Finally! I'm impressed by John Kerry!

[sfecap]

He owns an island!

Well, sorta...it's his family's private island.

(No visitors please.)

"Naushon Island and all the other islands that create this harbor are owned and maintained by the Naushon Trust and the Forbes family. You are not allowed to go ashore without permission of the Naushon Trust."

http://www.impulz.net/buzzardsbay/harbors/hadley.htm


Yep, John Forbes Kerry, (man of the people), who feels YOUR pain daily has got hisself an island. I am impressed.

Really.

No kidding.

The five multimillion dollar homes didn't really impress me. (Heck, everybody's got a couple of houses these days...) The private jet, well, lot's of those around these days, too. But having an island. Wow! That is really impressive.

This changes things completely.

I may have to move to the Kerry camp.

Dean doesn't even come close to this. He's only got some dinky little camp in Vermont. Sheesh. What's he been doing all these years? You'd think by now he'd have enough saved to buy an island. (Or at least he could have married well a couple of times...)

An island! Yo' buddy! That's the ticket.

You go, John John!

(snip)

During our interview, we sit in a small den on the first floor of a five-story Beacon Hill town house that overlooks Louisburg Square. When he and Heinz moved in seven years ago, the Boston press dubbed the house the “pickle palace,” and it is definitely sumptuous. A former convent, it cost $2.2 million before renovations and reflects the advice of Heinz’s first decorator, Billy Baldwin, who told her always to buy the best sofas she could afford. They are everywhere-deep, plush, upholstered in velvets and chintzes, adorned with enormous tasseled cushions and cashmere throws. Baldwin also told her to buy only the things she loved, which here includes a stunning collection of German and Flemish still-lifes and pieces of Chinese porcelain. The senator’s own collection of Vietnamese rice-paper rubbings, as well as the model ships he once built as a hobby, have been added to the mix, along with bowls of roses and pots of the maidenhair ferns Heinz says reminds her of her native Africa. (The daughter of a Portuguese doctor, she was born and raised in Mozambique.)

It’s an aristocrat’s house-comfortable, authentic, reflective of the genuine passions and ample means of its owners. Lined up on the spacious mahogany bar are empty bottles of Petrus and a 1945 Chambertin Close de Beze; the staff’s car is an Audi station wagon. When Kerry takes a call from his wife and greets her, warmly, as “Lovie,” it occurs to me that last time I’d hard the same moniker, it was used by Thurston Howell, the pompous millionaire on Gilligan’s Island. Kerry comes by his Brahmin deportment naturally. His mother was a member of the blue-blooded Forbes family, though the fortune had dwindled by the time Kerry’s generation came along; his father was a foreign-service officer stationed in Paris, Oslo, and Berlin. Kerry was sent to boarding school in Switzerland and later enrolled at St. Paul’s in New Hampshire. Holidays were spent with his cousins on Naushon Island, “my family’s island” off Cape Cod.

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/clips/news_2003_0303.html


(BTW...for those of you who aren't wine connoisseurs, vintage Chateau Petrus, a very fine French (gasp!) Bordeaux commonly sells for $10,000 to $15,000 a bottle at auction...the regular Petrus is only like $500 - 700, but you can't drink it for a few years...)

Yep, John Kerry, common man, Viet Nam vet...just a regular guy who cares about you. Maybe he'll break out a case of Petrus for his supporters!

[WillyBrandt]

1. Well, we can't all grow up on Park Avenue...

n/t

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. I don't care where Dean grew up... I'm just sick of his

lies about his own statements and positions...

"Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.): I've said many times that I think we should raise the retirement age about the year 2015—raise it by that time to about age 70.

"Howard Dean: I am very pleased to hear Bob Packwood because I absolutely agree we need to reduce the—I mean, to increase the retirement age. There will be cuts and losses of some benefits, but I believe that Sen. Packwood is on exactly the right track."
—CNN's Crossfire, Feb. 28, 1995


"I have never favored Social Security retirement at the age of 70, nor do I favor one of 68."
—AFL-CIO Democratic presidential candidate forum, Aug. 5, 2003
http://slate.msn.com/id/2086804/

------------------

Dean also took issue with a characterization by a TV interviewer that he had been a "strong supporter" of NAFTA, the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. Dean acknowledged that he had supported NAFTA, but took exception to the "strong" part. "I never did anything about it," he said. "I didn't vote on it. I didn't march down in the street demanding NAFTA. I simply wrote a letter (to President Clinton) supporting NAFTA."

The Gephardt campaign subsequently called attention to a transcript of a Jan. 29, 1995 "This Week" show in which Dean told a different interviewer that "I was a very strong supporter of NAFTA."
http://www.n-jcenter.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Politics/NationWorld/03LegislaturePOL03091503.htm

-------------------

STEPHANOPOULOS: (Gephardt) also says that in 1995, you specifically supported the 270 billion dollars or so in tax cuts that were called for by Newt Gingrich --

DEAN: I think that's very unlikely.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Here's the document…And it's pretty clear that you said you would accept a seven- to ten-percent cut in the rate of growth of Medicare, which is --

DEAN: Oh, a cutting the rate of growth is much different --

STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, except that the cut in growth rate in 1995 came to 270 billion dollars.

DEAN: I've got to find out…but I fully subscribe to the notion which is to reduce the Medicare growth rate to ten percent or less, I'm sure I said that.

STEPHANOPOULOS: That's what Newt Gingrich was calling for in 1995.
http://www.liberaloasis.com/archives/091403.htm#091603



GEPHARDT: Howard and I just have a basic disagreement. He said in, I think, 1993 that Medicare was the worst federal program ever. He said that it was the worst thing that ever happened.

He also supported, at our darkest hour--when I was leading the fight against Newt Gingrich and the Contract With America, he was shutting the government down--Howard, you were agreeing with the very plan that Newt Gingrich wanted to pass, which was a $270 billion cut in Medicare.

Now, you've been saying for many months that you're the head of the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. I think you're just winging it.

This is not the view of Democrats, in my view.

This program has been under attack from the Republicans since the beginning. And we need a candidate against George Bush that can take the fight to him on it, not someone who agreed with the Gingrich Republicans.

WILLIAMS: Governor Dean?

DEAN: That is flat-out false, and I'm ashamed that you would compare me with Newt Gingrich. Nobody up here deserves to be compared to Newt Gingrich.

(APPLAUSE)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A433-2003Sep25.html

[NewYorkerfromMass]

75. Dean grew up?

I am not under the impression he has matured at all.

[Pez]

2. way to diss people who become successful! screw the american dream!

that's just what our country needs-- underachievers, so they don't come across as too "uppity".

so, do you judge all people by their bf's/gf's/husband's/wife's wealth/lack of wealth/political views?

[dsc]

5. If I had a dollar for everytime a certain pair of Kerry supports

have attacked Dean as a rich, out of touch person I would be able to afford some of that wine.

[blm]

8. no...I don't think many of those are Kerry supporters.

.

[Pez]

9. links?

[dsc]

22. I will PM you with their name if you like

I don't think I can link them here since they aren't participating in this thread.

[Pez]

27. no i'd like to see the posts where they say he is "rich, out of touch"...

[dsc]

30. again I don't think the rules allow me to do that

I got a thread locked for doing that just yesterday. I will give you the names and you can search yourself. But I don't want to lock this thread.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

46. You got a thread locked for linking to another post?

I don't believe it... there must have been another reason... there's nothing in the rules prohibiting you from linking to another post.

[dsc]

88. That is what I thought too

but I got one locked for exactly that and I even asked for a citation as to what rule I broke (they considered it calling someone out). The thread in question was my thread about the Dean is a soft racist.

[cindyw]

13. Deleted

[dsc]

20. I take it you read post 7

Like you I go in order as the appear on my screen.

[cindyw]

29. Yep

:beer:

[lcordero]

3. I would like to see another candidate ask him how much a

loaf of bread costs.

[sfecap]

23. He'd know that...

Any one of his housekeepers or staff could tell him.

LOL.

[Rowdyboy]

31. Ah, so the same people who hate Clark hate Kerry too

Interesting

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. The 'dirt' on Kerry: he's rich.

If only we can keep the fact that he's tall under wraps! If that gets out, it will be a disaster!

[sfecap]

10. He's tall? Really?

I never noticed.

[Pez]

16. he's tall because he's 1337

and therefor you should dismiss him because 1337 5|_|><><0/Z5.

[Cha]

6. I don't care how many "islands", kerry owns....I just hate his

Lies about Dean..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=529542

"Governor Dean has no policy on Iraq evidently, except 'no.' 'No' is not a policy," he said. "I voted to hold Iraq accountable and hold Saddam Hussein accountable. That was the right vote for the defense of the United States of America."

~edit~ to add another quote from kerry~"George, I said at the time I would have preferred if we had given diplomacy a greater opportunity, but I think it was the right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and when the President made the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did disarm him." - John Kerry - May 4, 2003" ..What Weapons, kerry? What weapons would those be that we disarmed from him?:kick:



And killbot goes onto point out Dean's 7 Point Plan on Iraq..

And then there are the "kerry wafflers" http://www.tnh.unh.edu/opinion/dmitgi.html

[dsc]

7. This is the kind of stuff I am talking about in my other thread

I think this has pretty much no business in our debate but this is the kind of junk that has been put up about Dean by certain Kerry supporters over and over again with little to no condemnation from Kerry supporters. BTW this isn't even one of the ones I have run across.

[sfecap]

12. Yep.

But you have to admit...an island is impressive. :-)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

26. Gilligan's Island, mind you.

:D

[indigo32]

14. Yup

the haters are bringing out the worst...and then in turn they can go look look I told you so.
Really who gives a crap if Kerry owns an island.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

15. You keep saying

there is some damaging stuff about Kerry you 'could' post... still waiting...

[dsc]

19. Remember you asked for it

http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061903b.shtml

[Feanorcurufinwe]

35. Funny how you post only a link

but if you want to talk about it, I'd be happy to respond...

"It wasn't legit," said Kerry. "And thank God my accountant looked at me and said, `Don't do this,' and thank God, I think, that I had the good judgment to listen to him and not want to create something that I would pay the price for down the road."
http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061903b.shtml

[KaraokeKarlton]

38. You obviously didn't read the whole thing

This is a pretty big skeleton in Kerry's closet. There's a lot more than this, too, and you can bet Rove has it all ready to let loose. This is another reason I like Dean so much. I KNOW he's as squeaky clean as a politician comes. Rove won't find anything that will hurt him. It's a different story with Kerry.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

40. Dean lies daily

I'll take someone who backed out of a bad investment 19 years ago over a liar anyday.

[indigo32]

45. see that's nothing but hyperbole

why post it?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

48. You're right

it's not every single day. I apologize, I did exaggerate.

[indigo32]

53. LOL

you're funny.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

55. I swear we'll be friends before this primary season is over...

[JohnKleeb]

57. We'll all be friends when Kucinich gets the nod

and I am dancing around drunk and singing to polka :).

[indigo32]

63. Wierder things have happend

;)

[KaraokeKarlton]

50. Back out of a bad investment?

Kerry broke the rules and didn't file the report! He HID the fact that he was trying to avoid paying taxes right around the time he was claiming to be opposed to people doing that! He was REQUIRED by law to file reports on those things and he DIDN'T. He broke the LAW!

[KC21304]

81. I don't think you can say he avoided paying taxes.

He never filed a return that was fraudulent so what law did he break ? And remember, this was "way back ". LOL

[sfecap]

56. Kind like the chimp...

backing out of his Harkin Energy "investment"? (It was not his fault...just a paper mistake...)

What did Kerry have to say about that?

[Pez]

44. omg it's STARR! he's back for more!!!!!

what, through sucking clinton's bones dry?

[dsc]

89. I posted only a link

due to the fact I had been up since 5am and it was either close to or after 1am.

[KaraokeKarlton]

36. Ouch

n/t

[Feanorcurufinwe]

42. Did someone step on your toe?

[KC21304]

47. Oh my God !

Well that does it for me. He almost entered into a business deal that if he would have taken a tax deduction for possibly could have been illegal.

How could I have been so foolish ? Such a man surely can never be trusted again. Was that 1984? Why isn't he hiding his head in shame instead of running for President ?

[KC21304]

17. And isn't it great what he and Teresa have been able to do

with their wealth ? I'm even more impressed with that.

I'm sure you have heard it said, it isn't what you acquire in this life but what you do with it. Thank God there are some very rich people who see their good fortune as an opportunity to help others.

And wasn't that wonderful of Kerry to volunteer to go to Viet Nam when with his family connections he may have been able to avoid it as some others did ?

I can see why you are impressed. There is a lot to be impressed about with John Kerry.

[sfecap]

21. Touche'

:-)

[Pez]

25. like winning the schweitzer award in humanitarianism?

Teresa Heinz Kerry Wins Albert Schweitzer Award

[sfecap]

37. Deleted.

Teresa Heinz does some very good philanthopic things. No doubt about it.

[Pez]

41. dude bill gates is the biggest philanthropist on earth

would you trash him for all the work he's done in india, etc., because he's a dick when it comes to software monoplies?

not everyone who makes money gives it to worthy causes. it's not a prerequisite for the elite. don't dare trash people for spending their money on humanitarian aid, jeez. find something else to bitch about... like maybe kerry's policies he's putting up in this election?

[KaraokeKarlton]

43. But what I want to know

is if what you originially posted was true? If it is, YIKES!

[sfecap]

59. Yes. It's true.

Kenneth Lay's Kerry Connection

By Lloyd Grove
Friday, June 27, 2003; Page C03


Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry regularly scorches the management of Enron, the scandal-ridden, bankrupt energy company founded by Kenneth Lay.

(snip)

Yesterday, self-styled muckraker Bernardo Issel of NonprofitWatch.org told us that the much-maligned Lay has been a longtime member of the board of trustees of the Heinz Center, an environmental group founded by the candidate's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry. She's the group's vice chairman, and Lay left the small board earlier this year after serving for nearly a decade.

Issel calls this situation "hypocrisy." We'll settle for "irony."

The Kerry campaign directed us to Chris Black, communications director of the Heinz Family Philanthropies. Black acknowledged Lay's participation and his status as a corporate "boogeyman." But she added: "Whatever troubles he had at Enron, Ken Lay had a good reputation in the environmental community for being a businessman who was environmentally sensitive. When someone does wrong in one part of their life, it doesn't mean they can't do good in another part of their life.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A37316-2003Jun26¬Found=true

Enron...good for the enviornment. LOL.

More at:

http://www.nonprofitwatch.org/heinz/kerryhypocrisy.html

Note:

None of this should mar the fact that Teresa Heinz Kerry does do many, many good things with her wealth. She should get credit where credit is due.

The irony thing is another matter...

[KaraokeKarlton]

62. Oh my God

Kerry rags on Ken Lay while his wife turns over control of an organization to him? Lay should be in jail, not heading up an environmental organization! Yes, she does some good things, I'm sure, but Christ! Talk about mucking around with pigs! Ewww!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

65. It really is a shame Ken Lay donated money to that charity isn't it?

Another reason not to vote for Kerry! :eyes:

[KaraokeKarlton]

74. It's a shame they associate with corporate crooks

and THAT is a damn good reason not to vote for him.

[blm]

77. Dean AGREES with Ken Lay on deregulating electricity.

Dean PUSHED for deregulating electricity.

Kerrry got NOTHING from Ken Lay and the energy industry got NOTHING from Kerry.

[KaraokeKarlton]

79. No he doesn't blm, and we've had this discussion before

Once again, you are going way back in the past to something Dean once believed in and totally ignoring his current beliefs and positions. This is so typical of you. Years ago, Dean thought deregulation might be a good thing, so he gave it a chance. He didn't like the results, admitted it was a bad call and a mistake and no longer has that position. Yet here you are (as you are on plenty of other threads) spewing you sorely outdated diatribes that are not only irrelevent, but blatantly false. Dean doesn't support deregulation in the energy industry. He gave it a chance way back when and discovered it wasn't something he wanted to get behind. End of story.
You know this, yet continue to beat this dead horse with a fury. It's getting pretty damn pathetic. You need a new tune to sing, really.

[KC21304]

80. Glad to see we have now changed the rules of discourse here.

We are no longer allowed to " go way back " . Great. I don't know if your compadres would agree with that. What would they do with out their Skull and Bones nonsense.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

82. Well it's ok to 'go way back' as long as

it has nothing to do with there record as a public official.

[KaraokeKarlton]

92. blm knows full well that Dean doesn't support deregulation

and that he has gone on record to say that he had supported it in the past and realized it wasn't a good thing and now opposes it. blm is intentionally misrepresenting Dean's actual position. I'm finding this is pretty typical coming from the Kerry camp and it is a contributing factor to my disliking Kerry as strongly as I do.

[KC21304]

93. I'm glad Dean " realized it wasn't a good thing".

Isn't that exactly what this whole thread is about ? Kerry realized his supposed tax shelter wasn't a good thing and did not carry through with it. So what the hell is this all about anyway ?



On edit, the thread did not start with the tax shelter thing. That was just thrown in after the Kerry Island announcement was roundly ridiculed.

[blm]

96. Baloney, KK....Myst

Of COURSE Dean isn't going to be for deregulation NOW in a Democratic primary. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.............Not when he's wooing the left.

When he actually GOVERNS, though, he is Dean the Deregulator. He's the highest rated Dem by the CATO Institute. Perfect for you, an independent, NRA quoting, Libertarian type, but he's WRONG for real Democrats.

It's a shame we have to judge these politicians by how they GOVERN, and not just drink the Kool Aid offered on the campaign trail and from their campaign sites.

[blm]

98. Dean boasted about it at CATO.

And when he first started campaigning he said NOTHING about being against deregulation.

So...where's Dean's conversion on deregulating electricity and WHEN did he have this latest conversion?

Get real. Dean PUSHED for deregulation, it was the LEGISLATURE who wouldn't allow it. Dean only gave up pushing for something he couldn't get passed.

[Pez]

18. this is so cool because it really addresses policy and experience...

...and gives us a chance to have a mature debate on the issues of each of the candidates running. i look forward to more of such stimulating, thought-provoking threads.

[dsc]

24. I will assume you don't know the history

but we have had Dean the Draft dodger threads, Dean the racist threads, Dean the Wall Street banker threads, and on and on. This is the frustration of us boiling over.

[Pez]

28. i know the history

i've been reading the forum for a LOT longer than i have been posting btw.

[dsc]

32. Ok

but then why the one sided condemntaion?

[Pez]

33. this has nothing to do with policy or past policy decisions

why do you say "one sided condemnation"?

[dsc]

90. I don't recall seeing you

criticise the Dean is a draft dodger threads (just what past policiy decision would that have been about), the Dean is a Wall street tycoon threads (again just which past policy decision is that), both of these have been posted recently enough that you should have seen them.

[Pez]

94. i probably didn't read them

or is it my responsibility to read every thread? i'm sure other people took care of the problem?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

34. His campaign should be summarily fired for allowing that

article on his website. Did they even read it?

[sfecap]

39. Pretty interesting, no?

I was surprised that it was there. Perhaps they like the image it conveys?

[Pez]

49. perhaps it's called "transparency"?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

54. Maybe they'd like it better

if instead of telling the truth about who he is, Kerry bought a yacht, tossed some lobster pots onboard, and said he was a lobsterman. :eyes:

[sfecap]

60. Quit making me spit my drink on the monitor!

That was very good! :-)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

52. So many snippable quotes that it boggles the mind!

A thousand thank yous, sfecap!

[QuidditchFan]

51. Irrelevant candidate bashing is a great way to ensure that "they" win

Nice work.

I'm sure that "they" are salivating at the Democratic party's infighting.

In full disclosure, I am a Kerry supporter. I condemn any non-policy discussion that any candidate or candidate-supporters, including my own, engage in, especially when it is the politics of irrelevance and personal bashing that the very people we are trying to oust perfected.

It amazes me that "we" are stooping to this level. I have seen this drivel from both Kerry supporters and Dean supporters alike. My question: To what end? If this is done to make yourself feel better, then go find a diary.

At some point, one of two events is likely to happen: Either Dean supporters will have to support Kerry or Kerry supporters will have to support Dean. And I see an indirect relationship between the amount of this crud that pollutes the boards and our ability to back the DEMOCRATIC candidate.

We have to keep our eyes on the prize.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

58. I can't really imagine this thread having any effect on anyone's opinion

one way or another... can you?

[Lexingtonian]

61. Sheesh.

It is my considered opinion that the post that begins this thread is ugly unadulterated classism, subvariety anti-snobbism.

I believe it should be locked, and I have asked the moderators to do so.

[JohnKleeb]

64. Again can this bullshit cease

FDR was rich and I dont hold it against him as was JFK. Also cap a tad hypocritical of you to call a candiate out on his riches when you support a rich guy too. Now I am gonna go support my candiate who everyone tells me has no chance, whos with me, fine theres free punch and pie, and peace.

[sfecap]

66. Uh...John...

Read the original post a couple of times, then sleep on it. You'll figure it out, I'm sure. :-)

As for a comparison of wealth, Dean and Kerry aren't even in the same league, let alone the same planet. John Kerry is the second wealthiest Senator. (Not that it makes any difference...)

And for the record, Dean's "Park Avenue" background has been the subject of derision here in many threads.

I guess that makes all of the candidates fair game, huh?

I am impressed by his island, though...(and the info came from his website.)

[JohnKleeb]

67. so they are wealthier than you and I

Yea I dont like that either. I dont know who started it but *being a parent like* I dont care if someone does something you dont like, you dont become it. They are both millionaires am I right cap? Most of us here wont become that. You see those park avenue jabs mostly Ive noticed from Clark supporters mostly. Wealth shouldnt matter at all, tell you what I admire self made people like my own candiate but I dont hate the wealthy candiates, you say you dont care really but you act like it does. If I were you, I would keep positive, I know thats hard to do with your candiate bashed, and its hard for the Kerry supporters as well.

[sfecap]

68. John...

With all due respect. Please don't lecture me. I'm old enough to be your dad.

If you don't like the threads, don't read 'em.

[JohnKleeb]

69. sorry will try to avoid

Well its hard not to read, Its hard not to read, I am a curious person.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

70. Age <> Wisdom

<> -- 'does not equal'

[terrisel]

71. A Rich Guy who actually went to Vietnam

and turned against the war. I am impressed.

[Meshuga]

72. What if Kerry wins the nomination?

Sfecap, you are going to be in trouble if Kerry wins the nomination since you LOVE to hate Kerry! :-)

[clar]

73. And you love to hate Dean

As far as I'm concerned all the stupid back and forth baxhing is mostly about the dislike of certain Kerry supporters for certain Dean supporters and visa versa. It's lashing out by proxy. We're not allowed to insult one another so we turn to bashing the candidates, knowing that we can drive the supporters of that candidate around the bend. Could we possibly be any more childish?

[sfecap]

83. No worry there...

He won't win. :-)

[TheDonkey]

76. OMG!! HE'S RICH!!!! WHAT A NAZI!!

Give me a break.

Kerry and his family are rich. That doesn't mean he agrees with keeping his v. large tax cut, ignoring the middle class, and stomping on the lower class.

I don't care if he owns a country, as long as he shares liberal values I have he's good rich or poor.

[eileen_d]

78. Wait a minute - he's rich and owns an island?

Somehow that point failed to come across in this thread. :crazy:

[stickdog]

84. "No man has an island."

Surely Kerry shares with other Forbes.

[DrFunkenstein]

85. You Should've Seen Kennedy's Setup!!!

That elitist prick was - believe it or not - part of the Kennedy empire! Man, was he out of touch with the common man!

<>

Did I mention Dean is the son of poor, black sharecroppers?

[killbotfactory]

86. He should host series of Survivor games there

Republicans Vs. Democrats

That would be cool.

[curse10]

87. I personally don't have a problem with people being rich

Heck, I'd like to be rich. Who am I to bitch and complain that someone has money?

[DrFunkenstein]

91. Kerry The Elitist Snob

NOBLESSE OBLIGE
by Spencer Ackerman

Candidate: John Kerry
Category: General Likeability
Grade: A

One of the most grating elements of American politics is the impulse for rich candidates to affect the symbolism of the middle class. (Witness the dauphin George W. Bush at his hardscrabble Texas ranch, jus' clearin' brush.) Cultural experience is of course not the sum total of anyone's character, but the impulse to obscure a privileged background for political gain is a glaring character flaw.

And in a primary where John Edwards pushes his millworker pedigree with Tourette's-like frequency, and Dick Gephardt counters that neither of his parents finished high school, the pressure for the better heeled candidates to play down their not-so-humble beginnings must be intense.

So give John Kerry credit for bucking this condescending campaign ritual. At a Mason City, Iowa, bowling alley, he framed his background in the noblest political tradition: "George Bush went to a nice, fancy high school like I did, but I came out of my fancy high school asking the question, 'Why can't everybody have a school like this?'"

That hits all the right notes--candor about inherited wealth, noblesse oblige, and a concern for the broader national interest. The media frequently invoke Kerry's Brahmin heritage to suggest that he's culturally isolated from the electorate, but the honesty and civic-mindedness Kerry displayed yesterday are quintessentially American cultural virtues.

http://www.tnr.com/primary/index.mhtml?pid=608

Sounds like a page out of the Kennedy handbook to me.

<>

[MercutioATC]

95. A Dean supporter thinks owning an island is cool...with no Kerry slams...

I've always wanted to own my own island....preferably in the Carribean or South Pacific...preferably as its own soverign nation...but I think that anybody who owns an island gets "cool points".

[Feanorcurufinwe]

97. Get your own private island...

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/


I'd take this one:

Ile Jacobin - 1.36 ac - 820,00 Euros

This private island is situated just off the north coast of Brittany, 3 km (2 miles) from the village of Roscoff, from which ferry connections to the UK can be made. The island is connected by a sandy beach at low tide to the Perharidy peninsula. The owner of the island enjoys right of way access through the private grounds of the peninsula, ensuring that the island's privacy is maintained even at low tide. The principal feature of Ile Jacobin is its castle, which has been maintained in good condition. The castle has a large entry hall, 6 main rooms, kitchen, cellar and a 1800 sq. foot (600 sq. metre) terrrace on the second floor, offering panoramic views of the sea and the Brittany coast. The island's climate is mild, moderated by the Gulf Stream. Palms, eucalyptus and other sub-tropical vegetation is present on the island, giving it a park-like atmosphere. Also present is a small tower on the island's southern end. Phone, water and electricity lines connect the island with the mainland.
http://www.privateislandsonline.com/jacobineufr.htm

but if you are on a budget, this one's only $65K: http://www.privateislandsonline.com/mainepine.htm

[Pez]

99. ooh! ~and~ a castle? sweet.

i thought an island would be much more expensive than that actually. maybe kerry isn't so 1337 as he makes himself out to be...

[Feanorcurufinwe]

100. Oops! - I left off a zero

while I was cutting and pasting. That should be 830,000 euros, not 830,00 euros... still quite a bargain if you ask me... but I remember seeing this 3 years ago... if it's been on the market that long, they might be open for an offer...

[DJcairo]

101. I hope Dean enjoyed his time skiing while Kerry got shot at in Vietnam

Back injury my toochy. What a wimp.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

102. B,b,b,but-- he had a note from his doctor!

Honestly, though, I don't blame Dean for this. I just give credit to Kerry for what he did.