Salon: Kerry blasts Bush on Iraq

[kskiska]

With the race in a dead heat, John Kerry accuses the president of not telling America the truth about the disaster he created.

By Tim Grieve

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Forty-two U.S. soldiers died in Iraq in June. Fifty-four died in July, 66 died in August and -- if the second half of this month is as deadly as the first -- 92 will die before September comes to a close. All told, 1,024 young Americans have died in the Iraq war, almost 900 of them since President Bush landed on that aircraft carrier and proclaimed that the United States had "prevailed" in the "battle of Iraq."

Bush doesn't mention those dead soldiers much on the campaign trail. They don't get a single word in his stump speech, and the president said nothing about them when he gave an Iraq-specific speech Tuesday to the National Guard Association. There was no moment of silence, no talk of "fallen heroes" or the "ultimate sacrifice." And there was no acknowledgment at all, really, of what even some leading Republicans are now saying: Iraq is a mess and the United States is in deep trouble there.

Forget "Two Americas." The presidential campaign is -- for the moment, at least -- now about "Two Iraqs."

(snip)

And even when Kerry can focus hard on one subject, the legendary closer still isn't in his fighting trim. Kerry's attack on Bush Thursday was strong on paper but less so in person. Part of it was the audience. While the National Guard members and their families greeted Bush with a thunderous welcome Tuesday, they mostly sat on their hands for Kerry's speech. Even those who were critical of the planning and provisions for the war remained fiercely loyal to their commander in chief, and they sat silently as Kerry criticized him. Even when Kerry called for a show of support for the troops overseas, the crowd was slow to applaud. In a local TV interview -- the only sort of interaction he has with reporters these days -- Kerry said he found the audience attentive and polite. "I know there were some people in there who didn't agree with me before I went in there, and therefore I'm even more respectful of that," he said.

more…
http://salon.com/news/feature/2004/09/17/kerry/index.html

[GreatScott]

1. Where can I find out about Kerry's plan for Iraq?

[bookman]

3. Where can I find about Bush's plan for Iraq?

[fairfaxvadem]

4. You got that right.

I came "this" close to replying exactly the same way but just couldn't bring myself to respond to such a stupid question. You are brever than I am.

[GreatScott]

5. I already know there isn't one.

Was my question a dumb question?

Am I missing something?

[bookman]

10. Kerry's Plan

Winning The Peace In Iraq
More than a year ago, President Bush stood on an aircraft carrier under a banner that proclaimed "mission accomplished." But today we know that the mission is not accomplished, hostilities have not ended and our men and women in uniform stand almost alone with the target squarely on their backs.

Our military performed brilliantly in the war's first mission: ending the regime of Saddam Hussein. Today, Americans share a desire for Iraqis to live with the blessings of democracy and security. John Kerry and John Edwards have a practical plan to win the peace in Iraq and bring our troops home.

We must change course in Iraq. Having gone to war, we cannot afford to fail at peace. The United States must take immediate measures to prevent Iraq from becoming a failed state that inevitably would become a haven for terrorists and a destabilizing force in the Middle East.

John Kerry and John Edwards will forge a new policy to promote stability, democracy, protection of minority and women's rights in Iraq, and peace in the region. John Kerry and John Edwards will work to gain new military and financial commitments from other nations so America isn't carrying the burden and risk virtually alone.

John Kerry and John Edwards will make the creation of a stable and secure environment in Iraq our immediate priority in order to lay the foundations for sustainable democracy. They will:

Persuade NATO to Make the Security of Iraq one of its Global Missions and to deploy a significant portion of the force needed to secure and win the peace in Iraq. NATO participation will in turn open the door to greater international involvement from non-NATO countries.

Internationalize the Non-Iraqi Reconstruction Personnel in Iraq, to share the costs and burdens, end the continuing perception of a U.S. occupation, and help coordinate reconstruction efforts, draft the constitution and organize elections.

Launch a Massive and Accelerated Training Effort to Build Iraqi Security Forces that can provide real security for the Iraqi people, including a major role for NATO. This is not a task for America alone; we must join as a partner with other nations.

Plan for Iraq’s Future by working with our allies to forgive Iraq’s multi-billion dollar debts and by supporting the development of a new Iraqi constitution and the political arrangements needed to protect minority rights. We will also convene a regional conference with Iraq's neighbors in order to secure a pledge of respect for Iraq's borders and non-interference in Iraq’s internal affairs

[fairfaxvadem]

2. I am just stunned by the response.

I mean, Good Grief. The Natl Guard is experiencing the worst of both worlds: the economy at home as private citizens, and the hell of the Bush foreign policy overseas. And they greet him with open arms and Kerry like some kind of pariah??

This makes me ill.

[dennis4868]

6. up is down,

down is up!

we are living in Bizzaro world!

[newsfox]

7. Dead Americans

Every time this idiocy is compared to Vietnam we always hear the GOP callously say, "There were many more dead in Vietnam." This makes me ill. It's simple really. There was NO reason to be in Vietnam and there is NO reason to be in Iraq. American are dying evey day the same as in Vietnam and they are doing so for NO reason. It doesn't matter if it's one or one-hundred.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi newsfox!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[newsfox]

9. Thanks!

Yes. It does mean a lot.