Kerry on FOX now at American Legion giving speech

[MidwestTransplant]

Fox is only one covering.

[gauguin57]

1. cnn too

now

[MidwestTransplant]

3. Thanks for the heads up. Now I can get off Faux!

[Connie_Corleone]

2. Keep us updated

n/t

[abrock]

4. Fuck!!

I can only watch online and c-span not covering!! ARTGGHH!

[gauguin57]

5. Kerry on CNN, Fox, MSNBC

C-Span has RNC "youth convention."

Kerry, unfortunately, sounds a bit tired (maybe a touch of a cold?).

[Wind Dancer]

12. Kerry looks exhausted!

The smears, lies and hatred spewed from these criminals have taken a toll, I am so angry.

[AlCzervik]

6. I cant watch, is he doing ok?

[eleny]

7. I like what I see and hear

Talking about what they worked for after the Vietnam War to help veterans.

[AlCzervik]

9. hows the reception? Are they applauding him or golf clapping?

[eleny]

18. At first there was "golf clapping"

But when he linked tax cuts for wealthy Americans to reductions in veterans benefits, there was some cheering before he finished the sentence.

His delivery is what I would call heartfelt and sober. I'm finding him sincere and like it. I was worried aobut this speech given the group he's talking to - but no longer feel that way.

[Catt03]

8. I don't trust the American Legion

do they tend to be right wing or neutral?

[annxburns]

10. Right wing ....

[liberal N proud]

68. I think the Ligion is as diverse as the communities the posts are located!

If the post is in a repuk community the Legionaiers will be rupukes.
Likewise for Dems.

[gauguin57]

11. Kerry talking about how government should be helping

veterans -- not increasing their insurance co-payments.

"You worked for your pension. It's YOURS."

"Government should NOT subtract what you have suffered from what you have earned."

[gauguin57]

13. Some polite applause ... some wooo! wooo!

He's getting a good response with this.

[gauguin57]

14. First definition of patriotism is keeping faith with those

who serve in the military, Kerry says.

[Catt03]

15. Please keep us posted on content and response

can't watch.

Thanks

[gauguin57]

16. "As President, I will lead the fight for a miltitary family bill of rights

and mandatory veteran's health care"

[gauguin57]

17. We're a country at war against global terror ...

... our soldier's lives on the line ... we owe them the truth. We owe the American people the truth. I'm here to tell you the truth as I see it.

[eleny]

19. At first he was talking about his efforts after the war

It was regarding POWs and MIAs.

[gauguin57]

20. Our obligation should have been to have a good mechanism in place

for post-war Iraq ... instead, we didn't listen to those who were talking about keeping the peace and post-war political transition. ... despite bi-partisan warning from Congress and experts ... and we let things fall apart, Kerry says.

[maine_raptor]

21. Going after Bush on post iraq planning

failed to secure weapon that are now being used against our troops.

Bushs miscalc was ignoring top brass on post iraq recommendation

[gauguin57]

22. America failed to prepare for large number of prisoners (in Iraq)

and didn't guard any weapons (despite us supposedly going in for WMDs) ... and now those weapons being aimed at our troops, Kerry says.

[KittyWampus]

23. Hard To Talk Truth To Power

President Admitted his miscalculation.

But that miscalculation was ignoring advice he got.

[gauguin57]

24. Kerry says Bush admitted he miscalculated in Iraq. Kerry says

he miscalculated despite the MILITARY's best advice. No one has applauded for a few minutes now.

[unfrigginreal]

25. He's kicking ass

"I would have done almost everything differently in Iraq" JK

[gauguin57]

26. He says he would have gone after OBL... he wouldn't have

diverted resources away from Afghanistan ... would have given inspectors time to do the job in Iraq and brought other countries in. He would have made sure there was a plan to win the peace ... says he WOULD have given soldiers state-of-the-art body armor, etc. (-- slamming the Bushie criticism of his votes in Congress!)

[MidwestTransplant]

28. He got a GREAT response to that!

[gauguin57]

27. He's saying our safety and veteran's benefits being short-changed

because of the way money has been spent on the mess in Iraq.

[gauguin57]

29. Kerry talking about Bush flip-flopping on we-can't-win/we-can-win

war on terrorism.

Kerry says we CAN win the war on terrorism.

World doesn't belong to fear, it belongs to freedom.

[gauguin57]

30. He's giving his plan for fixing this mess ...

... more troops in the field, but not in Iraq ... more special forces and more state-of-the-art military equipment ... and end back-door draft of national guard.

[gauguin57]

31. We need the best intelligence in the world so politics is guided by

THE FACTS, instead of FACTs being distorted by politics!

(yeah!)

[gauguin57]

32. We have to use all tools at our disposal, he says, including

humanitarian groups and our values, to win this war on terror.

[KittyWampus]

33. This Is AMAZING! Kerry Sounds Like A DU'er

and he is NOT "droning".

[abrock]

35. YES!

I TOLD YOU he would come through! I'm pumping my fist in the air right now and I can't even watch the fucking speech!! :) :) :)

[gauguin57]

34. Kerry says when the troops come home, they need to know they

can plan a future. Quoting Roosevelt, praising American Legion. The full duty, he says, of commander-in-chief is to work for those who have defended our country ... that's the 100 percent Americanism the legion has always stood for. Faith, family, service and sacrifice are values of the Legion, he says.

[gauguin57]

36. He's talking about how people have lost jobs and health insurance ...

... he says we have an obligation to create jobs for the soldiers coming home from overseas. "Our plan will close tax loopholes and create new incentives" to create jobs and stop taking our jobs overseas ...

[gauguin57]

37. "Ladies and gentlemen, there's nothing conservatives about

building up deficits as far as the eye can see," Kerry says.

[gauguin57]

38. Talking about all the ways he's gonna help soldiers' families

(tuition tax credits, etc.)

[gauguin57]

39. Health care costs are crushing businesses and individuals alike,

he says, and we have a plan to make America more competitive. First proposal he will send to the U.S. Congress ... to make health care affordable and accessible to all Americans.

[KittyWampus]

42. Business Going Offshore Cause Of High Health Care For Employees

enable MEdicare to bargain for drug costs.

[KittyWampus]

47. America ONLY Industrial Country Who Doesn't Address Health Care

paid by closing tax loopholes

[silverlib]

40. Keeps mentioning McCain...

John McCain and I ....(twice now and I've just been listening sporadically)

Political move of inclusiveness? It's not doing much for me, but then I'm a sure vote.

[lancdem]

44. McCain's probably highly regarded by Legionnaires

plus, it's a way to tweak Bush.

[KittyWampus]

53. Two Drops In The Fucking Ocean Of Kerry's KickAss Speech

which is going to sweep away Bush's pathetic speech Thursday.

[gauguin57]

41. Says he will send BACK to the Congress the flawed perscription drug

bill. We're gonna get a REAL Medicare pers. drug plan for seniors.

Closing now ...

[SeekingTruth]

43. It's sucking.....

He is trying to "out-Bush" Bush...he keeps bringing in McCain.

It is a standard stump speech and he is getting very luke warm applause from the audience...

[digno dave]

46. nothing new here...very bland. very uninspiring imho

[AVID]

64. maybe a dingo ate your unispired arse

[chiburb]

Just like some posts...

"very bland. very uninspiring imho"

[Sparkly]

49. I heard only one reference to McCain

And if it's a "stump speech," it's far better than the one Chimp reads.

[nyhuskyfan]

50. It's on Fox right?

I'm sure their sound technicians aren't above turning down the crowd mikes to almost negligible levels to make the crowd seem subdued.

[AVID]

52. you obviously have bandaids over your eyes and ears

awesome speech!!!

[chiburb]

54. No, posts like your's are what sucks.

Kerry is kicking ass, too bad you can't see that.

[KittyWampus]

55. Sorry, You Must Be Watching The Cartoon Channel... NOT Kerry's Speech

he is getting GREAT Applause.

This isn't a fucking rally.

Nice try to demoralize us.

It won't work.

[GingerSnaps]

56. Bush sucks

:hi:

[lancdem]

60. He's speaking to a Republican-leaning group

You expect overwhelming applause?

[chimpymustgo]

63. It was a strong, serious speech. I think he won over an audience

that expected to sit on its hands. He laid out the case very specifically, very convincingly. He got a standing ovation at the end.

I thought he was excellent.

[SeekingTruth]

76. Maybe I was too quick and harsh...

Maybe everyone is right; it was a great "Kerry" speech - mature, intelligent, strong on ideas and points. And maybe this was the right place for that type of speech, but darn it, he doesn't need to convert us or make us vote for him.

He's got to get his message out to those who need to hear it. And maybe those at that meeting did hear it, but the response I heard from the crowd wasn't very enthusiastic. But then again, it was a conservative crowd.

Another thing he needs to do is make sure he puts out something that the media idiots will pick up on and play over and over again (and not the darn Dean "scream" fabrication).

I just so frustrated that in our culture right now, substance is beaten by style every time it seems.

[gauguin57]

45. The audience likes his stuff about getting them the health care

they deserve.

[IdaBriggs]

48. I Love John Kerry --

And I really needed this speech! He is MY HERO!!! He is going to be MY PRESIDENT!!! WOO HOO!!!

[gauguin57]

51. Telling a story about a WWI veteran, planning how America should

be when he would finally get home ... later, on Dec. 15, 1943, in Wash. D.C. hotel room, that veteran drafted in long-hand a piece of legislation ... G.I. Bill of Rights ... We're trying to save those rights for veterans.

First Lieutenant, an American Legion commander, was the one who WROTE THAT BILL ...

[Wind Dancer]

57. Enough already with John McCain!

[gauguin57]

58. McCain and he worked together for our country ... for our POW/MIAs

... we have to all work together to put American dream ... I will serve the American Legion, with the ideals of American Legion, if I'm the next president.

[gauguin57]

59. Christie Todd Whitman commenting on speech on MSNBC, panel

(Jeff, Wolf ... on CNN)

[A_Possum]

62. What does Whitman know about vets?!?!

Why they put her on??

[gauguin57]

65. They found a warm body wandering by in the convention hall,

probably ... that's why.

[liveoaktx]

61. I muted this, but I'm GRIPED that Msnbc has C Whitman in the

wings waiting to trash Kerry's speech. COULD THEY NOT HAVE PUT ON A DEM AND A REP instead of just somebody to try to kill any mood?

I ONLY turned to MSNBC so that I could see Kerry's speech, now I'm back to Democracy Now.

[gauguin57]

66. Well, I think it could have been a better speech ... and it didn't

help that Kerry looked really tired. But I think he did fine in front of that conservative organization.

There was no applause during that long stretch when he was talking about Bush's miscalculations in Iraq.

[bluedog]

67. it amazes me

that these vets would prefer aa AWOL non combat......war seeking lying SOB compared to a real Nam Vet!

[chiburb]

71. Don't be too sure...

There are MANY Republicans that don't admit to their friends that they'll not vote for Bush. I suspect Legionaires are no different...

[unfrigginreal]

69. Well, let's see Bush get a standing ovation from a liberal group...

like Kerry just did in front of a bunch of Republicans.

[KittyWampus]

70. You Want Them To Applaud A Military Disaster? And Bush's Failure

to protect troops by effective strategy?

BTW, this is a conservative audience.

Many will find it difficult to talk about that. But after this speech by Kerry it is certain that they will.

[SeekingTruth]

72. A wonderful "Kerry" speech, but not doing what needs to be done...

Kerry needs to show more VISIBLE passion and quit trying to out do Bush and quit thinking McCain is our friend.

Everyone here seems to be preaching to the choir and looking at this speech through DU eyes...it needs to be watched with other filters.

Kerry needs to hammer at the lack of integrity of this Swiftboat thing; how that it is so strange that a combat veteran like himself is fighting so hard to safeguard his reputation while a non-combat veteran like Bush is getting a pass.

The time for loftly, intellectual speeches will come later. The electorate has been Wal-Martized. And we Dems forget this. We act like we are smarter than everyone else and then are shocked when we get our rearend handed to us again and again.


Ps....quit insulting others too.....that behavior belongs on the Repugs pages...

[lancdem]

73. I'm not sure this was the venue or time to bring up SBVT

He was talking about the issues people care about.

[Czolgosz]

74. Speaking of the American Legion, what's the deal with . . . .

What's the deal with Bush's false statements to get membership in the American Legion when he did not meet the requirements? Has this issue been proved, disproved, or -- as usual -- ignored by the anti-liberal media?

Bush has claimed to be a Legionnaire in many speeches and he likes to wear his American Legion cap, but it seems like he fudged his way into membership in Legion Post 77 in Houston, Texas.

According to The Legion’s web site, all members must swear the following oath to qualify for membership:
"I certify by forwarding this application that ...
<1> I served at least one day of active military duty
<2> during the dates marked below and
<3> was honorably discharged or am still serving honorably."

From Bush's records of his abbreviated state guard service, it does not appear that he meets the criteria of "active military duty" plus an honorable discharge from "active military duty." The Legion membership is clear, military "training" only isn’t listed as an option.

The terms "veteran," "active duty," and "active duty for training" are defined by statute. The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. The term "active duty" means - (A) full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than active duty for training. The term "active duty for training" means - (A) full-time duty in the Armed Forces performed by Reserves for training purposes.

The Legion also requires a person’s "active duty" must be on Federal Orders. In contrast, State Orders, such as the Texas Air National Guard (TANG) don’t qualify a person for Legion membership. The public can view is Bush’s DD214 from August 1968, but not all of his records. Box 17 of Bush’s DD214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) lists only "AD for TNG (which is "active duty for training"). Bush’s DD214 contains no entries for "active duty" for purposes other than training, a huge difference. When a recruit like George Bush is sent by the TANG to training, they are provided a DD214, but that doesn’t automatically mean they are a veteran; the document usually means the person finished a period of "active duty for training."

The limited paperwork provided by the White House shows Bush went from the Texas Air National Guard (TANG) to "active duty for training." Then Bush went back to TANG where he performed weekend training drills. There is no evidence of Federal Orders (often referred to as Title 10 Federal Orders).

All of the paperwork released by the White House contains only State Orders (often referred to as Title 32 State Orders). Bush’s DD214 doesn’t list any Federal Orders. So let’s look at Bush’s discharge from the Air Force Reserve, a form called an NGB 22. Bush’s NGB 22 came from the TANG through the Air Reserve Personnel Center, not from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), where people serve on active duty. Under Line 30 on Bush’s NGB 22, only ANG training is listed. There are no periods of Federal Orders for active duty listed on Bush’s NGB 22. If Bush’s only orders are under Title 32, then Bush never completed the active duty requirement, he isn’t a veteran, and he isn’t eligible to be a Legionnaire.

According to Bush's own records, his training did not qualify as active duty and he does not qualify as a veteran and his membership in the American Legion is a sham.

Sources:

http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0009/06/ip.00.html
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/iraq/2067941
https://join.legion.org/be_a_member/bm_applyonline.php
Title 38, United States Code, Part I, Chapter 1
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/38/101.html
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/art
http://www.usatoday.com/news/bushdocs/1-Enlistment_Packet.pdf
http://www.glcq.com/docs/arf_discharge.htm

http://www.caller2.com/2002/april/04/today/texasnew/27692.html

[NewYorkerfromMass]

77. interesting. kick

[ItsMyParty]

75. It turned out to be an excellent speech because it's opened a door

He started out slow because it was the same speech he gave to the other vets organization. But then he let lose as the major chunk of the speech about the total fuckups of the Iraq war. He blasted Bush and his incompetent decisions and he was specific---not some general statements. I think a bunch of those vets were finally forced to listen and realize that asshole-in-chief unnecessarily has sent too many to their deaths and has made all by his lame self a real mess over there. He also got them going when he talked vet's benefits, healthcare, etc. which one would expect from this group. I think this group got an education today about how Bush is no great military leader but a fucking loser who didn't even pay any attention to the military advisors and made the rest afraid to ask for what they needed. He introduced for the first time, as the critics have been pounding him to do, the actual tearing Bush down. This campaign is starting down a new street and it's great that they heard the critics and responded.

[cthrumatrix]

78. Kerry and facts has the repugs scared.... the repugs have crap.