"Brothers in Arms." Will You Watch the John Kerry Movie?

[WiseMen]

John Kerry’s life of service has long remained under the shadow of his relationship with the Military. In the Senate Kerry developed a reputation as the “Tough Dove,” for his ambivalent attitude to the use of force – fiercely opposing the corrupt use of American covert military and intelligence operations, but unflinching and somewhat belligerent when he thought force was absolutely necessary for humanitarian or national security goals.

After Kerry announced his candidacy the Republicans began a campaign of innuendo led by pundits such as Ann Coulter suggesting that it was dishonorable for Kerry to “use” his military service for “political” gain.

Now a new documentary on John Kerry, “Brothers In Arms,” is just being released and got first screening this weekend before Veterans for Kerry grassroots groups in IOWA. Brothers in Arms tells the story of the unique friendship forged by John Kerry and his five crewmates on a swift boat in the Mekong Delta in 1969 during some of the worst fighting of Vietnam War.

The questions:

Would you go to see this movie or view the DVD?
Should Movie screening be limited to Veterans groups?
Do you think this type of movie would be positive boost to Kerry’s campaign or a negative distraction?



I am personally opposed to almost all military force. I think the massive killings in Afganistan as well as Iraq were monstrous and largely indefensible.

However, I am personally moved by the stories of selflessness and valor that come from Kerry’s superior officers as well as the men who served with him, in a war he personally argued about and eventually against.

I suspect that when Kerry volunteered to serve, he imagined that as an officer he would be given more of a decision-making, HQ, assignments. But when he was assigned to the most dangerous missions the record shows he led the fight and the rescues, rather than hide behind his rank.

The men who served under Kerry are his best witnesses. Said Del Sandusky who served under Kerry on a patrol boat in 1969. "All the boat crewmen volunteered to help in any way we can" with Kerry's campaigns. "Whatever he wants, we'll help him with. Because we believe in him."

For myself, I look forward the seeing “Brothers in Arms,” and I think we Democrats can be proud that we still have in our Leadership a man who served in battle for his country, a man of honor, a man of valor.

Rallying behind a Kerry Nomination, I believe the Democrats could truely rout the Republicans and take back our country.

[sallyseven]

1. I'll go to see it.

I like John Kerry and think he would be a fine president. Not too nuts and not too dour. I know most of you don't agree but I think I know John Kerry very well and I like him a lot.

[cindyw]

2. Documentaries have a different screening method.

It is likely that it will air on PBS or in special screenings as opposed to being in a "theater near you".

[Sensitivity]

3. Is it "Ready for Prime" time? Or is it still "A work in Progress?"

Just a joke about typical comments on Dean.

[JI7]

4. yes, and would like more info

i would watch this in a theater, dvd, tv , anywhere since i'm a huge supporter of john kerry. if you can send me info on this please do. you can use pm to send me info if you need to. and i'm not sure if it would help in any way. but i'm pretty sure it can't hurt kerry.

[oasis]

5. Count me in. (n/t)

[kerrygoddess]

6. I'm looking forward to watching this

Wisemen,

I'm an anti-war feminist, single mother and a strong Kerry supporter. Vietnam shaped Kerry's life of service and I am in agreement with you that a Kerry nomination could rout the Republicans and take back our country.

The public needs to stop listening to the spin against Kerry and start listening to his message. It's all there. Everything that we democrats are looking for in a president.

His environmental record is stellar with a 96% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters.

Women's Rights: Pro Choice 100%, equal pay for women, support for Women in Business.

Education: Bring the Arts back to the schools. Build new schools. Provide higher education incentives including a college education for doing service and tax break for higher education.

Healthcare: Quality affordable healthcare for all. Stop special interest in Healthcare from prevailing on the costs of prescription drugs.

The list goes on and on. Kerry has the strongest platform and he is the only candidate who can stand up to Bush and beat him. Every Republican president since Nixon has feared John Kerry -

Nixon: Vietnam war
Reagan: Iran/Contra
Bush Sr.: BCCI Banking scandal

Do not discount John Kerry and what he can do to take our country forward in a progressive motion that will benefit all, not the wealthy. Kerry's foreign policy experience can heal the rifts that Bush has created with other nations.

John Kerry is an honorable and selfless man as Wisemen note here. Anything else you hear about John Kerry is spin.

[blm]

7. And that is why BushInc. needs Kerry to be eliminated in the primary.

The BCCI trial in England finally starts up on Jan.13.

BushInc. needs Kerry off the national stage before Americans hear any news on BCCI that relates to 9-11.

[adadem]

8. And I worry

for Kerry's safety because of this. If something happens like happened to Wellstone...we'll know why.

[kerrygoddess]

9. Kerry is covered

Kerry is covered and tightly.

The BCCI Trial in England will be a boost to Kerry's campaign against Bush.

[WiseMen]

16. I Agree. Kerry is the One whose Record would strike fear in the Repubs

[CalProf]

24. Do you think the media here will give it any coverage?

I hope they do, but I have my doubts.

[blm]

30. The only way the media here covers it is if Kerry is the nominee.

They would have to.

[sandnsea]

12. He's been the true liberal

He's exactly what we need at this time. His record proves he means what he says. He'll stay true to environmental and labor needs while moving us ahead pragmatically on the economy and national security. What's been done to John Kerry in this campaign will long be seen as the shame of the Democratic Party.

[Raya]

17. How come MoveOn went with Dean?

[blm]

18. Actually, MoveOn and Kerry have pushed other issues together....

before most people heard about Dean.

The internet following of Dean brought about by his perceived antiwar stance won that MoveOn first place in the voting last July, but he didn't get a majority.

Without a majority, MoveOn would not endorse anyone.

[Raya]

20. Just Saw Clark on HardBall. Is he doing a movie as well?

[blm]

21. Didn't catch it.

Try his blog.

[KaraokeKarlton]

10. I wouldn't watch it

simply because Kerry puts me to sleep. I find him tediously boring. :shrug:

[CalProf]

23. And of course you wouldn't want your assumptions challenged

would you?

So it's best to ignore anything that doesn't fit your world view.

[salin]

11. I'd be interested in seeing it

and would bring friends.

[tpub]

13. definitely

Yesterday I got a signed copy of Douglas Brinkley's forthcoming book "Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War." It's over 500 pages but I'm hoping to get through it sometime this month. It is based on the journals and letters Kerry kept from his time in Vietnam. Should be a good read.

[JI7]

14. how did you get a signed copy yesterday ?

was it some special event ? i think the nationwide release is tomorrow and i will try to get it then if i can.

[flpoljunkie]

15. Absolutely. I hope they get it in DVD format soon!

I think the relationships soldiers forge in time of war is a compelling and timely story.

[kerrygoddess]

19. DVD

Someone is getting info about a link to where you can pre-order the DVD! I'll post it when I get it.

TPUB,

Is there a way to get a copy of the signed book through the campaign?

[JI7]

25. i hope so, but the book isn't actually by kerry

it's not actually written by him so it might be a bit hard. it's based on kerry's life and things he has written, but wouldn't it be the authors authograph on it and not kerry's even if it was available for us to order ? not that i mind since i would li ke to get brinkley's autograph on it. but i think there are limits to what the campaign might be able to do with it.

[Raya]

29. Brinkley! Pretty famous historian guy.

[JI7]

34. yeah

saw him on cspan2 discussing this book but never saw the whole thing. hopefully they rerun it, or i might just watch it online.

[Tela Zasloff]

22. John Kerry, "Brothers in Arms"

I was in my 20's during the Vietnam era and I'll never forget how that unjust war tore this country apart--and that we gradually healed ourselves by adopting the message of the wisest war protestors, like Kerry, who honored our military while attacking our political leadership. We further healed ourselves by pushing ahead in the civil rights movement but also lost three of our national leaders to political assassination--Martin Luther King, John Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy--leaving large, permanent scars on our history.

John Kerry experienced these violent, complicated times first hand, and understands better than most of us, what our country was going through. He has devoted his public life to seeking a better direction out of that experience. His personal courage and honor as both a war hero and an anti-war hero, and the wisdom and devotion to public service that he showed then and since, make him superbly qualified to be our commander-in-chief. No other candidate for the presidency comes close to him on this.

So, yes, I want very much to see "Brothers in Arms".

[blm]

26. Hi Tela Zasloff.....

I've read some of your work and are so honored you are posting here.

Please post more often..This board could use more people with such talent and insight.

(Since I'm such an awkward writer I really appreciate talent in others).

[JI7]

27. more info ?

i'm so out of it. is there links to where i can get this poster's writings ? i would love to check it out.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. This would be a great help to Kerry

so many don't know his life story... and JK could win this thing in a rout.

[kerrygoddess]

31. I agree

Both Brothers in Arms and Tour of Duty are great stories about Kerry

[oasis]

32. I saw an interview about a book soon to be released on Kerry's Vietnam

service and his anti-war activism afterwards. The author is Brinkley. Didn't catch the first name.

[blm]

33. Douglas Brinkley. Ordered the book.

.