Wes Clark NYT op-ed: Kerry service, Rep. "attack machine"

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
A Sterling Record
By WESLEY K. CLARK

Published: April 28, 2004

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.


....In the heat of a political campaign, attacks come from all directions. That's why John Kerry's military records are so compelling; they measure the man before his critics or his supporters saw him through a political lens. These military records show that John Kerry served his country with valor, and that those who served with him and above him held him in high regard. That's honor enough for any veteran.

Yet the Republican attack machine follows a pattern we've seen before, whether the target is Senator John McCain in South Carolina in 2000 or Senator Max Cleland in Georgia in 2002. The latest manifestation of these tactics is the controversy over Mr. Kerry's medals.

John Kerry was awarded three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star for his service in Vietnam. In April 1971, as part of a protest against the war, he threw some ribbons over the fence of the United States Capitol.

Republicans have tried to use this event to question his patriotism and his truthfulness, claiming he has been inconsistent in saying whether he threw away his medals or ribbons. This is no more than a political smear. After risking his life in Vietnam to save others, John Kerry earned the right to speak out against a war he believed was wrong. Make no mistake: it is that bravery these Republicans are now attacking....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/28/opinion/28CLAR.html

:kick:


The attack machine would have smeared anyone running regardless of their credentials.

about speaking the truth.

Bush, Cheney, and the rest of the goon squad have no honor.

"Although President Bush has not engaged personally in such accusations, he has done nothing to stop others from making them. I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve — often under the most dangerous conditions, with bravery and, yes, with undeniable patriotism."

Clark should be the President.

I am waiting for Kerry to make his VP choice.

With the situation in Iraq, it would be foolhardy to overlook Clark.

I don t want to prejudge...but the Veep selection will be very important to me.

And it will send a message to many liberal Repubs, Indies, & fence-sitters.

Gee, I wonder who he is talking about there.

OK, I just hope that when he is on the talk shows tomorrow, when they ask, "Who didn't show up for service?", he doesn't equivocate, but says, "GWB". It will keep the Alabama story alive for another couple weeks. I hope he also uses the word, "Chickenhawks", which will then allow the media to use the word for the next six months.

Kerry's nuts if he doesn't put Wes on the ticket.

I know this sounds shallow, but the two of them LOOK better together than either of them look separately (and they both look darned good, separately!), and also better than Kerry looks next to any other VP "candidates".

There's just this palpable dynamic when you see them together. It's kinda like ...."nobody in their RIGHT MIND (!)would try to get something past these guys!" And the look they have together is really STABLE-looking. Secure. Like the adults are in charge, and they're looking after what's best for us. Like they're decent guys.

In fact, I wish I had an employer like them! I'd love to work for someone that is like either one of them. A "boss" you could respect.

Am I making any sense here?

:kick:

From your lips to JK's ears. . .

I would certainly sleep better at night if Wes was living in the Veep s house.

For some reason, Tom Vilsack does not give me that same feeling.

Agree with everything you've said.

And here's my deep dark secret: I'm no coward, but BushCo scare me half to death. I truly think they're hellbent on bringing about The End of the World As We Know It.

& for me the best antidote to the BushCo lunacy is Wes Clark. It's an addiction, I've decided, but a good one. The sound of his voice--and the calm sanity in the words that voice is saying--calms me like nothing else.

His physical beauty, especially his eyes, is gilding the lily, but it sure doesn't hurt. (Edwards too is a beauty, but it's a soft, almost feminine kind of good looks--rounded and no real strength, unlike Clark's Roman planes and angles).

& somebody who's got the time (and Photoshop), please do a comparison of *'s small, dim little peepers with Clark's big brown beauties. Can't think of a better shorthand for the differences between the two.

GO WES!!

Let them have it, General.

"After risking his life in Vietnam to save others, John Kerry earned the right to speak out against a war he believed was wrong."

60,000 different stances on the Iraq War...

or, at least that's what Joe Lieberman told me.

/end sarcasm

:crazy:

should repeat over and over until the misinformed get it.

From Clark's Op ED:

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve.

---

It sums it all up right there.

Flowers at our soldiers.

Manna.

More manna, please.

Clark is rucked up and ready for the fight.

:yourock:

:kick:

When Clark gets rucked up, the Bushies get fucked up.

Can I say that here? Guess I'll find out.
:bounce:

... I was very skeptical about a former general running for president. But after seeing him interviewed on tv a couple of times, I was more than impressed.

This man can put the pukes in their place, without even breaking a sweat, better than anyone I've ever seen. He is eloquent, and if not sincere he can out-act Sir Olivier.

I hope Kerry picks this guy, he will never regret it. But I have a feeling he won't.

Next to the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor?

I was waiting for Clark to speak out....he deserves a prominent position in the new Kerry Administration, in my opinion.

Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Clark was awarded the Silver Star while an infantry company commander in Vietnam. While on a "routine" patrol, his lead platoon was ambushed. Then-Captain Clark was shot FOUR times (one each to his shoulder and hip--debilitating wounds--as well as his hand and leg), and yet he remained in command, bringing up reinforcements and directing fire support, overrunning the enemy position.

Folks without infantry training often don't understand, but it is highly likely that Clark's actions that day saved the lives of most in the lead platoon. The only tactic that stands a chance of surviving an effective ambush is to charge into it--inertia or retreat (the normal human reactions) just makes every soldier an easy target. It takes real leadership to keep people moving in the face of enemy fire, and for a man shot up that badly to continue at all, much less make the right decisions and give the right orders, was truly a remarkable accomplishment.

The mental discipline and sheer determination that young Wes Clark showed that day has been a hallmark of his entire life, not just his military career. He's never been afraid to say what he thinks or do what he knows is necessary for the greater good as he sees it. It continues today in his resolve to do whatever it takes to save this country from what the BushCo chickenhawks are doing to it.

Kerry is a lucky man to have Clark in his corner. In fact, we're all lucky. Whether Clark is selected for VP or not, I have a feeling he will prove critical to whether Kerry wins in November.

you are praying mightily that you are not forced to sit across a debate table from a certain Arkansas general.

Does the phrase "an iron fist in a velvet glove" ring a bell, Dickie?

If JK picks WC, it will.

people have gone after those who served and served with valor (him, McCain, Cleland, etc.)shows how much in contempt they really hold our fighting men and women and our vets. No wonder it doesn't phase them to lie us into war. The troops and their valor count for nothing with these arrogant service dodgers.

In 1992 and 1996, it was John Kerry that helped to convince me that the debate over "who served and how" was not relevant to the presidential election. I haven't changed my mind now that the shoe is on the other foot. Are we going to change the criteria to fit our canidate in every election? While I respect what Kerry did during Vietnam on both sides, that does not make him better qualified to be president than *. It's his position on issues like healthcare, the economy and jobs that make Kerry more qualified.

In other words, Kerry will find it much more valuable to spend his time attacking Bush on current issues rather than on issues from 30+ years ago.

When Bill Clinton was running in 1992 and 1996, he was attacked for avoiding the war. During his two terms, he never sent a single soldier into battle who didn't come home.

George W. Bush used his daddy's political connections to get priority in the Texas Air National Guard. Then he went AWOL to boot, while people like Clark and Kerry were getting shot at.

Bush has determined that he is going to run as a "War President", and he has decided to attack Kerry in regards to his service in the Vietnam war. Kerry has every right to go after Bush's service record if Bush wants to frame the debate in that fashion.

It was Bush's decision to have his surrogates go out and say that Kerry wasn't "injured enough" for his three Purple Hearts, and so Bush has no one to blame but himself when Kerry's 3 Purple Hearts get compared Bush snorting lines of coke and driving into fence posts during the same time period.

kerry did not go on the attack. he was the one attacked. he should not even have to defend these ridiculous smears. this is not a debate he chose to frame, but given they dropped it into his lap, what do you think he should say?

NYC BENEFIT FOR PEACE ACTIVISTS FACING JAIL

WHAT: BENEFIT CONCERT

WHO: Queer feminist activist band from NYC "The Syndicate", Bands Against Bush power pop band "Gladshot", popular rockers "Marwood", Brooklyn’s own “Motico”, all-girl punk outfit "Pie", comedienne and activist Drae Campbell as MC and Special Guests TBA.

WHERE: Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street, NYC Directions at www.knittingfactory.com

WHEN: Sunday, May 2nd, 2pm

HOW MUCH: $15

WHY? This is a benefit show for the 16 non-violent activists who were arrested during a protest on March 26, 2003. They were protesting Rachel Corrie’s death, violations of Palestinian human rights, and the war on Iraq. They were recently convicted, and in what is seen as an effort to punish activists in the lead up to the GOP convention in August, now face jail time at their May 12th sentencing. This is an important case for the activist community, and the defendants need our support.

You can also help by donating funds at: www.m26.org