Waffles ‘72: Volunteer army would exploit poor, minorities
posted at 12:19 pm on November 2, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Mark Levin promised yesterday that quotes would “surface” today. And so they have:
In 1972, as he ran for the House, he was less apologetic in his comments about the merits of a volunteer army. He declared in the questionnaire that he opposed the draft but considered a volunteer army “a greater anathema.”
“I am convinced a volunteer army would be an army of the poor and the black and the brown,” Kerry wrote. “We must not repeat the travesty of the inequities present during Vietnam. I also fear having a professional army that views the perpetuation of war crimes as simply ‘doing its job.’…
AP obtained the document from someone who gathered it from archives during Kerry’s unsuccessful 2004 presidential campaign against President Bush.
None of this proves that Kerry’s little “joke” at the Angelides rally was directed at the military and not Bush, but it does show once again, as Michael Barone said, that “too often he sees American troops not as heroes but as victims or perpetrators.” The question is, was he right? 34 years later, does our volunteer military rely on de facto conscription of the underclass?
Answer: no, of course he’s not right. He’s John Kerry. From the Heritage study:
We found that recruits tend to come from middle-class areas, with disproportionately fewer from low-income areas. Overall, the income distribution of military enlistees is more similar to than different from the income distribution of the general population…
We find that, on average, recruits tend to be much more highly educated than the general public and that this education disparity increased after the war on terrorism began…
We found that whites are one of the most proportionally represented groups—making up 77.4 percent of the population and 75.8 percent of all recruits—whereas other racial categories are often represented in noticeably higher and lower proportions than the general population… [T]he data show that, proportionally, blacks make up 43 percent more of the Army recruits than does the general population, but this is not in place of whites, who make up 1 percent more (not less)…
The demographic data on race reveal that military enlistees are not, in fact, more heavily recruited from black neighborhoods…
Put simply, the current makeup of the all-voluntary military looks like America. Where they are different, the data show that the average soldier is slightly better educated and comes from a slightly wealthier, more rural area. We found that the military (and Army specifically) included a higher proportion of blacks and lower proportions of other minorities but a proportionate number of whites. More important, we found that recruiting was not drawing disproportionately from racially concentrated areas.
Again, neither this nor Kerry’s long, long history of denigrating soldiers proves that he meant to smear the troops at the Angelides rally. And yeah, that’s important to keep in mind; otherwise, as Lileks said this morning, you’re flirting with “fake but accurate.” What it does prove is that Kerry’s an ignoramus — one whom, as it happens, the New York Times will lie shamelessly to its readers to protect.
Elsewhere, the DUers do their best to spin the photo seen ’round the world. And Coalition of the Swilling catches ABC News asking an unfortunate question. In fairness, the link on the article he screencapped goes to a left-wing op-ed, not a news article, and yes, ABC does run right-wing op-eds too. Still, if ABC News’s political director is so worried about being called “very liberal,” he might want to be a little more careful about what ends up on the front page.
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In the words of the famous ‘Punkin Puss’, “Lil angel”.
bloggless on November 2, 2006 at 12:25 PM
Once a fool
always a fool
Defector01 on November 2, 2006 at 12:25 PM
A master practices early what he wishes to become - as grandma used to say…
Entelechy on November 2, 2006 at 12:27 PM
My bold goes here:
What was that he said the other day?
Screw you, Mr. Kerry.
Pablo on November 2, 2006 at 12:28 PM
I dotn know that sKerry’s comment swill alter the outcome os this election but I think it buts an end to his presidential aspirations. The nutroot left does nto have teh numbers to elect him and he has pissed off the middle.
elBarto on November 2, 2006 at 12:28 PM
It wasn’t “Punkin’ Puss”, at all!!! It was “Krazy Kat”!!! Dang those Republicans!
bloggless on November 2, 2006 at 12:29 PM
A little perspective so everyone knows how much slack I’ll be cutting this stupid slimy son of a b1tch: I got back from Nam in ‘72 with two years left in my Air Force hitch. I enlisted in the Air Force voluntarily and I volunteered for Nam. John Kerry wouldn’t have sense enough to wet his pants if his balls were on fire and I wouldn’t p1ss on his head if his hair was
bdfaith on November 2, 2006 at 12:30 PM
i’m seeing in these responses, like the editorial from the air america guy, doublethink, exactly as it was concieved by george orwell.
they all seem to go like this:
“shame on the republicans for distorting kerry’s remarks. he clearly did not mean that if you’re not well-schooled, you become a soldier.
“but what shouldn’t be lost in the sound and fury, is the fact that kerry was right: if you’re not well-schooled, you become a soldier.”
jummy on November 2, 2006 at 12:30 PM
Well, when Levin said “quotes will surface” I figured there was a smoking gun tape of Kerry trashing the troops before or after the rally. He doesn’t exactly have a history of being careful around an open mike.
Still, this comment is bad, but not enough to reignite the story. It’s over.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 12:32 PM
Well, Pablo, you must be crazy then.
Esthier on November 2, 2006 at 12:38 PM
The comments about our troops on the DU page are sickening. Whether or not Kerry meant to say what he did in fact say, those idiots loved it. They have never supported our young heroes that fight for our safety and freedom. The MSM should quote some of these wack jobs on DU to prove Kerry’s meaning. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS!!!
SCGOPgirl on November 2, 2006 at 12:39 PM
How about this Kerry flashback? - In a 1970 interview with the Harvard Crimson, he said,
Yeah, good strategy there.
CP on November 2, 2006 at 12:39 PM
AP, what is the deal? What about Kerry’s statements indicate he was talking about Bush? I’m glad Michelle and Bryan are around to make me feel like I’m not crazy here, but I just can’t believe this “benefit of the doubt” business where it’s not due.
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 12:40 PM
For the record, let me just say there is one thing we should all be able to agree upon: John Kerry was a somewhat homely young man.
Unite.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Kerry…it seems like the harder he tries, the worse things go…sucks for him.
More importantly, why has there been no discussion around here about P.M. Maliki effectively ordering U.S. troops to lift their roadblocks and blockades around Sadr City and forcing them to abandon their search for a kidnapped soldier. Even as an elitist, anti-American, troop-hating liberal I find this outrageous. It seems too many of you have gotten lost in your orgasmic Kerry-bashing euphoria to see the true insults to our troops happening on the ground.
JaHerer22 on November 2, 2006 at 12:45 PM
Because he was talking about Bush and Iraq immediately before he made the comment about education.
Allahpundit on November 2, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Yummy yummy words…..eat up Johnny!
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 12:49 PM
The US soldiers are so mean … - How mean are they? - They are so mean, they do stuff like this:
Niko on November 2, 2006 at 12:49 PM
….And then he finished and began his talk to students (in the age rage of military recruitment) about education, and told them that they’d get stuck in Iraq if they didn’t work hard, saying exactly what we’ve heard thousands of times from the left - that the military is nothing but a bunch of poor idiots who couldn’t cut it in the real world. He’s got a history of mocking the troops, and even made related comments in 72.
I just don’t see how anyone can take his words to mean anything outside of exactly what they were. By the way, if that wasn’t what he meant to say, don’t you think this career politician would have been astute enough to catch himself and clarify the remark on the spot?
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 12:51 PM
Oh isn’t that special some of the punks over at DU want the soldiers to be arrested for making political statements while in uniform. Let me know how that goes. I see according to them the only political statement you can make while in uniform without fear of punishment is to refuse to deploy. Makes perfect sense to me.
And there is the whole irony part about how sKerry made his political beginings by disparaging soldiers while wearing parts of his uniform and how the denizens of the DU jump on anybody who dares to speak ill of any of their war heroes like Murtha, Kerry, or Clarke.
I just ain’t limber enuff to be a Dem.
LakeRuins on November 2, 2006 at 12:51 PM
JaHerer22- You know alot about reading a wire, but do you know a damned thing about LIFE BEHIND ONE? It is a non-story. Deflect, Deny, Acuse, Attack. You Libs should learn some new tactics.
Riddle me this, Munchkin…
YYYyyyyyaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnn.
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 12:52 PM
some great quotes from that du thread.
seething betrayal:
High Plains - “Those soldiers demonstrated just how smart they really are. Ridicule the guy who wants to get you out of there. Help the guy who might cause you to come home in a body bag from a failed foreign policy adventure. We’ll see how amused they are next time an IED blows up in their faces.”
a revenge suit is planned:
MGD - “The fact is, they have violated a federal law, a blatant Violation of the Hatch act…while wearing the US uniform and while on duty. No federal employee is [authorized to engage in partisan activity]and, if they studied harder in school, they would have known that. ”
after all…
uncle ray - “they don’t have first amendment rights.”
but this one is pretty “on message” as well.
jummy on November 2, 2006 at 12:52 PM
seejanemom (from your blog)
Are you living in Vermont too? Or are these people everywhere? Up here we get the added bonus of the little skinny strip sticker that has the colors of the rainbow, letting you know that they’re lesbians in that dark green Subura wagon with the kayak on top.
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 12:54 PM
Thanks for the notice, Allah!
I’d also like to add that I linked to the Air America Op-Ed piece when I first found this at about 4:45 a.m.CST. From the verbiage, you weren’t quite as surprised when you wound up on an Op-Ed, because it DOES say “all sides blahblahblah look”.
But by the second screenshot three hours later, THAT line is gone, AS WELL AS the question changed ~ from MAYBE He Was Right? to Could He Have Been Right?. And the that first sentence rephrased and made an interrogative.
My jaded eyes tell me ABC is shilling for Air America, using the Op-Ed subterfuge for a headline they really mean.
tree hugging sister on November 2, 2006 at 12:55 PM
When exactly did the Subaru wagon overtake the Volvo as the liberal car of choice? Because it’s happened up here in Maine as well.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Well, that’s the difference between me and you. You can read minds and I can’t. Hence my labeling the video “inconclusive.”
Let it be noted that not once have I said, “I just can’t see how the other side thinks he was talking about the troops! That’s crazy!” That’s coming entirely from your side of this debate. And don’t think it’s not appreciated or duly noted.
You want to draw context from the age of the kids? Fine. In that case, why did he warm up with Bush jokes instead of jokes about subjects closer to their age group’s interest? And if he’s such an astute career politician, why the hell is goofing on U.S. soldiers a week before an election?
Allahpundit on November 2, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Let’s see…
Draft? BAD!
Volunteer? BAD!
Options? Lacking.
irishsquid on November 2, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Ah, a fellow New Englander! I’m not sure when it happened here, but it definitely jumped up in the last 5 years while I lived in Nashville. But I think Subaru is losing ground to the Honda Pilot of late. It’s not nearly the same justified stereotype because my aunt has one as does my cousin’s fiance, but it is one of the lesbians’ autmobiles of choice around here.
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 1:01 PM
Slublog/HotAir, when I click on Slublogs link, a HotAir screen pops up that says “Error 404 - Not Found”
EFG on November 2, 2006 at 1:01 PM
You are thinking about this all wrong AP. He said what he believes but he never really realized it was a smear. It’s a common admonition liberals give kids all the time here in MA. It’s like, “eat you veggies.” He never realized that the flip side of that advice was a deep insult.
TheBigOldDog on November 2, 2006 at 1:02 PM
Slublogs link at 12:32
EFG on November 2, 2006 at 1:02 PM
Whoops. Sorry.
Here’s the page.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 1:03 PM
Well, it’ll be interesting to hear what my nephew has to say - he’s in the 4th ID out of Ft. Hood and is coming home TODAY from his first tour in Iraq. In fact, he should be landing in about an hour. I wonder who he’ll say is harming the troops more - Maliki or our own U.S. SENATORS!!!!!! My bet - he’ll say our U.S. SENATORS.
pullingmyhairout on November 2, 2006 at 1:04 PM
It’s not nearly the same justified stereotype because my aunt has one as does my cousin’s fiance, but it is one of the lesbians’ autmobiles of choice around here.
Well, I drive an old beat-up noisy-as-hell Volvo so I’m glad the trend is changing.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 1:04 PM
This early Nov. 2006 political manna reminds me constantly of the movie Crocodile Dundee and the expression “that’s no knife” (hear the Australian accent).
As Patterico
waxespontificates so eloquently again, the NYT & all who’re so inclined to believe, this wasn’t a “botched” or “flobbed” joke.It was parapraxis, or a Freudian slip.
Millions of arguments, articles, debates, comments may ensue, and it will still end up being what it is and couldn’t have happened to a more appropriate subject.
Even if he was referring to Mr. Bush, it’s still insulting to the troops, as that’s their CinC. It’s also not very presidential of Mr. Almost-President, were it not for us “steeling” it from him.
Kerry didn’t end up “a political punching bag, again”, à la NYT. He’s a perpetually haughty elitist windbag. Too bad that his party didn’t realize this sooner. They’re lucky indeed for 2008. No one is happier than Mrs. Clinton today.
I’m happy this happened in our California, at an Angelides rally. The irony in this is indescribable.
Because he isn’t so astute. He’s just a ‘career politician’. And he’s goofy too.
Manna, indeed.
Entelechy on November 2, 2006 at 1:06 PM
Because he has a way of opening his mouth, inserting his foot and chewing heavily. And, I don’t think he’s as astute as some make him out to be.
pullingmyhairout on November 2, 2006 at 1:06 PM
AP One can not know for sure what he was thinking when he made his remarks. Based on the notion that past actions are the best indicator of future behavior, one can argue he said what he meant.
elBarto on November 2, 2006 at 1:06 PM
The DU thread about the photo yesterday was “disappeared” for some reason. It was pretty tame, even by rational standards. About the only embarrassing bit was:
Post X: This is photoshopped!
Post Y: Debunked in 30 minutes - see post X.
rw on November 2, 2006 at 1:07 PM
Just goes to show….
He was a troop, before he was against the troops…
Romeo13 on November 2, 2006 at 1:07 PM
I’m sorry if I’ve offended you there Allah, but it just seems clear to me. Why would he warm up with Bush jokes? Well he was at a campaign rally right? His audience is the Daily Show target audience who loves nothing more than anti-Bush jokes. As for why would he be stupid enough to goof on soldiers a week before an election? Because at his core, he didn’t know there was anything wrong with what he said. We know this is the way they think.
But answering with my question with a question doesn’t excuse the fact that his words were his words, and anyone who made them, if they didn’t mean what they said, could have easily corrected himself immediately. I am convinced that he didn’t correct himself, because as far as he knew, there was nothing to correct.
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 1:08 PM
I have a Volvo, but it is a SUV and it only gets about 17 miles per gallon. That oughta count for something, no?
bloggless on November 2, 2006 at 1:10 PM
Honestly, this is all kind of moot anyway, because he’s apologized.
Yes, I am serious. Stop looking at me like that.
Politically, it’s over. Kerry did exactly what we demanded of him - he apologized to the troops for his comments. We can debate the sincerity of his remarks, but he put forth the effort.
I just think that if we keep up on this with an unchanging level of outrage, we’re going to end up looking ungracious and obsessive.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 1:11 PM
allah, the only people “reading minds” are people inserting words and meaning into the text which weren’t there.
i think you’re hung up on the frame that the controversuial remark was delivered as a joke. it wasn’t. it was a bitter pill meant to convey a hard truth and spur the assembly to moral action to strengthen education as an alternative to the predatory lure of military recruiters. the idea that it was a “joke” of one form or another was introduced by the revisionists.
jummy on November 2, 2006 at 1:12 PM
Entelechy,
Right, and Lurch doesn’t even get it. That’s why criticism of the remarks must be because of GOP distortions and dirty tricks. He didn’t see anything to apologize for until it became clear that the incessant asskicking he was taking wasn’t going to abate.
He probably still doesn’t think he said anything wrong.
Pablo on November 2, 2006 at 1:16 PM
I wonder how long it would Monseiur sKerry to draft an apology to the Islamic overlords if he offended them?
LakeRuins on November 2, 2006 at 1:17 PM
RightWinged, I’ve been reading the give and take between you and AP about what Kerry said and meant.
For whatever it’s worth, the way I see it, John Kerry said what he said, in a certain context.
And I don’t think any of us can really prove what John Kerry meant.
Prove as in documented evidence. All we have is circumsancial* evidence. Which won’t cut it for a slam dunk.
BUT… even if this doesn’t rise to to the level of absolute proof, it is certainly good enough to influence people in a voting booth. It won’t convince Kos, and it won’t convince you or me. But when John Q. Undecided Public goes into the voting both, it will be in the back of some of their minds. And it will be the deciding issue for some of them.
That’s about all we can hope for. But a few thousand votes going our way and John Kerry’s pound of flesh on top of that isn’t too bad of an outcome, is it?
EFG on November 2, 2006 at 1:17 PM
“I’m sorry if I offended someone…” That’s not an apology. This would have been an apology: “I’m so sorry for what I said. It was wrong. I hope that you can find it in your hearts to accept my most sincere apology.” we’ll hear him say something like that when pigs fly.
pullingmyhairout on November 2, 2006 at 1:17 PM
LakeRuins
36 minutes not 36 hours!
rocked on November 2, 2006 at 1:18 PM
Stupid is as Stupid Does
Kini on November 2, 2006 at 1:18 PM
and the end always justifies the means…
pullingmyhairout on November 2, 2006 at 1:19 PM
I don’t know there Slublog. Vets and their families have been on Fox all day saying the apology was a much of an insult as his original statement. I guess we’ll see.
TheBigOldDog on November 2, 2006 at 1:19 PM
And according to what I’ve heard…
This story ALMOST did not get reported at all.
Kerry made an anti military comment on a College Campus to a freindly audience… and got busted by a single reporter putting it on a stations website, and telling his listeners to spread the word…
This whole thing was internet driven. If we had left it up to the MSM, it never would have gotten any airplay… Kerry, being a consumate profesional politician KNOWS which side the press is on…. but I don’t think he understands the power of the Internet.
IMO he said what he said, and thought he could get away with it…. but…. busted….
Romeo13 on November 2, 2006 at 1:19 PM
seejanemom-What in God’s name are you talking about and how does it have any relevance to my comment? I read your blog twice and still fail to see how your harassment of hippies has any relation to anything I said. You who support our troops without question, who believe the sovereignty the United States supercedes all international laws, and who believe the U.S. has the right and duty to preemptively attack and invade other states that may pose a threat to our security should be the one most enraged that the leader of another state is telling our troops what they can and cannot do, especially when this leader’s orders require our troops abandon the search for one of their own.
Are you really going to argue that anything Kerry says is more important and more damaging to our troops than that?
JaHerer22 on November 2, 2006 at 1:21 PM
I don’t know there Slublog. Vets and their families have been on Fox all day saying the apology was a much of an insult as his original statement. I guess we’ll see.
My point is that sure, Kerry’s apology was as much as we’re going to get. He did what we asked him to do, even if it was halfhearted and weaselly. In the last few days before an election, I just don’t think it benefits the GOP to debate the level of sincerity with which Kerry apologized.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 1:22 PM
allah, when you say,
“‘I just can’t see how the other side thinks he was talking about [x]! That’s crazy!’ That’s coming entirely from your side of this debate.”
…you seem to disregard that your side of the debate encompases all of those advancing the interpretation you do. those who have undertaken a revision of kerry’s remarks most certainly have accused the other side of being crazy, cynically dishonest, making it up, etc.
jummy on November 2, 2006 at 1:23 PM
I don’t quite follow you here. Please explain or apologize like Kerry did.
.
.
I kid! I kid!
But seriously, I don’t quite follow you. I’m not saying anything about the ends justifying the means. John Kerry screwed up. So we reap the benefits. We didn’t make him say that. His loss, our gain.
EFG on November 2, 2006 at 1:23 PM
Frankly, I don’t know exactly what to make of this. Is AP so out of touch with American reality? Maybe he’s not even residing in New York anymore, but somewhere else, like in France?
Fact is that the Democrat Party had one big project for the last 20 years: pander to the youth vote. Fact is that the one driving force of BDS is adolescents w/ lots of unchanneled energy, free time, technical savviness, and plenty of broadband internet connectivity. Fact is that the target demographic of all hard-left/left election ads are gullible (read: insulated from much of the burden of reality) young people.
So what do all these facts have in common, hm?
Niko on November 2, 2006 at 1:24 PM
true, true. I guess I was thinking more of how republicans can exploit this for our gain. I know, it’s playing dirty. But I really don’t want Nancy Pelosi to be speaker.
pullingmyhairout on November 2, 2006 at 1:30 PM
NIKO- great one!
From Colorado we cant zero in on ALL Subaru’s so much, they’re ubiquitous. But Subaru’s and VOLVO’s, now your’re talkin. And the rainbow flags, yup, they even made it to this elevation.
I did see this bumpersticker on a Subaru though, and the driver was an 8th grade dropout, on welfare who doesnt care if her kids finish Jr. High School, (true story).
the sticker:
There are only two real crimes, Ignorance and Apathy
Total inability to see oneself truthfully = Dems/Libs/Lefties. Am I wrong?
shooter on November 2, 2006 at 1:32 PM
A
Hilarious!
I checked out the DU thread — it’s like they are from another planet.
EF on November 2, 2006 at 1:32 PM
Here is a great story on Drudge about the Hamas terror leaders supporting Democrats this election, and guess whose photo is in the story?
The MSM will ignore this endorsement, but Republicans should run with this in ads this weekend.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061102/pl_nm/usa_elections_faith_dc
januarius on November 2, 2006 at 1:33 PM
So the “black and the brown” are more prone to commit atrocities—it follows that HE THINKS THEY ARE SIMPLY MORE INCLINED TO VIOLENCE. Sniffsniff….what do I smell??
It’s called RACISM AND CLASSISM, Dems. And it is from the mouth of your Presidential nominee. ‘Splain that to me.
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 1:34 PM
Pasted the wrong article. Here is the right one:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52747
Wouldn’t that be great if President Bush used the bully pulpit to mention Hamas’ endorsement of Dems? Democrats would be in a hysterical rage.
januarius on November 2, 2006 at 1:36 PM
Get it through your thick head. Iraq is an independent country with an independent goverment. The US forces are guests, well armed guests, but guests none the less. Are you saying the US military ought to stage another war and unseat Maliki because he is trying to act like a leader? Tsk Tsk
Let me help you here because of the way the reporting has been categorized. The war was over for all intents and purposes once the Iraqi’s went to the polls and elected their own goverment. From the day that the handover was made official we have been in a rebuilding and training role. I thought it was a mistake from that monumental day forward to insert the word war into storie about what is actually going on. I blame the White House PR machine as much as I do our liberal leaning press. But just imagine what the attitude would be if starting 2 years ago we had started referring to this as a rebuilding operation and dropped the word war out of stories. If this can still be classified as a war then New Orleans would also fit the description in the wake of Katrina. How many murders have they had? What about other forms of crime? Have they yet to reestablish an operational judical system?
So just to be clear we aren’t at war in Iraq, we are progressing on with our rebuilding and training of the Iraqi peoples and goverment on what this whole democracy thing is about.
LakeRuins on November 2, 2006 at 1:36 PM
This revelation alongside the incident of Democrats trying to push the draft through in congress as Kerry was running for president should be enough to convince 80% of the population that the Democrats want to bring back the draft.
Perchant on November 2, 2006 at 1:36 PM
Seejanemom - that’s the third time you’ve linked to a post in your own blog. We get it. Hippies are bad.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 1:37 PM
I agree about the perception of obsessive, but I agree with others, he didn’t apologize. He just blamed people for spinning what he said, which isn’t what happened.
And whoever was talking about this almost not getting reported in the first place is exactly right. It ran on a local TV station out there and that dude from KFI or whatever just happened to have his TV on, checked with the station and luckily they were taping so he was able to retrieve and post the audio online. That, and that alone, is the only reason this whole thing happened. The local station that played the comment didn’t even note any controversy over what Kerry said, because in their circles it’s clearly what they think too.
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 1:38 PM
Under pressure, some people make mistakes. Now was it a deliberate slap at the military, a Fruedian slip, or is he inept as a speaker. He has been giving speeches for most of his life (that’s how he makes his living, as a wordsmith), has a view of the military that has been documented. I tend to lean towards he let his true feelings distort his planned statements under the stress of the moment. We got a glimpse of Kerry, not as we have never seen him, but at a moment that re-confirms some of the awful things he has said in the past. A deliberate berating of the military?, I don’t think so, but is it a stretch for some to think so?, No. We have to compare his statement to his character and beliefs, they do support one another. He did not step out of character, he was Kerry or as one blogger put it, he was Kerry Smart.
The one advantage he has is that when he puts his foot in his mouth it tastes better with all of that Heinz catsup (ketchup) money.
right2bright on November 2, 2006 at 1:39 PM
1. I post a comment and call those of you who haven’t studied sciences, humanities and at least 5 languages in high-school, uneducated idiots.
2. I don’t come back right away, with a sincere “I’m sorry. I meant to say that the system or the Secretary of Education caused you to be uneducated”.
3. The next day, after I read all your comments, I come back with “I apologize to no one” and “…you much rather talk about my arrogance than addressing your ignorance…”
4. The next day, after I’m banished to comment on this blog, unless I apologize, I think about it (because I’m hopelessly addicted to this blog by now).
5. I submit an e-mail to AP “I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those who’re ignorant, and I personally apologize to any HOT AiR member, family member, or American who was offended”. I also continue to blame my superior educational background on my faux pas.
6. AP posts my apology.
7. You all graciously forgive me.
8. AP restores my commenting privileges.
9. All’s well and we’re as good as before.
“I was against the troops, before I was for them” but
“I was against apologizing, before I was for it”, which means that
“I was for a joke, before I was against it” and
“It’s all the fault of the
Eskimosrepublicans and the President”Entelechy on November 2, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Kerry’s gaffe came too early in the news cycle. Everyone knows that if you want something to be on the weekend talk shows you break the story on Thursday. So we will move on from sKerry and I am willing to bet the topic of discussion this weekend will be the front page story on the Times using a leaked classified document showing a bad situation in Iraq.
Any takers? Whether the argument is crouched in ethics of printing classifeid information, the rights of the press, or arguments about the actual information it will be what is on the talking heads shows.
LakeRuins on November 2, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Another thing that has people really PO’d is that he didn’t even give this “apology” in person but did it in a press release on his site. He had no problem getting in front of the cameras to refuse to apologize and call everybody “nuts” the first time.
TheBigOldDog on November 2, 2006 at 1:42 PM
Ooooh, Niko, nasty. :-)
I’ve been following the debate between AP and Rightwinged; here’s the defining point for me.
I can’t say for sure what Kerry meant by his comment; I can sorta see where he meant to say “get us into Iraq”; this would be consistent with the left-wing’s modus operandi of trying to denigrate Pres. Bush ’s Iraq policy. I can, however, see Kerry making a joke against the troops; I imagine he’d feel pretty safe doing it at a CA-based rally at a college for a Democratic candidate; as others have pointed out, these people get their news mainly from The Daily Show.
So which version did he really mean? I don’t know. What I *do* know, though, is that when people starting assuming that he was putting down the troops, if he really had respect for the troops he would’ve immediately issued a statement saying that he has the utmost respect for the troops, and not use the statement as another means to put down Bush/Snow/Limbaugh/etc. And the ‘apology’ he issued was still a non-apology. In it he STILL had to try to place the blame on others.
The key point for me, though, is this: Would we want the leader of our country to poke fun at another country, and BOTCH THE JOKE? I’m SO damn glad he didn’t win in ‘04, and I’m glad that this screws him out of trying again in ‘08.
dalewalt on November 2, 2006 at 1:42 PM
This is actually just the standard argument against the war. Obviously, Kerry never quite realizes the profound irony in making statements like this, considering that he did, in fact, exercise special privilege in relation to his service in Vietnam (who nominates themself for a purple heart?), when he was making the statements during Winter Soldier. The point they were trying to make then was that only the underprivileged were forced to war in an army where you weren’t forced to serve. The problem is, whatever the truthiness behind that statement (and there probably isn’t much), its even worse in a draft. In a draft, the people most likely to avoid service really ARE the privleged, the people with money or the means to go abroad.
Kerry shot himself in the foot then, and he continues to do so now. I don’t think his statements were any intentional disparage of the troops, or that they even deserve the intellectual credit people are giving them as Freudian slips. We don’t hire our best and brightest to serve in government most of the time.
E. M. on November 2, 2006 at 1:45 PM
Rush likened it today to a guy breaking up with his girlfriend in an email. classic.
pullingmyhairout on November 2, 2006 at 1:50 PM
@Entelechy
You forgot:
0. You have a history of writing inflammatory comments on other blogs, disparaging various others for different reasons while pointing out your own superiority where those attributes are concerned.
…
10. By comparing IP addresses Patterico finds out about your previous comments and the various sock puppets you employed, praising your writing while at the same time building ambiguity around it.
Niko on November 2, 2006 at 1:53 PM
As one who was sitting on the DMZ in April of ‘71 when Kerry gave his “Jenghis Khan” speech to Congress, I’m not really interested in giving this dork the benefit of the doubt on anything he says.
And if he is an astute politician, then I’m a Chinese aviator.
there it is on November 2, 2006 at 1:58 PM
Slublog- I apologize if you were offended.
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 2:00 PM
People, people…remember your political correctness lessons. The intent of offensive words doesn’t matter, but how they are received does.
It doesn’t matter whether Senator Kerry was at that particular time being a tineared moron or an arrogant elitist. In the balance, either one is just as bad and shows just what a jerkoff he is. The fact remains that he DID offend, DIDN’T correct himself, and issued only a half apology…not for causing the offense, but for people being ’stupid enough’ to become offended at his words.
PC is for everyone!
James on November 2, 2006 at 2:04 PM
i really don’t understand how it is “mind reading” to draw the most obvious meaning from the exact words a person spoke.
i’d really like you to address this AP.
jummy on November 2, 2006 at 2:05 PM
Slublog- I apologize if you were offended.
I drive a Volvo, wear Birkenstocks and eat organic produce. Have some mercy.
Kidding. Sorry to get snippy, but I’m a compulsive link-clicker. Surprise me!
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 2:10 PM
However, if you want a totally different take on Waffles, go to
Emmett J. on November 2, 2006 at 2:11 PM
still getting used to this - go to
for a totally different take on Waffles.
Emmett J. on November 2, 2006 at 2:12 PM
I don’t know what they will move on to, but Republicans/conservatives should DEFINITELY be on guard for a last minute surprise by dems, because if they have one, they will certainly pull it out here.
And when they do … DON’T PANIC (God I hate the nancy-boy panicking) … FIGHT BACK!!!!
thirteen28 on November 2, 2006 at 2:12 PM
EF,
It’s more like they are from another planet, and trying their best to take over this one. We are what’s standing between them and their goal.
Rick on November 2, 2006 at 2:13 PM
OK - again, I think I got it right this time - go to wintersoldier.com for a really different take on Waffles
Emmett J. on November 2, 2006 at 2:14 PM
Exactly. Which makes all of the liberal comparisons to the length of other wars just that much more idiotic. Whining about “We’ve been in Iraq longer than we fought in World War II!” is meaningless, because the two don’t equate. Last time I checked, we’re still in Germany and Japan 61 years after the end of world War II, so I guess according to liberals we’re still at war. We’re still in South Korea 53 years later, so I guess we’re still at war there too.
Rebuilding Germany and Japan weren’t cakewalks, either, but what you didn’t have back then was outside elements coming in stir up trouble and oppose us, nor did you have adjacent states like Iran and Syria funding, training, and equipping the terrorists. Technology has drastically improved as well, making IEDs a force multiplier in a way that didn’t even exist back then–and which the terrorists badly needed, because they get their asses handed to them in a standup fight. But we would have fought the “insurgents” differently back then, too–can anybody see Patton f*cking around with these @ssholes like we are right now? Hell, no. He’d have dropped the hammer on them until they were dead or they decided that rejoining society was preferable to dying. And half of America wouldn’t have been on the side of the bad guys, either.
ReubenJCogburn on November 2, 2006 at 2:15 PM
Ha! I’m a Birk wearer too Slublog, don’t feel bad… though I wrecked a pair at the end of summer and will need to get a new pair next year. It’s sad, but this is something always on my mind. Note to Birkenstock wearers, if your feet are cold and you want to put them near a bonfire, take of the Birks first. If you don’t you’ll heat up the glue that holds the cork and rubber together so it will come unstuck, and then the rubber will shrink if you keep them near the bonfire, unaware of what is happening.
RightWinged on November 2, 2006 at 2:17 PM
I was kidding about the Birkenstocks (my feet must be covered at all times) but not about the Volvo or the organic produce. I actually miss farmer’s markets in the winter.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 2:21 PM
John Kerry and the VVAW: Hanoi’s American Puppets?
Read and decide - as usual, Waffles speaks for himself best.
Emmett J. on November 2, 2006 at 2:25 PM
I am actually new to this and thought I had deleted the second link. I REALLY do apologize.
Slublog—are you a CRUNCHY CON—(how ’bout THat link!! Yeah, pretty cool huh??…
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 2:29 PM
And you’re right about Birkenstocks - my wife loves them and made the campfire mistake last summer.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 2:29 PM
Very true. One of the biggest PR problems we have had in handling this thing from the day the “Iraq War” ended was the fact that the War on Terror continued in Iraq. The White House made a monumental mistake when it failed to differentiate the two. I don’t think they knew how. The Iraq War was just one battle in the larger War on Terror. Because of that PR blunder, they are now stuck - they fell into a trap set by the MSM when they continued to call it the “Iraq War”.
Rick on November 2, 2006 at 2:30 PM
Okay I was a little late getting my Ann Coulter fix today and it shocked me when I did read it.
Of course Ann has her own little problem brewing in FL over voting. Amazing that out of all those claims of voter disenfranchisement and shady voting results the only incident they can find ivolves Ms Coulter voting out of district.
LakeRuins on November 2, 2006 at 2:31 PM
I am actually new to this and thought I had deleted the second link. I REALLY do apologize.
No, I APOLOGIZE. MY APOLOGY TRUMPS YOUR APOLOGY. :-)
(how ’bout THat link!! Yeah, pretty cool huh??
Hey, new page! Productivity: low.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 2:31 PM
You know, Allah’s been pretty scarce in these threads.
Let’s try an experiment.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 2:32 PM
Oh, so…are you a CRUNCHY CON??? Answer please…(different link—try it out.)
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 2:33 PM
Allah is ever present…we best keep to topic. But I am a CRUNCHY CON and am quite proud of it. Wish there were more of us.
seejanemom on November 2, 2006 at 2:36 PM
Actually, I don’t like the phrase “crunchy con,” but yeah, basically I am.
I try to purchase organic food because I think it tastes better. My meat purchases were highly influenced by Matthew Scully’s book “Dominion.” I’m not a fan of factory farming, as I just don’t think that’s how God intended us to treat the animals He entrusted us with.
And I do actually drive a Volvo, because it’s a fun car to drive.
Slublog on November 2, 2006 at 2:38 PM
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