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Flip-floppin' away, flip-floppin' awaaaaayy; You know the nearer the destination...
Topic Started: Apr 19 2004, 06:44 PM (709 Views)
Admiralbill_gomec
UberAdmiral
... the more you're flip-flopping away!

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/19/politics...&partner=GOOGLE

The title is, "Kerry Backs Off Statements on Vietnam War". This is the New York Times trying to paint their guy in the best light.

Senator John Kerry on Sunday distanced himself from contentious statements he made three decades ago after returning from the Vietnam War, saying his long-ago use of the word "atrocities" to describe his and others' actions was inappropriate and "a little bit excessive."

"If you wanted to ask me, `Have you ever made mistakes in your life?' sure," Mr. Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said in an hourlong interview on the NBC program "Meet the Press." "I think some of the language that I used was a language that reflected an anger."

The near-apology came after the host, Tim Russert, played videotape of Mr. Kerry, in 1971, acknowledging that he had participated in shooting in free-fire zones, burning villages and search-and-destroy missions. All those actions were "contrary to the laws of warfare" and the Geneva Conventions, he said then. Republicans have seized on those comments, and accusations about war crimes the young Mr. Kerry made in testimony before a Senate committee, to try to undercut his war credentials.

"The words were honest," Mr. Kerry said Sunday, "but on the other hand, they were a little bit over the top."


Here's what the Times left out (there's more to the article, I just pasted what I considered necessary to make a point): There is a question going around the Senate nowadays. Senators are wondering if John Kerry made false statements to Congress in 1971. This is called perjury. It is a felony. There are also questions whether his testimony influenced others. There are questions as to whether he asked others to make false statements (That is subornation of perjury).
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Hoss
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Don't make me use my bare hands on you.
Bill, don't read the New York Times, it can only make you dumber.
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Fesarius
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I recently saw Kerry on MTP; Russert, as usual, did a good job. He showed Rumsfeld a misstatement of his just a few weeks ago.

To show perjury, doesn't the judgement have to hold that the accused knowingly told a mistruth? Regardless of what I believe or how I perceive it, I don't think that that will happen here.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
So he changed a position he took 30 years ago? C'mon Kerry!!! Stick to it!! If you're going to make a political statement, you have to stick with it until you die!!!
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Fesarius
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Quote:
 
So he changed a position he took 30 years ago? C'mon Kerry!!! Stick to it!! If you're going to make a political statement, you have to stick with it until you die!!!

Sisko,

I've not thought of that before. I frequently change my mind, my position, my tenets, on things over time. Do you think politicians ought to continue to hold to their positions indefinitely? Just asking.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
I think politicians should hold positions on issues according to their representative districts. Often times the people in their own district will change thier position on any particular issue, so the politician who represents them should also. Kerry has a long history in Congress and it is no surprise to me that he has changed his position on a variety of issues. I often change my mind about things as I grow older and the years pass. I think everyone does to a degree.
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Fesarius
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^^^
That makes sense. So if he (Kerry) changes his mind enough, he ought eventually to consider switching parties--although that would never happen. Then again, 'never' is a very long time. :)
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
If people in his constituancy voted for a Republican then there would be one in his place.
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Fesarius
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^^^
Yes, but that wouldn't necessarily mean that he changed his mind. I understand why you believe politicians ought to have convictions--I'm in agreement there.
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Admiralbill_gomec
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The Sisko
Apr 20 2004, 10:35 AM
So he changed a position he took 30 years ago? C'mon Kerry!!! Stick to it!! If you're going to make a political statement, you have to stick with it until you die!!!

He is backing away from his former statements about atrocities, not changing a position.

The main reason is because he might be investigated. Also, questions are once again being raised about his first Purple Heart.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
I'm just glad he can admit that he made mistakes and that even though he was excessive in 1971 freshly disturbed after his experiences in Vietnam he can look back now with a more balanced perspective after so much time has passed. If there are any investigations to me made, then they should be, but so far, he has not been found to be AWOL from his unit, he never used cocaine or convicted of DUI.
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Fesarius
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Quote:
 
I'm just glad he can admit that he made mistakes.

Sisko,

Agreed. There is something very significant about this, IMO. Does this mean he ought to be President? I don't know. But admitting one's mistakes and moving on is an important step in the right direction.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
It takes a big person to admit that they were wrong. I would certainly hate to see Kerry trying to blame the anti-war movement or anyone else for his former radical position. Shifting blame to others for mistakes that you made is dishonorable and quite impalatable.
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Fesarius
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Quote:
 
Shifting blame to others for mistakes that you made is dishonorable and quite impalatable.

Spoken like a true Klingon. :wow: ;)
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Intrepid2002
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UNGH!
OH PAH_LEEEEEZE! :rolleyes:

It's not like the Democrats are the only masters of the art form called, "flip flopping".

I'd hate to start a list. :P
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