November 1, 2006
The recent gaff by John ‘F’in Kerry (who some think may have served in Viet Nam) is but the latest in series of outrageous comments made by him and directed towards our Military.
I don’t believe he set out intentionally to denigrate our Military, but in his elitist style and manner of speaking, committed a slip of the tongue, revealing what he feels innermost, disdain for our Military Services. Many, including yours truly, have written about his comments over the past 35 years, dating back to his ‘perjured’ testimony before the Fulbright Commission.
Kerry constantly speaks of how he leads the fight for us Veterans in Agent Orange recognition and other benefits. His record speaks differently. When it comes to Veterans Benefits, Kerry voted against an amendment that would have increased funding for veterans' medical care by $650 million in 2001, voted against an amendment that would have reallocated $210 million for veterans' medial benefits, and $10 million for construction of veterans' extended-care facilities and voted against an amendment offered by Sen. John McCain to require equal access to health care for all veterans in 1996 - Kerry was one of only 18 senators to vote against the measure.
Of Veterans programs he actually did support, a careful check of his other proposals reveal recommendations in cutting spending in Defense, which would have led to more disabled Veterans, not having the weaponry they needed at this time.
This basically shows Kerry to be your typical ‘talk out of both sides of your mouth’ politician. Kerry, however, takes it further with his refusal to apologize for his lies told in 1971 about the Viet Nam War as well as secret meetings with representatives of the North Vietnamese Delegates at the Paris Peace Talks, strictly forbidden of any Military Person by the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) and his subsequent return to the U.S. and advocating their position in his anti-war activities.
His self proclamation of “war hero” for his scant 4 months in country and “medal hunting” has propelled him into the spotlight and has been used by him to advance his political career until 2004 when a group of Highly Decorated Viet Nam Veterans, the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth publicly opposed him for President.
They were maybe the single most reason he was narrowly defeated, something which sticks in his craw today. Quite possibly that is why, after his misguided statement went public about our troops not being very well educated, he grossly over reacted to the outrage and umbrage thrown his way by so many, taking nearly 3 days to offer a weak and insincere apology, after declaring loudly and publicly, “I APOLOGIZE TO NO ONE!”
If, as he now claims, his words were merely a “botched joke,” why not simply clear the air and apologize immediately? Why get your butt up your back and refuse to accept responsibility for your words and instead, attack ones like President Bush and Rush Limbaugh for his little misstatement?
Even in his ‘apology,’ he can’t help but take a swipe at the man who defeated him in the last election;
As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.
I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.
It is clear the Republican Party would rather talk about anything but their failed security policy. I don’t want my verbal slip to be a diversion from the real issues. I will continue to fight for a change of course to provide real security for our country, and a winning strategy for our troops.
Typically par for the course, his words were “misrepresented.” We didn’t hear what we heard and aren’t smart enough to know he was really directing his words at President Bush. And, this took almost 3 days for him to utter. In fact, I don’t even think he uttered those words; he had a staffer write them out and place them on his web site. Surely, a sincere apology should be expressed publicly.
As has happened too many in politics, he too was caught in a gaffe that bothered and hurt many members of the Military at a time we have them in Harm’s Way. Unlike others that have been caught in unseemly conduct or speech, his party leadership has not called for him to step down. We have seen this before in the matter of Trent Lott’s expressions to Strom Thurmond on his 100th birthday which the Democrat Party turned into a racial slur, while they gave a pass to Christopher Dodd over his similar comments to Robert Byrd, citing his words as just well wishes while castigating Lott.
From the time President Bush reacted to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 by engaging the enemies of America overseas, calls for resignations of members of his administration have been so frequent that even the lamestream media doesn’t pay that much attention to them any longer. Other than a couple Democrats stating things like;
“No one wants to have the 2004 election replayed,” said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
“Whatever the intent, Senator Kerry was wrong to say what he said. He needs to apologize to our troops,” said Rep. Harold Ford Jr
“It was a real dumb thing to say. He should say sorry,” added Claire McCaskill
And Howard Dean, Party leader saying, "Kerry made a blooper. Bloopers happen,"
There has been an almost eerie silence form other party leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Unlike the recent revelations of Republican Mark Foley, resulting in his resignation asked for by GOP party leaders, Kerry’s latest misstatement has been met with silence.
If Kerry’s intent was to make a joke, maybe he better leave comedy up to Jay Leno and other comedians. Especially after his other recent “botched” joke directed at President Bush on the Bill Maher Show, discussing he and his wife’s trip to Vermont to celebrate her birthday;
Maher: “You could have went [sic] to New Hampshire and killed 2 birds with one stone.”
Kerry: “I could have gone to 1600 Pennsylvania and killed the real bird with one stone.”
Also met with stone cold silence by party leadership.
Kerry is not a person dedicated to bettering America. He is dedicated to bettering John ‘F’in Kerry.
Like many other Veterans offended by his comments, I do not accept his apology. The only righteous move for him to make at this late date would be to announce his resignation and slink off into a corner of one of is 5 mansions. While America is at war, we do not need any like Kerry trying to direct Congressional matters and undermining our efforts at fighting terrorism.
Senator Kerry, for once in your measly existence, stand up like a real man and accept responsibility for your missteps, RESIGN!
Lew
UPDATE: Excellent article from Army Sgt. Major (ret) J.D. Pendry. Kerry'd Again
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5 comments:
Well said Lew. I agree, Kerry should resign. If Republicans are forced to resign for saying nice things to old guys that are construed into insults, then a poorly worded and delivered joke should get Kerry the same results. Resign John, hold yourself to the same standards as the Republicans. (Though feel free to publicly apologise 8 times first just to be on par with Lott)
All the more reason Kerry should resign, he was the very first one in the Senate demanding trent Lott step down. On December 12, 2002, he released the following:
Statement by Senator John Kerry for Immediate Release
I simply do not believe that the country today can afford to have someone who made these statements again and again be the leader of the United States Senate.
Trent Lott has been my colleague with whom I've worked productively and often on legislation, and that is a tribute both to the colleagiality of the United States Senate and to Trent's style as a legislator.
But in the final analysis, the question we face today has nothing to do with either.
The question is whether someone who has made the statements Trent made should be or can now effectively be the Majority Leader of the United States Senate.
Kerry set the example, now he should follow it.
Senator Kerry, you should resign immediately.
Interesting comments from some top congressional leaders and others;
1. "He can apologize all he wants. It doesn't remove the sentiment that escaped his mouth that day... And I find it something that is unacceptable... I don't know if any apology is adequate." (Nancy Pelosi, D. Ca.)
2. “My guess is that the uneasiness many .. are feeling … will become more pronounced... If [he] acts in the best interest of our country and the party, [he will step aside]." (Al Gore, D.)
3. "That's what's wrong with our party: Before we come out with our positions, we have to wait and see what the other party is doing. " (Donna Brazile, executive director of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute.)
4. “[He needs to] "come forward with a fuller explanation and apology.” (Tom Daschle D. S.D.)
5. “There was nothing credible in what he said last night. The best I can guess is that he is just trying to say whatever he thinks could help his cause.” (Chaka Fattah D.PA).
6. "The more people find out about his overall record, the more they will continue to speak out. This was not an aberration. Throughout his career, he has clearly demonstrated an insensitivity and hostility to [our military].” (Ralph Neas, president People for the American Way).
7. "'Well, that was a dumb thing to say but we all say dumb things sometimes.' But it doesn't look like this was off the cuff when you realize he's said things like that before ... This wasn't a case of a guy tossing off a few beers." (Morris P. Fiorina, a senior fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford University)
8. "If they believe he's become a major electoral liability, he'll be thrown out ... Without looking at all the data, my guess is that he has become a liability, and they'll have to get rid of him in the next year or so."(Bruce Cain, a political analyst at the University of California at Berkeley)
Before you get to smug in how they are reacting to this, it is all comments made, not about John 'F'in Kerry placing his foot back in his mouth, but were made about Trent Lott's comment towards Strom Thurmond in 2002 for his 100th Birthday!
Nothing but silence from them all today.
Most interesting is the next one;
“It saddens me greatly to suggest this, but in the interests of the Senate, his party, and the nation, I believe he should step aside…," (John Kerry, D. Ma.)
Interesting comments from some top congressional leaders and others;
1. "He can apologize all he wants. It doesn't remove the sentiment that escaped his mouth that day... And I find it something that is unacceptable... I don't know if any apology is adequate." (Nancy Pelosi, D. Ca.)
2. “My guess is that the uneasiness many .. are feeling … will become more pronounced... If [he] acts in the best interest of our country and the party, [he will step aside]." (Al Gore, D.)
3. "That's what's wrong with our party: Before we come out with our positions, we have to wait and see what the other party is doing. " (Donna Brazile, executive director of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute.)
4. “[He needs to] "come forward with a fuller explanation and apology.” (Tom Daschle D. S.D.)
5. “There was nothing credible in what he said last night. The best I can guess is that he is just trying to say whatever he thinks could help his cause.” (Chaka Fattah D.PA).
6. "The more people find out about his overall record, the more they will continue to speak out. This was not an aberration. Throughout his career, he has clearly demonstrated an insensitivity and hostility to [our military].” (Ralph Neas, president People for the American Way).
7. "'Well, that was a dumb thing to say but we all say dumb things sometimes.' But it doesn't look like this was off the cuff when you realize he's said things like that before ... This wasn't a case of a guy tossing off a few beers." (Morris P. Fiorina, a senior fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford University)
8. "If they believe he's become a major electoral liability, he'll be thrown out ... Without looking at all the data, my guess is that he has become a liability, and they'll have to get rid of him in the next year or so."(Bruce Cain, a political analyst at the University of California at Berkeley)
Before you get to smug in how they are reacting to this, it is all comments made, not about John 'F'in Kerry placing his foot back in his mouth, but were made about Trent Lott's comment towards Strom Thurmond in 2002 for his 100th Birthday!
Nothing but silence from them all today.
Most interesting is the next one;
“It saddens me greatly to suggest this, but in the interests of the Senate, his party, and the nation, I believe he should step aside…," (John Kerry, D. Ma.)
Kerry Should resign!
Nice work pulling all this info together, Lew. You certainly don't have to convince me that Kerry needs to go, but you make quite a case.
And yes, this reflects on the entire Democratic Party. The hypocrisy surrounding the Dems' reaction to Trent Lott is particularly damning.
On the plus side, Kerry may just have lost the election for them, again. He's election poison. Guess we'll see...
Not only is John Kerry a terrorist-appeasing Communist traitor but he is also a horrible excuse for a comic. He must never have ever listened to Bill Cosby or George Carlin.
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