Kerry agrees with $25 billion thrown into Iraq.

[FloridaPat]

Last I heard, the president wanted this money for his discretion only. Does Kerry support that too? And the last amount no one knew where the money went to. What needs of the troops is all this money focused on? Salaries are paid by DOD. What is that $500 billion the DOD gets every year used for anyhow? Not for war???



To: National Desk

Contact: Brooke Anderson of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000;

Web: http://www.johnkerry.com

WASHINGTON, May 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- John Kerry today released the following statement on the administration's request for $25 billion in emergency funding to support the troops:

"I will support the Administration's request for emergency funds for our troops. The situation in Iraq has deteriorated far beyond what the Administration anticipated. This money is urgently needed, and it is completely focused on the needs of our troops. We must give our troops the equipment and support to carry out their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan."

---

Paid for by John Kerry for the President, Inc.


http://www.usnewswire.com /

[leftyandproud]

1. GREAT!!!!!

[DaveSZ]

2. Fucking great

He should have done the same thing he did last time - offer an amendment that rolls back some of the tax cut to help pay for the cost.

[drfemoe]

50. The "tax cuts" are set to expire..

or was there a vote to renew them? whoosh* was lobbying for the extension... not sure what has happened since.

[dusty64]

26. Yeah, unfortunately

that about sums up my feelings too. I'm soldifying my feeling Kerry is willing to throw his base under the bus in the search for "undecideds". While that may work for the majority of us who feel we have no choice BUT to vote for him it will drive many others to nader (right or wrong). He really needs to address this and stop flipping around seeking for positions the corporate media says is correct. If he can sew up the nader vote it looks like it is his to lose, if he doesn't ....................

[Pachamama]

3. I'm tired of being taxed w/out representation....$$$ for Iraq is not how I

....want my tax $$$ going....I'm voting for Kerry, but this pisses me off...if any more money goes to Iraq, I want to know its not going into the pocket of any more Mercenaries, Halliburton oil employees or supporting torture.

I'm sick of our money being spent by this administration for this war based on lies...I don't want to know that as a taxpayer I'm an accomplice to the blood on it...

I really am disappointed that Kerry is giving in here...I think I'd have more respect if he stood up against it and how it was being used or atleast to press for accountability...I know he has to walk a fine line and be "supporting our troops" but lets face it, supporting our troops would be getting them on the next plane out of Iraq and bringing them home...

Also, why haven't we heard anything from Kucinich or Dean? Atleast I haven't seen anything?

[shraby]

8. I watched the

hearings of the request for the money and apparently the extra money isn't being given without more detail on how it is to be spent and a regular accounting to the commission. Wolfowitz has to come back with details before it is allocated.

[ikojo]

21. Of course Kerry is giving in...after all he doesn't want

Bush to air the ads saying he voted FOR the $87 billion before he voted AGAINST it.

He also doesn't want to be accused of not SUPPORTING THE TROOPS by voting against ANYTHING Bush wants for Iraq.

This is what happens when the Democrats allow the Republicans to set the tone of the campaign as well as the agenda.

Can we say 2002 boys and girls? That year, as now, the economy was tanking but the pugs ran as the war party. Instead of running on the economy and how poorly shrub was handling it, the Dems ran as the also war party. It didn't work then and I suspect it wont work now.

[Dogmudgeon]

4. The Poison Pill. Talk To Your Doctor.

What a chocolate-covered grenade thatis!

"Sure, I think the pResident should get the money for the troops. He's made such a mess of it that it's going to take that much to get our guys back home in one piece."

In other words: "Spend More. Our President Squandered The Rest."

Cold Water, meet Face.

--bkl

[Serenity-NOW]

5. Get a hold of yourself it's gonna take trillions and decades to clean up

the mess that king stupid made. While I hate the idea of this as much as anyone I'm holding out hope that Kerry will tax the rich to pay for this. The alternative being?

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. The Bush discretion part is the snag

There are even Republican that aren't willing to give Bush carte blanche control over how this money is spent. To top it off, it's probably not enough. He just lowballed it so that he can get enough to get through November. BUSH IS EVIL.

[Pachamama]

13. Good to see that there are Texans who recognize its toxic waste...

...Hi there Houston! I sure hope that there are more like you in your state! I think the perfect Coup de Grace would be Bush Skewered in November and losing his home state (or was that Connecticut?) of Texas....Hope you can help in that!

[SammyWinstonJack]

25. There are lots of us here

[Pachamama]

37. Howdy Texan!

Glad to meet ya...

Keep up the good work!

[TexasBushwhacker]

30. Losing Texas?

Well, remember when they were talking about red states and blue states? I don't remember which was which, but just that at the time both candidates were going to concentrate their TV ads in states that were toss-ups, like Florida.

Obviously Texas was considered a slam dunk for the GOP. Actually I would have considered California a sure thing too, with the election of Ah-nold and all. But when I was on vacation in CA, I saw and anti-Kerry ad, and I saw my first anti-Kerry ad here in Texas this last week. I guess someone doesn't consider Texas a GOP done deal.

With our large black and Hispanic population, the military is considered a good opportunity, as it is for many poor white kids from small towns. We have a lot of kids over there and they all have friends and relatives. NO ONE likes Governor Perry, not even the Republicans, so he will be of no help to anyone. Many Texans were angry about the Republican gerrymandering that took place. A lot has happened since the last election. I still think that it will probably go GOP, but I think the Dems have a chance and at the very least will pick up some seats in the House.

[Pachamama]

36. Well, I'm in California and we never thought the Governator would happen

...Although I'm proud to say that I live in Marin County (north of San Francisco over the GG Bridge) and we by over 90% voted No on him.

I actually know a few Texans who say the same as you....

Hey, after the polls turning this week on Shrub, I have hope!

PS: I know some Redeemed-Repubs over here in Tiburon in Marin County who this week so disgusted with Bush had a big party at their house with other redeemed/awakened Repubs and raised $80,000.00 for KERRY!

[Texican]

41. Some of us That Hate Even Voted For Him

Some truth in packaging laws for candidates would be helpful. Bush has created a lot of exRepubs down here.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

7. Where is Kerry's assurance?

Where is the assurance that the funds are "completely focused on the needs of our troops?"

IT AIN'T THERE IN WRITING AND OVERSEEN BY CONGRESS YET.

But maybe Kerry knows more than I do about what is going to happen in that regard.

[revcarol]

9. "The word" out of the committee after the briefing

was that this was going to finance MORE AGGRESSIVE MOVES.

lORD SAVE US FROM ANOTHER "INITIATIVE." (As if laying siege to a city when you just let the women and children go back wasn't bad enough...)

And Kerry has got to have his head examined!! He has learned NOTHING since his IWR vote! Is he trying to give away the election and doom us to perpetual war? Oh, but his vote might be taken as political!
HELL, THE WHOLE WAR WAS POLITICAL FOR BUSH, WHO WANTED TO BE A MACHO LEADER IN A TIME OF WAR.

CRAP.

[stickdog]

10. Where has all our money gone? Long time passing ...

[JackDragna]

11. I still wonder..

..what Iowa voters were thinking when they put Kerry over Dean and Clark. Kerry is a disaster waiting to happen. Pro-war, pro-Patriot Act Democrats. Yay.

[Pachamama]

12. Kerry winning in November buys the World some time....

...Bush winning spells disaster for Peace on Earth...Kerry winning doesn't mean we can kick back and relax...

Even after Kerry wins, we all need to continue being active in local and state politics (win back the House and Senate), expose the big fat liars out there and make sure we keep on Kerry and his administration for keeping their promises. And hopefully in his 8 year reign, he'll do a good job and whoever his VP choice has another 8 years after that....

[JackDragna]

14. I sure hope Kerry wins..

..and that Kerry is better than advertised. Supporting the war in Iraq is probably as shortsighted and violent a thing a Democratic candidate has supported in quite some time. I will not be happy if Kerry is elected, then the same covert crap the U.S. government does in other countries keeps going on..coups in South America, courting of foreign dictators and so on.

[Tinoire]

20. All Kerry winning does is possibly stop the hemorrhaging

the patient is still as dying as ever but if the hemorrhaging stops, everyone can go about their merry business of congratulating themselves about how the patient is doing so much better and is well on the road to recovery.

[phoebe]

28. amen

n/t

[izzie]

15. I e-mailed my congress people and said NO more money.

What else can I do? I think Kerry is wrong and I think we should pack up and leave. Let the people run their country as they wish and fight their own right wing nuts.

[leftyandproud]

49. if you really believe this..

kerry is not your man..

Kucinich is.
I think this is why he is staying in the race...He is hopeful that the BASE of our party will realize that nothing will really change much unless we elect a true progressive. If we get behind him 100%, I know we can make it happen...It's going to take somethign big to change the course of things though.

[sventvkg]

16. Kerry is being controlled by the same people as Bush..

Im now convinced it's the same people pulling the strings no matter who we choose as far as conventional politics goes....Kerry is a Huge disappointment with his Iraq stance alone..I do not see how any liberal could vote for him....And if you are too blind to see or admit that he's a crap candidate.....Good for you...have fun.

[latebloomer]

18. Exactly!

And no one gets nominated who hasn't sold out.

[Thrill]

24. Get Real you think he can say no???????

Give me a break. Have you not seen the backlash from his last vote? He is already being labeled as someone weak on defense. He has to vote yes. But he can make a condition. Rollback the taxcuts for the troops.

[Tinoire]

31. He can, he could, he might, we assume, we think

Isn't it time Kerry stopped playing both sides of the fence and starting speaking clearly?

And yes, of course he can say no. He can say no and give a clear explanation to why but we all know he won't. He can't because it's his war too; he shilled for it, voted for it & still stands for it.

Kerry's not being portrayed as weak on defense; he's being protrayed as weak, period- the same thing many people warned about from the beginning.

He "has" to vote yes? Why? Because he's DLC and has a PNAC signatory who also shilled for the war running his campaign? No one in this world "has" to do anything. If you're not man enough to stand by your principles, it's because you have none.

I'm off to a good week-end now. Miles away from Kerry. Maybe by the time I come back, he'll have proposed to roll back the tax cuts for the rich

[wyldwolf]

35. proof? Links?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

40. Look at your sig.

[wyldwolf]

42. How does my sig prove...

"Kerry is being controlled by the same people as Bush.."?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

47. Figure it out.

[Tinoire]

17. No surprise. Kerry was pro-war and is still pro-occupation

Ending this occupation is nowhere in Kerry's thoughts; never was and never will be.

Anyone concerned for the needs of our troops would be pushing to bring them home and withholding every single dime from that cabal.

If Kerry wins we're going to go from a Republican war to a Democratic one.

The Iraqis aren't stupid- occupation is occupation & it won't matter to them if the man behind it is John Kerry or GW Bush.

On edit: When the money ends up directly in Halliburton's pockets, I hope Kerry at least spares us the whine that it wasn't his fault for voting for it- just Bush's fault for once again misusing his vote.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

19. Sounds like Kerry is looking for a condition prior to the money being...

...authorized. Kerry says the money is needed by the troops...probably to be used for supplies such as body armor, humvee armor, ammunition, and weapons.

[Tinoire]

22. How many times do you allow yourself to be burned by the village idiot?

This is so wrong. We need to bring the boys home NOW.

Bush told Kerry the money is needed by the troops. We know the troops will never seen an effing dime of that money.

We wouldn't need to buy body armor, humvee armor, ammunition, and weapons if we brought them home. It's also very bad for Kerry, if he believes that rationale that he hasn't been loudly, constantly yelling about their lack of equipment from the start.

[Thrill]

23. Sure he can get the money for the troops

But only if he rolls back his tax cuts for the rich to pay for it. And I assume thats what Kerry is going to propose.

[Tinoire]

27. Must we rely on "assumption" to guess what Kerry is going to do?

Kerry speaks in circles, in half-sentences leaving everyone on both sides to "assume". If that's what he's going to do, why won't he come out and say it in plain English without half-a million nuances to comfort the rich and the corporations?

In such dangerous times, assumptions are dangerous too. For once, I would like some straight-talk assurances.

Kerry isn't going to do anything except bring a box of bandages to the operating room. The only saving grace is that it will get Dr. Mengele out of the room.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

33. You've already stated the answer that you're seeking...

...the goal is to get Junior and the rest of his NeoCon fellow-travelers out of power. Everything else must wait until that goal is accomplished.

[sangha]

45. Tinoire's posts rely on assumptions, and nothing else

Look at how many unvoorborated assumptions unerlie her arguements. They all assume that Kerry is pro-war, pro-invasions, and she believes that based on the untrue assumption that anyone who voted for IWR is pro-war and pro-invasion.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

32. I know you're a very respected DU poster, but I doubt seriously...

...that I'm personally being "burned" by anyone. I've been a student of the political process, overt as well as covert, for close to 40 years, and I don't think I need anyone's advise in regards to any member of the NeoCon Junta.

As to the rest of your little tirade, you are welcome to voice your opinions, just as I should be welcome to voice mine.

Yes, I want the troops brought back as soon as possible, the sooner the better. Until we have our own "regime change", that's not going to happen, and your attempt to belittle me or anyone else with differing opinions is not going to make that happen any quicker, is it?

Maybe you ought to have another cup of coffee and try again.

[Tinoire]

39. When I say "you", I am not talking about you, I am talking about Kerry

How many times does Kerry expect people to believe that he was outsmarted by that smirking idiot? That charade is insulting to our intelligence. Either Bush is so smart and convincing, which we all know is not the case, or Kerry is so stupid that he gets fooled over and over and over again. No one's buying that one either.

Voice away. No one's been trying to shut up the Kerry supporters, the reverse is the complaint.

And I must say you are extremely sensitive for someone who was neither addressed nor referenced in my post. This is your first post on the thread and it's to fling accusations of being specifically belittled. Who are YOU trying to fool?

These tactics are so transparent as to be ineffective.

On edit: Signing off of DU for the week-end so you'll have to forgive me for not responding to your subsequent posts.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

43. Did you, or did you not respond directly to MY post? Does that not...

...imply that your comments were directed toward me? Who are YOU trying to fool with that "innocent" act of yours?

Let's recap the action, shall we? I posted the following:

"Media_Lies_Daily (1000+ posts) Sat May-15-04 08:37 AM
Response to Original message

19. Sounds like Kerry is looking for a condition prior to the money being authorized. Kerry says the money is needed by the troops...probably to be used for supplies such as body armor, humvee armor, ammunition, and weapons."

YOU responded DIRECTLY to my post as follows:

"Tinoire (1000+ posts) Sat May-15-04 08:43 AM
Response to Reply #19

22. How many times do you allow yourself to be burned by the village idiot?

This is so wrong. We need to bring the boys home NOW.

Bush told Kerry the money is needed by the troops. We know the troops will never seen an effing dime of that money.

We wouldn't need to buy body armor, humvee armor, ammunition, and weapons if we brought them home. It's also very bad for Kerry, if he believes that rationale that he hasn't been loudly, constantly yelling about their lack of equipment from the start."

Are you, or are you not, responding to Reply #19, which just happens to have been my first post in this thread?

Highly respected poster or not, you REALLY do need to take a break if you start losing track of who is responding to whom in a mesaage thread.

Based on how you've responded to my posts so far, I don't care if you ever respond to another one. So far, you've done nothing but waste my time.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[trogdor]

29. What would you suggest as an alternative?

Forget about bringing the troops home this year. It simply isn't going to happen. Giving them the resources they need (with strings attached) is the least we can do for them.

Your mission this year: elect Kerry. Your mission next year: lean on him and bring Iraq to some kind of conclusion.

[sangha]

46. They have no alternatives

and you will never get them to answer your question

[wyldwolf]

34. well, sure...

If the money isn't spent now, it will only cost us more later.

Wake up, people. We're not going to just leave Iraq to the new terrorists that we created and civil war.

Kerry isn't.
Dean wouldn't.
Kucinich, if the truth be known, wouldn't.

We've fucked it up too much. We broke it. We've bought it.

I would just tell Bush to make the $25 billion last until Jaunuary. It'll be the last funds he gets for this.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Ksec]

48. I think its a mistake to throw good money after bad situations we have

no chance at winning. We eventually leave , failing . May as well be before we bankrupt our treasury any more .

[salonghorn70]

51. I Support Kerry's Position

If he opposed the money and if if deaths increased in Iraq, then Bush would blame Kerry for every single death. I also think that this is something the average voter is going to support. I don't think the average voter wants to cut off funds. The average voter may not be satisfied with how things are going but they would view opposition to the money request as not supporting our troops. They will respect Kerry for his decision.

[the_real_38]

52. So he's flip-flopping again...

.... man, he won't have anyone but himself to blame if he loses in November - especially against a candidate in as much trouble as Bush is.