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KERRY CAMPAIGN USING PRISONER PHOTOS TO RAISE MONEY, GOP SAYS!!
Cybercast News ^ | 5/10/04

Posted on 05/10/2004 7:10:57 AM PDT by areafiftyone

(CNSNews.com) - Republicans accuse the John F. Kerry Campaign of "politicizing" the Iraqi POW scandal to raise cash.

"The prison images from Baghdad are clearly disgusting, but it's harder to find words to describe those whose first instinct upon seeing them is to raise campaign cash with them," said RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie in a press release dated Sunday.

According to Gillespie, Kerry's Campaign Manager Mary Beth Cahill made fundraising pitches over the weekend, urging Kerry supporters to send money to the Kerry Campaign as a way of showing support for Kerry's demand that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resign.

In her letter to supporters, Cahill said, "George Bush must fire Don Rumsfeld. But that is only the first step towards in taking responsibility for his Administration's failures in Iraq. John Kerry has called on Don Rumsfeld to resign, and today we are asking you to support him by adding your name to call for Rumsfeld to resign here."

According to Gillespie, "The words and actions of the Kerry Campaign over the past 48 hours show that in times that call for positive answers, they can only offer political attacks. In a situation that requires firm leadership, they put forward fundraising appeals."

A new "prisoner abuse" photo surfaced over the weekend, showing guard dogs attacking a naked Iraqi prisoner, and many more disturbing pictures -- reportedly showing rape and murder -- will soon be viewed by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, press reports said.

In his Saturday radio address, President Bush said anyone involved in mistreating Iraqi prisoners will answer for their actions:

"What took place in that Iraqi prison was the wrongdoing of a few, and does not reflect the character of the more than 200,000 military personnel who have served in Iraq since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. America is a compassionate country that believes in justice and in freedom."

President Bush admitted it has been "a difficult few weeks" in Iraq, but he added that U.S. forces "will stay on the offensive, finding and confronting the killers and terrorists who are trying to undermine the progress of democracy in Iraq."

President Bush on Monday was making a short trip across the Potomac River to the Pentagon, where he'll meet with Rumsfeld and other military officials for a briefing on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Bush has said he stands by his defense secretary, and his trip on Monday reportedly was planned before the prisoner-photo scandal erupted.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2004; ccrm; fundraising; kerry
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1 posted on 05/10/2004 7:10:58 AM PDT by areafiftyone
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To: areafiftyone
I'm shocked, just shocked. Knock me over with a feather.
2 posted on 05/10/2004 7:12:17 AM PDT by Catspaw
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To: areafiftyone
Thats a hot potato that will be stapled to John Kerrys hands before all is said and done.
3 posted on 05/10/2004 7:12:46 AM PDT by cripplecreek (you tell em i'm commin.... and hells commin with me.)
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To: areafiftyone
Yes they are. Kerry's violating the Geneva Conventions and the Civil Rights of the accused and interfering in criminal proceedings, too.
4 posted on 05/10/2004 7:14:20 AM PDT by cake_crumb (UN Resolutions = Very Expensive, Very SCRATCHY Toilet Paper)
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To: areafiftyone
Now ponder this.






Dear MoveOn member,
In the wake of revelations of torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners, John Kerry has launched an important petition calling for President Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld. Getting rid of Secretary Rumsfeld would be a huge step forward for all of us who oppose the Bush war policy, and Kerry needs to hear our support. To sign on to the petition, go to:


http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php
Senator Kerry's full message to his email list is copied below.

Sincerely,
--Eli Pariser
MoveOn PAC
May 7th, 2004

Message from Mary Beth Cahill, Kerry Campaign Manager:


Dear Friend,
Over the past week we have all been shocked by the pictures from the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. But we have also been appalled at the slow and inept response by President Bush, which has further undermined America's credibility in the world and created new dangers for Americans in Iraq. George Bush must fire Donald Rumsfeld. But that is only a first step towards taking responsibility for his administration's failures in Iraq.

John Kerry has called on Donald Rumsfeld to resign, and today we're asking you to support him by adding your name to the call for Rumsfeld to resign here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php

Help us show that America supports John Kerry in calling for Rumsfeld to resign. If 50,000 people sign this petition, that is a strong statement that will be recognized in the media -- and by the Bush-Cheney campaign. Help us get to 50,000 signers by today by forwarding this email to your friends and family.

The events of the last week are a stark reminder of the stakes in this Presidential election. John Kerry's remarks yesterday painted a striking contrast to President Bush's evasion of responsibility,

"As president, I will not be the last to know what is going on in my command," Kerry said. "I will demand accountability for those who serve and I will take responsibility for their actions. And I will do everything that I can in my power to repair the damage that this has caused to America, to our standing in the world, and to the ideals for which we stand...Today, I have a message for the men and women of our armed forces. As commander in chief, I will honor your commitment and I will take responsibility for the bad as well as the good."

Show George Bush and show the media that you support John Kerry's stand: Donald Rumsfeld MUST resign immediately. To sign please click here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php

Obviously this is one of the most important petitions we will send out in the course of this campaign. Please forward this petition to EVERYONE in your address book and get the word out.

Thank you,

Mary Beth Cahill
Campaign Manager, John Kerry for President






TIMELINE: What was known, and when.

Fall 2003 Bremer repeatedly raises issue of prison conditions with Rumsfeld and the President's inner circle according to LA Times: "Bremer repeatedly raised the issue of prison conditions as early as last fall -- both in one-on-one meetings with Rumsfeld and other administration leaders, and in group meetings with the president's inner circle on national security. Officials described Bremer as 'kicking and screaming' about the need to release thousands of uncharged prisoners and improve conditions for those who remained." (Washington Post, Graham, 5/7/04)

November 5, 2003 Maj. Gen. Donald J. Ryder files report concluding that there were potential human rights, training, and manpower issues -- system wide -- that needed immediate attention. Discussed serious concerns about tension between missions of the military police assigned to guard prisoners and intelligence teams who interrogate them. (New Yorker Magazine, Hersh, 5/5/04

January 2004 Rumsfeld learns of photographs showing prisoner abuse according to the Washington Post: "...Rumsfeld has known of the photographs since January, when they came to the attention of U.S. commanders in Iraq, he had not seen them, and he was not aware that CBS was about to air them until just hours before they were broadcast last week." (Washington Post, Graham, 5/7/04)

Mid-January, 2004 Bush told about the photo of abuse according to the Washington Post: "Marine Gen. Peter Pace...said Wednesday on CBS's "Early Show" that beginning in mid-January, everyone "up the chain of command . . . was kept apprised orally of the ongoing investigation." Asked if Bush "was well aware of the situation," Pace replied: "Yes."" (Washington Post, Allen, 5/7/04)

Late February 2004 Major General Antonio M. Taguba issues 53-page report concluding that between October and December 2003 there were numerous instances of "sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses" at Abu Ghraib. Report was not meant for public release. (New York, Hersh, 5/5/04 and LA Times, McDonnell, 5/3/04)

March 2004 Six enlisted personnel charged with prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. One is court marshaled. (AP, Burns, 5/3/04)

Mid-April, 2004 Military learns CBS has pictures of prisoner abuse in Iraq. General Abizaid and General Myers ask CBS to post-pone broadcast of the photos. (NY Times, Schmitt, 5/4/04)

April 28, 2004


Graphic photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners are shown on CBS 60 Minutes 2. (AP, Crary, 4/28/04)
Rumsfeld provides classified briefing to Congressional leaders on situation in Iraq, fails to mention that photos of Iraqi abuse victims will be aired that evening on television. (Senate Armed Services Committee Testimony, Levin, 5/7/04)
May 3, 2004 Spokesman McClellan says that Bush still hasn't seen or been briefed on the Taguba report. (WH Briefing, McClellan, 5/3/04).
May 4, 2004


Rumsfeld says he disagrees with critics who have said the Pentagon moved too slowly. Defense Department officials have moved correctly and efficiently, he said. "The system works," he said. "The system works." Admitted he had not read the whole Taguba report or seen the photos. (DoD Briefing, Rumsfeld, 5/4/04)
Military discloses Army has conducted 30 criminal investigations into misconduct by American captors in Iraq and Afghanistan, including 10 cases of suspicious death, 10 cases of abuse, and two deaths of Iraqis already determined to have been criminal homicides. (NY Times, Neilan, 5/5/04)
General George Casey, Army's Vice-Chief of Staff, refers to a "complete breakdown in discipline." (NY Times, Reuters wire, 5/5/04)
(END OF KERRY MESSAGE)


PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC, WWW.MOVEONPAC.ORG
This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
5 posted on 05/10/2004 7:16:25 AM PDT by OXENinFLA
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To: areafiftyone


John Kerry for President

Dear Friend,

Over the past week we have all been shocked by the pictures from the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. But we have also been appalled at the slow and inept response by President Bush, which has further undermined America's credibility in the world and created new dangers for Americans in Iraq. George Bush must fire Donald Rumsfeld. But that is only a first step towards taking responsibility for his administration's failures in Iraq.

John Kerry has called on Donald Rumsfeld to resign, and today we're asking you to support him by adding your name to the call for Rumsfeld to resign here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php

Help us show that America supports John Kerry in calling for Rumsfeld to resign. If 50,000 people sign this petition, that is a strong statement that will be recognized in the media -- and by the Bush-Cheney campaign. Help us get to 50,000 signers by today by forwarding this email to your friends and family.

The events of the last week are a stark reminder of the stakes in this Presidential election. John Kerry's remarks yesterday painted a striking contrast to President Bush's evasion of responsibility,

"As president, I will not be the last to know what is going on in my command," Kerry said. "I will demand accountability for those who serve and I will take responsibility for their actions. And I will do everything that I can in my power to repair the damage that this has caused to America, to our standing in the world, and to the ideals for which we stand...Today, I have a message for the men and women of our armed forces. As commander in chief, I will honor your commitment and I will take responsibility for the bad as well as the good."

Show George Bush and show the media that you support John Kerry's stand: Donald Rumsfeld MUST resign immediately. To sign please click here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php

Obviously this is one of the most important petitions we will send out in the course of this campaign. Please forward this petition to EVERYONE in your address book and get the word out.

Thank you,

Mary Beth Cahill
Campaign Manager, John Kerry for President


TIMELINE: What was known, and when.

Fall 2003 Bremer repeatedly raises issue of prison conditions with Rumsfeld and the President's inner circle according to LA Times: "Bremer repeatedly raised the issue of prison conditions as early as last fall -- both in one-on-one meetings with Rumsfeld and other administration leaders, and in group meetings with the president's inner circle on national security. Officials described Bremer as 'kicking and screaming' about the need to release thousands of uncharged prisoners and improve conditions for those who remained." (Washington Post, Graham, 5/7/04)

November 5, 2003 Maj. Gen. Donald J. Ryder files report concluding that there were potential human rights, training, and manpower issues -- system wide -- that needed immediate attention. Discussed serious concerns about tension between missions of the military police assigned to guard prisoners and intelligence teams who interrogate them. (New Yorker Magazine, Hersh, 5/5/04

January 2004 Rumsfeld learns of photographs showing prisoner abuse according to the Washington Post: "...Rumsfeld has known of the photographs since January, when they came to the attention of U.S. commanders in Iraq, he had not seen them, and he was not aware that CBS was about to air them until just hours before they were broadcast last week." (Washington Post, Graham, 5/7/04)

Mid-January, 2004 Bush told about the photo of abuse according to the Washington Post: "Marine Gen. Peter Pace...said Wednesday on CBS's "Early Show" that beginning in mid-January, everyone "up the chain of command . . . was kept apprised orally of the ongoing investigation." Asked if Bush "was well aware of the situation," Pace replied: "Yes."" (Washington Post, Allen, 5/7/04)

Late February 2004 Major General Antonio M. Taguba issues 53-page report concluding that between October and December 2003 there were numerous instances of "sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses" at Abu Ghraib. Report was not meant for public release. (New York, Hersh, 5/5/04 and LA Times, McDonnell, 5/3/04)

March 2004 Six enlisted personnel charged with prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. One is court marshaled. (AP, Burns, 5/3/04)

Mid-April, 2004 Military learns CBS has pictures of prisoner abuse in Iraq. General Abizaid and General Myers ask CBS to post-pone broadcast of the photos. (NY Times, Schmitt, 5/4/04)

April 28, 2004

  • Graphic photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners are shown on CBS 60 Minutes 2. (AP, Crary, 4/28/04)
  • Rumsfeld provides classified briefing to Congressional leaders on situation in Iraq, fails to mention that photos of Iraqi abuse victims will be aired that evening on television. (Senate Armed Services Committee Testimony, Levin, 5/7/04)
  • May 3, 2004 Spokesman McClellan says that Bush still hasn't seen or been briefed on the Taguba report. (WH Briefing, McClellan, 5/3/04).

May 4, 2004

  • Rumsfeld says he disagrees with critics who have said the Pentagon moved too slowly. Defense Department officials have moved correctly and efficiently, he said. "The system works," he said. "The system works." Admitted he had not read the whole Taguba report or seen the photos. (DoD Briefing, Rumsfeld, 5/4/04)
  • Military discloses Army has conducted 30 criminal investigations into misconduct by American captors in Iraq and Afghanistan, including 10 cases of suspicious death, 10 cases of abuse, and two deaths of Iraqis already determined to have been criminal homicides. (NY Times, Neilan, 5/5/04)
  • General George Casey, Army's Vice-Chief of Staff, refers to a "complete breakdown in discipline." (NY Times, Reuters wire, 5/5/04)

Please do not reply to this message. To contact John Kerry for President, please click here.

Keep the ball rolling:
Donate Now!

We apologize if you received this message in error. Click here to unsubscribe from our mailing list.

Contributions or gifts to John Kerry for President, Inc. are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
National Headquarters: 901 15th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005, U.S.A.

Paid for by John Kerry for President, Inc.




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6 posted on 05/10/2004 7:18:58 AM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: dead
This from the folks who had a spasm when GWB dared mention 9/11 ... Typical.
7 posted on 05/10/2004 7:21:31 AM PDT by JennysCool
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To: areafiftyone
oh, no different than Bush using 9/11 photos to raise money. Par for the course. Carry on.
8 posted on 05/10/2004 7:21:35 AM PDT by Clobbersaurus
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To: dead
And theres the staple.
9 posted on 05/10/2004 7:22:43 AM PDT by cripplecreek (you tell em i'm commin.... and hells commin with me.)
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To: areafiftyone
The images of naked men tied to leashes ought to appeal to Kerry's core constituency.
10 posted on 05/10/2004 7:22:55 AM PDT by Corporate Law (<>< -- Xavier Basketball - Perennial Slayer of #1 Ranked Teams)
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To: cripplecreek
But not by the media wing of the DNC.
11 posted on 05/10/2004 7:28:54 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Even if the government took all your earnings, you wouldn't be, in its eyes, a slave.)
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To: areafiftyone
I recall the liberals getting upset when President Bush used pictures of himself on 9/11 for fundraising. But is is perfectly all right for them to use these photos for the same purpose. Which is worse? To a liberal, if it benefits Republicans, it is worse. But Bush's actions were at worst in bad taste, whereas Kerry's actions are heinous and despicable, trading on peoples' humilliation for cash.
12 posted on 05/10/2004 7:29:28 AM PDT by KellyAdmirer
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To: dead
I wonder how soon it will be before that text timeline will be edited on Kerry's website?
13 posted on 05/10/2004 7:29:59 AM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: areafiftyone
Desperation.
14 posted on 05/10/2004 7:31:04 AM PDT by RightthinkinAmerican (You can have my gun when I'm done shooting your cold, dead body with it.)
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To: Corporate Law
Your probably right but freaks only make up a small percentage of the population. No, I think we should distribute far and wide how John Francois Fonda Kerri is exploiting this issue. I already sense a backlash as most Americans are not going to blame Bush or the military at large.

I think all Freepers should write to their local papers demanding that Kerri issue and apology for his exploitation of our military men. This seems to be a pattern of his.

15 posted on 05/10/2004 7:32:30 AM PDT by marlon
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To: Corporate Law
"The images of naked men tied to leashes ought to appeal to Kerry's core constituency."

As someone said on an earlier thread, "there are men who pay good money to be treated like that".

And they'd all vote for Kerry, too.

16 posted on 05/10/2004 7:32:32 AM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: KellyAdmirer
A mountain out of a molehill. He has urged Rumsfeld to resign (which Rumsfeld won't and GWB don't let him because he has been a great Defense Secretary). The comparison to 911 doesn't hold water. 911 was a different event, different situation, with a national bipartisan unity that had not been seen in this country for years. YES the best defense is a good OFFENSE and that is what this is all about -- trying to get off defense by going on offense. But it's a dumb offense and won't convince anyone remotely sitting on the fence. But it will provide some great possibilities for talk show hosts to posture and get off the subject of the real issues...including what policy changes are going to be needed to ensure we don't provide out enemies overseas ever again with such a great propaganda gift as we have with those prison photos.
17 posted on 05/10/2004 7:33:47 AM PDT by jraven
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To: Clobbersaurus
Yeah right, a single image of a flag drapped coffin coming out of the rubble of the towers that was shown in the the background of one of Bush's ads is the same thing as Kerry's people jumping all over this to bash Bush and raise $$$ ...

you've either got an ax to gring (4-24-2004 signup) or your morning coffee hasn't kick started your brain yet.
18 posted on 05/10/2004 7:34:00 AM PDT by tx_eggman (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly. Teddy Roosevelt)
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Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: tx_eggman
I don't have an ax to grind; it's the same thing. Each person is exploiting a tragedy for personal gain. This is American politics, like it or not.
20 posted on 05/10/2004 7:35:41 AM PDT by Clobbersaurus
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