I don't know about anyone else, but after watching John Kerry's speech tonight, I am so much more hopeful about America's future than I have been for a long time. John made some excellent points, he got passionate about what we need to do as a country, he proposed the right kind of actions that need to be taken, and I believe that he WILL make a great president. As many have said we don't need a divided America, we need to be a strong America. I believe John Kerry will help build that. I know that all George Bush can do is continue to weaken us.
I was particularly touched by the statement that speaking out against war or saying that America can do better isn't unpatriotic. John Kerry read my mind. I've felt for a while that those of us who felt that America could do better and spoke out about it have been bashed and called unpatriotic, un-American. I believe seeing what's wrong and wanting to make it right again is what being an American is all about. This country is about equality, about speaking your mind, about opportunity for improvement..... I shouldn't feel ashamed to say what I want. Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon shouldn't be shunned for having opinions, Liberals shouldn't be looked at as monsters. We are patriots, fighting for the rights of the people. We want unity. We want our country back.
America, we CAN do better..... help is on the way!
John Kerry for president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"And tonight, we have an important message for those who question the patriotism of Americans who offer a better direction for our country. Before wrapping themselves in the flag and shutting their eyes and ears to the truth, they should remember what America is really all about. They should remember the great idea of freedom for which so many have given their lives. Our purpose now is to reclaim democracy itself. We are here to affirm that when Americans stand up and speak their minds and say America can do better, that is not a challenge to patriotism; it is the heart and soul of patriotism.
You see that flag up there. We call her Old Glory. The stars and stripes forever. I fought under that flag, as did so many of you here and all across our country. That flag flew from the gun turret right behind my head. It was shot through and through and tattered, but it never ceased to wave in the wind. It draped the caskets of men I served with and friends I grew up with. For us, that flag is the most powerful symbol of who we are and what we believe in. Our strength. Our diversity. Our love of country. All that makes America both great and good.
That flag doesn't belong to any president. It doesn't belong to any ideology and it doesn't belong to any political party. It belongs to all the American people. "
"For four years, we've heard a lot of talk about values. But values spoken without actions taken are just slogans. Values are not just words. They're what we live by. They're about the causes we champion and the people we fight for. And it is time for those who talk about family values to start valuing families.
You don't value families by kicking kids out of after school programs and taking cops off our streets, so that Enron can get another tax break.
We believe in the family value of caring for our children and protecting the neighborhoods where they walk and play.
And that is the choice in this election.
You don't value families by denying real prescription drug coverage to seniors, so big drug companies can get another windfall.
We believe in the family value expressed in one of the oldest Commandments: "Honor thy father and thy mother." As President, I will not privatize Social Security. I will not cut benefits. And together, we will make sure that senior citizens never have to cut their pills in half because they can't afford life-saving medicine.
And that is the choice in this election.
You don't value families if you force them to take up a collection to buy body armor for a son or daughter in the service, if you deny veterans health care, or if you tell middle class families to wait for a tax cut, so that the wealthiest among us can get even more.
We believe in the value of doing what's right for everyone in the American family. "
John Kerry, 2004 Democratic National Convention
Yes. It was a great speech, a tremendous speech, a hopeful speech, a glorious speech.
Too bad that wasn't the real John Kerry speaking tonight.
Can you pick out all the points (e.g.--"giving our troops all the technology they need"...what???) Kerry mentioned tonight that actually fly in the face of his ACTUAL SENATE VOTING RECORD?
WHY would the MOST LIBERAL VOTING member of the Senate suddenly become a moderate (and borderline Conservative...just like Edwards did in HIS speech) in many of the items he mentioned in his speech? Because he will do ANYTHING and say ANYTHING to get elected. It is POWER John Kerry wants. He doesn't give a damn about me. Or you for that matter.
Other than the fakery, misleading comments, overzealous facade building, and incessant references to his tour in Vietnam, it was a great speech.
Hitler gave great speeches, too.
Posted by: Bill Colrus at July 30, 2004 12:16 AMBill, you never cease to amaze me. I'll bet the next thing you'll tell me is that George W. tells the complete truth all the time, eh? and that he's a great president?.... John Kerry will make a much better president. And I can't wait to see it..........
Posted by: michelle at July 30, 2004 01:42 AMLife is not "Republican vs. Democrat." They are both imperfect men. Period. George W. does not tell the truth all the time, and he is an average President. Kerry lies, too, and, in my opinion would be a NIGHTMARE of a President.
Do you really like Kerry or do you just hate Bush so much that it doesn't matter who is running against him?
It's OK to think outside the box, even if the politicians don't want you to.
I see you didn't comment on Mr. Kerry's voting record. You should look it up sometime.
I have looked up Kerry's voting record. And I've made mistakes, as I'm sure you have. If John Kerry felt that he was misled into voting on a bill based on wording or if he just felt that at one point in time he agreed with something and later he didn't.... shit, I've done that before too. That doesn't mean he'll make a bad president. I never said anything was just Republican vs. Democrat..... I just don't like George Bush, you are correct. If a better Republican were president, I'd be behind him a hundred percent. But, no, I don't just like Kerry because he's not Bush. If a frog were running for president, I'd probably vote for it over Bush, but I actually like Kerry. And thanks for telling me to think outside the box..... Stop watching Fox News and maybe you'll realize that I AM thinking outside the box. If everything's not Republican vs. Democrat to you, then maybe you should stop trying to sway me to like George Bush. I'm not gonna like him. Ever.
Posted by: Me at July 30, 2004 03:19 AMDid Kerry Vote "No" on Body Armor for Troops?
Yes, along with $87 billion worth of other things. But Bush didn't send enough in the first place.
Bush Strains Facts Re: Kerry's Plan To Cut Intelligence Funding in '90's
President claims 1995 Kerry plan would "gut" the intelligence services. It was a 1% cut, and key Republicans approved something similar.
Did Kerry Oppose Tanks & Planes? Not Lately
Kerry voted often against nuclear missiles and bombers in the '90s, but GOP claims that he opposed a long list of conventional weapons are overblown.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of things in his voting record that are misread. Like I said Everybody in the Senate and elsewhere have voted on different budgets and cuts that include long lists of things.... and then people go and pull out specific ignorant shit to try and make someone look bad. I have told you before, I am not stupid... I just have a differing opinion from you. I have read the facts... I do know my candidate... and I do prefer him to Bush. I know many other people who do, as well. Write what you will. I know how I'm voting :)
Posted by: Me again at July 30, 2004 03:33 AMWow. Comparing Kerry to Hitler now?
Posted by: Rex at July 30, 2004 07:02 AMI'll drop this discussion with this question:
Are we to base our opinions more on what a man has done, OR on a cool, calculated speech designed to cater to polls and appeal to the most people possible despite the fact that the speaker doesn't actually stand for most of the things he's just said?
Posted by: bill colrus at July 30, 2004 09:32 AMWell,
There is much political sway involved in all of the current attacks and defenses of the partys and canidates, but that doesn't change the fact that common sense tells the a somewhat intellegent person what is really going on. John Kerry's has been accused of being the "MOST LIBERAL" voter, but where did this phrase come from? It has been repeatedly hammered in a subliminal forceful manner by the medial to make a David and Golieth scenario, count how many times this phrase appears on the Fox News Channel and the others during the course of the day and youll see what I mean. Also note the phrase "Out of the mainstream." These are arbitrary labels totally which are totally relative, but they associate themselves with names, before you know it, they stick. It about the same as "Best Looking", its totally subjective. Anyway anyone who can't see that GWB is a dumbass has my condolences. At least John Kerry has earned what he has got, and would make a good leader. And what we need now is a leader, not a ruler, which is seemingly what we have. Now I'm gonna stop writing because I'll just get pissed. I'm sure some people can relate to the political discussion fatigue. Damnit I knew I shouldnt have read this.
I agree with D. I HAVE based my opinions on what a man has done. GWB and his corporation goons have done a lot of bad for this country. That's why a good bit of Americans are saying "anybody but Bush". I liked the Kerry speech, but I've SEEN how much damage the man in power has already done, and I don't want to stand here and watch him do it for four more years.
Posted by: michelle at July 31, 2004 08:01 PM