Is John Kerry the new Democrat Golden Boy?

Opinion Editorials ^ | 1-24-04 | Barbara J. Stock

[SJackson]

Lot of medals in Vietnam were of the political type to officers who needed them for promotion...That was told to me by Green Berets and other veterans of that war... I had mentioned to one that Tom Ridge won the Bronze star and he said it is meaningless without a Purple Heart... Unfortunately it cheapens the medals for those that rightly deserved them

I don't know the circumstances of Tom Ridge's medal, but remember the Bronze Star is legitimately awarded for meritorious service. When combat heroism is involved, it comes with a V (Valor).

[SJackson]

I've no problems with Kerry in the RVN, it's back here he has problems. Even if you accept his actions as legitimate protest (I don't), the circumstances of his break with the Viet Vets against the war is unclear to me.

They claim he was using them for self promotion, and they threw him out.

I believe he claims he quit after discovering they were "antiAmerican". That took him three months?

Lots of baggage, but I'm not sure it's an issue that will resonate. As you put it, his Treachery of the worst sort, to comrades as well as country seems to be accepted as honorable protest by far too many.

[SJackson]

Jobs won't help the dems in 04, we're early in an expansion and the numbers will continue to get better. The deficit, an issue, but their solution is raising taxes, which won't fly. 2008, after 7 or 8 years of the Reagan-Bush-Bush (that's how they'll play it), they may well have an issue, particularly if GWB doesn't hold the line on spending and reform social security.

[petercooper]

deficit schmeficit.

1/2 the morons in this country don't know the difference btw deficit and debt

[petercooper]

who are the 2 ladies in the pic?

[RiflemanSharpe]

deficit schmeficit.

1/2 the morons in this country don't know the difference btw deficit and debt

That is one of the thing that will help them. All they have to say is look at this huger number, and then point the finger and assign blaim.

[Democratshavenobrains]

There were some who felt this act was not deserving of such an honor. Dan Carr, a Marine who served 14 months in Vietnam, questioned whether such an honor should have been bestowed on a man who killed a retreating and wounded enemy soldier.

This is the first we are hearing of this? If a Republican did this, he would be labeled a War Criminal!

[petercooper]

I guess you're right - it's sad ignorant people get vote and cancel out our votes.

[SJackson]

There were some who felt this act was not deserving of such an honor. Dan Carr, a Marine who served 14 months in Vietnam, questioned whether such an honor should have been bestowed on a man who killed a retreating and wounded enemy soldier...This is the first we are hearing of this? If a Republican did this, he would be labeled a War Criminal!

Likely not, but he's got plenty of baggage from that era, I don't think questioning his Silver Star is the best place to start.

[ancient_geezer]

The Silver Star is awarded to those who have exhibited ''gallantry in action'' while in combat with an enemy of the United States.

It's true that Lieutenant (j.g.) Kerry was in combat. Indeed, his boat had been fired upon by the enemy. Kerry beached his boat and an enemy soldier broke and ran. Tom Belodeau, one of the boat's gunners, admitted this enemy soldier was wounded in the attack. Lt. Kerry then chased the wounded man behind a ''hootch'' where he ''finished him off.'' It was for this action that he was awarded the prestigious Silver Star.

 

Portion of John Kerry remarks on NBC's "Meet the Press" May 6, 2001:
Excerpt   (Audiotape, April 18, 1971):


MR. CROSBY NOYES (Washington Evening Star): Mr. Kerry, you said at one time or
another that you think our policies in Vietnam are tantamount to genocide
and that the responsibility lies at all chains of command over there. Do
you consider that you personally as a Naval officer committed atrocities in
Vietnam or crimes punishable by law in this country?


KERRY: There are all kinds of atrocities, and I would have to say that,
yes, yes, I committed the same kind of atrocities

 

"Golden Boy" indeed.

[HankReardon]

To look at the deficit truthfully it must be considered with the size of the economy. Just throwing the deficit numbers out there like the Democrats do, does not tell the whole story. Bush said the deficit can be brought down in 5 years by staying the course of economic growth and restrained growth in the federal government. I agree.

[SJackson]

Clinton ran the surpluses expected in the late stages of an expansion. GWB inherited the deficits of a contraction, complicated by post 9/11 defense spending, normal. But by virtually everyones projections (I know, all unreliable) we'll still be running a deficit of $200 billion or so in 08.

On a secular basis we're well out of balance, running a large net deficit over multiple cycles which will intensify as ss transfer payments increase in a couple decades. "Bringing it down" isn't enough. Maybe taxing the "guest workers" will solve it, but I'm not optimistic.

The deficit will be an issue in the future.

[georgia peach]

You are absolutely right. Great work, Clinton Justice Dept.

[RiflemanSharpe]

The deficit will be an issue in the future.


For many deficits are an issue now. And it iis one of the few that the dems have that they can bash GWB on with the independent voters.

[Criminal Number 18F]

How did he get that big head up Jane Fondas butt?

You're assuming she is normal in that part of the anatomy, and hasn't, er, become shopworn from misuse.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[HankReardon]

Cutting and downsizing governments at all levels is the right answer. Do not tax more, tax less. Surpluses are dangerous because career government people are successful when they expand and grow their business, government is their business, a surplus budget enables them to do this. That's why the local and state budgets were in the red when the recession hit, they grew their budgets through the 90's and when the revenue stream decreased they all screamed we have to raise taxes now! And they did! What idocy! The boom is here, it's time to put the pressure on them to lower taxes or the budgets will grow again. Some racket, huh?

[alrea]

government is their business

pretty low risk bizness to be in. it never shrinks. your job is always safe.

can we all get one? can we?

[alrea]

taxing the "guest workers"

bump

[tjwmason]

A Kerry and Edwards ticket could be quite formidable, particularly if the hammer jobs and the deficit.

A B.B.C. programme this afternoon suggested that this was the Dems best chance of beating Bush. I agree, and it seems to be getting more likely. They balance each other in several ways, and giving them credit where it's due, they have both pulled off strong campaign gains in recent weeks. The first lesson of politics is never underestimate your opponent, the G.O.P. can (and should) ignore Dean, learn that they can about Kerry and Edwards, and be prepared to fight hard if this is the Democrat ticket.

[Sabatier]

You're right about the press being on Kerry's side. This morning on one of the news shows Kerry was gassing on about Bush being "divisive" instead of bringing people together and later the show had clips of Bush promising to bring people together. As if to say, "see, see, Kerry is right, Bush hasn't kept his promises". It was egregiously biased.

The thing is, Kerry has no charisma. Zip, none. Go to his webpage and he admits it, declaring he has less charisma than John McCain. So the media has to help out and make Kerry look like he could be Presidential in the real world - other than in his mind.

Kerry has that grim look and he talks a grim talk and he oozes a grim spirit. It'll be grim for the United States if the media successfully foists him on the American people.