New Kerry pictures

I LOVE these.

Posted them in a different thread, but they are so good they deserve their own!





:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

:cry:

He's so...beautiful.

And now I'm really po'd because they had audio of him talking about the Palestinian election on one of this afternoon's AirAmerica newsbreaks, and I can't find it anywhere. It was so wonderful to hear his voice, that almost made me cry too.

Look at his hands in this one:

There you go getting Wild all fired up again LOL! Now who is being naughty LOL. I must admit it is hard not to be.

guilty as charged. (But his hands really do look enormous in that picture.) ;-)

*swoon*

:loveya:

Those are are just MADE for... uh... things.

:( :loveya:

(SP is for shadow-president!)

I just saw on Yahoo that * is going to offer to have talks with the new Palestinian president--but our boy has already beaten him to it! Kerry offered the advice of putting words into actions, etc.
Do you think he had a strategy of shaming *, to make sure he made diplomatic contact with the new leader? If so--shrewd, very shrewd!

on that AAR newsbreak I mentioned they said that Kerry had had that exact effect on *. I don't recall their precise words, but they played the Kerry audio, and then said something like, "Senator Kerry's words appeared to have the effect of forcing * to come out and make a more forceful statement."

Wish I could find that audio...

Good guessing on my part. I'm starting to understand the game of political chess. :)


* isn't very original is he? He always seems to do everything in reaction to something or somebody else. It's Hard Work. sigh.

If nothing else, maybe Kerry can shame the little bastard into acting like half a man.

Go SP Kerry! (I like that!) :)

Half a man! Maybe a quarter??? }(

this is what he turns into at night:

<img src="">

what a repulsive creature!

This is the first election I could vote in. I remember 2000 and Bush being selected, and I felt bad, because my parents were upset, but not so much because Gore wasn't going to be president. I didn't follow that election at all...I was 14, and the closest I got to paying attention, was coloring a chart of the maps in red and blue for civics. This election I watched and read everything. I got really attached to Kerry, Edwards, and their families. So my question is, for those of you who have been voting for longer than I have, do you always get this attached to candidates? Or is this election different, because Bush is so bad, and their was so much hope in Kerry?

But I've followed politics since I was about 10. And I can tell you I've NEVER felt this kind of affection for any politician, ever.

My mom, who fell in love with JFK when she was around my age, says she loves John Kerry more than any candidate since Robert Kennedy. He inspires in her a connection she hasn't felt since the Kennedy brothers. John Kerry really inspires love and affection in me.

while i can say i did/do love Clinton even though i wasn't old enough to vote then i never felt connected to anyone as with Kerry.

i was really hurt and depressed when the assholes impeached clinton. but as always clinton came out looking positive with time. and i'm hoping no matter what kerry does in the future the same will happen with him. in fact it's already kind of happening when i see the pics of him in other nations and that 13 years old syrian kid who drew a pic of kerry and told kerry he wished he was the president. and the crowds that come out.

Robert Kennedy was able to inspire hope, just like JK does now. Maybe that is the connection. I was only in sixth grade when John Kennedy was shot, so only felt emotions through my family's reactions. But I was in high school when Bobby was killed. A bright light went out that day.

I was thinking of posting a similar topic today, coincidentally--I was wondering if people got attached to Al Gore this way, and if it lasted or faded away? Does anyone know anybody who was a fan for Gore like we are for JK?

I don't know--it can't just be the times we are living in. No, I do think JK has a particular ability to inspire. He has the right combination of grit and optimism. Al Gore has the grit, but he shows too much anger.

Gore is a fine guy, not my fave dem of all time but a good guy. A lot of the purists are remaking Gore out to be a libearl democrat but the truth is he's more moderate, nothing wrong with it but he was a moderate.

But that has nothing to do with it. I fell in love with John at the DNC. There is something very special about him that's hard for me to describe. I liked Al, but nothing like this. I've never loved a pol until I became acquainted with John Kerry.

I had hoped if he won, he could become what Kennedy was to him to others. He's such an admirable figure.

It brings tears to my eyes when I watch it now (on tape). He is inspiring, because you can tell he really believes what he is saying: has real optimism, hope, confidence. And now he has shown the ability to bounce back and get back on the job.

In interviews he would be asked a question, and he would answer so unequivocally yes, or no, without hesitation. It was so insane how people believed he was undecisive. I think it is that sureness, that confidence that inspired many to believe in him. He knew what he wanted to do in Iraq, for example--but then it didn't translate well into soundbites.

No ma'am I never got attached to Al Gore the way I am Kerry. I have lived in Tennessee since I was 15 and he was also my Senator before being VP and then running for president. And I have always loved politics but never can I say I was ever attached to Al Gore in any way compared to the way I am Kerry. I have had strong compassion for Kerry since I was 16. Not saying I didn't like or respect Gore but never did I feelings and compassion for Gore that I have for Kerry nor have I had that for any other politician other than Kerry for that matter. I have to say if you were to ask me who would come the closest to Kerry in my eyes it would be John F. Kennedy.

Most people I know here that supported Gore in 2000 still love him but at the same time this is repuke country and he is well hated as well. But even alot of those that loved Gore have great respect for Kerry and have come to love Kerry more than they love Mr. Gore.

But not all people here in Tennessee are like me and are addicted to politics the way I am. In fact if you try to talk about politics to most of these people they will either tell you they don't want to here about the shit or they will just flat out ignore you as if you wasn't even around. That might explain why Tennessee is one of the shittiest states in the country to live in. Taxes are outrageous here, the poor don't stand a chance in hell in getting any real help, and health care OMG what a fuckin joke, more and more factories are shutting down people out of work and it is over populated with damn fast food restraunts and hotels and that is what they call a growing economy and good jobs around here. In the Tri-Cities area where I live if it wasn't for Nascar and the Bristol Motor Speedway this place would be totally screwed because as hard as it might be to believe the two major race weekends they have here every year is what keeps all these restraunts and hotels above board for the whole damn year.

So needless to say Tennessee is by far the great state many think it is. It might be a good vacation spot as far as Nashville, Gatlinburg, ect. But it is sure no place to live unless you enjoy being around a bunch of redneck, KKK, repug lovin assholes who think it is their way or the highway, that don't know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to their own government (which is clearly obvious by the shape its in and the people the have running it), and love living generations behind the others in this country.

Things were somewhat better here when Gore was senator and during the nineties when he was VP and the economy was booming. But I can tell you it wasn't that much better. Gore is a moderate despite what many might say and think. Thats not saying that it is bad but sometimes someone can be to moderate. And Gore is one that at times was to moderate to suit many democrats. Although people back and supported him, there are many that will tell you he was not there favorite. And I am one of those. And I must say I was a little pissed when he didn't pick Kerry as his running mate but instead went with Lieberman. And I said and still say had he picked a more liberal candidate like Kerry for a running mate he would have done better than he did. But regardless I voted for him. And like many was pissed over the election but I can also say I got over that one with no problem in short time and like many said paybacks are hell.

This time around was totally different for a few reasons. First off a man that I had strong compassion for, and was and still is a hero of mine since I was 16 was running. I was excited as well as looking forward to the paybacks. So I like so many others truly worked my ass off for him and loved every minute of it. While it was alot of hard work, alot of sleepless nights I must say I had the time of my life, met many people, had alot laughs, and alot tears. It is a experience that I will never forget, and was very proud to do, and I stand ready to do it all over again. I have no regrets for all I did I was only heart broken at the outcome. But I know John and all his supporters poured their hearts and souls into this campaign because that to me was so obvious by the out cry that came after. I have never seen people more devastated, saddened, depressed, and so many tears shed for a politician in my life. People don't get this emotional for nothing. My dad told me the last time he seen people the way they were over John was back when John F. Kennedy had been shot.

So as hard as it has been for me and it is still hard I'm pushing myself to get back in this fight full force because this fight isn't over it has just begun. I still shed tears over what happen when I'm reminded of what all happen but I feel I'm a stronger and better fighter for John now than I was then. I also feel John is a stronger and better fighter after all he went through as well. And friends I feel sorry for anyone that is dumb enough to cross his or his supporters path the wrong way, because they will pay the price for crossing those paths and thats not a threat it is a promise that is genuine as the man himself and you can take that to the bank.

"For America, the hope is there! The sun is rising! Our best days are still to come!"

You and I are exactly the same age. I was in 6th grade when JFK was shot too. I watched tv and cried for three solid days. Come to think of it, it was my first political obsession!

:hi: :pals:

born 3/'52 :)

:hi:

We're practically twins. Born leap year day '52.

So you remember the Vietnam era too...

But sometimes I feel I ought to be. Having two teenagers one soon to be 17 the other 15. I was born in '71

My mom was 17 when she had me

I was 16 when I got married getting ready to turn 18 when my first child was born. I was too young! To late to worry about that now done had them and both are almost grown.

I was 27 when my oldest was born - which among my peers made me practically a teenager. ;-) Everyone I know waited till their 30's to start having kids.

But as you can see I didn't. I was one of the dummies in life. I had to make life hard on myself.

ol' Walter Cronkite with the death toll on the news every night...the Moratorium...demonstrations...a bombing in Madison where a guy got killed...tear gas...Kent State...peace signs everywhere...every guy knew his draft lottery number and wondered...

Maybe I'll get a peace sign for the back bumper of my car. :hippie:

Some of it sad and some of it is down right funny. Most of it is sad I must say.

has long hair and a 60's attitude - I call him my hippie child.

Kent State - we wore black armbands at my high school graduation though doing so nearly gave our principal a stroke. My boyfriend dropped out of college after one semester, and until the lottery was chased around the country by selective service. The war was so immediate to us.

I was thinking about what you said in your earlier post - about your feelings about the election. This forum has become a guilty pleasure for me. I figure I'll give myself a pass on it for a while - it's just going to take time for the pain to recede, and it's great to have such sympatico people around to help the healing take place.

this group is a life-line. A safe place to go and process feelings.

i was really upset but i didn't have an attachment to Gore the way i do with Kerry.

so this time it's much harder.

it was bad last time in the sense that you don't want any republican in office and that our party lost.

this time it's not just about our side but i really really have an attachment to Kerry.

this is why i'm thinking in the future i might stay distant from the primaries and just commit to supporting whichever democrat wins the nomination.

this election was different. I've been voting since 1972, and I never ever hated the opposition as much as I do *. I did not like Nixon, but there were things he stood for that were ok. I did not like Reagan at all, but did not hate him - just feared where he was taking the country.

I really feared * in 2000 too, and was repulsed by him on a gut level. I didn't feel particularly enthusiastic about Gore, but I voted for him happily.

But on some level, I think I've been waiting all my adult life for Kerry to run for president. I've always admired him, always thought he would be a superb president, and I was with him from day one.

When I was younger republicans were a whole different animal. They were responsible. They were respectful. The current climate is very very different.

if I were sitting here thinking I was the only one, I'd be starting to wonder, by now, why I haven't gotten over it yet.

"...repulsed by him on a gut level." Me too--big time! It was "hate at first sight". He looked like such an arrogant, pompous phoney.

I think I, too, had been waiting my whole life for a politician I could believe in. When I got aquainted with JK, I knew he was it. The more I heard him speak, the more I knew it. I mean, I was amazed that every single point he'd make was one I already agreed with--it was unbelievable. I knew where he was coming from, understood him perfectly. Done deal.

how many of us feel and think the same way about JK, isn't it?

Were you aware of him back in his protest days? For me it was an equal and opposite gut-level reaction. I immediately felt I understood him, just like you said you did, and felt protective of him.

That was such a painful time, and this year for the first time I've thought a lot about it. If there were a real draft today, Iraq would be headed in the identical direction - massive protest at home, misunderstandings and hurt feelings between soldier and civilian. My Lai/Abu Ghraib. It makes my heart ache.

In all my years of voting (and I am a religious participant in the voting sacrament!) I've never before been excited to vote for someone.

I was aware of the protests, and vaguely about the VVAW, but no, I wasn't following closely. For one thing, I was too busy running around to watch much TV or anything. In 1971 I was at the U. of WI-Madison studying art--no TV in a shared apartment. I do remember watching a Mayday parade that spring, because it came down our street.

There are more and more parallels with Vietnam--it must make JK just sick. So sad-- don't we ever learn anything at all? I would have thought that terrible time would stay fresh in peoples' minds.

For you and I, we can get on his wavelength because of a shared memory of what this country has gone through, and understand who he is now, because of what he was then. Back then you were either really "straight" and backed the government, or were "counterculture" and did not.
But younger people can also still "get" him, because he's simply an inspiring person.

I have no use for that band of no-good, lying, incompetent morons who comprise the * administration. I really, really, really wanted Kery to win then hire some guys from the CDC to come in in their Hot Zone suits and de-louse the White House so decent people could live there again. It really sucked that Kerry lost cuz now the political equivilent of the Ebola Virus is loose in the land and ruining everything. (Have I mentioned that I have deep disdain for Them That Now Run Everything?)

And John Kerry is a decent man. His Presidential run was a true journey. I think he changed along the way and became more responsive to people and more likeable as time went on. (The first debate was a nearly orgasmic experience for Democrats. Oh JK, you had me at, "first Jim, Let me thank the University of Florida." Then you beat the living shit out of that pathetic excuse for a leader. Sigh!) I think that people who liked Kerry, really liked the guy and worried about him. That he is no longer running is like going through withdrawal.

You know for all the crap Ive heard that the youth arent big Kerry people, theres like 5 of us here who are 17-21.

The family's always been Dem (if in an old school, conservative, military southern way), so I was just sorta Dem too.

I remember my attitude just before the Iraq War was that I was wary but watching to see if they actually found WMDs. I kept saying to people that Bush didn't have a blank check dated 9/11 and he couldn't keep drawing on that currency forever if he didn't have justification.

When the primary season came around, I remember hearing Clark say almost the same damn thing. I became a vague Clark supporter. I didn't know what he was about, didn't know his biography or if he was a real Dem. All I knew was that I liked the way he was articulating my thoughts.

Then Clark lost in the primaries, and I was COMPLETELY unenthusiastic about the front-runner. Eh, the personality of styrofoam I'd heard it said. "That good?" someone replied.

Then I found articles about Guantanamo detainees and how they weren't being allowed due process because they weren't in a real war, and so the Geneva Convention didn't apply. I kept thinking that those values weren't something we granted ourselves as Americans because we thought we were cute. Those were supposed to be basic human values that the rest of the world was supposed to look up to Americans for having. Those values were what made us Americans. We couldn't just shut them down without diminishing ourselves as a country.

I reluctantly started looking at the styrofoam candidate. I went to union HQ and got the only bit of Kerry gear they still had: one Real Deal sign and a xeroxed copy of the original brochure from the primary. I gave the HQ workers my name, phone number and email just to be nice, and hoped they wouldn't use it. All I wanted to do was show that I wasn't voting for Bush. I was ABB.

Slowly, I read more online, got more swag, watched alittle Kerry on television, ever so slowly started getting into the guy.

I think I was vaguely aware that he was sorta pro-war. The first article that caught my eye was one that described Kerry as someone who would think on an issue almost to a fault, and then cough up the best answer he could. Okay, I thought, I kind of like that he's so thoughtful and contemplative. Then I saw him on television with some veterans, and for the first time saw him relax and look like a person. I got books out of the library, and found the picture of him in "Tour of Duty" where he's crying after his medal toss. I started crying too, right in the middle of Starbucks. It was like seeing my dad cry.

It was a slow creep after that until the debates and "Going Upriver" sealed the deal. I think in part I identified him with my dad, a Navy man. Dad died in Feb of 2003. We were going to both vote Clark in the primary, but when WI rolled around, Dad was gone, and so was Clark. He was still on the ballot though, so I wasted a vote for me and my dad.

That was probably another part of the reason I jumped into the campaign so hard at first: I needed something to do.

Even so, it all solidified into a real love for our candidate. The more I find out now, the more I admire him. Oh, he's got his flaws to be sure. But don't we all.

Long story short (too late, ha) no, I don't normally get this attached. And damn it, I still am.

And that includes Edwards. I was paging through a Newsweek that had K/E on the front with the words "Sunshine Boys" and found the picture of Edwards with his son after they'd been climbing. I've seen it before, but for some damn reason I just burst into tears. Edwards reaches me sometimes, but only sometimes. Often he sounds to me like just what he was: a lawyer selling a case. Only once did I hear him click into (and then back out of) a more sincere speech: when he praised Kerry during his farewell Senate address. I cried. You can't convince me that Edwards didn't come to care for and respect Kerry during the campaign. The way they worked together (it was said they made most decisions about the campaign together) told me they would have been a good team in office. Edwards would have had much input I think in a Kerry presidency. But no. Damn it.

I still want it though. Badly. Nobody can tell me it's impossible. Nobody thought in Feb that Kerry would come back and win the nomination either. If anyone can pull a Nixon, it's Kerry.

To answer your other question: yes, I think Bush pushed me into Kerry's arms. But no, Bush isn't the reason I stayed there.

Hope that wasn't too long. But that's my story.

Thank you for sharing. You're so eloquent. I'd go into detail about what sold me on Kerry, but my story would sound mundane and trifling next to yours. I always love reading your posts.

:hug:

You should never worry about how long your post are because I know how easy it is when you get started not to stop. But I myself enjoy reading how others truly feel and I also know it helps to talk to others about what's on your mind. Thanks for sharing how you feel with all of us here. Kerry is a truly great and honorable man. He has always been there and fought for his country and the people in it. John Kerry deserves great respect from all that's for sure.

Don't apologize for the length - it was truly beautiful.

"It was a slow creep after that until the debates and "Going Upriver" sealed the deal. I think in part I identified him with my dad, a Navy man. Dad died in Feb of 2003. "
My Dad, a yellow dog democrat, was a conscientious objector in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He had major objections to killing anyone, based on his own Judaism. He always tells his stories with the refrain, "they used to threaten to send out on a gunboat in the middle of nowhere," (if he did not follow their orders). He embroided the story by adding, "Yep, they said to me, 'we're going to put you on a boat with John Kerry.'"
Kerry's Anti-Vietnam efforts sealed the deal for me, too. I will always be a Deaniac Kucitizen, but I was proud to have voted for Kerry and still am proud. He remains a good man.
I'm sorry for your loss, LittleClarkie. My dad is still alive and is a hero to me for resisting and telling the truth about Vietnam. In the same way, Kerry remains a hero to me. Hope to see "Going Up River" with my Dad someday.

There is something VERY special about John Kerry. I have never held any candidate in such high esteem.

The thing that drew me to Kerry, initially, was his "take no crap" attitude. When he called the Bushites the most crooked bunch of liars etc., he had my attention. I began to study his life, and I liked what I saw.

I love the fact that he volunteered for service in Vietnam. I love him even more for coming home and telling the truth about what happened over there.

I was very impressed with his Senate record, but my love for Kerry is directly attributed to his character. He is a good person with a good heart. I felt the same way about John Edwards. This election was the ultimate battle of good vs evil.

Good was knocked down, but it was not knocked out. Good always wins in the end and I am confident that evil will reap his just reward.

This was good vs evil. And while there are sometimes setbacks for good... good always wins in the end. So it will be.

This too shall pass.

The first thing that really warmed me to Kerry was his military service also. I'm a big admirer of battlefield bravery, because it takes a lot of courage to put your actual life on the line. When I heard about all he'd done in Vietnam, and all he did to oppose the war against such vile opposition, I really knew he was something special. And he is.

It most definitely was about good vs evil. And lets hope evil reaps his just reward very, very soon so the damage is minimized.

Though I came eligible to vote a few ago.
I really just love everything about John Kerry. I think Shrub sucks, sure, but after reading all Kerry's books and biographies, and seeing "Going Upriver" and seeing his rallies in person, I grew to love him for his bravery and honor. he is truly an incredible person. his life and times have been like nothing I've ever seen.

Plus, I think he personifies big man sex.
:-)

I'm 40, been voting for the dems all along. There's a difference between voting for the policies and voting for the man. This was the first time I was voting for more than just the policies. The best I can put it is some people you'd trust with the country's legislation; other's you'd trust with your own life in a crisis.

I'm glad to see him in good spirits. :)

by George Butler



DOUSED
Kerry with new wife Julia at their wedding. Friends had just tossed him into a pond

At least I wanna get it out of the library.

Can't wait!!!

That's a president. :(

That's a President. A douchebag monkey is not a President. Sigh.

He IS my president! He is OUR president and we all know it!

I love this man.

but I will offer up some old pics anyway, from the private collection. :)



with Senator Levin and Jennifer Granholm, but you can barely see her:


on third base:

I don't understand you. Excuse me while I pause to drool over the picture with Levin...

Gee, thanks. Denigrate other posters and offer up pictures. Eh.

I like photos. I like taking them, and looking at them. (I especially like Butler's series of Kerry.) I was in a swing state, and I miss being able to go see one of the Johns, or Teresa or Elizabeth once a week or so. I don't have photos from everything I went to here, but you can see I was taking them regularly leading up to the election: http://ideamouth.com/heartandsoul.htm

So I miss that, and I miss knowing I can come home, turn on the tv, and find JK on one of the channels, if only for a minute or two.

At the same time, I try to measure the appropriateness of posts here by if I would be comfortable with someone saying such things publicly about a member of my family, or if I would find it disrespectful. I don't think it's denigrating a member here to say that I personally feel some of the remarks have been what I would consider disrespectful if they were made about my relatives.

So, I don't condone all the comments, and therefore have reservations about contributing to the threads, but I like seeing the photos. I'm torn.

I'd rather not read some of the comments either. Still, I don't think anyone should insult the posters. I just skip the posts that I'd rather not read. You can tell by the subject line, for the most part.

I meant it in a more light-hearted spirit than what you've perceived. It's not a judgment on anyone as a person. Just a comment about particular posts. I've done some time at art school, though, so I'm used to distancing myself from critiques of my work (writings, drawings, what have you). I sometimes forget people take such things as personal insults.

in a lighthearted way when I first read your post.

It does get a little intense around here sometimes, but I just avoid those threads too. It's all in the cause of blowing off steam and getting over the election. ;-)

We have some going on about the hearings next week on Condoleezza Rice being confirmed by the Senate. Sen. Kerry is on that committee. As he will be newly back from the Middle East and should have some opinions on the state of our foreign policy, there is reason to think the hearings might be more than a rubber stamp.

We are also speculating on the whole running or not running thing. I posted a Kennedy story because Teddy made a speech today about how the Dems need to embrace progressive programs and not move to the center. So many Dems are beginning to talk like this. Might be a great fight coming up.

So, what say you? Have at 'em. Dig in. Post something else. We have drifted a bit, but nothing has really been going on, so this has been a bit of a down time. Serious posts will come when something comes up.

And welcome. (Dear Lord, I spent so much time during the campaign talking to people about how MA people were not stuffy and reserved and aloof. This is so ironical.)

I beg you. As long as we're talking about mindlessness. Too much talk of DNC chair battles today...

that is a little rude. maybe you could start a thread that you don't consider to be 'mindless drivel'. you could show us an example.

Oh, yes.

<img src="">

That expression tells me he is thinking about what he is going to do to the chimpster when he gets back!

Wait, am I allowed to say that?

:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: