I'm So Glad I Had Kerry Sign My Book To DrFunkenstein

[DrFunkenstein]

Kerry came to NYC a couple of months back and I went to the book signing for his "A Call To Service." I also brought a copy of his "The New War." He was thrilled to see someone with both books. We had pictures taken together, and when I say we had pictures taken, I mean by about a dozen photographers from the New York media. Unfortunately, they didn't post those photos on the web (at least I never saw them).

I got Kerry to sign "The New War" to my name, but I couldn't resist asking him to sign his new book to DrFunkenstein. I was nervous about asking a U.S. Senator to sign something like that, but he totally giggled and was excited when I explained what I was doing on the internet. He didn't personally check out DU, but he was familiar with it from talking with Chris Heinz.



I wanted him to sign it to DrFunkenstein to commerate a distinct part of my life when I shook off my cynicism and became involved in politics again. Even if Kerry had failed to win the nomination, the book would have been absolutely precious to me. Now that he has won the nomination, I feel like I own a (very, very) small part of history. It wouldn't have been the same if he had signed it to my name. Now it will always remind me of the times I've had at DU, fighting the good fight.



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0670032603/qid=1078436760//ref=pd_ka_2/002-3669856-2491261?v=glance&n=507846

[blm]

1. Doc...YOU are part of history.

YOU are a warrior for democracy.

Doc Funk will go down in internet history.

[polpilot]

13. I'm crying doc.... Regan is NOTHING !!! Kerry rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARYAR 4 Democracy!!!! PRO-WAR RULES!!!!!

[DrFunkenstein]

16. You Must Mean When Dems Thought Kerry Would Impeach Reagan

Suddenly, Kerry's theories didn't seem so far-fetched. He hoped this would be his moment to help lead the investigation into this extraordinary episode. The Iran-contra scandal was the top story in town, and there was worried talk in the halls of Congress that the United States might suffer another failed presidency.

But when congressional leaders chose the members of the elite Iran-contra committee, Kerry was left off. Those selected were consensus-politicians, not bomb-throwers.

The feeling among a disappointed Kerry and his staff was that the committee members were chosen to put a lid on things. "He was told early on they were not going to put him on it," Winer recalls. "He was too junior and too controversial . . .. They were concerned about the survival of the republic."

Even some Democrats "thought John was a little hotter than they would like," says Rosenblith.

As a consolation prize, the Democratic leadership gave Kerry chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations and a charter to dig into the contra-drug connection.

While disappointed, Kerry stuck with his investigation and the subcommittee published a report in 1989 that concluded the CIA and other US agencies had turned a blind eye to drug trafficking occurring on the fringes of the contra network.

http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/062003.shtml

[JohnKleeb]

18. That bushlite bastard ;)

[JohnKleeb]

17. oh give it a rest

Have you ever thought that Kerry has some of the most anti IWR people behind him and has had them since day one such as Senator Kennedy who will tell you that their position was the same. Its a shame, I think if you looked beyond the war, you would see that Senator Kerry will make a great president.

[JohnKleeb]

2. You reminded me that I need to go to the bookstore

Thats neat that you have it. When Kerry is pres, you can brag :). I still have my Dennis Kucinich autograph on a Spanish language war rally sheet. I read part of Call to Service, really liked it. I want to read Tour of Duty though.

[Bread and Circus]

3. Great job Funk, I am glad Kerry knows your moniker...

but for some strange reason, I can't get it out of my head
that you look like Al Sharpton....I love the Avatar by the way.

[DrFunkenstein]

4. I Love The Rev's Expression!

But this might have been even better:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. Yes I will always think of DrF

as Al Sharpton's seperated-at-birth identical twin, lol.

I suppose a lot of people think I look like a red white and blue jackass, I mean donkey...

[flpoljunkie]

5. Thanks, DrFunkenstein for this post. It is a great story!

You are one of the reasons why I feel so good about Democratic Underground. There are some great people here who care deeply about this country's future.

I hope to get him to sign my books someday, too. I do have an autographed John Kerry for President placard that he signed last fall when he spoke at UCLA--thanks to my wonderful daughter who has become a supporter and is active in local John Kerry campaign.

[GumboYaYa]

6. So doc, explain the name to me.

Are you a big fan of funk music?

Growing up in Louisiana, I'm a giant funk fan.

[DrFunkenstein]

15. The Subject Of My Proposed Dissertation

Was "The Ethics of Funkiness." Unfortunately, the curmudgeons running the show at my grad school program (English) weren't thrilled with the idea. They actually asked me - I'm not making this up - "What does 'funky' mean?"

Given that I had already taken a year out of my life working in monk-like conditions on the subject, it really took the wind out of my sails. This was right around September 11th, and I began to get more and more concerned about politics (Bush has that effect on liberals). My life has taken a very different turn since then, but funk is still a big part of my life, even if grad school is not.

PS - I'm a huge Meters fan!

[GumboYaYa]

19. Well, we have two big things in common, liberal politics and

love for the funk. I bet I have seen the Meters play over 100 times. Word on the street is that the original Meters may get back together for a few shows in the not-to-distant future. They all met at jazzfest a few years back.

I was in NO a few weeks ago and saw George Porter, Jr., Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, and Ivan Neville together. There is some serious experimental funk going down in the Big Easy these days.

I'm amazed that your professors were not intrigued with the political and social aspects of the funk movement. That sounds like a great thesis topic to me, but I guess I'm a little biased.

Just for kicks and grins, I'm writing a screenplay about the life of James Booker right now. It is more a project to give me a reason to buy Booker CDs than anything else.

[Octafish]

7. You ARE making history, DrFunkenstein!

Kerry made the biggest political comeback. He had to run against the media, money and marketing. How did he do that? Because Democrats learned he is the BEST candidate. YOU helped do that, Doctor.

[JohnKleeb]

10. you guys didnt give up when it seemed all but dead

good for you.

[Adelante]

8. Sweet story

Very, very sweet. :)

[w4rma]

9. Fantastic story, DrFunk! Thanks for sharing that!

Sen. Kerry is a good man. I'll be honored to call him my president. :hi:

[sistersofmercy]

12. What a terrific story, good for you

[woofless]

14. Who got da' funk?

Great story and congrats Dr. F. It is good to hear someone spread the word that our next president is not a wooden automaton and can relate to real people. Cover that book well and put it away. It is a treasure.

Woof

[THUNDER HANDS]

20. sweet

I hope I get to meet Kerry in person one day. I'm sure he'll be back in New York soon though.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

21. That's awesome Doc!

You rule!!!! Kerry is really down to earth too, since he took the time to understand where the heck you were coming from in your request. :thumbsup:

[oasis]

22. A gem of a story. (eom)

[Name removed]

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