On Kerry's speech: let's not lose the forest for the trees.

[ginnyinWI]

Let's not focus on John Kerry, or whether he has ulterior motives in giving this speech. Let's not weigh in (again!) about whether he should have conceded the election, or run in 2008.

This speech is not about running for president. It might be partly about the mid-terms, but mainly he is, quite simply, calling all of us out into the streets and online to voice our protest of this war.

He knows that it was public sentiment that helped end the Vietnam war, and that the public can sway events now. He's encouraging us not to let the other side intimidate us with calls of disloyalty or lack of patriotism. He's hoping to inspire us all to stand up for what is right.

So forget 2008: this is not about that. Nor is it about 2004. This is about now, and people getting blown up in this misbegotten armed conflict.

[politicasista]

1. Amen. 06 is what really matters right now. n/t

[stillcool]

2. listening to it now....

principles before personalities is a wonderful sentiment. I do believe that some here have no use for 'principles'....other than those by which they judge others, but never themselves.

[MH1]

23. Great comment. n/t

[k j]

3. It IS about "now"

Thank you so much Ginny for this thread. We can't go back and re-do anything in this life and my hope is that by continuing to do what do many of us have done... oppose this misAdministion... we will make a difference in when our troops come home from Iraq and make sure they don't end up in Iran.

Btw, the neighbors are outside, milling around in true rural/suburban style, and I have Kerry’s speech (which C-Span is re-airing) on… um, sort of loud, with the window and door open.

Let’s put it this way, I can hear them talking, surely they can hear John Kerry talking!

Heheheheh :patriot:

[ginnyinWI]

5. being the media, any way we can!

:) :) :thumbsup:

[blm]

4. JK said - America is BIGGER than they are.

And THEY KNOW IT! That's why they seek so much media control. Because they know that once people start to get what they're about, we will not stand for it as a nation.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

6. Good, good, good, GREAT POINT!

Excellent reminder. I'll put down my mad at Kerry, and pick up my sign, raise my voice, and keep my focus where it should be - forward, not back.

Thanks a lot for a really SMART post.

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. Excellent point, Ginny

Kerry's speech is exhorting us to do our patriotic duty and speak out for what we feel is right. It's a speech that every American needs to take to heart. Right on!

:kick:

[katinmn]

8. If he is calling people into the streets, will he be there?

Will he be in New York on April 29 or at any one of dozens of protests taking place every week?

[sandnsea]

10. Let's bash Republicans

remember??

[katinmn]

11. Excuse me? Are you following me?

[sandnsea]

12. And there it is again

Blame the person who calls out the bad behavior instead of owning the bad behavior.

No, I was not following you. I was popping into Ginny's thread to see who all had responded, hoping it was more than just Kerry people, considering we're supposed to be the "big tent" bashing Republicans and all. Instead, I find you, of all people, in here posting divisive crap.

Quite ironical, under the circumstances.

[katinmn]

13. Who the hell are you to tell me what questions I can ask?

You are bringing your odious baggage from one thread into another thread and yanking my chain.

Back off.

[sandnsea]

14. rotflmao

The point's been made. I will leave Ginny to her thread now.

[bvar22]

16. Stalkers

creep me out.

The question is legitimate.

Will JK appear at any of the Anti-War protests?
Will a true leader appear?

[ginnyinWI]

18. I would say that

JK has put in his time as a grassroots activist; surely there are many other worthy people doing this now. He doesn't need to come along and hold their hands. He's got a pretty busy day job, and I say let him keep at it. (That said,he has been seen at some events; there was one in New Jersey with Rep. Lewis last fall.)

[sandnsea]

21. Excuse me

But this particular poster just lectured me a few hours before this post about not going into threads and posting divisive bullshit and accused me of stalking a particular candidate. Even though I think I've posted to that candidate maybe 3 times since he's been on DU, and all I posted was a quote to rebut his distortion of another candidate's views. That's what this is about, not any bullshit stalking.

[katinmn]

22. 9 attack posts on 1 thread is more than "a quote"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=108&topic_id=123290&mesg_id=123290

If bringing the argument into another unrelated thread is not stalking, what is it?

Your nasty comments can go into vapor. You're on ignore.

[sandnsea]

27. He shouldn't have kept distorting

Not my fault that every time he backed off one statement and posted another, that the next statement proved not to be true either. And silly me for thinking that when you said "bash Republicans" you meant no Democrats should be bashed.

Ignore is a very good idea.

[karynnj]

24. I suspect he would be more likely to speak

in situations that he sets up and controls - which I think would be a good idea.

Most of the anti-war protests set up by ANSWER and other groups (whose names I forget). I went to both a DC Jan/Feb 2003 and a NYC Feb 2003 rally. The tone they set and the other issues they brought in are a problem. (I doubt Kerry is part of the free Mumunia crowd or would appreciate some of the blatant anti-semitism.)

Even in 1971, Kerry fought to keep the clebrities out of the VVAW protest he led - keeping the focus on vets petitioning the government. Although Kerry was very good for the success of the anti-war movement, he got almost as much flack from the extreme anti-war people.

Appearing at an ANSWR rally is not leading. Speaking at Fanueil Hall with a young Iraq war vet, Judy Droz and a minister IS leading. He will be supporting 2006 candidates, but I assume he will set up ways to speak on Iraq.

[BigBearJohn]

9. Is there a video of Kerry's speech anywhere???

[MH1]

26. Please ask C-Span to post it

here:

http://www.c-span.org/about/contact.asp

They showed it twice on Sunday. It would be great if they would re-air it, but at least they could link the video on their "recent events" list.

[MH1]

28. C-Span has link up now - page 2

http://www.c-span.org/VideoArchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100&Page=2

(page 2 of Recent Programs - they have his name in the link as "Jogn" Kerry but that's okay!)

[Laurab]

15. Well said, Ginny

I couldn't agree with you more!

[brentspeak]

17. Kerry is an honorable man

I trust him enough to follow his advice.

[GetTheRightVote]

19. I am with anyone who is against this war contining period, so

if he is there then he will be joining the many American citizens who believe as he does that this war and it's lies must end now !!!

:kick:

[wisteria]

20. You are right, Kerry's speech was a policy and rights speech

bring an end to the war and taking back our country. I think this is what Senator Kerry wants everyone to focus on- not 2008.

[Faryn Balyncd]

25. well said

"Dissent" was one of the finest articulations of truth of recent times.