Where is the support for the American troops who are underpaid, overworked, under-protected and severely undermanned in Iraq. Where do the supposedly compassionate people of the Left come in on helping actual Americans who are shouldering the incredible burden of fighting Bush's War.

I can hate the War and have the deepest respect for the troops who are fighting it. I can fault Sen. Kerry for a vote 2 1/2 years ago, but I damn right and well want him to stand up and point out exactly how much this Admin is LYING when it says that it is supporting the troops.

Fuck yeah I'm signing this letter. I can fight the primaries in 2007 - 2008. In the mean time, I want the Bush's feet held to the fire on every available occasion and by every friggin Democrat in Congress (hell in America.) So, fuck yeah, I signed this. I'm not so 'politically correct and pure' that I am going to ignore a call to help a segment of the American people that are truly and directly suffering because of this friggin idiot that inhabits the White House. And if this isn't pure enough for you, bite me!
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:31 PM
Response to Reply #30
52. We dont care the vets.
If the letter is not phrased exactly the way we want, we will protest :sarcasm:
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seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 02:49 PM
Response to Original message
35. i signed, without having to throw a tantrum about kerry n/t
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LeahD Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:13 PM
Response to Reply #35
71. Me too. n/t
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politicasista Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:15 PM
Response to Original message
46. Another positive Kerry thread turning into a flamewar
Edited on Mon Aug-22-05 03:17 PM by politicasista
Go Figure. :-(
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msmanners Donating Member (26 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 03:41 PM
Response to Original message
57. thanks for info
thanks for info
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:12 PM
Response to Original message
70. I want to thank everyone ...
For once again turning what should be a positive call to action amongst democrats into a flamefest.

It does my heart good to know that no matter how often I post Kerry news here, it's always the same old, same old.

KERRY ON - AND SIGN THE DAMN PETITION! THANK YOU!

PEACE!
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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:26 PM
Response to Reply #70
75. LMAO!!!!
>>For once again turning what should be a positive call to action amongst democrats into a flamefest.

It does my heart good to know that no matter how often I post Kerry news here, it's always the same old, same old.

KERRY ON - AND SIGN THE DAMN PETITION! THANK YOU!

PEACE!<<

I love the PEACE! after that rant. Just razzin'.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 05:56 PM
Response to Reply #70
79. Just remember friend that no matter how bad it gets
It can only be worse on Kos.

Which reminds me. Time for Kerrycrat to appear over there. Unless you've already made an appearance my dear.

My tagline is over there "Here, bashers bashers. Come and get your dinner."

Fun, fun, fun.
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mondo joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:08 PM
Response to Reply #70
84. If Kerry had done a better job LEADING he'd have more FOLLOWERS.
You can place the blame on the general distaste for Kerry where it belong: with him.
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Mass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:11 PM
Response to Reply #84
86. general distate
Speak for you, my dear.
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mondo joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:35 PM
Response to Reply #86
89. I'm addressing the "distaste" side of the mixed response. n/t
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Blue_In_AK Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:01 PM
Response to Original message
80. KerryGoddess...
You're not alone. I signed the petition, and I stand behind John Kerry.
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laugle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:05 PM
Response to Original message
81. I think Cindy has a better chance
of getting answers than Kerry. Until the pubs ask for answers, Bush will do his usual, NOTHING!
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mondo joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:05 PM
Response to Original message
82. Kerry can kiss my ass and this lame effort fails to impress me.
More mealy mouthed Kerry platforms. I'm not interested.
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ontobush Donating Member (17 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:06 PM
Response to Original message
83. Done deal!
Let's keep up the pressure.
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JNelson6563 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 06:17 PM
Response to Original message
88. Done!
And a kick! :kick:
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AlienGirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-22-05 07:05 PM
Response to Original message
90. Locking
This thread has turned into a flame-fest.

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