Barbs are exchanged over military service (Kerry response to Repugs)

[Whoa_Nelly]

By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff | April 17, 2004

PITTSBURGH -- John F. Kerry unloaded a double-barrel blast at President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney yesterday, accusing them of distorting his political record and, in the case of Cheney and White House aide Karl Rove, of avoiding military service. The pushback came as the Bush-Cheney campaign began airing an ad in battleground states that labeled the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee "wrong on defense."

"I'm tired of these Republicans who spend so much time denigrating Democrats' and other people's commitment to the defense of our nation," the Massachusetts senator told a crowd of more than 5,000 filling a sun-splashed plaza under the 42-story Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh. Kerry aides said it was the largest crowd of the campaign, and local police told them it was 8,000 to 10,000 people.

"I'm tired of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney and a bunch of people who went out of their way to avoid their chance to serve when they had the chance. I went. I'm not going to listen to them talk to me about patriotism and how asking questions about the direction of our country somehow challenges patriotism, because asking questions about the direction of our country is patriotism, and that's what we need to understand," Kerry said.

more...
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/04/17/barbs_are_exchanged_over_military_service/

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. About time

No need to talk of AWOL, as that will only muddy the waters. But it is clear cut that the rest of the clowns in this Maladministration were 'draft dodgers' in the same way Clinton was, or worse. Hope this information gets spread around to the general public. I'm sick of hearing rethugs call Clinton a 'draft dodger' when their own heroes did the same thing!

[Wickerman]

3. " in the same way Clinton was, or worse"

Worse. Hell, its not in the ballpark - its not the same sport. Clinton did what a patriot does. He protested his govts involvement in something he didn't believe.

Cheney did what a self-centered conservative does. He hid behind legalese or flimsy rules and sent someone else off to die in his place.

[robbedvoter]

2. Nice use of Clark's New American Patriotism + flag

here's a NYT rendition of the Clark themes:

"When I look up, that flag is still there and it belongs to all
Americans," he said, pointing to a flag near the stage. "Not to them,
not to a party. It belongs to us."

Kerry told the crowd of more than 5,000 that "asking questions about
the direction of our country is patriotism."
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/politics/politics-campaign-kerry.html

[Kukesa]

4. Good For Him!

The largest crowd of the campaign -- wow! (Aside: when I was college-aged we used to call University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning THE HEIGHT OF IGNORANCE -- tee hee.)

I'm so tired of having to defend Kerry's Purple Hearts and Silver and Bronze medals, and we know Shrub's 13 or so days in Alabama must have been hell. That email "Kerry's FISHY Military Medals" been sent to me over and over. Sometimes I think I'm the last living liberal in southwestern Ohio.

Thanks for the info and the link.

(Newbie) Kukesa

[yardwork]

6. Welcome to DU!

I'm originally from Ohio, and I have seen posts from other DUers who live in southern Ohio. Keep posting and they'll find you!

[dae]

5. I like the way he hits back using their attacks on McCain and Cleland,

it shows the the scum for who they are and the only time they have shown bipartisanship.