What John Kerry Meant to Say and What John Kerry Actually Said
By Truewater2
@Truewater2 (322)
United States
November 5, 2006 2:16pm CST
I find it disturbing to watch the commotion behind the statement made by Mr. Kerry. I find it even more disturbing he found it necessary to issue an apology for speaking a painful truth, albeit inadvertently.
Being a minority in America with little to no education translates into lack of opportunity. Having had relatives "fast tracked" into Viet Nam back in the day, I know from family history what Mr. Kerry said was true, although not quite what he "meant to say."
Additionally, knowing how the press tends to slant the "news" these days, I searched the Internet to find the text of the speech Mr. Kerry intended to give. The most I could find was an editorial published in the L.A. Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-chait5nov05,0,7719843.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions. Unfortunately, I was not able to find the entire text of the speech.
My questions are these: Have we reached the stage where it is necessary to apologize for speaking the truth?
What must we demand of those who do not speak the truth?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@soonergirl980 (261)
• United States
5 Nov 06
sorry I heard, read, watched what he said and I think he ment what he said. He has always had disdain for the military and I think he truely believes what he said.Besides, he shouldn't be talking about Bush's education when his grades were worse.
1 person likes this
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
5 Nov 06
I'm delighted you took a moment to respond. Now, I would like you to answer the two questions I posed, which were:
1. Have we reached the stage where it is necessary to apologize for speaking the truth?
2. What must we demand of those who do not speak the truth?
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
5 Nov 06
You are truly a delight for responding so quickly, and I am pleased you took the time to do so.
Thank you very much!!
@tentwo67 (3382)
• United States
6 Nov 06
I think it is an unfortunate thing, but I think it has been blown way out of proportion - as seems to happen whenever the Republicans are not happy with something. I saw this response from John Kerry and was veyr impressed with his nerve
http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/release.html?id=33
I think it is ridiculous to think that a politician, particularly a decorated war veteran, would ever deliberately say anything to offend our troops. Whether you like Kerry or not, isn't that much just common sense?
I think it's all unfortunate, and I wish he hadn't said it, but one of the greatest things about our country (supposedly) is that we have freedom of speech. Lately it seems like speech is only free if it agrees with the Republicans.
@soonergirl980 (261)
• United States
7 Nov 06
well sense it is not the first time he's done it it should really suprise anyone.
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
7 Nov 06
I too feel it was an unfortunate circumstance which led to "much ado about nothing." In my humble opinion, he made a mistake while trying to read a speech to an audience.
Equally unfortunate is the distortion in reporting the news in a manner which the remarks were taken out of context. However, that is another topic for discussion (smiles).
I appreciate your comment, and thank you for responding.
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
7 Nov 06
I'm delighted you chose to respond to my post, and I agree it was an error in speech.
@MyGatSayBangBang (263)
• United States
7 Nov 06
what did he say, why is everyone so worked up?
1 person likes this
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
7 Nov 06
This is what Mr. Kerry said:
"You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."
That is the excerpt from the speech which was given at Pasadena City College.
As to why everyone is so worked up, I do not have an answer to that question. Maybe a future discussion topic should address the reason why.
Thanks for visiting this discussion.
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
7 Nov 06
Thanks for taking a moment to comment.
I do wish you would expand on your statement and tell us what was very well said.
@joelmichael (43)
• United States
7 Nov 06
No one should have to ever appoligize for personal views true or false, its america the home of the free. so f--k it. if you don't like what i got to say than go out of ear shot or don't read my s---
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
7 Nov 06
Thank you very much for stopping by and joining the discussion.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
7 Nov 06
I find all the villainizing disturbing.. look how we have cursed/hexed the war to overthrow a potential source of wmd's.. No one may ever try it again, so perhaps we should get used to worse than wars of words..
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
7 Nov 06
He was making a bad joke at the expense of soldiers who are putting their lives at risk. He may have been aiming it at Bush but that's not how it sounded. That's why he apologized.
And, even if it did sound more like a joke about Bush the fact of the matter is, the men and women fighting in Iraq believe in their mission there and any attempt to make light of what they are doing is an insult to them.
@magnaestveritas (94)
• United States
6 Nov 06
When you are a public figure you must be very cautious about what you say,on of off camera or microphone.Perception is everything.
1 person likes this
@Truewater2 (322)
• United States
7 Nov 06
Thanks for taking a moment to respond.
I do not disagree with your statement "When you are a public figure you must be very cautious about what you say,on of off camera or microphone."
I would just point out how easy it is to make a mistake when trying to read a speech before an audience and, at the same time, trying to make eye contact with said audience. Many well written speeches have suffered from "poor delivery."
@mytwo_daughters (2663)
• United States
12 Nov 06
That's an awfully big task to ask for an apology from everyone who lies no? Most Americans, and those that aren't American lie, so why apologize for it. If it was inadvertent, truly then apologize and save face. If it wasn't then don't. We will never know, we can only guess what he meant since we don't have all the info, and aren't on the inside track.
I don't think he meant to insult our nations military. JMHO
