I fear that Kerry's getting set up on the Flag vote issues

[bklyncowgirl]

I was watching MSNBC and CNN last night and at least three times I saw an ad by the Swiftboat Veterans group.

The ad criticized Kerry for throwing away his military decorations but the emphasis was on talking about "respect for the symbols of our nation." The ad was very somber and very effective.

With the "flag burning" vote pending in the Senate, I see this as part of a coordinated thrust at Kerry's patriotism.

[prodigal_green]

1. I saw that same ad

but I thought it just looked ridiculous. It was kind of convoluted the way they were talking about "symbols of our nation" The easiest counter to this is to simply show the purple heart bandages.

I was unaware that the flag burning vote was coming up again. Man, these folks are really tired.

[Guaranteed]

2. Well, you know what he better do...

the RIGHT THING. AGAIN.

[FloridaPat]

3. Maybe my view is distorted since I was doing protests back then,

but does anyone know why we were in Vietnam? Does anyone know why 50,000 soldiers died there? If it weren't for the anti-war movement we'd still be there. And now Iraq is becoming just like Vietnam. And there is ample evidence that the US did commit war crimes there by killing 4 million civilians. And these guys are mad? I guess you have to be a republican to understand this.

[Journeyman]

4. You'd do well to read a little more history of the Vietnam conflict. . .

to understand the reasons for the war's end.

A good book for the origins of American involvement in Vietnam is Frances Fitzgerald's Fire in the Lake.

[bklyncowgirl]

5. Vietnam was wrong. The Iraq war was wrong.

Here's the problem. We're not dealing with logic here. We're dealing with emotion.

If people were rational Kerry'd be up 20 points in the polls.

Kerry's got to grab the patriotic imagry and ram it down Bush and Cheney's lying throats.

[freetobegay]

6. I would probably hurt someone for burning the American flag in front of me

But thats my personal opinion. But on the other hand I will defend their 1st amendment rights to do so. Does that make any sense?

[IndianaGreen]

7. I didn't serve in the military to have freedom of speech taken away

and burning the flag is protected under the First Amendment. Woe to the politician that votes to reduce my liberties, as they voted for the PATRIOT Act.

[Bluzmann57]

9. Yes it makes a lot of sense

I feel the same way. If a person is burning the flag for what he or she feels is a legitimate reason, then let them make their statement. One doesn't have to agree with them, but should respect their rights. I guess it goes back to the old saying "I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it". It's just too bad that some in our society can't see it that way.

[liberalnurse]

8. Why does this smell like another,

flaimbait post?........Evokes negativity!

Why do folks actually repond????? Let it die.

[bklyncowgirl]

10. This was not a flamebait post. I saw the ad. I believe this is coming.

Look, we're getting beat here because we think that people will respond in a rational manner.

"Oh nobody will ever believe those Swiftboat guys." Yeah Right.

I support the reality of the constitution over the symbolism of the flag. I have, however, had a great deal of contact with people to whom the symbolism mattered more than the reality. My own father, for example, a World War II vet, union member, progressive on economic issues, would never support a candidate who he felt dishonored the flag he fought for. Was it irrational, yes.

The people to whom reality means more than symbolism are already with John Kerry.

[John_H]

11. And dpn't forget : Daschle's helping set him up so he can vote for the ban

There are plenty of parlimentary meeuvers to keep this from coming up--but once again Tom Daschle sacrifices a larger Democratic goal to win his repug state election.

I've never hoped a Dem lost an Election and i never will, but I do think we need a little Senate coup d' etat in November.