“Let America Be America Again” - article about JK's speech today

[kerrygoddess]

“Let America Be America Again”
September 28th, 2006 @ 10:46 pm

The words have been mulling around in my head for the past few days, “Let America be America Again.” We’ve seen so many dark days for so long now, it’s hard to fathom some days that America can be America again. Yet, I remember the hope those words inspired during the 2004 election cycle, when John Kerry quoted the great American poet, Langston Hughes and took on the phrase as a campaign slogan.

In my mind, if ever we needed to hear those words again from John Kerry, today was the day. My thoughts were answered by way of the article posted below about Kerry’s speech at Johns Hopkins University today, from Robert J. Guttman, Editor-in-Chief of Trans Atlantic Magazine. It’s filled with hope, something sorely needed after the passing of Bush’s ‘torture bill’ today. Enjoy…

Thinking About It
September 28, 2006

Senator John Kerry: “Let America be America Again”

“We need to make America be America again,” said Senator John Kerry in a breakfast speech today at the launching of the new Center on Politics and Foreign Relations at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.

In a vigorous denunciation of many of the Bush Administration’s policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and the war on terror, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee lashed out at the “failed policies” of Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld.

Speaking to an audience of 300 students, diplomats and reporters this morning, the Vietnam veteran reiterated that America “must restore our moral authority and global leadership by deploying the full arsenal of our national power with smarter diplomacy, stronger alliances, more effective international institutions - and fidelity to the values we have always stood for as a nation.”

Following up on this idea in an interview after his speech the Massachusetts senator harked back to the days of John F. Kennedy when he said America was respected around the world. “President Kennedy’s picture was in every house in Latin America. America was respected around the world for our moral values,” the senator stated.

“We aren’t respected today in the world because of Iraq and Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib,” Kerry commented. When asked if this could change with a different administration in the United States he forcefully responded, “It could be changed overnight in 2008 with a new administration.”

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4318#more-4318

[blm]

1. Guttman's editorial is a MUST READ.

Could you put this up in GD, too? Guttman article needs to get NOTICED.

[kerrygoddess]

8. It is

In GDP.

It was much needed after recent days.

[karynnj]

2. This really is a great article

It would be great if this article and the speech itself got more visibility.

[blm]

4. No Cspan cameras at this event?

.

[beachmom]

5. There is a video at KG's link

Decent quality. The Q&A was fantastic. Beyond fantastic.

[europegirl4jfk]

6. Beyond fantastic. You're so right!

I watched it last night and thought that Kerry is getting more and more confident and comfortable doing this. His answers were so forceful and convincing, especially when this Brit (very arrogantly IMHO) asked him if there where any differences between his and Bushes policies. That was just unbelievable! And Kerry came back to this subject later. I think it really angered him but he stayed calm, even joked about it and explained everything in great detail.

[blm]

7. I meant any chance the public would get to see it on Cspan.

.

[beachmom]

9. Not that I'm aware. No C-SPAN. A real shame. n/t

[Mass]

3. This is a GREAT editorial.

[ProSense]

10. Fantastic!

It really was a powerful speech!