Senator John Kerry to Discuss Strengthening America's Military

[paineinthearse]

http://kerry.senate.gov/text/home.html#

Senator John Kerry to Discuss Strengthening America's Military at Annual Worcester Telegram & Gazette Visions Ceremony

Senator John Kerry will deliver the keynote address at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Visions Ceremony in Worcester, Mass., on Monday, February 14.

Friday, February 11, 2005

Senator Kerry will discuss his plan to strengthen our military in his first major speech in Massachusetts since the election. In his address Senator Kerry will discuss his plan to strengthen our military by increasing the size of our armed forces and by standing by our military families.

The Worcester Telegram and Gazette Visions Ceremony is an annual event honoring those who excel in serving their communities. The Visions Ceremony was launched by the Telegram and Gazette in 1991. This year they will honor five people for achievements, leadership and service.

WHAT: Senator John Kerry delivers keynote address at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Visions Ceremony.

WHEN: Monday, February 14 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Mechanics Hall 321 Main Street Worcester, Mass., 01608

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PM me if you are attending, we'll have a mini meet-up.

[leftyandproud]

1. and people wonder why he lost...

I love you Kerry, but the LAST last thing we need is a BIGGER military. Until the dems stop nodding in agreement with the neo-cons on issues like this, the neocons will continue getting the votes. What was the old saying? In a contest between a republican and a democrat dressed as a republican, the republican wins every time.

Down with the DLC!

[TayTay]

5. Wouldn't this go to helping with 'Stop-Loss'

It was my impression that this was a response to the current military being 'over-stretched.' The 30,000 to 40,000 troops were supposed to help out with the crunch that we have across the military. This, in turn, might help with the undue pressure that National Guard troops and others are under with regards to serving such long deployments.

Isn't this separate from the issue of whether or not to draw down the number of troops deployed in Iraq. (The 30,000 or 40,000 troops, I thought were a permanent addition.) We all know that this Admin vastly underestimated what it would cost to do whatever the hell it is they wanted to do in Iraq. (Which I don't agree with.) But I thought this measure was meant to relive troop pressures and help out.

I have neighbors who have had husbands with long deployments in Iraq. I think it sounds like a good idea to be able to rotate them out and rotate others in. They don't have the folks to do that now, so they need more personnel. Wouldn't this help?

[welshTerrier2]

2. "increasing the size of our armed forces" is DEAD WRONG

it is very easy to see that our Armed Forces are undersized given bush's military adventurism in Iraq and around the world ...

of course, an alternative to increasing the size of our military would be to decrease the misuse of the military ... we don't need an isolationist foreign policy but Kerry should be calling for a reduced role for our Armed Forces ... we need a more effective diplomatic policy not an increase in the size of the military ...

he's about to make a tragic mistake and i cannot and will not support his position ...

[paineinthearse]

3. In the campaign he mentioned strengthening the military in Iraq

as an exit strategy.

I have a schedule confict, but will try to attend. If I go I will report back what is said.

[leftyandproud]

4. that makes sense (NOT!)

We are going to reduce our presence in Iraq by INCREASING our forces there.

Right.

[paineinthearse]

6. DU discussion of Kerry's military plan

I've posted a transcript of the Worcester speech in POLITICS at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1595407

Please join the discussion there, unless you have something to say that is Massachusetts-specific.