Sen. Kerry talks about link between career, faith

[karynnj]

8. It is really interesting seeing Kerry craft these speeches

on things ranging from his own personal faith, the connection of faith to service, and the relations between faiths in the US and elsewhere.

It is interesting that he chose Pepperdine and Gordon for the two most personal speeches - given that they are both extremely conservative and very unlikely to have many students coming in with any great admiration or respect for him. I hope that they see the sincerity and leave with more respect for Kerry. More importantly, I hope that it leads them to try to see, not just Kerry, but some other Democrats, as having values - some of which could be shared. (In fairness, both sides demonize the other and don't even try to consider that - even if their policies seem completely awful - they might not be inherently evil.)

I think it interesting that Kerry speaks of wanting to have a discussion on just war. He did, back in 2009, have a hearing on the war powers act, but there has been nothing since then. I hope that is on his agenda for this year - and if not, that we hold the Senate. It might be easier (and less likely to be politicized ) after the election. No one in US government is more suited or prepared to lead that discussion.

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