Posted on 06/26/2004 1:44:48 PM PDT by areafiftyone
With armed Afghan guards at the gate and a Democrat donkey mascot munching leaves in the shade, dozens of American expatriates held a fundraiser in Kabul on Friday for U.S. presidential hopeful John Kerry.
About 60 people, mostly nongovernment aid workers, gathered at a restaurant garden across town from the fortress-like American Embassy, declaring "Kabul for Kerry."
"It's important to show that there are Americans everywhere, even in Afghanistan, who want a change of leadership in the United States," said organizer Karen Hirschfeld, who is helping Afghans get ready for this year's national elections.
"For the future of Afghanistan, Iraq and America, we need someone with a more rational foreign policy who will work with the international community," said Hirschfeld, from Winchester, Mass. "We think John Kerry will be a good leader."
The gathering, open only to Americans, wasn't endorsed by the Kerry campaign, but "Kabul for Kerry" organizers were urging participants to contribute funds to his campaign and to cast absentee ballots for the election against President Bush in November.
They pinned Kerry badges on the lapels of participants who paid $10 to cover the cost of the breakfast, and hired "Franklin the Democratic Donkey" from its Afghan owner to serve as the party mascot.
It's not clear whether Kerry or Bush is favored by the majority of Americans here.
None of the thousands of U.S. military personnel based in Afghanistan to hunt for al-Qaida and Taliban rebels turned up for Thursday's event.
Organizers said plenty of U.S. Embassy workers had expressed an interest, but were barred from coming for security reasons — although 11 Ministry of Interior guards were deployed at the venue.
Ayan Hussein, 31, a health sector worker from Baltimore, said she wanted to do her bit to bring about a "regime change" back home in the United States.
Stephen Landrigan, 55, an education aid worker, said most of the people at the fundraiser were likely working on projects funded by the U.S. government, but still wanted Bush out of office.
Landrigan, from Boston and wearing a Red Sox T-shirt, said Kerry had done a good job as a senator for Massachusetts and urged him to visit Afghanistan as part of his election campaign.
"He's a man who can think, which we can't say about our current president," he said.
While many at the fundraiser said they had supported the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden, they deplored the war in Iraq and questioned current U.S. policies on Afghanistan.
Hirschfeld accused the Bush administration of pushing too hard for the first post-Taliban election in September — which has been scheduled according to a constitutionally binding agreement but overshadowed by a virulent Taliban-led insurgency.
"The U.S. needs a foreign policy success before November by pulling off democratic elections in Afghanistan. I'm not sure the country is ready for it," she said.
I find this laughable.
Good edifying example to the Afganis.
more pertinent kerry information:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1160580/posts
AMAZING!! THE PRESS CAN FIND A STORY ABOUT 60 JACKASSES IN KABUL BUT CAN IGNORE THE LIBERATION OF 50,000,000 IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN!!!
"It's important to show that there are Americans everywhere, even in Afghanistan, who are f'in idiots" said organizer Karen Hirschfeld
The stupidity of these people defies description. Were it not for Bush, they wouldn't even be contemplating any form of elections in Afghanistan. But the final statement in the article that perhaps they are not ready for Democracy is just lunacy. Why does the left always think Democracy is something only they are entitled to? The first thing the new government in Afghanistan ought to do is throw out patronizing do gooders from the US.
Translation: The Taliban wants Kerry to win.
None of the thousands of U.S. military personnel based in Afghanistan to hunt for al-Qaida and Taliban rebels turned up for Thursday's event.
Seems pretty clear to me..
Good point.
IMO, the media has teams of new journalists who's job is to do nothing but scower the globe for pro-lefty propaganda, no matter how blatant. Conversely, they have nobody but a few, low-paid people who search for the truth on a voluntary basis and have to fight and starve to get published at all.
"It was a long winter in Sarajevo this year, with very little sun—a long spring too, with endless rain. However, there were a few exciting activities to pass the time, such as Dems BiH.
"There are 6 million Americans living overseas. That means ex-pats equal the sixth largest state for caucusing, or so I was told. To liven up the first and worst month of the year, some enterprising sorts organized a local chapter of Democrats Abroad—providing a wonderful opportunity to socialize, eat, drink, discuss the candidates and plan how to beat Bush.
"We formed committees and scheduled events, culminating in the Caucus in February. Kerry won, naturally. We also selected a representative to go to Scotland, at her own expense, to be considered as a delegate to attend the convention in Boston. Bosnia will get ¼ of a vote at the Democratic National Convention. It’s not as many as the 161 votes Michigan gets, but it is nice to know that Bosnia counts for something."
I was laughing at that part.
Your tax dollars at work.
Exactly what I think. 60 people is nothing. These people had an agenda when they went to Afghanistan.
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