John Kerry's doing it right, The Swiftboat Swindlers, and on being afraid.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

I think the man is playing this one the right way.
Lets set the cornerstone and foundation on the issues, because we know and they know that they can't win the issues debate.

The issues table is set we have those cards and even in this lag time, Sen. Kerry is playing them well. Look at the crowds he's getting.

Thursday's salvo was wonderful, but I can't wait to see him do the same thing in the debates. If Kerry's prepared he'll clinch the election face-to-face against George W. Bush.

The thing is, some of the feeling that Kerry isn't fighting back comes from our collective fear. That is not to say is isn't warranted because I'm very afraid, too. We are dealing with a cold, greedy, deadly adversary selling a corrosive, misguided, dangerous agenda for our country. These people have millions who will rise to defend this agenda which have marginalized so many on both sides of the aisle.

But one thing I have seen is when you tear the veil of ignorance away, you can reach many of these. I've gotten a few of my workmates to shed that veil when presented by the mountain of facts I've gotten through DU and other sources (Thanks DU!!!!).

I agree with Democratic Strategist in that we regular folks can be the rapid-response unit that can win for our country. We can torpedo those swiftboat swindlers for starters.

And we can do that to the Right-Wing Dead-Wrong All-Star team, too. One of there head cheerleaders is on Washington Journal Friday morning. Why not a DU powered, "Maul Michelle Morning"? I understand these Malkins, Coulters, and Hannitys. At their core, they are Vegas lounge-lizards. They are riding the jerk right-wing wave, but get them in the corner on the real issues, they fold. It happens everytime.

One thing I do want Kerry to do is take the gloves off on one issues. Call The Chickenhawks out.

Senator Kerry and George W. Bush are both men who have grown up in priviledge. They are Yalie, preppie rich boys who grew to be rich men. There is no question in that.

But Senator Kerry has a difference. He didn't hide behind credential or status. He stood on the line, he got in the boat, and he took fire from Charlie.

That was a test of character and courage.

He saw the writing on the wall, because he lived every word of it. Then he came back, and spoke those words. He saw that the cause he wore the uniform for wasn't right and he spoke up.

That was a test of chracter and courage, too.

He was called a traitor and Unamercan for it. He will be called the same now. The Cheap Labor Conservatives will always reach for that tired hand of cards.

John Kerry's actions on that river, on the Washington Mall, and in front of Congress were American to the core.

At the same time, President Bush wasn't anywhere to be found. He was supposed to be guarding those "sensitive border areas" around Austin and Anniston. Vice President Cheney had "other priorities".

Believe me, Mister Cheney about 58,000 folks who didn't make it back from Vietnam had other priorties, too.

Nearly a 1,000 in Iraq I'm sure had other priorities.

And what really irritates me is that now they have a group of men who saw the same hell Kerry saw, and they are willing to frag a noble officer for political favor or money or whatever those swiftboat swindler are doing it for. I thought fragging went out of vouge after Vietnam. But its happening in 2004.

And they don't want to stop with Kerry, they are evem attacking the men he served with, perhaps men they too served with. What profits these men to lose their souls?

It is this very idea that makes me afraid of what its to come. We are facing people who find it easy to lie. We are facing people who see no problem in intimidation and bearing false witness. They will question our patriotism, our beliefs, our honor.

I am concerned at the response of their faithful and in some way fear it. This is shaping up to be an ugly autumn of discontent.

But I will not allow these people to scare me into a corner. I can't do that. Not this year.

This year means a lot to me. I am angered by the CREAM (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) mentality of our leadership. I am angered out of love for my country, and for the children I hope God blesses me with someday. I want them to have a United States of America that continues to be a beacon of light for the world. A USA that will not trade its birthright of freedom for Halliburton's bowl of beans.

True courage is being afraid, but doing what needs to be done anyway. Thanks DU! Now I'm ready to take my place on the line.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. So far, the SwiftLiars haven't changed any minds

in my neck of the woods, at least with folks I've had a chance to talk to.

I did see a truck in the post office parking lot with the sticker that read "Veterans Against Kerry". If I'd seen the guy, this is what I'd have said:

I see you're a veteran. I'd like to thank you for your service to your country. It is folks like you that let us have the freedom to choose which candidate to support. I see you don't like Kerry, which is your right-you, above all, have earned that right by putting your life on the line. I just hope that you are not supporting Bush and Cheney. And I'm not talking about their service, or lack of it, to their country during Viet Nam. I'm talking about their disservice to veterans here and now. Did you know that:

Bush promised to restore health benefits to career veteran's families but didn't?

Bush has closed VA hospitals?

Bush has made it so that returning Guardsmen lose health benefits after 30 days?

Bush is doing nothing to help Reservists who have come home wounded and lost their jobs, their homes, their cars.

Like I said, you earned the right to vote for whomever you please. I just hope it isn't Bush.

[Paradise]

5. really nice, ayes. n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Kerry stood in line with the rest of the cannon fodder

He understands the plight of the downtrodden. His liberal credentials are bona fide.
We will win this on the issues, and the truth of Kerry's character will defeat the lies.

Thanks for the positive post!
and WELCOME TO DU!

[the Kelly Gang]

3. I think the SwiftBoat Swindlers campaign will backfire

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. I'm willing to bet Bu$hCo is terrified of a Kerry presidency

Because he knows better than almost anyone else, where all the ghosts in their closets are.


The BCCI Affair
A Report to the Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate
by
Senator John Kerry and Senator Hank Brown
December 1992
102d Congress 2d Session Senate Print 102-140

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. Introduction and Summary of Investigation
3. The Origin and Early Years of BCCI
4. BCCI's Criminality
5. BCCI's Relationship with Foreign Governments, Central Banks, and International Organizations
6. BCCI in the United States - Initial Entry and FGB and NBG Takeovers
7. BCCI in the United States - Part Two: Acquisition, Consolidation, and Consequences
8. BCCI and Law Enforcement - The Justice Deparment and the US Customs Service
9. BCCI and Law Enforcement - District Attorney of New York
10. BCCI and Its Accountants
11. BCCI, The CIA and Foreign Intelligence
12. The Regulators
13. Clark Clifford and Robert Altman
14. Abu Dhabi: BCCI's Founding and Majority Stockholders
15. Mohammed Hammoud: BCCI's Flexible Frontman
16. BCCI And Georgia Politicians
17. BCCI's Lawyers and Lobbyists
18. Hill and Knowlton and BCCI's PR Campaign
19. Ed Rogers and Kamal Adham
20. BCCI and Kissinger Associates
21. Capcom: A Case Study of Money Laundering
22. Legislative and Policy Recommendations
23. Appendix - Matters For Further Investigation, Witnesses and Writs


http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1992_rpt/bcci/index.html

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. Of course they are. Kerry speaks the truth

and is not afraid of them.