Another John Edwards thread...

[cynatnite]

My family and I have had our times when we had so little and came damn close to losing everything. I will say this about John Edwards.

I don't care that he's rich. I don't care if he doesn't know what it's like to be poor or to watch his children do without.

What I do care about is that his compassion and empathy for those less fortunate drives him to do something about the poverty in this country.

He does so without asking you about your religion or expecting you to pray with him. My husband and I were subjected to that some years ago when he got hurt. We were desperate because we didn't know if we were going to be able to keep the water or electricity turned on without help from local churches.

John Edwards is not my first choice for president, but the one thing I do know is that he is a decent man who understands there is two America's in this country and he's made it his mission to make it one.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

1. I’ll be honest,

I’m not really familiar with any of the legislation Edwards brought to the senate floor that helps the poor.

I bet his work has to be wonderful because his supporters are always saying how great he is.

[cynatnite]

2. After losing '04 he's been active in helping the poor...

During the summer and fall of 2005, he toured the country, promoting various progressive causes. He visited homeless shelters and job training centers and spoke at events organized by such groups as ACORN, the NAACP, and the SEIU. He spoke out in favor of an expansion of the earned income tax credit, a crackdown on predatory lending, an increase in the capital gains tax rate, housing vouchers for minorities to integrate upper-income neighborhoods, and a program modeled on the Works Progress Administration to rehabilitate the Gulf Coast following the effects of Hurricane Katrina. In low-income Greene County, North Carolina he unveiled the pilot program for College for Everyone, an educational measure he promised during his presidential campaign, in which prospective college students will receive a scholarship for their first year in exchange for ten hours of work a week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Edwards

[FrenchieCat]

6. But those things occurred since he started running for President...

but what about his six years in the Senate? What did he do there?

I mean, which came first; the campaign for President or the passion for the poor? :shrug:

It's kind of like his IWR vote; which came first, The polls changing or his "sincere" apology?

[cynatnite]

9. Uh...no!

If you would bother reading you'll see that right after he and Kerry lost, Edwards began his work on poverty in this country. :eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

15. That's not the answer I was looking for.....

I understand the poverty passion thingie....just trying to figure if there is a motive for doing the good work....since Edwards undertands very well that his 2 America speech was what propelled him, and that is why he even got on the 2004 ticket.

You see, I'm tired of what folks do for the sake of politics.

I'd prefer someone who showed me what they were really all about prior to chasing the big brass ring, aka becoming the most powerful person in the world.

It's kind of like the IWR cosponsorship and vote and being sorry three years later....

And then starting the same sort of talk in reference to Iran that he talked in reference to Iraq....and then suggesting Israel should be allowed into NATO....which if one understands WHY Israel is NOT part of NATO, someone would have to scratch their ass and figure out where John Edwards is getting his advise from! :shrug:
http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/world/?content_id=5400
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/1/24/133737/037

[cynatnite]

22. Oh, yeah...

the IWR vote :eyes: as if that hasn't been beaten to death enough already. Vote can't be undone and at some point people have to stop looking at the past and work on today and the future.

Of course some people are so cynical and question their motives no matter the good works they have done. :eyes:

It doesn't matter that Edwards has worked to involve more people in getting involved in the fight against poverty. It doesn't matter that a respected organization such as the Borgen Project considers him one of the foremost voices for the poor. He's been a leader on this issue in addition to starting a program in North Carolina called 'College For Everyone'.

Much of DU was impressed with his op-ed piece about his vote on IWR. That was done in November 2005. He continues to promote the democratic party's values on issues such as the minimum wage.

And it's so easy to find these facts on the web. Took me all of a minute.

Now, I don't expect to agree on every issue with a candidate. It's unreasonable. Name a democrat and I'll tell you the issue I don't agree with them on. But I'm sure as hell not going to tear them down because *I* expect them to do what *I* think they should do.

Edwards isn't my first choice for president, but that doesn't make him a bad person either. Question his motives, disagree with his issues or whatever as much as you'd like. His influence has made a difference.

[The Count]

32. Not just a vote. CO_SPONSORING IWR. Still waiting for the explanation for that.

http://www.congress.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SJ00046:@@@P

[cynatnite]

36. Where have you been? It was in WaPo...here's the link...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101623_pf.html

[The Count]

37. "It was a mistake to vote". never addresses SPONSORING the damn thing

probably knowing that very few are aware he did it.
Sponsoring that bill puts him on a whole new level of responsibility for this war. never addressed it in that article. Just the voting.
he didn't just join in, like the rest, he pushed the bill.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2934244

[cynatnite]

38. *sigh*

Another example of someone never being satisfied no matter what a person says or does. It's a good thing he doesn't have to live up to your standards. :eyes:

[The Count]

39. But he does. People are still dying for his "oopsie". He wants my vote.

The war is still ongoing. That war, he helped promote.
Another one on the horizon, he is also pushing....

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1149572637421&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter

[cynatnite]

40. If you're not going to support him, do it for valid reasons...

the house thing is stupid and meaningless. It's a non-issue. You don't like his vote on IWR and you don't like what he said about Iran. But let's be real here. The size of his house doesn't mean a thing.

Edwards isn't my pick. It has nothing to do with the IWR, Patriot Act or even Iran. The last thing I'm going to judge a candidate on is the size of their house. That's what this is all about.

[The Count]

42. It's the war. It's the stolen election silence.

His extreme support for the war on Iraq and current enthusiasm for Iran scare me more than Hillary ever did (because Bill resisted the neocons).

[cynatnite]

45. Then say that's why you don't support him...

and don't use a house he built with his own money.

Although, I've never seen him show 'extreme' support for the war. I remember him being quite critical of it on more than one occasion.

I don't want Iran to have nukes, but I don't think they're that close to having them anyway.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

46. I didn't know that Edwards co-sponsored IWR, and now he’ll help Cheney get into Iran.

Isn’t he the first generation rich in his family? He must be a hell of a lawyer to have so much money. That, or he knows what corporations make good investments. ....Or he’s been guaranteed a successful future.

But then who could be GUARANTEED a successful future?

I just hope IF in fact, he’s been promised a rosie future, it's not by the same people he helped get into Iraq and now Iran.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. His New House Proves His Connection To the Little People!

Edwards' Home County's Largest

RALEIGH - Presidential candidate John Edwards and his family recently moved into what county tax officials say is the most valuable home in Orange County. The house, which includes a recreational building attached to the main living quarters, also is probably the largest in the county.

...

Knight approved the building plans that showed the Edwards home totaling 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet.

The recreation building contains a basketball court, a squash court, two stages, a bedroom, kitchen, bathrooms, swimming pool, a four-story tower, and a room designated "John's Lounge."

[Hieronymus]

4. It's absurd to think he should live like a poor person ..

[MannyGoldstein]

7. There's A Middle Ground Between Poor And Palatial

No?

[ruggerson]

44. Who the hell are you

to tell him how he should spend his money?

You're going to dictate what SIZE HOUSE he lives in?

What kind of little fascist monster are you?

[roguevalley]

33. perhaps. but to live like a potentate in world like this, living a visible

public life such as him and being involved in helping the poor, this shows a lack of judgment. A mcmansion is a mcmansion is a mcmansion. I do remember the carping that went on when frist built his mini-white house. that sucked and so does this. two adults and a coupla kids. wow.

[cynatnite]

5. And your point is?

Well, I don't care what your point is since it's none of our business how a person chooses to spend their money.

Edwards still has done a great deal for the less fortunate and all your bitching about what he owns can't erase that.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. 2 Million Children Die From Diarrhea Each Year

If he built a $1 million house, and spent the other $6 million on poverty, I'd feel a lot better. You honestly wouldn't?

Think Jimmy Carter built a $6 million house?

[cynatnite]

11. Oh, so he's got to meet your standards?

even after all he's done it's still not good enough for you. My guess is even if he did what YOU wanted you'd still find a reason to bitch.

[MannyGoldstein]

14. OK - So What Has He Done?

I smell a big 'ol phony in Mr. Edwards - but I've certainly been wrong before. Why don't you tell us what he's done?

[cynatnite]

18. Well, I do use google if I want to know more about someone...

Here's a place to start...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Edwards

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Edwards#Post_Senate_activities

[MannyGoldstein]

20. As Far As I Can Tell From Wikipedia

Jimmy Carter's belly button lint has done more to help those in poverty than John Edwards has. Look's like he's spoken out for all sorts of stuff. But has he done anything concrete? I'm not seeing it at all.

However, he was very quick to sponsor a resolution to send other people's kids to Iraq. And now he's gunning for Iran.

[cynatnite]

24. This is so sad...

Even if someone were to slit their wrists, get down on their knees and beg for forgiveness they won't find any. :eyes:

It doesn't matter about his op-ed piece discussing his IWR vote. I remember many here at DU were quite impressed with it. He was the first to come out and talk about his regret on that vote.

Jimmy Carter and John Edwards both have done a great deal for poverty. This is truly sad. A good man is being torn down because what he's done isn't good enough. No matter what it is.

[FrenchieCat]

23. He went to NOLA and shoveled the dirt there....

Although he did forget to take his mike off...which is hooked onto his white shirt....



He was the part-time director of a Poverty Center "created" by his alta mater in Feb 2005
http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/feb05/edwards020405.html

He was there until December 2006, when he declared a new campaign.
http://www.law.unc.edu/centers/details.aspx?ID=425&Q=3
http://www.yesweekly.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2049&TM=71630.38

[cynatnite]

25. bush never even picked up a shovel...

this girl was crying on his shoulder and he had about as much empathy as a brick.

[FrenchieCat]

27. So anything is better than Bush?

Ok.

[cynatnite]

28. Sorry I wasn't clear...

The photo reminded me of the time when bush was in New Orleans. The girl was crying on his shoulder about how her family lost everything and had no place to go. bush said something about the Red Cross helping. She pointed the Red Cross truck that had been destroyed by the hurricane.

I'll never forget that because it showed how little empathy and knowledge bush had. Your posted reminded me of that. Nothing more.

[roguevalley]

34. no. I would admire him because he applies his concern about the

world and economic justice to all, including himself. you can carp about this but you should really examine this. this house sucks.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Iran Sabber rattling, I have a big problem with....

his house; not so much.

In fact, in reference to his house...since the Kerry/Edwards ticket lost the general election vote in that county in 2004...maybe if Edwards pays more property taxes, it will help turn his county blue. :)

sorry, couldn't resist that last crack! heehee.

[cynatnite]

12. I can understand the Iran issues with him...

totally. I'd pay more property tax if it'd turn my county blue. :)

[LSK]

17. agreed, he was my choice until I read about his Iran stance

[slipslidingaway]

29. The last paragraph of his speech is worrying to me, maybe

someone will ask him what he means by going for Iran? Perhaps this is just an interpretation issue or ???


http://www.herzliyaconference.org/Eng/_Articles/Article.asp?ArticleID=1728&CategoryID=223

snip>>

As to the American people, this is a difficult question. The vast majority of people are concerned about what is going on in Iraq. This will make the American people reticent toward going for Iran. But I think the American people are smart if they are told the truth, and if they trust their president. So Americans can be educated to come along with what needs to be done with Iran.



Other speeches/summaries including McCain and Romney

http://www.herzliyaconference.org/Eng/_Articles/Article.asp?CategoryID=223&ArticleID=1598

[atre]

43. Orange County, NC is one of the bluest counties in the South

nm

[Digit]

13. My boss called me in to look at what he found on Drudge

He fully expected me to be disgusted, but this is such a non-story.
They really are grasping ya know.

As a matter of fact, my boss makes a ton of money but is so tight, he sqeaks.
Oh, and forget about giving to charity.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Well if Edwards suggesting that Israel Join NATO didn't turn you off....

nothing will....certainly not some house!

[Digit]

21. Nope, nothing turns me away from Edwards

Then again, I don't see what you see in what's his name.

[FrenchieCat]

26. Just someone who advocated saving 800,000 Black folks from death by machete...

when it was unpopular...

The United States, however, wouldn't invade Rwanda, although Clark pushed his mentor, General John Shalikashvili, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, to push for an intervention. Shalikashvili declined after Clark told him twenty thousand troops would be required, and as Clark says now, "I watched as we stood by as eight hundred thousand people were hacked to death by machete."
http://www.esquire.com/features/articles/2003/030801_mfe_clark_4.html

http://www.crookedtimber.org/archives/001104.html
Clark was almost alone in pushing for a humanitarian intervention in Rwanda.

General Clark is one of the heroes of Samantha Power's book. She introduces him on the second page of her chapter on Rwanda and describes his distress on learning about the genocide there and not being able to contact anyone in the Pentagon who really knew anything about it and/or about the Hutu and Tutsi.

She writes, "He frantically telephoned around the Pentagon for insight into the ethnic dimension of events in Rwanda. Unfortunately, Rwanda had never been of more than marginal concern to Washington's most influential planners" (p. 330) .

He advocated multinational action of some kind to stop the genocide. "Lieutenant General Wesley Clark looked to the White House for leadership. 'The Pentagon is always going to be the last to want to intervene,' he says. 'It is up to the civilians to tell us they want to do something and we'll figure out how to do it.' But with no powerful personalities or high-ranking officials arguing forcefully for meaningful action, midlevel Pentagon officials held sway, vetoing or stalling on hesitant proposals put forward by midlevel State Department and NSC officials" (p. 373).

According to Power, General Clark was already passionate about humanitarian concerns, especially genocide, before his appointment as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe.

----------------
Waiting for the General
By Elizabeth Drew
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16795
Clark displeased the defense secretary, Bill Cohen, and General Hugh Shelton, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by arguing strenuously that—contrary to Clinton's decision— the option of using ground troops in Kosovo should remain open. But the problem seems to have gone further back. Some top military leaders objected to the idea of the US military fighting a war for humanitarian reasons. Clark had also favored military action against the genocide in Rwanda.

and did help save 1.4 million Muslim Albanians....

Samantha Powers.....

details his efforts in behalf of the Dayton Peace Accords and his brilliant command of NATO forces in Kosovo. Her chapter on Kosovo ends, "The man who probably contributed more than any other individual to Milosvevic's battlefield defeat was General Wesley Clark. The NATO bombing campaign succeeded in removing brutal Serb police units from Kosovo, in ensuring the return on 1.3 million Kosovo Albanians, and in securing for Albanians the right of self-governance.

Yet in Washington Clark was a pariah. In July 1999 he was curtly informed that he would be replaced as supreme allied commander for Europe. This forced his retirement and ended thirty-four years of distinguished service. Favoring humanitarian intervention had never been a great career move."

http://www.crookedtimber.org/archives/001104.html

and so he lost his job of 34 years....but I guess that can happen when you stand up to do the right thing, no matter the consequences....! :shrug:

Successive American presidents had done an absolutely terrific job pledging never again, and remembering the holocaust, but ultimately when genocide confronted them, they weighed the costs and the benefits of intervention, and they decided that the risks of getting involved were actually far greater than the other non-costs from the standpoint of the American public, of staying uninvolved or being bystanders. That changed in the mid-1990s, and it changed in large measure because General Clark rose through the ranks of the American military.

The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing. And it was Pentagon reluctance to intervene in Rwanda, and in Bosnia, that actually made it much, much easier for political leaders to turn away. When the estimates started coming out of the Pentagon that were much more constructive, and proactive, and creative, one of the many deterrents to intervention melted away.
http://www.kiddingonthesquare.com/2004/01/index.html

more....
http://www.rapidfire-silverbullets.com/2006/12/kosovo_was_about_genocide_not.html

[oasis]

41. Gen. Clark is one in a million.(eom)

[upi402]

19. k/r to stop the insanity n/t

[Kurovski]

30. I think Edwards comes from a less than affluent background.

I seem to recall that his dad was a worker in a textile mill. I think he does understand many issues regarding economic struggle first-hand.

[jen4clark]

31. I really don't get this.

WTF is it such a big deal that a wealthy person is building his "dream" home? Why is he singled out for it? I'm sorry, but all these threads about JE's house are absurd.

Obviously, he is not my choice as a candidate, but I don't believe it's any of our business what he does with his money.

[The Count]

35. Maybe because he "carved himself a niche" in representing the poor

According to his own strategists. For me however, it's sponsoring IWR and being silent on the 2004 theft.