Story here:
SCRANTON, Pa. — John Kerry's heavily hyped cross-country bus tour stumbled out of the blocks yesterday, as a group of Marines publicly dissed the Vietnam War hero in the middle of a crowded restaurant.
Kerry was treating running mate Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, to a Wendy's lunch in Newburgh, N.Y., for their 27th wedding anniversary — an Edwards family tradition — when the candidate approached four Marines and asked them questions.The Marines — two in uniform and two off-duty — were polite but curt while chatting with Kerry, answering most of his questions with a "yes, sir" or "no, sir."
But they turned downright nasty after the Massachusetts senator thanked them "for their service" and left.
"He imposed on us and I disagree with him coming over here shaking our hands," one Marine said, adding, "I'm 100 percent against [him]."
A sergeant with 10 years of service under his belt said, "I speak for all of us. We think that we are doing the right thing in Iraq," before saying he is to be deployed there in a few weeks and is "eager" to go and serve.
Maybe they were still pissed about Kerry's opposition to actually funding our troops in the field. I mean, it must be rather nauseating to know that you're being used as little more than atmosphere by a guy who doesn't support what you are fighting and your buddies are dying for.
Of course, to listen to giant thalidomide baby Max Cleland tell it, you'd think John F. Kerry was a real veteran's veteran, instead of what he actually is: One of Jane Fonda and Ramsey Clark's fellow travelers.
Oh, and I found this tidbit somewhat humorous:
[T]he rest of Day One went smoothly, as massive crowds — including what Kerry said were up to 20,000 in Harrisburg, Pa., — greeted him, Edwards, their families and Ben Affleck at the tour-kickoff event in Boston and at two stops in the Keystone state. [emphasis mine]
What the fuck is Ben Affleck doing campaigning with the Kerry-Edwards ticket? Is he their pick to head the Department of Homeland Security or something? This drunken putz didn't even vote in 2000, and he's running around the country demanding that others vote for his preferred candidate?
I'm just shocked that Kerry even wants to be seen with him, after the train wreck that was Gigli (which, according to Amazon, is for some reason quite popular in the Middle East)...
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - jack e. jett
this was an obvious warhol moment for these marines. was it just a coincidence that they were there when kerry/edwards were? at the same time? sounds like they went out of their way to be rude in order to make the papers. a brilliant way to make a political point. or...they could have been pissed about the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
jack e. jett
2 - Dirtgrain
They are lucky Kerry is campaigning right now, or he would have kicked their asses.
". . . a guy who doesn't support what you are fighting and your buddies are dying for."
I'm sick of this twisted I-support-the-troops/you-don't-support-the-troops crap, dammit. Here is one of many possible ways to see it. Kerry supports America. The guys became soldiers because they support America. So Kerry does support what the troops are fighting and dying for--America.
What the hell does support mean anyway? Is any man who disagrees with a particular war an enemy of that war's combatants? Why do you try to paint such absurd, illogical pictures?
3 - RJ
I'm sick of this twisted I-support-the-troops/you-don't-support-the-troops crap, dammit.
[...]
What the hell does support mean anyway?
Um, how about $87 billion dollars in financial support, which Kerry voted against, despite having previously called any vote against such funding "irresponsible"?
4 - bhw
I'm sick of this twisted I-support-the-troops/you-don't-support-the-troops crap, dammit.
Dirt, let me 'splain it to you.
If you say something negative about the current war today, you don't support the troops and are unpatriotic, if not an America-hater.
If you say something negative today about the military service of a guy who volunteered to go into combat 30-something years ago, you're a patriot and support the troops.
Got it?
5 - Rodney Welch
RJ's a hypocrite. His comment on Max Cleland tells us all we need to know about his respect for the sacrifices veterans make for this country.
6 - RJ
"RJ's a hypocrite. His comment on Max Cleland tells us all we need to know about his respect for the sacrifices veterans make for this country."
I was completely expecting this. And it WAS a pretty mean-spirited attack.
I'm sure Mr. Cleland is a super guy, and a true American hero to boot.
But still...he kinda sorta DOES look like a gigantic flipper baby, is all I'm sayin'...
7 - bhw
It apparently doesn't matter what Cleland did many moons ago and how he paid for his service -- it only matters what his political persuasion is now.
8 - Evilwhiteguy
Not only did he vote against the $87 billion, he voted against it AFTER voting to send the troops to Iraq in the first place.
9 - Rodney Welch
[edited]
10 - RJ
"[edited]
Thank you for your kind words of support.
Though I expect the personal nature of your comments will soon be edited, I will never forget the forthright nature of your words.
There are many who strive for Whitman-esque poetry, or Hemmingway-esque prose, but few can manage either, much less both. You have proven yourself to be an equal of these masters of English-language literature.
Fair the well, Rodney. Fair the well.
11 - bhw
Perhaps he voted against it because he didn't like the fact that tax cuts aren't being repealed in order to pay the bill and that there is no accountability for how that $$ will be spent.
So the issue isn't whether or not to fund the Iraq occupation/reconstruction, it's with HOW TO PAY FOR IT.
Kerry and Joe Biden failed to get an amended bill passed that would have erased some of the Bush tax cuts to fund the operation.
The White House went on record saying that Bush would veto the amended bill. You know, he would have vetoed the entire $87 billion because of the erased tax cuts.
I guess that means Bush doesn't support the troops -- he put tax cuts above the welfare of the troops. And he's the Commander in Chief!
12 - Stately Wayne Manor
That would be "Fare THEE Well". [edited]
13 - Rodney Welch
I suspect the so-called "forthright nature of my words" merely echoes your own self-image. The rest of your post is a charmingly ignorant and illiterate attempt at erudition.
14 - RJ
"That would be "Fare THEE Well".[edited]
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful bit of editing, Mr. Manor.
I always welcome personal attacks aimed at me due to typographical errors at 2 in the morning.
Your feedback is highly appreciated.
Please sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter at kerryvotersarefuckingcommunists.com
15 - RJ
"I suspect the so-called "forthright nature of my words" merely echoes your own self-image. The rest of your post is a charmingly ignorant and illiterate attempt at erudition."
Thank you, once again, for your input.
Please know that your comments are being read by someone who gets paid to read comments such as yours.
Please know that we will take your point of view under consideration. Our goal is always to represent the views of those who are our most loyal supporters.
Due to your continued support, we offer you an exclusive into our next post:
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16 - Rodney Welch
"Please know that your comments are being read by someone who gets paid to read comments such as yours."
By who? The American Nazi Party?
17 - Evilwhiteguy
I don't think Justene is going to like being called a Nazi. Of course, that's just a guess.
18 - bhw
I think she might also take offense at the implication that she's being paid. What's she being paid in, unsold BC coffee mugs and t-shirts?
19 - Rodney Welch
Ooooh, looks like it's Treblinka for me, huh?
20 - SFC SKI
Personally I think it is best if active duty military personnel refrain from political comments in a public forum, like it or not, those in uniform serve the Commander in Chief.
I had 8 good years of practice at holding my tongue during the previous administration.
21 - bhw
I agree, but it's not like they sought out the media or headed to Wendy's to make a statement. Kerry came in and put them on the spot in front of the media.
22 - Rodney Welch
Would the soldiers have felt it was an imposition if Bush had come over to say hey? Of course not; they would have been flattered. So it wasn't an imposition for Kerry to say hey either.
23 - Justene
I wish you people would save the namecalling until I'm awake.
24 - jack e. jett
to get back to the original post.
i am off to wendy's for lunch. i in the mood for a frosty. only 99 cents.
jack
25 - HW Saxton Jr.
jack e., while you are there, could you
pick me up a double cheeseburger and a
large order of fries??? I'll pay ya when
ya get back.thanks.