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"The New War" by John Kerry (Freeper Book Review)
vanity | 7/17/04 | votelife

Posted on 07/17/2004 11:03:05 AM PDT by votelife

I purchased John Kerry's book, written in 1997 from Amazon.com. It's on sale for $4 so I bought it for some opposition research. The book is about Senator's view of the dangerous threats, as he views them, facing America. This book does a good job of present Kerry's shall we say, "nuanced" worldview and I highly reccomend you read it.

In Kerry's "New War" he talks about the new globalization of crime. This book is filled with allusions to how the new world a place where sovereignty is becoming a relic of the past whilte multilateralism is the one ideal that can save us from ourselves. Kerry says, "Crime has been globalized along with everything else except...our response to it."

In 1997 Kerry argues that three main threats facing the US are the new post-communist Russia, China, and Columbia. No doubt most conservatives readers would agree that these states represent threats to the United States and western civilization. However, what is striking is that this book only makes passing mention at the threat of militant Islam and the danger of the proliferation of WMDS.

The first chapter of the book shows Kerry's lack of moral clarity, or as Kerry would like to put it, his "naunce." Kerry writes that "what we didn't anticipate- what no one anicipated- was the globilization of crime." I guess somehow Kerry has failed to understand the danger and the threat the Soviet Union posed to our nation since WWII. He writes as if he has just discovered electricity by realizing that there are organized criminal interests conspiring against the United States. I guess the Korean war, Vietnam, the Soviets march into Afghanistan and Eastern Europe were all unrelated events which don't really suggest a "globilization of crime."

The book continues by pointing out that since many aspects of organized crime rose after the fall of the Soviet Empire. This is no doubt true, but Kerry fails to understand, much less appreciate the benefits the fall of the Evil Empire. Instead Kerry's worldview suggests he feels he must point out the problems with the demise of Soviet Communism.

Kerry accurately points out some of the new problems America is facing since the fall of the USSR. Crime for instance is on the rise. He talks at length about how elements of the Russian mafia have infiltrated the new Russia. He suggests the old KGB has become the new mafia and government. He says that the "new order tempts everyone to criminality." What is striking that Kerry recognizes the Russia is a very corrupt state with powerful elements of the KGB still wielding tremendous power that he doesn't seriously acknowledge the consequences of an Iraq, Iran, or N Korea getting the Soviet's old weapons.

Kerry recognizes the threat: "The greater danger remains the illicit sale of nuclear materials and expertise to outlaw states like North Korea, and, especially Iraq, which has any number of perceived enemies and real grievences." But Kerry's worldview lacks the courage, or for that matter common sense to deal with this threat: "Terrorist organizations with specific political agendas may be encourage by Yasser Arafat's transformation from outlaw to stateman, while those whose only object to disrupt society require no such "role models."" That quote alone shows Kerry's utopian belief that even the most hardened terrorist can be reformed.

Next Kerry tackles the danger China poses to our security. He points out the inherent corruption in red China, while he acknowledges that China is making modest, albeit slow reforms. Interesting, he unkowingly makes an arguemnt against gun control. He cites China for increasing our gun crime. "Chinese manufactures were able to flood world markets with cheap Saturday night specials. The situation got so bad that the United States was forced to shut down the entire legal trade, which was threatening to swap the Untied States with litreally millions of low-cost, disposable, use-'em-once-and-forget-'em guns, as well as billions fo rounds af ammunition. That matrket didnt' dissppoeaer when President Clinton criminiazlized it. It just went underground, causing enrormous heaaches for U.S. federal gun inspectors."

He concludes his analysis of China by saying that the U.S. is really unable to do much by ourselves, even in light of China's human rights abuses. He mentions the fact that China has Most Favored Nation status for trade purposes. In typical Kerry "I voted for it before I voted against it" fashion, Kerry doesn't let the reader know if he supports free trade with China. He says "we abhor human rights abuses but need multilateral actions to have a signficant impact on them."

Kerry than expounds of the drug trade, and how it is a major threat to our security. He talks at lenght about Columbia's drug production as well as other states including Pakistan and Afghanistan.

What is truly scary for the reader of this book, is not the lenghtly, sludging pace of the tome, but rather that it takes the view that terrorism is a criminal matter, not a matter of war. Kerry suggests that we need better cooperation between nations, and better international insitutions so we can apprehend the criminal terrorists. He comes across as foolish and naive at times, as when referring to Arafat as a "statesman" and sometimes deliberately deceiptful in his refusal to acknowelege that he fought the very policies that Reagan championed to dismanted Soviet communism.

Kerry also manages to show his disdain for the 2nd amendment with quotes like, "Individuals must be held accountable when they buy cocaine, guns, and the service of prostitutes."

He also gives weight to the blame America crowd by quoting the leftist terrorist Ted Kaczynski: "The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have greatly increased the life-expectancy of those of us who live in 'advanced' countries, but they have destabiliized society, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world." Kerry sympathizes with this view, without outright embracing it. After quoting from the Unabomber's manifesto, Kerry claims, "There is a general sense of displeasure with technology that accompanies its obvious benefits. It is shared by everyone who, saying, " I finally got a human on the line," is rebelling against that sense of cool impersonality that technology has infused into social and commercial relations."

But what might be most terrifying to Freepers considering John F. Kerry becoming Commander in Chief is that he fails to mention Osama bin Laden in his entire examination of the terrorist threat facing our nation.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: 911; bookreview; bush; kerry; moore; terrorism; thenewwar
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To: Congressman Billybob

thank you. I figured I did the work, by plowing through this, so I want others to benefit from it, namely but not having this Vietnam medal tossing veteran become our CIC.

Good luck in your race for Congress!


21 posted on 07/17/2004 12:04:56 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: votelife; StriperSniper; Mo1; Peach; Howlin; kimmie7; 4integrity; BigSkyFreeper; RandallFlagg; ...

http://www.georgewbush.com/KerryMediaCenter/


I knew there was a reason GWB has it down for suggested reading...


I have to pick it up...


22 posted on 07/17/2004 12:05:36 PM PDT by OXENinFLA
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To: Graymatter

true, but now I own the book and can show it to people, especially, the part where Kerry calls Arafat a "statesman." That might be worth the 4 bucks!


23 posted on 07/17/2004 12:06:11 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: OXENinFLA

hey Oxen. This book will scare you, and it really drags on at times, but this book is worth having to know what we're up against. Plus, being able to show a liberal, or a Jew, that Kerry calls Arafat a "statesman" in his own book is PRICELESS!


24 posted on 07/17/2004 12:07:38 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: Graymatter

I view reading this book kind of like watching Michael Moore's movie. Don't exactly like paying for this book, but I think the opposition research was worth it.


25 posted on 07/17/2004 12:09:44 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: votelife; OXENinFLA
or how about this Kerry gem from page 25: Some types of terrorists are, of course, fairly pure. The Unabomber was not out for personal gain; he only wanted to make his point, feel his power, take his pleasure."

You have got be kidding

Good Grief!

26 posted on 07/17/2004 12:27:27 PM PDT by Mo1 (50 States .... I want all 50 States come November!)
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To: Mo1

dead serious. I'd reccomend picking up the book, and asking liberals to defend that quote!


27 posted on 07/17/2004 12:29:15 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: Mo1

on page 24
"Much of our national hysteria on the subject (crime/violence) can be traced to politicians who use "crime" as a code word for "race" and ride the wave of fear to victory on election day. This pandering does a great deal of disservice to our countyr, not least of all because, despite the serious impact of local crime, it closes our minds to the complex reality and imminent threat of the global crime lords and their complicity in street crimes at home."

Have at this one!


28 posted on 07/17/2004 12:32:04 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: All

page 19
"Crime has been with humanity since Cain slew Abel."

interesting...


29 posted on 07/17/2004 12:32:42 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: votelife

This just solidifies my thought that he is an inept fool with a world view that sees life through shit-colored glasses. How the industrial revolution oppressed people my ass. I have a better idea, why don't we all just revert back to tribalism and die at 38. Just more white liberal guilt. Moron. Is his thesis on law enforcement argueing for more police control of the world. More big brother from the left, is that it. One global community for is the future with these people.


30 posted on 07/17/2004 12:38:01 PM PDT by satchmodog9 (Murder and Weather are our only news.)
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To: satchmodog9

thanks, the response here has made the time to write and read it, worth it.


31 posted on 07/17/2004 12:40:43 PM PDT by votelife (Calling abortion a women's issue is like calling war a men's issue!)
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To: votelife
Words fail me and I can't stop shaking my head

Ok .. you convinced me .. I'll check out this book of his
32 posted on 07/17/2004 12:45:29 PM PDT by Mo1 (50 States .... I want all 50 States come November!)
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To: votelife
But what might be most terrifying to Freepers considering John F. Kerry becoming Commander in Chief is that he fails to mention Osama bin Laden in his entire examination of the terrorist threat facing our nation.

Well that is not surprising. Afterall he hasn't had the time to get briefed on the national security.

And this man wants to be president

33 posted on 07/17/2004 12:52:40 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Graymatter
Better still, save the money now and buy Unfit for Command when it comes out. Advance-order it. You won't be sorry.
34 posted on 07/17/2004 1:08:39 PM PDT by firebrand
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To: Kaslin

Kerry is still singing "I'm too sexy for my hair, too sexy for my cat, too sexy for my...." you get the message, HE IS SELF CONSUMED BAFOON.


35 posted on 07/17/2004 1:13:32 PM PDT by Kackikat (,)
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To: Kackikat

You said it.


36 posted on 07/17/2004 1:14:49 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: votelife

I don't need or want to buy, or read anything John Kerry has to say, think or does. I feel the same way with the Clinton's, Kennedy's and M. Moore. I wouldn't read or touch a book from these people if it was given to me, much less pay for it.
My thoughts and opinion.


37 posted on 07/17/2004 1:40:55 PM PDT by AIC
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To: Arrowhead1952; MEG33; votelife; Happy2BMe; devolve; yall
Looks like F'ing may have some explaining to do. If he still thinks terrorism is a law enforcement issue, he is badly fooled. Let him try to get bin laden to surrender.



Turn your speakers up, then
click here or on the pic, lol !


38 posted on 07/17/2004 2:08:45 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: votelife

39 posted on 07/17/2004 2:11:45 PM PDT by ChadGore (Vote Bush. He's Earned It.)
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To: votelife

Kerry thinks Yassar is a statesman ?!?!?


40 posted on 07/17/2004 2:15:29 PM PDT by ChadGore (Vote Bush. He's Earned It.)
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