My post to James Webb - dkos - please reco.

[MH1]

James Webb was "liveblogging" at dailykos today, and I saw the thread shortly after he signed off. Still, since I have made numerous posts over there on pro-Webb threads reminding folks of that horrible editorial he wrote in Feb '04 where he slandered JK, I felt compelled to post directly to him. Perhaps he will read it, perhaps not. Perhaps he will care, perhaps not.

Anyway, would anyone who has a dailykos userid please "recommend" the comment - assuming, of course, that you agree - because the more people that recommend it, the more of an indication to Webb that this is something he should address.

Here's the link: http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/30/173556/216/118#c118

To recommend, click the radio button to the left of "Recommend" at the bottom of the post.

For what it's worth, here is what I wrote:

I am sorry I missed you. (0 / 0)

I would like to ask this question of you directly.

Here is how I phrased it to Senator Bob Kerrey:

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/3/28/21724/6057/51#c51

The post concerns your USA Today editorial of February 18, 2004, where you totally mischaracterized John Kerry's 1971 Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony - in the same manner that was later used in anti-Kerry ads by the Swift Liars.

Did you read Kerry's testimony before writing that hit piece? If so, it appears that you did not understand it. I can only infer that your false statements came from a recollection distorted by the natural dimming of memory over the passage of time, and concurrent exposure to right-wing propaganda. I cannot imagine that you could read that testimony in good faith today, and still honestly believe that Kerry actually said what you claimed in your editorial.

I would like to know if you have regretted writing that editorial; if not, would you please reconsider, and carefully re-read the 1971 testimony.

I am just a common person writing on a blog. I have no idea what if any weight Senator Kerry or yourself might apply to this instance of "just words" that were written "over 2 years ago" and some consider "past history"; but to many of us who care about that period in history and its relation to our own, and the role of heroes like John Kerry, the pain is still raw, and without reconciliation of this issue, your candidacy for any office is unworthy of support; indeed, to see any Democrat support you is more like a knife in the heart.

However, I know that for at least some of us, the problem is reconcilable. You made a mistake; humans do that. If you can see that, then I hope you will publicly admit that you were wrong, and make such amends with Senator Kerry as you can, if only by a simple, private apology. I may be wrong - I don't know John Kerry personally (except for meeting him once) - but I sincerely believe that he is a man of huge heart and would be open to reconciliation. It would be a good start to healing many wounds.

If nothing else, it would affirm your credibility and integrity for you to admit your mistake and attempt amends. I am pleading with you to do so.

Maybe I'm making too much of this...but the Vietnam stuff is huge for me for a lot of reasons. Kerry was as right as anyone could be about Vietnam, and to see him slandered over it just kills me. All I really want from Webb is to admit he was wrong, and reconcile with John Kerry. I still wouldn't necessarily accept him as the best candidate for VA Senate - but at least then I could consider him a decent human being.

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. I completely agree

Webb disgusts me for this very reason, and the fact that the "blogosphere" is slobbering over him shows how little they actually care for integrity or actual liberal credentials. It disgusts me, and I pray Miller wins the nomination.

[MH1]

2. Yes - but -

I felt it was important to ask him "directly", once I saw his post. Otherwise I would just be "talking behind his back."

As angry as I am with Webb, I also have a deep belief that we must always allow for redemption and reconciliation. So, I asked for what I believe is required. I don't actually believe that he will do it - but if he does I'll respect him a lot for it.

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. I didn't mean to sound as if I disagreed

I think it's great that you "took it to the source" so to speak. If he apologizes to JK, I will no longer lobby against his candidacy, because it will prove that he is intelligent and mature enough to change. As it stands, his positions on Kerry and Vietnam are right-wingnut, draconian, and absolutely irreconcilable for a liberal to support. I hope he heeds what you say, but I have my doubts. :(

[MH1]

13. I guess you didn't sound that way, I just wanted to get in the thing about

redemption and reconciliation.

Because that is actually very difficult; but being so difficult it is even more important.

I think you are right to have doubts. I hope he proves us both wrong.

[JohnKleeb]

4. Miller got my state senator's endorsement

Sweetness, Webb too concerns me, he'll get my vote if he wisn the nomiantion but I think Miller would be preferable because he's done a lot for the party here in Fairfax County. Whoever wins the primary gets my vote but I much prefer Miller to Webb. W

[MH1]

19. Warner endorsed Miller too, didn't he?

I am wondering why Clark is endorsing Webb. Drawing battle lines? I don't like it.

To clarify - I don't like Clark endorsing Webb in the context of this issue with Kerry. He should know better. If he is doing it for positioning, it's even worse.

[JohnKleeb]

21. No he's stayting neutral I think

He's probably more familiar with Miller though I think. I haven't been able to find out who's endorsed Webb yet, I do know that our Lt Governor candidate from last year Leslie Bryne has endorsed him I am unsure about Creigh Deeds the guy who ran for AG and is the cousin of my cousin's husband.

[karynnj]

5. Same here

I was a college student at that time. We were the core protesters. Kerry and others speak of th edisrespect they encountered returning in the 68-70 time frame. That obviously precedes Kerry's testimony. On my campus, the impact on soldiers' reputation and image, was immensely improved by John Kerry. (The "face" of the soldiers before that was often Calley)

I have posted enough times on this that I, for the first time, have a person who challanges me everywhere - even when the topic is not Webb. She currently is innocuously asking who Kerry is supporting in the 2006 primaries - likely hoping Miller is one answer. Oddly, on a PTSD Kennedy center thread, she said Clealand was a personal hero of hers. (Given his obvious love and admiration for Kerry - her position makes no sense.)

[WildEyedLiberal]

20. LOL

It's fun having your own DU stalker, isn't it? :eyes:


:P

[wisteria]

3. I recommended it for you. Thanks for taking the time to respond to Webb.

I like what you wrote, unfortunately, I think this guy is a little full of himself, and has his head stuck up his as*. It is a shame really, that some people can not move on and have to keep alive their angry over the Vietnam War. It gauls me to think that JK served also and came back with a different POV, being a leader he set out to make things right and for this he is still being second guessed and slandered.

[MH1]

6. Thanks, wisteria

It's more than a different POV though. If it were only that, I would surely dislike Webb for it, but I would have to admit that it was an opinion.

The item I focused on - and the reason I only focused on that one item - is the blatant falsehood of how he characterized JK's 1971 testimony. As I posted in response to someone else on another thread there, he is entitled to his own opinion - but not his own facts.

[karynnj]

8. Great post to Webb

But he lied not only about that. He mis-characterized Kerry's role in the 90's. Kerry's task was POW/MIA. It wasn't to make an outreach to the Vietnamese in the US. If anyone should have done that before normalizing relations, it was the President of the US. Kerry's advocacy was based on their willingness to continue to assist in returning bodies of US servicemen.

[MH1]

14. Yes

but I'm just not totally clear on the POW/MIA stuff.

I've been doing some studying on that recently and it is very murky. The 20,000 (did Webb give that figure?) is totally discredited but it is not as easy for me to point to a single source that proves it.

[karynnj]

18. No - that was really poor writing on my part

I had written the part about not consulting with the Vietnamese community - which he did hold against Kerry. (even though he later benefited from it.)

This reminded me that the recent article that said the number of Vietnam MIA was some number less than 2000 was a counter to Schandberg's (sp?) nonesense.

I editted it out so it out - because it could easily (and logically) be read as Webb. Sorry.

[karynnj]

7. Nicely said

What's really sad is that Kerry had the character to forgive Nixon after all he did to him personally and to shake his hand. Nixon was the most powerful man in the country and he turned that power against a 27 year old kid and was willing to destroy him because he feared the political power of the truth he spoke. This does show that Webb is not half the man Kerry is.

[globalvillage]

10. Nice job, MH.

recommended.

:hi:

[MH1]

16. Thanks, GV!

:hi:

I flipped through the book on the train - excellent. Thank you so much!
:pals:

Folks, GV and I met up in Philly today. She gave me her copy of The New War, that she was reading! I guess cuz she's got that cool autographed one coming in the mail, but still! For the record -

GV ROCKS!!!

:yourock:

[globalvillage]

22. Great to see you again, MH

I was lucky to catch an earlier flight home. Just listened to the two radio interviews the Senator did and read everyone's comments.
I have to say that I thought he did great with both, but I really loved the Franken interview.
Maybe it was hearing all those people cheering our Senator Kerry, or maybe it was just how pissed he sounded. Ed does a better interview than Al, IMO, but the people's reaction to the Senator's words just does my heart good. He needs to hear that more often. He certainly deserves it.

Hot damn. I made standby AND got to listen to not one, but two fabulous interviews with the amazing John Kerry. I am a happy camper tonight.

I must say, Senator Kerry, :yourock:.

MH, PM me your address and I'll ship you that other book.

BTW, I thought you did a great job with the kos reply to Webb.
:yourock:. too.

[TayTay]

11. I gave you a recommend!

Does this recomment system replace the old 1-5 rankings?

[MH1]

17. Thanks,

yes it does. Not sure if I like the new rating system yet, but I definitely like the collapsed comments thing - huge threads load a lot more quickly now.

[ProSense]

12. Well said!

I especially like the appeal in the last two paragraphs. I hope Webb addresses this at some point.

[MH1]

15. Thanks.

I really wanted to write it in a way that he, or at least one or more of his bloggers, would give some consideration to. Just a nasty attack (like we have seen on JK's posts there) would not achieve anything.

I gave him an out (at least with me). Will he take it?

[sandnsea]

23. That is excellent MH

I responded and tried to recommend, but I was doing something wrong. I saw where Senator Kerrey responded to you, very nice of him. And your response back was excellent too. I sure hope he gets Webb to read it. :thumbsup:

[fedupinBushcountry]

24. Many are putting down Miller

for one reason his involvement with Diebold. Well I found this doing some research on him.

As the president of the ITAA, which includes electronic voting systems vendors among its members, you said in the past that you opposed verifiable paper trails for such systems. For many people in the country, this is a very important issue because of accuracy issues in several recent elections. What is your stand on this issue as a candidate? I did oppose verifiable paper trails until about a year and a half ago. I was hearing from local registrars, including in Virginia, that they didn't want the additional burden for administration and maintenance that the paper trails would produce with printers and other equipment. But voters want it. It has more voter confidence. My argument at the time was that if is smart enough to take over a machine and register someone's vote internally for the wrong candidate, that they're also smart enough to make it look like the paper trail properly says who you voted for. People could get a false sense of security.


I vote with my gut and my gut does not trust Webb at all. I will be voting for Miller.

[JohnKleeb]

25. Thanks for researching that

It made me a little uneasy.

[karynnj]

26. This sounds reasonable to me

Was his only relationship with Diebold as head of ITAA? On the Wes Clark endorses Webb thread they are saying he was a Diebold lobbyist and mantioning the paper trail isue.

[whometense]

27. Done,

and for the record, I am in total agreement on this. But I'll be amazed if we ever hear anything like an apology from him.

One of the things I found the most insane about the 2004 campaign was the constant presence of Vietnam. It was everywhere, haunting every issue, partly because of the histories of Kerry and Bush, but also because of Iraq. Thirty years after the fact, people are still dug into the same positions they held back then. It seemed to me a lot of the time that the campaign was just brought the whole sorry era back to life, and it's not dead yet. It can't be overemphasized how polarized the atmosphere was, and how poisonous.

All you have to do is google "John Kerry" and then sit backa nd read the nastiness that pops up. The venom against him goes way beyond the normal material political opponents use to smear each other. And any candidate who participates in that smearing would never have my vote. I'm glad right now that I don't live in Virginia and have to make that choice. And what's up with Wes Clark endorsing him?

[kerrygoddess]

28. Done!

Late to the party... Good post MH - very good post!