Reply #20: Just a guess,

[karynnj]

I assume that he didn't speak about Iran-Contra most for two reasons:
- The country has glorified Oliver North as a hero Communist fighter and has turned bad to good and good to bad.
- St Ronnie died in the summer of 2004 and was already being cannonized by the press - imagine if Kerry spoke of trying to stop Reagan/Bush from allowing the Contras to run guns (to Central America) and drugs here.
(I just hope history records the truth - if it does the Bushes and Reagan will be seen for what they are.)

Kerry did mention BCCI in his University of Pennsylvania speech - in saying that he would go after the terrorist funds -

here's a link to the Washington Post coverage - read this in light of the arrests in London and you will see why George Will said what he did.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48716-2004Sep24.html

Here's the transcript of Kerry's speech:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/transcripts/kerry_9-24.html.html

He also spoke of his ideas in the the NYT magazine article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/magazine/10KERRY.html?ex=1255233600&en=6d6a8954d476e1f2&ei=5090&partner=rss

Kerry also refered to it as he spoke on terrorism in the first debate.

I had the same reaction that you describe as I read Tour of Duty than read of Iran Contra, and BCCI. It is amazing to me that with both these things and fighting the Vietnam war, he risked the political career that meant so much to him.

He also saved the life of a Republican Senator who was chocking on a piece of fruit. The Senator was at the Republican lunch and he left the room - 2 other Republicans tried to help him by hitting him on the back. Luckily, Kerry came out of the elevator, immediately assessed the situtation and used him the Hiemlick manoever.

He also saved the life of one of his swiftboat crew in the last decade. He had a very bad bout of PTSD, ended up living on the streets and drinking. He was then suicidal but made a last call to Kerry's Senate office. Kerry spent most of a day on and off the phone with him (between votes) and he got him into a VA rehab. As he had no family or friends left speaking to him, Kerry provided emotional support and kept in contact with him and his doctor through that time. Kind of blows the aloof elite snob image up. (Imagine Bush caring for someone who was down and out.)