Please, everyone read John Kerry's actual statement to the FRC in 1971

[neoteric lefty]

http://www.richmond.edu/~ebolt/history398/JohnKerryTestimony.html

This is the transcript of his testimony that day. First, I would urge everyone to watch the recorded testimony or listen to it if at all possible, because John Kerry's words are so much more powerful and eloquent when hearing them come from his own mouth. If not, at least read what it has to say. It shows that these SBV are distorting and flat out lying about what John Kerry had said that day.

...I am not here as John Kerry. I am here as one member of the group of 1,000 which is a small representation of a very much larger group of veterans in this country...

...I would like to talk, representing all those veterans, and say that several months ago in Detroit, we had an investigation at which over 150 honorably discharged and many very highly decorated veterans testified to war crimes committed in Southeast Asia, not isolated incidents but crimes committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command....

/snip

I will be the first to admit that sometimes, I have a position on a topic without knowing all the facts. But, it is important that we all show to our friends, family, co-workers, etc. how insincere and treacherous these SBV have become with this group of theirs.

[still_one]

1. The problem is that the second swift puke ad took it out of context

[KC21304]

2. As they have in every one of their ads.

We need a rapid response to this. I wish our guys were quicker on the draw with this kind of stuff.

[neoteric lefty]

3. Sorry, wrong forum...

I've been away for a few weeks. Give me some time and I'll get back into the swing of things. :)

[magnolia]

4. I wasn't a Kerry fan....

...until I saw his 1971 testimony on CSPAN and was moved to tears. There is no way anyone can watch this without seeing that he is totally, 100% behind the vets. His one and only goal and purpose for doing the testimony and for protesting was to end the war and save lives. There is no other way to interpret his words.

As was stated in the testimony, back then all protesters were considered misfits. Now...if John Kerry had some kind of master plan to become president one day how would it benefit him to join up with misfits???? How does it help him to fight against the goverment? His were the actions of a person who was truly disturbed about what was going on and was willing to risk everything to change it...not someone working on building an impressive resume.

Not only is his testimony meaningful and moving but this 27 year old is obviously extremely intelligent, eloquent and very knowledgeable regarding foreign policy and the workings of government. After his testimony the senators complimented him and asked him questions. You would have to be in major denial (I know many are!) to not see that this 27 year old has a whole lot more going for him than Bush does today.

I think we need to get CSPAN to show the whole thing again....and again...and again. Everyone has already heard the single sentence that could be considered offensive taken out of context. The actual thing clearly shows that Kerry was simply repeating what he had been told. I think after having heard this one sentence, right wingers will want to watch the whole thing assuming they'll hear Kerry make lots of horrible statements about vets.

On edit: I had taped it for my husband when I first saw it and watched it again last night...and once again was moved and sickened by the way he is being treated by the very people that he was trying to help. I do think everybody needs to watch this. The transcript is good...but it's better to hear it in his words, the thoughtfulness and caring in his voice, the reactions in the room, the respect he was given by the senate.

[steph_in_az]

5. Unbelievable..

Well, after reading that..I support Kerry even more...Sorry George, your attempt to sway my vote has failed again...what a moron!

[noamnety]

6. audio is online

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/30/1510259 has the audio file, if you prefer to listen. I think it has more power that way than the written transcript, personally.