Kerry: Peace Corps Can Help Heal Iraqi Abuse Damage

[PfcHammer]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040508/us_nm/campaign_kerry_dc_3

Kerry: Peace Corps Can Help Heal Iraqi Abuse Damage

22 minutes ago Add U.S. National - Reuters to My Yahoo!

By Patricia Wilson

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Idealistic Americans can help heal damage from the Iraqi prisoner scandal by serving on the international aid frontlines with the U.S. Peace Corps, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) said on Saturday.

In a commencement address at historically black Southern University at New Orleans, the decorated Vietnam veteran, who came back to the United States an anti-war activist, rejected "the cynicism that says you can't make a difference."

"In the last days we've all seen photos of horrific abuses in an Iraqi prison that do a disservice to the courageous efforts of over 100,000 American soldiers," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery. "Those abuses have done enormous damage to our country."

<snip>

"If there was ever a time when everyday people in the most deprived countries, cities and villages of the world need to see idealistic Americans working to help them, it is today, when we are engaged in a struggle to win the hearts and minds of people everywhere," Kerry said.

<more>

[davhill]

1. Is Kerry that out of touch with reality?

He keeps coming up with inane statements like that. The only thing Americans can do now is go home and start minding our own business for a change.

[Karenina]

3. GET OUT OF IRAQ.

NOW.

[KittyWampus]

6. Yeah, Isolating Ourselves Will Be Really Helpful Repairing The Damage

that's sarcasm.

So now apparently the Left despises the Peace Corp.

What's next, Habitat for Humanity?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

12. Not despising the Peace Corp...

Do you think that we might have worn out our welcome in that part of the world?

The war is irreparably lost. I could stomach(endure) the idea that we couldn't just abandon Iraq a few weeks ago, but it's over now. It's time to leave.

[renegade000]

15. i don't think he is advocating

the activities of the peace corp in any specific part of the world.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. I understand that.

"If there was ever a time when everyday people in the most deprived countries, cities and villages of the world need to see idealistic Americans working to help them, it is today, when we are engaged in a struggle to win the hearts and minds of people everywhere," Kerry said.


Are we really? Why?

[belle]

46. Why? Because we'll need to make that much effort just to get the world

to *not* hate our guts.

[Zhade]

40. I'm not sure myself.

Idealistic Americans can help heal damage from the Iraqi prisoner scandal by serving on the international aid frontlines with the U.S. Peace Corps, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) said on Saturday.

Okay, so is this about helping the Iraqi people after proof of how our soldiers who are illegally occupying their country have wronged them horribly, or is it about saving face for America?

If Kerry is advocating for the PC to work in Iraq, it's the former. If it's simply a matter of damage control, then not advocating for the PC to specifically go into Iraq would seem to back this up.

If we really cared about the Iraqis, we'd leave - today - and pay them reparations. Then we would drag these traitors in the White House and the rest of the government to the Hague to be tried for war crimes. Now, I'm glad Hussein is gone. No question. But the Iraqis do not want us there any longer!

We must leave. It is the only way to save America's soul.

[Eye and Monkey]

45. I don't think he's advocating that the PC work in Iraq. They will not.

The Peace Corps generally doesn't send it's volunteers into active conflict areas. Poor, often remote areas, yes, but not active conflicts.

And a good thing that is, considering that the volunteers are overwhelmingly recent college undergrads without the experience - or backup - to work in such areas.

[lumpy]

26. It's a crying shame that

some apparently the Left despises the Peace Corps? The only people I have heard decry the Peace Corps are those that claim it consists of "bleeding hearts". A familiar cry from the Far-rightists and backward punks.

[gate of the sun]

30. It's a innane comment in light

of the situation to suggest Peace Corp.This situation needs to more directly addressed. I don't think anyone was suggesting they didn't like the Peace corp.

[KittyWampus]

34. It Was A COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

and it's innane to suggest that young adults get involved in the Peace Corp.?

It's innane to suggest that Americans will need to selflessly contribute something of themselves to other peoples of the world as we try to undo the damage wrought by the Neo-Cons?

[gate of the sun]

35. I think I addressed this below.

n/t

[Eye and Monkey]

50. Actually, I offered to go overseas for Habitat. You won't believe this -

One of their rules was that all overseas volunteers are required to hold religious discussion. Allegedly, all religions are welcome, but overseas volunteers are required to hold prayer-meetings or discussion groups at least once weekly.

Also, HfH also requires that all overseas volunteers who are single sign a committment to remain celebate for their entire term of service. No joke.

That was about the point that the conversation ended in a friendly "I don't think I'd be interested in committing to something like those conditions."

[EdGy]

27. apparently so...

either that, or he realizes he's got to pander to the illusions many Americans continue to have about their government's role in the world.

[Malva Zebrina]

2. Ohhh--

I'm sorry, this is not a leader--this is an appeaser.

I am so angry that I am forced to vote for him.

We need to get out of there, period. Human life is more important than corporations establishing themselves in Iraq.

We need to get out of there--got that, Kerry?

You need to take the role of a leader--got that Kerry?

We need to give up on establishing corporations of our choosing there and stop everything and withdraw, admit it was a huge mistake, much less an illegal war and Bush a war criminal.

We need to give it up--the occupation. Never mind the godamm peace corp

Jesus

[ima_sinnic]

4. what in %#(^* is he smoking??

he's pretty smug, isn't he? figures we HAVE to vote for him to rid ourselves of Bush. Sorry, John, you're going to have to earn my vote. I DO have the freedom NOT to vote.

[PfcHammer]

22. Marijuana Abuse Is Up Among U.S. Adults

http://rds.yahoo.com/search/news/S=53720272/K=marijuana+abuse/v=2/SID=w/l=NSR/R=3/SIG=12m8dec9b/*-http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040505/ap_on_he_me/marijuana_adults_4

[Tellurian]

5. Bravo!!!! Better, you've struck the right tone...Keep it there!

Lose the condescending "Idealist" aphorism.. ick!

And down play the corporatists.

They've already struck their Bonanza.

Time to let the People up for AIR!

schwing....

[Tellurian]

7. Kool message to the South..

How many Idealists in the South?

The main message:

"Kerry has called for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to resign and for Bush, as commander in chief, to demand accountability and take full responsibility."

[Eye and Monkey]

49. I'll stand up and give you an answer there.

First, I'm Southern, and perhaps as idealistic as they come. I've got the field creds and the passport to prove it.

Second, you might want to check your fly - your regional bias is showing.

Third, this speech was given at Southern University, an historically African-American university and one of the leading resources for education, activism, and research for both New Orleans and the nation.

Fourth, a major faux pas here was that Kerry overlooked the fact that many of the students at Southern are the first generation in their families to achieve a college education and the potential income that goes along with it. This means that their obligations follow-through with a career - to assist their families - often preclude the option of volunteering for something like the Peace Corps.

[Tellurian]

69. good answer...

and I appreciate your pov..

so,

you may be right, three out of four times?:)

[Eye and Monkey]

72. Three out of four ain't bad.

Cheers :beer:

[mike_c]

8. democrats shuffling toward the precipice....

What the hell is this party thinking?

[KittyWampus]

10. What The Hell Does Your Post Have To Do With Anything?

Kerry's looking for a way to move foward into the future and tapping into young adults' idealism.

And you are doing exactly what?

[mike_c]

13. commenting on the feeble-ness of his every public statement....

Why isn't he calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq? Oh, that's right-- he supports it. Why isn't he calling for rooting out the corporate cancer that is driving American foreign policy-- a policy that he will have to implement. Oh that's right-- he supports that policy.

My post reflects frustration that when MY GOVERNMENT is committing crimes all over the world in MY NAME, the best that my party is willing to offer is somebody who's response is to use the Peace Corps as good-will agents. Kerry needs to find his spine. Oh, that's right-- he sold it long ago.

on edit: Just to clarify-- I don't have any objection to the Peace Corps or to idealism, youthful or otherwise. It just pisses me off to no end that my party is going to offer someone who hasn't got the sand to call evil by its name.

[KittyWampus]

14. You Need To Find... Okay, Don't Want Post To Get Deleted

Kerry was speaking AT A COMMENCEMENT.

Addressing the damage our Country's image has sustained due to Bush.

He puts forth a very practical way for the young adults listening to him to contribute.

And just out of curiosity, please cite where Kerry supports the corporate cancer bla bla bla....

I guess there's either just a whole lot emotionally overwrought DU'ers lashing out right now or people who wouldn't be happy unless Karl Marx was running as Democratic Candidate.

[gate of the sun]

33. if he can bring up the abuse at the commencement

he can bring up strong idea's of restoring our image.(if that's even possible). He can act like a leader and bring real and tangible ideas to the table and inspire the young people that's what he could do. I think people have a right to address Kerry's remarks. I think many of us are looking to see if Kerry can bring some strong leadership to this situation. He hasn't shown us that in a way I'm proud of. I'd like to be able to tell my family and friends how wonderful Kerry is. Saying Rumsfield should resign is good and important. Saying Bush should be held responsible is also good. I want to hear more ideas. like the war In Iraq was wrong and we have compounded that wrong by abusing the Iraqis. I think pulling out of Iraq immediatly is important. I want to hear statements about how we can make ammends to the Iraqi people how we can restore their dignity. I want to hear how he will restore the country to it's greatness by having dignity and honesty and integrity. I want to hear him say that he will do this. I want to hear him inspire us, that this is possible.

[KittyWampus]

36. The Peace Corp IS A Practical Idea For Young Adults Graduating

and again, this was NOT A FUCKING POLICY SPEECH.

I want, I want, I want, I want

bla bla bla

sometimes I get the feeling there are 6 year olds typing their outbursts on DU.

You think the MAYBE the press would have lambasted Kerry and the Democratic Party if he had gotten overtly political at a commencement speech?<</b>

[gate of the sun]

52. It may not be a policy speech

but what he says now and to who makes a big impact. I would have to say that I don't believe my statements in anyway reflected a 6 year old.On the other hand yours did not address a single thing I had to say. I wouldn't say your post was reflective of much thought.

[cidliz2004]

74. Actually you are both right

Kerry needs to get out there and show more leadership in attitude and give more specifics on a regular basis. Sometimes he doesn't appear to have much of a spine or any specific alternative actions to replace the shrub team's activities.

A commencement ceremony is NOT the place to be overtly political though. Cheney JUST got nailed on that barely a week or so ago. Kerry needs to be mindful of the purpose of being at a commencement ceremony and be respectful of his role at this type of appearance.

I think that he did a fine job at the commencement ceremony, I just wish he would do a "finer job" campaigning.

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. Geez

I thought I was on Free Republic when I opened this thread.

[Alexander]

11. Nothing wrong with this at all

I find it funny that so many people here are opposed to the idea of Kerry sending the Peace Corps - A JFK creation - to various parts of the globe to help HEAL the damage done by the Bush administration.

You'd think from some responses here that the Peace Corps was just another branch of the US military and their only job is to kill people and blow things up.

[RobinA]

32. Strange Responses,

I have to agree. The outlook has changed a lot since I was a youngster - back in the day. Idealism is considered a disease. JFKennedy probably wouldn't win the primary.

[tinanator]

66. funny you mention it

if you observe the pattern of Peace Corp deployments you will, sooner or later find a correlating pattern of CIA activities, destabilized governments, low/no wage workforces, stuff like that. They provide cover, and fritter the miserly resources allocated. As you would expect if you take history into account.

[Jack Rabbit]

16. I'll give him credit for good intentions, but . . .

Right now, if Santa Claus were an American then no Iraqi child would get near him.

[Upfront]

17. What Is He Smoking?

I want some.

[daleo]

18. After the U.S. military leaves Iraq, and the resulting Iraqi government

invites the Peace Corps in, then this will be a good idea. But to bring in the Peace Corps while the military occupation is ongoing would be a disaster for the Peace Corps - they would just be seen as the happy propaganda face of a three faced occupation, with the military being the occupation face and a U.S. corporations being the exploitation face.

Western imperialism used to use missionaries for this same purpose.

[pop goes the weasel]

20. that's what we should have done in the first place

Now I think we had better think about paying reparations and getting out. We could give the money to a bunch of reputable NGOs to disperse in Iraq since there is no trustworthy governing authority. Think how much livestock the Heifer Fund could have gotten with $87 billion. Hmm. I think they could just about get every woman in Asia a flock of chickens with that.

[DoYouEverWonder]

23. We could have supplied all of Africa

with AIDS medicine for the next 10 years.

With the goodwill an act like that would have brought the US, we wouldn't have to worry so much about terrorism.

[pop goes the weasel]

29. sad, isn't it?

The trillions of dollars the US has wasted on killing, destroying, torturing and impoverishing people in the name of self-defense and freedom. I keep hoping for some creative, constructive thinking from DC. Man, do we ever need that Department of Peace.

[Eye and Monkey]

51. "Department of Peace" - now that's a good idea.

Top shelf, Cabinet-level.

[tedzbear]

84. The cost of Iraq war could save the million people in Africa...

...who will die of AIDS this year. It would pay for the brand name price of the HIV cocktail for every HIV+ person in Africa and still have money left over.

Kerry should put his money where is mouth is. What a jerk.

[sandnsea]

21. It's a Commencement Address

Not a statement on what to do about Iraq. It's just a challenge to young people to give of themselves, that's all. I wish people would read an entire article once in a while. And the title of the article is so completely distorting, just what the Kerry- bashers look for.

[gate of the sun]

54. Kerry basher's is a simplistic response

he brought up Iraq and made statements. Everything he does right now is about becoming the President of the United States. I read the entire article and I thought he could have said more. He could have been a source of inspiration instead he suggested the Peace Corp. Ultimatly I don't think it's that big of a deal. Though I would love to see him dynamic and inspiring for everyone.

[BeHereNow]

24. The KEY paragraph in the article:

"In his 2005 budget, Bush asked Congress
for $401 million for the Peace Corps, versus
its current $300 million."

Time to drop those partisan blinders and analyze the
timing and subtext from the understanding that
CORPORATION govern the country, not parties.

They know the word "draft" is suicide.
They have no intention of changing the hegemony agenda,
no matter who sits in the throne for 4 more years.
They need bodies, LOTS' O'bodies to continue the aims of Empire.
They know damn well the serf parents are not going to
look very favorably towards military service at this point in time.
Hmmm....what to do, what to do?
Consultation with marketing and packaging department
reveals that most people have positive impressions of
the Peace Corp!
Sign em up got the PEACE CORP! That's it!
Once we've got them in the PEACE CORP, we can ship
'em EVERYWHERE!!! Including Iraq. They can be cooks and
laundry workers, construction workers for....HALLIBURTON!
Think of the money we will save by using a WALMARTIZED
PEACE CORP Slave Labor Pool!!!
It's a "win-win" folks, and hey, if some of them get
killed for being Americans, it will be a great way to
get the Americans to hate the brown people even more-
We can exploit the fact that PEACE CORP kids were killed
trying to help the Iraqi people and that will justify more
military action!
Oh this is a great plan, and we will have a "democratic"
candidate suggest it- all the liberals will love the idea
because one of their own suggested it.

At least that is the conversation I would expect to have
heard, were I the fly on the wall that day...
BHN

[lumpy]

25. I would hope Kerry has a better grand plan

to improve the standing of the US tarnished reputation throughout the world. I'm afraid it would take more a the Peace Core to undo the damage that this corrupt administration and impotent Congress has dumped in our laps. The US needs desperately, help, ideas and input (if it is possible) from the world community to elevate the diplomatic outlook for the US. There is no question in my mind that power should be taken away immediately from this administration. Hopefully the US Congress will be able to demand and regain the right to excersize their rights as spelled out in the US Constitution. Kerry should be trying to gain support from those in the Congress that have the same ideals in mind. The US needs support and immediate action from our representative bodies in Congress to admonish the administration and rip power from their corrupt hands. This is one way the US might regain positive recognition from the world at large. One way to show that democracy can work is by having the Congress represent the ideals of the US Constitution. Congress is supposed to represent the people, not a near-dictatorial administration.

[Tellurian]

28. The thought of using the Peace Corps as our first line of defense is imo

an excellent idea. The Peace Corp has for so long represented altruistic humanitarianism, which under this administration, is sorely lacking.

"There is no question in my mind that power should be taken away immediately from this administration. Hopefully the US Congress will be able to demand and regain the right to exercise their rights as spelled out in the US Constitution. Kerry should be trying to gain support from those in the Congress that have the same ideals in mind. The US needs support and immediate action from our representative bodies in Congress to admonish the administration and rip power from their corrupt hands. This is one way the US might regain positive recognition from the world at large. One way to show that democracy can work is by having the Congress represent the ideals of the US Constitution. Congress is supposed to represent the people, not a near-dictatorial administration."

Yes, I've been thinking the same thing. Kerry, with the help of perfectly attuned aides, should start lobbying Congress for *'s removal. By gently competing with what Bush is offering them, I say..

[gate of the sun]

55. I'm sorry that is ridiculous

Peace corp as a first line of defense? Please if that is the best we can do why don't we give up. There is nothing wrong with the Peace corp but a first line of defense???? and yes I agree bush should be removed.

[Tellurian]

68. Well..

What would you consider our first line of defense?

And WHY?

[IndianaGreen]

31. Peace Corps became a tool of the CIA decades ago!

No one trusts the Peace Corps anymore!

The Peace Corps was a good idea, and its volunteers did a lot of good, but during the Reagan Administration it soon became of tool of the CIA to spy on anti-capitalist elements among the peasants and workers of the Third World.

[KittyWampus]

37. Ah Yes, The Left's Version Of Freeperspeak

always agitating... never really caring about what's at the core of the issue.

The Left really shouldn't bother doing anything at all because the Rightwingers might win an election in the future and use whatever programs we initiate for their own nefarious purpose.

Supreme Court? Get rid of it... the Right wing will just use every opportunity to stack it with wingnuts.

[despairing optimist]

47. I don't know what "right wing" means anymore

now that Kerry has adopted point after point of what was formerly considered the right's agenda in an effort to appease Democratic leaders and media pundits and move toward the "center" once he finished off Howard Dean. The center of what? The globe is way off axis. We've been "right" so long, Kerry feels like "left" to us.

The more he speaks, especially about Iraq, the more I'm doubting I'll vote for him in November. He's the ultimate bait-and-switch Dem candidate. People, haven't we seen this movie before?

"There is no alternative" doesn't wash with me. Sorry. I won't vote for someone who vows to escalate the Iraq war rather than get out of it, who wants to put so blatant a UN fig leaf on the occupation that Osama has put a price on the heads (albeit ridiculously low; what a cheapskate) of the UN officials who would handle the "transfer of sovereignty." We have urgent needs in this country for universal health care, alternative energy research, veterans' benefits, improving education for all children, and on and on. Social Security and Medicare aren't going broke; they're being wasted along with the Iraqis and Afghans. And just how is Kerry going to address all this while he drains the treasury to prosecute and escalate wars?

This is all such a charade. The only area in which Kerry might differ meaningfully from Bush is in domestic policy, and he'll still have to deal with an adversarial Congress. I fear the election has already been lost for want of a real alternative. Both candidates are beholden to special interests and differ more in rhetoric than in policy proposals.

Next year at this time, no matter who wins the presidency, we'll be complaining about the conduct of the war in Iraq, and in the present tense rather than the past. No one can seriously deny that. But we should also grieve, not only for the loss of life on both sides but for the lost opportunity to implement meaningful change in this country. The bell tolls for us.

[belle]

48. Eh???

[dawn]

64. r u serious?

I never thought about it that way. Guess I'm still a bit of an idealist. I still think of it as a way the world's richest country can actually go out and give *real* humanitarian aid, rather than the current pre-emptive "humanitarian" missions.

[Beaker]

38. oh. my. god.

Kerry's going to fuck this up, isn't he?

this election by rights should be a "gimme" for the Democrats...but it's shaping up to be Dukakis Dos.

[MrPrax]

39. Peace Corp?

Why them...there already is one...it's called the UN Peacekeepers

Why isn't this man positioning himself as a world leader at least...

I assume his Peace Corp idea is what the 'draft' is the national service ....position

Kids getting out of university need jobs to pay back loans...why not something substantial like; 5 yrs corp, no debt...

He might get a votes if he actually bribed a new graduate instead of dusting off the 'ask what you can do for your country' schtick...

[Snow]

41. Have any of you posters at all ever been in the Peace Corps?

It sounds like Kerry doesn't know a whole lot about it either, but DUers are supposed to be pretty good at doing a little research.

I was in Peace Corps, my wife is a former Peace Corps language instructor, my sister & her husband were in Peace Corps, and to this day I keep in touch with my buddies from then, and in touch with what's going on with the Peace Corps nowadays. We did survive our darkest hour - PC Director Elaine Chao. But our budget in 1971 was 210 mill, cut in 72 to 190 mill by Tricky. How does that compare with the current budget? Looks like we were better off 30 years ago, eh? And, no, we're not CIA.

[Bleacher Creature]

43. I worked there. . .

for 2 years in DC. It's an amazing organization and in a perfect world, Kerry's idea is great. The problem is that it's going to be a long time - if ever - that something like that could happen in light of all the security issues. When I was there, they were forced to pull out or suspend operations at even the hint of a dangerous situation.

My guess is that he is well aware that it's not plausibe. But in this climate, if he can come across as upbeat, positive, and even a little bit idealistic, his (alleged) message could resonate better later on.

[Snow]

59. Exactly right! Peace Corps does not enter war zones, or even close.

Having said that, they have from time to time unwittingly had volunteers in scary situtations - and volunteers have died in such situations. However, there has been Peace Corps in Afganistan, in Iran, in Pakistan - don't know about Iraq. Doing the usual thing - typically either helping with schools at the middle-school or high school level, or in public health work. Both were needed at the time because the host countries lacked people educated/trained at that level and willing to take on those jobs; it was usually a matter of simple manpower shortages. The stereotypical digging a well days only happened, as far as I know, very early on, and the vague, 'community development' era also passed quickly because it was extraordinarily ineffective. What Peace Corps mostly does is teach school, sometimes teach schoolteachers, and public health, which entails working with a local partner at a district or state level health department on projects like tuberculosis control or family planning. There are other smaller projects - a bunch of early Korea volunteers did 4-H stuff, and two guys in my group in Korea were foresters. We go for two years, althought often volunteers will re-up for a third year, sometimes more, get paid basic living expenses & a small 'readjustment allowance' when we get out. We get virtually no veterans benefits although our health is generally covered by Peace Corps while in service - a good thing, since I contracted typhoid fever during my term.

The Peace Corps recruits usually college grads, mostly but by no means exclusively young people, ie mid-20's. We are not allowed to join if we have ever been employed by an intelligenc agency, and we are legally forbidden from working for an intelligence agency for 7 years after leaving Pecae Corps. You can be as doubting and cynical about that as you want, but there it is and in my experience it was true. We do not go forcing our culture down poor countries' throats...in my case, we were a bunch of kids going to a country of, what was it at the time, 32 million people, with a culture and written history of over 4,000 years. We volunteers tended to get taken over by the Korean culture rather than the other way around.

The Peace Corps Act has three main thoughts/purposes:
1) Showing the host country people this small part of what Americans can be like; ie the volunteer
2) Bringing those volunteers back into US society with that experience of a totally foreign culture, with the idea that this adds value to US society
3) Last place - whatever job the vol does overseas. The first two points are more important.

As you can see, this is not something that should ever be anything other than a volunteer organization. For an alternative to an armed military post, take a look at my earlier posts on a reconstruction/rescue corps.

[Jacobin]

42. Bwaahahahahaha

Silly silly man.

Why did Iowa think you should be the nominee? I don't understand it all.

Mr. OutOfTouchWithReality.

[philosophie_en_rose]

44. It's not an exit plan, but it's a good idea.

I think some posters are being a little unfair to Kerry. Obviously, sending Peace corps volunteers is not going to alleviate the damage done by the Bush administration. In addition, the climate is justifiably hostile towards Americans. However, while peace corps volunteers might not be welcomed with a parade, they can do a little to rebuild some of the damage.

[Jacobin]

56. Westerners are infidels, and part of the group who invaded their

country, whether they are the peace corp, the Goodness People, Baptists For Peace or whatever.

They also blow up any UN workers they see.

Clue phone ringing for all the westerners who want to "help" Iraqis "fix" their country: "kaboom....go the fuck away"

Why are we so deaf?

[dawn]

65. I don't think he's recommending them going into Iraq or the ME.

[Snow]

71. No offense, Jacobin - while I won't argue that sending US aid

workers into Iraq would be nuts right now, folks in areas that need aid - not missionaries - are surprisingly good at differentiating the different species. Including the 'spies disguised as aid' crew. A lot of people in poorer regions are in farming cultures, and they are a lot better than many of us at sizing people up. My personal experience, not to be taken is representative of the world, is that the locals are perfectly capable of being friends with, say, the Peace Corps volunteer, while being pissed as hell at the robber baron US companies. Speaking the language helps a ton.

[Eye and Monkey]

76. NGOs in Iraq pull out, say sieges create aid crises

http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/reliefresources/108203468646.htm

LONDON (AlertNet) – Aid workers in Iraq say new risks to staff amid a wave of kidnappings are forcing many of the handful of remaining agencies to pull out, even as tension between U.S.-led forces and insurgents creates fresh humanitarian needs.

Several big agencies said they were withdrawing staff after the capture last week of an aid worker from U.S.-based International Rescue Committee (IRC) in the southern city of Najaf, where U.S. forces were poised for action against a rebel cleric they had vowed to capture or kill.

"The situation continues to be very, very volatile and I believe that if there are any moves on Najaf then the whole thing is just going to blow completely," Norman Sheehan, chief executive of relief agency War Child UK, told AlertNet.

MORE -

[Snow]

79. The IRC has a lot of very courageous people, and I'm

a bit - but only a bit - surprised that they'd be right in the middle of a war zone. Those are chaotic places where mistakes can be made, and there are the usual bandits/rascals ready to take advantage of the situation. Not sure you've adequately supported the point I was arguing against, though, which seemed to me to be ill-informed.

[Eye and Monkey]

81. Hmm. How much do you know about IRC? Or conflict zones?

I was unaware that a response must necessarily support a previous post.

[revcarol]

53. Maybe he would like a cabinet-level

Department of Peace.

A lot more practical than just using mostly youth. Generations can unite for peace.

Oh, but he couldn't go with anything any other candidate for President advocated. He wouldn't be "strong" then.

[Piperay]

57. Great idea but

I think it is way to late in the game for some idealistic Americans to go over there with their good intentions to win the Iraqi's hearts and minds. This could have been a good idea but it would have had to have been done years and years ago. :-(

[lumpy]

58. The only answer to the problem

is to show the world that this administration doesn't represent the bulk of the American people. I think the only way to accomplish this is to try to get Bush and his cabinet out of power immediately. There has been a call from some Congressional representatives for impeachment of the President of the US. If Clinton can be impeached for his lie, then it should be equally possible to impeach Bush for his misrepresentations and his unjustifiable war against the Iraqi people. If he was a man of honor he would step down along with the people backing this unconscionable war of aggression. This seems the only way to show the world that we abide by our Constitution and will not stand for the corruption that this administration represents. Some how we must stand up and demand that justice be served to those responsible for fomenting the hatred and destruction that they have spread throughout the world.

[leesa]

60. The invasion itself was abuse. What the hell are these people talking

about? An unprovoked invasion of a disarmed country is "courageous"!!!

[sadiesworld]

61. Where does it say that Kerry wants to send the peace corps to IRAQ?

edit to add: Not that I want to interrupt all the rants that have nothing to do with the original story. :eyes:

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

62. Jesus. Why couldn't DEAN be the Dem. candidate?

We would be stomping Bush into the ground right now, if the American public actually had a defining choice against Bush. Kerry needs to stop this nuianced response crap.

JB

[dawn]

63. I think that's a great message. I still wish I could join the Peace Corps.

I wish I would have done it after college. I know I still can, but my husband isn't too into the idea. :) maybe i can convince him one day?

[PfcHammer]

67. Interesting interpretions of this article. To Kerry's credit,

I don't think it would hurt if more Merikans
could travel to other countries and see that
not everyone lives like us or even wants to.

[Karenina]

70. Yeah good.

FIRST get the hell out. PAY REPARATIONS.

Then wait to be invited in.

[Snow]

73. Again, FYI - Peace Corps never goes in unless invited, and leaves

promptly if disinvited.

[tinanator]

77. so theyre like vampires?

cool.

[Snow]

80. Naaah - once the vampire's in the door, you're stuck - or pierced?

[w4rma]

75. We have to do **something** . Bush has really FUBARed everything (nt)

[TeenaRedux]

78. Kerry can't do shit

He is a pussy.

[opihimoimoi]

82. Better Kerry than Bush who has cost us $trillions lost so far and counting

Better Kerry than to continue this madness of making the whole world hate us. Better Kerry than Bush who has fucked up so bad we gatta worry forever about retaliation for 1.3 Billion Osamas bent on hurting.killing us.

Bush is the wus not Kerry. Bush is a fraud, pretending he can lead when all the evidence shows him a loser of the 867th degree. Kerry has a history of success while Bush has much evidence of being a coniver and Loser. Even Carlyle fired his ass off the Board.

[tedzbear]

83. Right. Like I'm going to risk being kidnapped and join the peace corps.

I don't know why, but I find this spin by Kerry to be extremely irritating.

Who is going to protect our volunteers in Iraq??? More troops?

Bring our troops home NOW!