Kerry knows these guys. I believe he intends to annihilate them.

[Jim Sagle]

He took them on when he investigated BCCI. His own party knifed his attempts to get to the bottom of it. So he has no illusions about how rotten and how powerful they are.

So he fell back in line and put in his time as the junior Senator from the great state of MA, and now he gets to take them on again.

Many of us preferred an idealistic but not universallly appealing Kucinich or a blunt and combative but too transparent and predictable Dean. But Kerry destroyed them all, and I suspect he surprised us all. I think he'll do it again.

The thing to realize about Kerry is how asynchronous he is in his response to challenges. Dean would react like a barking terrier to every attack. It was fun to watch and good for morale, but its effectiveness was limited. The same might be said of Clinton's slick but ultimately defensive rope-a-dope act. Kerry lets the enemy overexpose itself so he can then deal a damaging blow.

Kerry knows he is facing a claque of treasonous and ruthless war profiteers, killers and traitors with a strong totalitarian streak. I believe he is the same man he ever was and is waiting for his chance to put them out of business for good. Understandably, he can't say what his real plans might be.

[DeepModem Mom]

1. Thoughtful post, and I hope you're right -- I'm impressed...

more and more with Kerry's persona.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Follow the Money. Kerry did.

Your analysis is excellent. His tactic to turn his boat into fire in Vietnam was effective and lauded then and now. You are absolutely correct when you write "Kerry lets the enemy overexpose itself so he can then deal a damaging blow."

Here is a link to Kerry's investigation of BCCI, favorite bank of terrorists:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0409.sirota.html

Follow the Money
How John Kerry busted the terrorists' favorite bank.

By David Sirota and Jonathan Baskin

Two decades ago, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) was a highly respected financial titan. In 1987, when its subsidiary helped finance a deal involving Texas oilman George W. Bush, the bank appeared to be a reputable institution, with attractive branch offices, a traveler's check business, and a solid reputation for financing international trade. It had high-powered allies in Washington and boasted relationships with respected figures around the world.

All that changed in early 1988, when John Kerry, then a young senator from Massachusetts, decided to probe the finances of Latin American drug cartels. Over the next three years, Kerry fought against intense opposition from vested interests at home and abroad, from senior members of his own party; and from the Reagan and Bush administrations, none of whom were eager to see him succeed.

<snip>

[Jim Sagle]

3. With that investigation he did more to combat terrorism than all

of our presidents combined.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sparkle]

27. ?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. Oh I have no doubts

where this one is coming from. (hits ALERT)

[NNadir]

4. Good post. Thanx. I agree. Kerry's gonna wipe 'em out.

[WindRavenX]

5. When Kerry attacks...

...it will be a mortal blow to the SBVFT. He will rip them asunder.
Kerry is just being patient- even though I know I would love to see him go after them now, it may not be the best time to do so. Kerry is smart enough to know when the time is right.

[0rganism]

6. That's one hooch I'll be glad to see burnt to the ground

The criminals he's fighting in the BFEE make anything Sen. Kerry faced in Vietnam seem straightforward and decent by comparison. I wasn't thrilled at first to see him grab the nomination, but day by day I'm becoming increasingly confident that the Dems have picked a good man for the job of fighting the bush mafia.

[ibegurpard]

7. The complicity of many Democrats in so much of what is wrong

in this country...including your example of the BCCI scandal... makes it very difficult for me to trust that Kerry is any different. I really hope you are right.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. If you don't like Kerry, you're free to vote Bush but that would be stupid

If you don't like Kerry, you're free to vote Bush but that would be stupid. Unless of course you like the ABC axis (Ashcroft-Bush-Cheney) and what they've done to this country.

Your doubts are valid (anyone can have an opinion), but it is your choice as to when you express them. A week after the election would be an excellent time.

[Bongo Prophet]

9. Ah, but Kerry kept on digging...

even after getting warning signs from some establishment Dems to back off when it affected insiders like Clark Clifford or Bert Lance. It was more important for JK to get to the dirty truth than to play that game to a point and then back off. As a C-span junky since way back, I watched JK's hair turn grey in those months of Iran/contra and BCCI hearings. I used to joke about him "being to the mountaintop" and "facing the Octopus" with friends at the time.

Once I saw JK describe how BCCI operatives would first offer a bribe that, if refused, would then morph into a threat, usually pertaining to family members. Evocative of the carpet of gold/carpet of bombs technique, no?

Only the late, great Henry Gonzalez matched his courage in house speeches denouncing the shadowy undercurrent dwelling creatures that lurk under the surface of the political game board we call democracy.
Late at night, Henry on the floor of the house, warning us of the potential consequences of Iraqqqgate, Terrorist fnding, etc.
Someone bombed his car...
And people still speak of tin foil.
But history bears it out, and we cannot escape the reaping of seeds once sewn.

Sorry for the flashback...
Another note on original topic, JK did NOT "destroy" his competition in the primaries. Rather than alienate fellow dems, htey left room for embrace after the primaries. Kudos to Dean, Kucinich, et al for being such great allies toward the goal of moving this country out of the deep woods we've been driven into by the latest push by the Octopus.

They have my gratitude and full support.
/rant over.
O8)

[blm]

15. Welcome. Always good to see another Octopus watcher here.

Some of us have stressed over the last few years that all things 9-11 and our foreign policy have their roots in BCCI and IranContra.

[Jim Sagle]

25. Very good point. Kerry was indeed restrained in going after fellow Dems.

It shows he was looking ahead to the general election.

[Jackpine Radical]

22. Well, Kerry sure as hell wasn't complicit

in BCCI & Iran-Contra. Why shouild he be any different now?

And remember, sometimes even sleazy politicians (I'm not implying Kerry is one) grow a lot when the hit the White House. Think LBJ, who was an incredibly crooked, megalomanic southern-fried senator but went on to get civil rights & Great Society legislation through. Even though his character flaws made him do some terrible things re: Vietnam.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. I hope you're right. I've now seen the

new SmearVets ad three or four times on news shows and it's very effective, very worrying. I think the Kerry campaign needed to strike back sooner and harder. So I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

[The Magistrate]

34. These Efforts Will, Ma'am, Prove Futile As The First

They are quite contrary to a real national mood, and are the product of a very isolated group afflicted with serious tunnel-vision.

Look at the popular reaction to reports of criminal maltreatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib. That was a decisve factor in changing the whole mood of the people concerning the war going on now in Iraq. The overwhelming majority of the people not only are willing to accept the fact that U.S. soldiers on occassion behave atrociously, they disapprove of the doing, and want something done about it. This matter is coming to the fore again, with the release of scathing reports on the matter, that make it clear responsibility went very far up the chain of command, even to the top civilian leadership.

Therefore, to accuse Sen. Kerry of having in the past spoken of atrocious conduct by U.S. soldiers is more to indicate he is precisely the man the times call for, rather than anything else. The things he said occured in Viet Nam did occur, and there are really very few people who doubt that they did. They are things the people of our country do not approve of, overwhelmingly. This tripe remains only an extremely counterproductive exercise in shoring up the enemy's base, that angers our side in as great if not a greater degree. There are more of us, my friend, than there are of them....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Junkdrawer]

11. Kerry will call Bush out...

Here's my guess:


Mr. Bush

For the past several weeks, you have sent your henchmen to attack my military record, while you sat back and called my service "honorable". You claimed that you had nothing to do with the attacks.

I don't believe you.

If you want to question my service, do it to my face.

If you want to question my actions after that tragic war, do it to my face.

Now, last April, I asked you questions about your National Guard service. I did so directly. I signed my name to the challenge. Here are those questions:

You Said You Used No Special Treatment To Get Into The Guard. How Do You Explain The Fact That You Jumped Ahead Of 150 Applicants Despite Low Pilot Aptitude Scores?

Col. Albert Lloyd Said A Report From Alabama To Ellington Should Have Been Filed. Where Is That Report?

Why Did You Miss Your Medical Exam In 1972?

Where Are The Complete Results Of The Required Investigation Into Your Absence From The Exam?

Why Did You Specifically Request To NOT Be Sent Overseas For Duty?

Why Does The White House Say You Were On Base When Your Superiors Had Filed A Report Saying You Were Gone For A Whole Year?

Why Is The Pentagon Under Orders To Not Discuss Your Record With Reporters?

Where Are Your Flight Logs?

Why Haven’t You Demonstrated That You Showed Up For Service in Alabama?

They are simple, direct questions. America awaits your answers.


BTW:

In case you think he won't, here the link to April's challenge:

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0427b.html

[devinsgram]

12. In the end, good always trumps evil

The only problem is that it always takes it time.

[Hekate]

13. I hope to God you're right...

...I really need to believe that you are.

Thanks for your thoughtful post, and -- from your lips to the Lady's ear.

Hekate

[dennis4868]

14. Anyone who volunteers....

to go to vietnam and to be on a swift boat has got to be one nasty mother fu*ker!

[gasperc]

16. put them out of business for good, I like that

let's make it happen!!!!!!!!!!!

[JohnKleeb]

17. He does surprise people

People who are worried about the polls now, I think are really overreacting, he's winning first of all but second of all and most importantly, Kerry isnt a great starter but during the election homestrench he can and does push the margin of victory, so if Kerry works hard, gets his traditional great late closing out, and we get a little luck, perhaps Kerry will win in a landslide. I agree with your post whole heartly.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. This post ain't nothing but...

the TRUTH!

[Jim Sagle]

19. Yeah, I know this is not my usual persona.

;-)

[molly]

23. Yep and those doubters and whiners will learn how

smart people fight! :kick: :kick: :kick:

[cmf]

20. I think you are right

Kerry has been through some tough campaigns before, and they are not bringing up anything new. I hope he prevails!

[goodhue]

21. I hope so.

[info being]

26. I never would have said this 2 months ago, but I think you're right

I can't criticize anything the man does...he's the best.

[henslee]

29. Kerry, a ginsu that slices and dices. But he better wear some keflar.

[never cry wolf]

30. Great analysis

From his work on Iran/Contra and BCCI, not to mention all those years on the intel committee I bet he knows the BFEE better than almost any outsider, plus he was trained as a prosecutor.

I hope to hell you are right!

[wovenpaint]

31. Just watch,

Kerry is "turning the boat around" as we type. I believe a full frontal attack against * is coming. i.e. "Everything is now on the table."
Look at how he "came out from behind" during the primaries-do you think that was an accident or just good luck?

[Proud2BAmurkin]

32. Kerry is ruthless and relentless against smear scumbags.

nt

[The Magistrate]

33. Well Said, Mr. Sagle!

Well said indeed, Sir!

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Jim Sagle]

36. Thank you, sir! High praise indeed from a master of logic and history.

[DinahMoeHum]

35. "Asynchronous". Sounds like "asymnetrical" . I like that.

That incorporates "thinking out of the box", something that highly effective guerillas do.

And that's why B*sh and the GOP are so pitifully unfit to fight a "war on terrorism". Fighting this kind of fight requires verve, imagination, innovation and "thinking outside the box". Bushie-boy ain't got that talent. Kerry does.

:kick:

[Bongo Prophet]

37. This is an important point...

an important meme to point out, rather.
Namely, that what we are faced with is not just to get the Bushco out, which was done in '92, but to end the nixonian branch of war profiteers AND hopefully prosecute. That is perhaps beyond the realm of possible.
BUT, if strategically handled, a few terms of office and we'll outlive many of these evil f*ckers, while slowly turning the ship of state into more hospitable waters.
Cleaner air, an sane energy policy shift, and all the other priority shifts that control of the executive branch can yield.
EVEN with a cranky talk radio based house of Reps.
This should be a goal that keeps our center/left/sane coalition focused.

Thanks for the welcomes and the thoughtful POV!
Let's kick some cephalopodic ass!
:kick: