My Dear, Sweet God......THIS is all that I have wanted since 1980

[FredStembottom]

John Kerry at the "take Back America Conference" today:

“It was right to dissent in 1971 from a war that was wrong and could not be won. And in 2006 it is both a right and an obligation for Americans to stand up to a president who is wrong today.”

".....it is time to end a war in Iraq that weakens the nation each and every day it goes on.”

That's it. 26 years later - after a billion dollars' worth of campaign expenses, polling efforts and consultants have been flushed down the toilet. After a seemingly unstoppable 26 year electoral decline. Today. That one, little, tiny thing I have wanted from my Democratic party for every second of every day for 26 nightmarish years.....arrived.

Finally....and I am a puddle of tears.

Such a small thing. Such a homely thing. Like the spark plugs in a car or the horn speakers behind a movie theater's screen. Common but vital to the very purpose of the device.

How could such a thing disappear so utterly from an entire political party? How was it removed from each and every one of our party's leaders with such completeness - as if a vaccination had been given or an organ had been removed?

26 years! Or was it a hundred?

And how many theories poo-pooing the necessity of it or endeavoring to substitute something else for it or displaying the very latest exquisitely expensive "improvement" upon it have I seen from my party?

And how many letters did I write to my party and petitions did I sign and friends did I harangue with everything from questions as to where it went to entreaties to try finding it again to sheer freaking , desperate bewilderment as to why ANY political party would go on and on and on without it?

But it was gone. Totally. Apparently it had no more chance than a very average squirrel when faced with the enormous SUV's of a thousand faceless, shadowy consultants roaring down America's political highways.

Secretly, I had effectively given up hope. That the one, little thing I wanted from my Democratic Party - in lieu of everything else - was never again coming back.

I lived in despair that no one in my Party would ever again simply SPEAK UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. Clearly. Simply. And with no apologies. And then see if that just might be enough to win an election.

And yet......for reasons that are unclear to me (and on a 'bad news" day), it appeared. It came back! And it came through John Kerry. Why now? Why not in 2004? Or 1984? Or 1994?

Nevermind.......it is HERE! A Democratic leader spoke clearly and forthrightly about what he believes!

And those 2 simple sentences delivered without the slightest hint of apology ring louder in my ears than anything else I have heard in 26 years.

I see the dawn.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. A light at the end of the tunnel??

[DianaForRussFeingold]

2. Thank you so much here's the video'

Senator John Kerry
(June 13th, 2006)
"Our one biggest idea, the one that makes us Democrats, is not to stand for selfishness but to stand for the common good."

Senator John Kerry addresses Take Back America 2006 by calling for the need to "end the war in Iraq that weakens the nation each and every day we are in it", and then discussing the ideas underpinning the democratic Agenda for the Common Good. http://home.ourfuture.org/videos/take-back-america-2006/john-kerry.bin Smart Baby Hero'

[karynnj]

16. What an adorable baby!

That was a fabulous speech. Kerry's speeches have been unbelievably good lately. (I didn't think he could beat the Faneuil Hall speech. This has some parts from that, but he's added so much truth on everything.

[MH1]

18. Democrats stand for the Common Good

Kerry nailed it - that is the mantra we need to drill continuously into the American consciousness.

Democrats stand for the Common Good.

[ProSense]

19. I love it! Thanks!

Smart baby, and cute too!

[niallmac]

3. So so agreed. I hunger for it so much I would even vote for Hillary

if she would stand up in front of her own party and say "I made a mistake."
That's all. That's all I ask. Guts.

[aquart]

4. Exactly. "I made a mistake."

But she keeps insisting she didn't. And Chuck Schumer, too, although he's not running for President.

That's why I only gave them a "fair" rating in the Zogby poll.

[FredStembottom]

5. And especially guts in the face of a mere propaganda barrage!

In 1971 Kerry was right about that war and tonight he's right again with this war. Neither war has been shown to be, in retrospect, a good idea. Quite the opposite! But the other side has been allowed to be effective with their assertion (threat) that Kerry (or you or I ) don't have the RIGHT to be right about these wars!

Something that shrinks away as mere bullying with just the slightest touch of forthright, non-apologetic speech from those who history has SHOWN to be right!

[niallmac]

6. Yes. Hey my Dem pols. It's a paper tiger. Stand up a say No!

They will fold and the rest of us will be red in the face from cheering.

[LittleClarkie]

8. I liked his snarky little comment as well

"Now, I understand fully that Iraq is not Vietnam. After all, President Bush is even there today."

[IndyOp]

27. Thank you for repeating that comment - I listened to the speech and

liked it quite a lot. The comment was kind of a throw away line and I only kind of heard it and did not rewind to fully process. I am in complete agreement with you - that is a very good snarky comment. Kick 'em where it hurts.

:applause:

[JanusAscending]

7. Thank you for your post Fred!!

Now maybe people will understand why we at the Kerry forum are so TOTALLY dedicated to this "man for all seasons"! Feel free to join us at our Forum to discuss with those who understand how you are feeling. All you need is a "star", and you will be very welcomed indeed. :hi: DC

[Canuckistanian]

9. A heartfelt post

May you carry on from this day forward and realize that you're not alone.

:pals: :patriot:

K&R.

[LuckyLib]

10. This is it -- the Democratic mantra from now on:

SPEAK UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT! Every candidate, every citizen, every lawn sign: SPEAK UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!

[regnaD kciN]

11. Now, if only...

...Kerry and the others had had the courage to SPEAK UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT at the time of the Iraq War Resolution, he might have been addressing some other subject today...from the Oval Office. :-(

[JanusAscending]

12. DAMN !!!

You just HAD to get that last little dig in, didn't ya!! Holy shit, some of you DUers need to be hit up the sides of your thick skulls to "get it"!!! What the hell more do you want from the man?? Could you have done it better?? He DIDN"T LOOSE THE ELECTION....period.!! And certainly not because of lack of courage!!! RANT OVER!!!! Thanks for spoiling a perfectly heartfelt and genuine post, by someone who "heard it from the horses mouth" and was moved to share his feelings with the rest of us.

[nmliberal]

14. Our choice: Bitch about what was or express joy at what is

It's sad really that some people are so caught up in making judgments about the past that they fail to appreciate what wonderfullness (ok, my word) for what is going on right now.

[Chulanowa]

13. Always look ahead

Yes, he damn sure could have taken a stand then. But he's taking a stand now. And that counts for something - it's certainly more than a lot of our politicians have done on the subject.

[LittleClarkie]

15. Gee, the Iraq War Resolution? What's that? Oh, I remember

What a novel observation. Who'd have ever thought to bring that up after so much time.

Have you ever done something you shouldn't have?

Did you apologize for it?

Did you get your apology accepted?

Did you amend your behavior?

Did people continue to bring it up years later?

Would you consider that fair?

[blm]

22. Why? The IWR didn't take us to war - Bush VIOLATING the IWR took us to war

So sad that so many Dems prefer to attack the resolution that would have PREVENTED war had Bush chosen to implement it honestly.

[blm]

17. I want him in office because I trust he will OPEN THE BOOKS on BushInc.

This country needs it.

[ProSense]

20. Wonderful post! Thank you! n/t

[blm]

21. Were you there in person or did you see the video?

I haven't seen it yet, but was hoping to catch it if Cspan runs it.

I'm an anti-corruption Democrat, so Kerry's been a key lawmaker for me for many years, along with Gonzalez (RIP), Waxman and Conyers.

[rox63]

23. Thank you for a wonderful post!

It was a fantastic speech. K&R!

[politicasista]

24. kick and recommended!

:kick:

[Island Blue]

25. Thank you for your beautiful post! n/t

[NastyDiaper]

26. Kerry's been kicking ass lately.

March on, sir. Right with you.

[TayTay]

31. Yes he has. And that speech connected.

He did, as the OP stated, tell a crowd what they had longed to hear from their elected Dems. It was a wonderful moment.

[globalvillage]

28. Thank you for your wonderful post.

So hopeful.
I was at the conference, and I can still feel the energy that flowed through the room during the Kerry speech. His words were a call to action. Anyone who didn't hear them, should.

[Pierzin]

29. I want to hear that speach!

Where can I hear it?

[politicasista]

32. Here you go

http://www.politicstv.com/blog/ :hi:

[Laurab]

30. K & R - Kerry is a good man

who continues to do good things. He, along with a few of our Democratic leaders, gives me hope.

What Dennis Kucinich (sp)? said today about the war was another example. I hope whatever those guys have is contagious.

[karendc]

33. Yes.

I was there too and felt the palpable relief in the room. I think he felt it too. But what I loved was the fire in his eye. I saw it there in the beginning of the campaign, but by fall 2004, I think the media and neocons and consultants had just worn him out.

People around me were teary-eyed. Me too...

[Pierzin]

34. I am writng to Senator Kerry Now!!!

Thank you FredStembottom,

for your post! I went to TakeBackAmerica website and saw Sen Kerry speach, and I too cried because this mans rightful place as president of the United States has been taken away. This is a shame!

Everyone make your voice heard! It is a real shame that these snarky weasel chicken hawk rat bastards are running the country, and we need to run them out.