My Experience at JK's Faneuil Hall Town Hall in Boston Yesterday--with Pics!! :)

[ObamaKerryDem]

I had an AMAZING time!! :D JK was in top form--he really does seem to be in his element at and in Faneuil Hall, a place that of course holds so much history, both in general and for JK politically..and probably personally.

There was very good attendance at this town hall too and lots of people put in to ask questions! Not everyone got called this time (including me, but that's okay..I got my question in last time! :)). There was quite a range of questions as MBS, Luftmensch, Democrafty, cadmium (sic? ) and others who were there can attest to, I am sure. Some of the questions from certain groups felt more like filibuster speeches than questions, lol, but JK handled them with class..and of course with an exception grasp on the issues at hand! I liked how he turned the tables on this one guy--who accused him of having an "Imperialist mindset" when it comes to Afghanistan and other foreign affairs --asking him what HE would do in his and Pres. Obama's situation, what his ideas, solutions would be. He did this in a respectful way, of course...but it made a point and was very effective, imo.

There were so many great statements made by the Senator this go around...this townhall only further confirmed to me (though I needed no convincing :)) how much of a NATURAL the Senator is in this, the town hall setting! It has been filmed and I cannot wait to see it again, in its entireity! I also like how he called the 2000 election "the one that the Supreme Court decided" (or something to that effect) and again condemned the awful recent SC decision regarding corporate campaign donations. He was so on point, on a wide variety of issues..though Afghanistan and the economy were, not surprisingly, top bill during this town hall.










I also--thanks to a series of very fortunate, perhaps coincidental events and a very nice staff lady who I made a point to thank profusely afterwards (still not sure exactly what happened..I guess she saw the question I had written down..)! -I got to speak with JK right after the town hall wrapped up...and to give him a little thank you card of sorts I had brought with me, on the off chance of getting to pass it along to him, though I wasn't expecting to actually get to give it to him directly! It was just a little something to thank him for his leadership and for the inspiration he has given me and all of us. I also mentioned this site in the letter. ;) That got me a hug..right after which this pic was taken:



I think I look awful in it, lol, but it's a terrific pic of the Senator...and such a special moment. I am still pinching myself! :) As I've said before..and as you all know..he is just so warm, so sincere..so REAL. I can't stress that enough, how many people just do NOT get it! At least more media were there this time. Maybe now this will get the recognition it deserves!

I also got my copy of his and Teresa's book, "This Moment on Earth" signed, thanks to a fellow supporter I went with to the event (whose s/n escapes me and I don't know offhand if they are comfortable with real names but they know who they are..thank you! :)):




I just love that JK does so many events like this, even now, years out of another re-election campaign. He's the only Senator in this state, as far as I am concerned!

It was so great seeing those of you I saw while there and I so apologize if anyone else here was there and I missed you! But very glad more of us got to go this time. A real treat..and a privelidge!

[karynnj]

1. wonderful account

Great story and so happy for you.

[ObamaKerryDem]

10. Thank you!! :)

Can't wait for the video! It was an absolutely fantastic event, all around. And Fanuiel Hall is absolutely breathtaking, isn't it? It felt surreal, just being in there!

[Inuca]

2. Thanks for this

and yes, I am green with envy :-).

[ObamaKerryDem]

11. You're so welcome--thanks for reading and commenting! :)

[Mass]

3. The local media certainly did not rush to cover the event.

While the Globe had the time to post a vacuous paper about Senator Browm amd how he was playing in the big league now,

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2011/05/brown_sees_how.html

This is all they could report about the town hall meeting.

http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-08/news/29522992_1_kerry-meeting-bin-afghanistan

Afghan war dominates Kerry meeting


ietnam veteran Bonnie Gorman of Quincy stood up yesterday in Faneuil Hall and implored US Senator John F. Kerry to work to bring American troops home from Afghanistan.

“It has been 10 years of war … The military is exhausted,’’ said Gorman, 65, whose brother died in Vietnam, and whose nephew is serving in the military. “We want to see our troops out of Afghanistan… . Do it now.’’

Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he supports President Obama’s plan to begin bringing home troops in July, but cautioned that withdrawal may not be swift nor simple.

“I, too, want those troops home,’’ said Kerry, who said he will soon travel to Afghanistan. “I think we’re keeping faith in the effort to do due diligence, in order to really look carefully at how to extricate from Afghanistan.’’

The war in Afghanistan and the killing of Osama bin Laden by Navy SEALs in Pakistan dominated the town hall meeting held yesterday by the senator. The two-hour session drew about 250 people, including representatives of veterans, labor, and immigrant groups, and also touched on topics ranging from the conflict in the Sudan to closing corporate tax loopholes to the 2012 election.
...

It is still unclear whether any of the two articles made the print version. Well, it is the same Globe who, a few weeks ago, was complaining Senator Kerry did not have town hall meeting. I know Faneuil Hall is far from Morissey Blvd, but what will it take for them to cover these events?

[Luftmensch067]

4. Others who were there may disagree

But I didn't think the topic of Afghanistan "dominated" the meeting. There were questions on a large range of issues, from free trade with Colombia to the shortage of primary health care providers to the budget and infrastructure and JK was eloquent in his answers to all of them. Just shows you how the media spins things! They want a hook and they'll make it up if they have to.

http://www.jkmediasource.org/ has acquired a second (used) camcorder while our principal videographer (Noisy Democrat) and camera are out of state and yours truly, who had hardly ever even held a camcorder until a week ago, went along to film the event. That footage will be available soon so you can all judge the Globe's spin for yourselves!

It was great to see fellow Kerrycrats there and I did get footage of ObamaKerryDem at the end getting her hug and photo!

[ObamaKerryDem]

9. No, I totally agree with you..

I mean Afghanistan (and the economy) were definitely a trend in the questioning for sure (or at least it felt that way to me?) but I don't think it's fair to say it "dominated". I think--and agree with you--that there was a wide variety of questions. It was a very well rounded discussion all around, dealing with many topics of importance to many people here in MA, around the nation..and across the world. But of course the Globe only picked out like 20 minutes of it and of course the parts they could spin to look most negatively for JK (though I think he handled even the most negative line of questioning very well..and with such class and strong grasp on the issues). Typical. Of course it it were Brown....ahh! So frustrating.

I am SO glad you were there filming it and that it's going to be on JK Media Source!! :) I want people to be able to see it for themselves. Thank you again so much for doing this. I cannot wait to watch the whole thing again in its entireity.

And thanks for capturing my moment as well (though really, it was meant for all of us as I told him directly and in the card I got to give him about all those who support and who are inspired by him as am I...and about this forum :)). Looking forward to watching it on film (though I will no doubt be blushing the whole time)! :loveya: :hug:

BTW do you remember the part where JK made that funny voice, I think towards the latter middle or end..I think he was talking about how people often talk about "clean coal"? OMG I was cracking up!! :D

[karynnj]

5. The Brown article seems passive aggressively negative to me

The frame is that by virtue of the office, a Senator's words and presence are important, which is why it was important that they attended the funeral. Then he goes in slow, excruciating detail through Brown's misusing that voice. From using as comparison a barroom boost to saying that his PR team put out his Republican address words - and bringing up the question of whether he sought to do the address, there are so many points where they are really calling him an opportunist and not the anassuming "people's Senator" that he has made his image. This goes smack against the image he runs on.

The Kerry article at minimum shows a Senator meeting and answering questions from all who came. Like Brown, it mentions going to Afghanistan, but it is part of Kerry doing his job. It is not necessary to gush that the senior Senator capably answered the full range of questions asked. He has done that for decades and it is totally expected.

Though likely not intentional - the two articles actually show one Senator respecting his constituents and meeting with them, in spite of being one of the most powerful, influencial Senators and the other, far more junior, favored by his party, but having not met the bar this week. Most damning is that he points out that his problem stemmed from trying to appear to be a big shot, not the modest, "hard working" Senator. Instead, this the star Senator conspicuously trying to get the limelight.

We've seen how that same accusation hurts Kerry, for whom it was NOT true - and being a modest everyman was not Kerry's claim to fame. I actully think the "I'm going to Afghanistan" was the worse error on Brown's part. Speaking of which, I wonder if Brown claiming "soemone dropped a dime" on this - when HE told Glenn Johnson might have lost him Johnson as a fan.

[ObamaKerryDem]

8. OMG, how infuriating!!

:banghead:

They either just do NOT get it...or just don't WANT to. And they are supposed to be the "liberal media"? Yeah right!

[MBS]

13. Since the Afghanistan discussion came at the end

of the town hall, my guess is that the Globe reporter came late, or was not paying attention to the first half, which addressed issues such as need for improved rail transportation, help for an immigrant Iraqi (yes?) family with a son injured in the Iraq war, etcetc.
Really, the Globe's local political reporting is unbelievably lazy, at least with respect to our congressional representatives.

[ObamaKerryDem]

15. Very good points, MBS..

..you are probably right! That would be so typical. But of course if it were Brown, every second would be reaccounted with pristine accuracy in order to make him look as good as possible. Blah!

But JK is obviously not in it to see his name in lights as the expression goes. Bless him for that and his dedication and for caring about leadership above all else! If only we had more like him in Congress and in our national politics in general..

BTW, it was so great experiencing the townhall with you! :hug:

[politicasista]

6. Nice pics and glad everyone had a nice time

Apologies for writing all the mean bash stuff last week, month about Senator Kerry and President Obama at the Senator's expense. Peace.

[ObamaKerryDem]

7. You're very welcome! And I didn't think you were bashing JK!

At least it didn't seem like it to me. :)

[politicasista]

14. Thanks

That wasn't the intent but it came across that way to some.

That said, do wish Senator Kerry safe travels to the Middle East. :)

[ProSense]

12. Cool!

The photo of you and JK is the best one.

Sounds like a wonderful experience.

[ObamaKerryDem]

16. Thank you!!

It's probably going to be my Facebook pic for a long time..hehe :hug: :) It was a fantastic experience and I love that JK does so many of these kind of events, all over the state, even outside of a campaign! Meanwhile our other Senator is where..??