Focus Shifts to Kerry's Antiwar Activities in '70s

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-kerrywar22aug22,1,5927173.story
THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Focus Shifts to Kerry's Antiwar Activities in '70s
Aides say the Democrat will not back away from his Vietnam protest years, even as the Swift boat veterans group tries to use them against him.
By Maria L. La Ganga and Matea Gold
Times Staff Writers

August 22, 2004

After making his service in Vietnam the centerpiece of his presidential bid, Sen. John F. Kerry now finds himself defending his role as a protester of the war — the chapter of his biography that first gained him prominence but which he has discussed infrequently this year.

The new focus on the antiwar part of Kerry's past is the latest twist in a more than 30-year evolution of the role his actions during the Vietnam era have played in his political life.

Kerry used his leadership in the Vietnam protest movement as a springboard into politics, running as an antiwar candidate in his first campaign in Massachusetts — a race for the U.S. House that he lost. He also distanced himself from his military career at least once in his next five campaigns, all of which he won.

But his involvement in the peace movement receded as a key element of his political resume, as the nation's attitudes toward the Vietnam War changed.<snip>

But in its latest salvo against him, the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth plans to begin running a television commercial this week that features images of Kerry testifying in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971, detailing atrocities some soldiers had said they committed in Vietnam.<snip>

[JI7]

1. what was asshole doing during this time ?

[59millionmorons]

2. I have no problem with that

That is something reasonable people could/should debate unlike the swift boat liars claims.

[rucky]

3. when does the focus shift to the chimp in the 2000's? n/t

[papau]

5. Media will avoid Bush record as long as GOP asks - there is no

independent media in the US except the internet.

[Brotherjohn]

4. Some say this is risky for Kerry. I say it's easy.

"I've BEEN to war. I KNOW what our men and women in the field go through. I believe I can use that knowledge in making more informed decisions regarding war and peace, not hasty ones that unnecessarily increase the risk to our men and women in harm's way. THAT is a major difference between myself and George Bush!"

"I make no apologies whatsoever for my conduct during or after my experience in Viet Nam. It gave me experience and knowledge that enables me to lead our nation in these risky times. It also taught me that we need to hold our leaders accountable whenever they take us to war, and not give them a 'blank check' that some presidents would like... especially when they continue to get us deeper and deeper into war, where hundreds and perhaps thousands of our soldiers pay the ultimate price."

[Brotherjohn]

6. Addendum (Kerry speechwriters, take note!):

"When they take issue with me, they take issue with everyone who ever expressed doubts and reservations as to the wisdom of the war in Viet Nam. And let me tell you, there are MILLIONS of us!"

"It is as sad for me to speak about today as it was thirty years ago. But the fact of the matter was, there WERE war crimes committed in Viet Nam... unfortunately not just by the other side. Some said then and still say now that I should not have called attention to that. They say I should have cast a blind eye, and because I did not, they challenge my patriotism."

"This is the same saying that, unless you cast a blind eye to the indefensible actions committed at Abu Ghraib and other military prisons under this administration, you are somehow unpatriotic. Well, in the America I was raised in, WAR CRIMES are unpatriotic. TORTURE is unpatriotic."

[Karenina]

8. Anyone remember *dimwit's quip

about the twins, saying he'd rather go to war?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. If the Bush campaign wants to argue that Vietnam was not a mistake

I say, fine. Let's see how far they get with that one.