Bush to blast Kerry

Posted: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 3:51 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
President Bush will be the next Republican to weigh in on Kerry's comments when speaks at a rally for Georgia congressional candidate Mac Collins (R) later this afternoon. The White House just released advance excerpts of Bush's remarks -- which is unusual for this kind of rally, and which seems intended to further stoke this controversy. Per the excerpts, Bush will say: "[Kerry’s] suggestion that the men and women of our military are somehow uneducated is insulting and shameful. Our troops did not enlist because they did not study hard in school or do their homework. The men and women who serve in our all-volunteer Armed Forces are plenty smart and are serving because they are patriots – and Senator Kerry owes them an apology."

What do you think? Should Kerry apologize or is this purely an election ruse? Join in the discussion on the MSNBC.com discussion board.

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Comments

Does this mean that Bush, who never served, is NOT a patriot? If he was so gung ho about war and patriotism, why didn't he serve? Has he suggested to his two daughters that they should consider enlisting so they can show how patriotic they are? Maybe they're against their father's war, too.

Darren Atanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:19 PM)

I agree what Darren of Alanta,Ga. said abour Mr Bush..........

NAF SR. Chesapeake Va 23321 (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:35 PM)

If you are not educated enough to be able to tell the difference between Iraq and Afghanistan or Saddam and OBL, then you will definitely get stuck in Iraq. A significant percentage of us are still gullible enough to buy this administration's arguments. I'm with Kerry in pointing to our education system. Teach your kids some geography!

Concerned Citizen (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:35 PM)

I agree what Darren of Alanta,Ga. said abour Mr Bush..........

NAF SR. Chesapeake Va 23321 (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:35 PM)

Kerry should apologize. This isn't about attacking Bush or Republican v. Democrats, but about a senseless attack on the brave men and women who are protecting our country.

Rob, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:39 PM)

I'm tired of our military being called an all-volunteer military. It is not an all-volunteer military. The majority of the military are not college educated and are people who have not had opportunities to succeed in life. This opinion is based on the fact that the highest areas in the country for military recruitment are places where there is a majority of people who don't have any other choice but to join the military in hopes that they can better their lives afterward. I can assure you that many of the members of the military would not have joined had they known that they would be thrust into this war by people who have no military record or interest in being involved. They can say it is all-volunteer all they want, but the fact is, you don't see many wealthy or college-educated people joining the military. I am not questioning whether they are patriotic or whether they studied hard or did their homework, but I would like for people to start realizing that the so called "all-volunteer" military is based on the idea that they can offer a better life after military service to people who are less fortunate.

Matt, Jefferson City, MO (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:40 PM)

Rob, Kerry isn't attacking our brave men and women who are protecting our country. Kerry is attacking you and me for being gullible enough to keep reelecting the politicians who send our soldiers to pointless wars. If you and I were educated enough to tell the difference between Iraq and Afghanistan, we would never have sent our brave men and women into a country that never attacked us.

Concerned Citizen (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:48 PM)

What Kerry said is absolutely true. Because the military is having such a hard time finding volunteers for Bush's insane war in Iraq, they've drastically lowered the academic standards acceptance into the service. Obviously Kerry didn't mean the everyone in the military is substandard academically, despite the spin that the Chicken Hawk Bush's mouthpiece is trying to give it. Bush should apologize for short-changing the Veterans Administration. Bush only cares about soldiers because they're good props for his war-mongering photo ops. When they return from the war dead or horrendously and permanently disabled, they're discarded like broken toys.

Len, Houston (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:55 PM)

Rob, Des Moines, Kerry did not attack the troops. The text of the speech indicates he accidently left out "us," as in, "if you (college students) don't study hard, you might get US stuck in Iraq." It came in a long line of jokes about Bush. A lame joke, true, but the Bush-ites are attempting to twist it to hurt the Democrats. The man served in Vietnam, for God's sake, he is not an enemy of the military, he's a critic of Bush's policies. The question is, is the public going to once again stand for this administration's "smear the dissenter's strategy?"

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:04 PM)

What Kerry said is being blown out of proportion. While his portrayal of troops serving in Iraq as uneducated was a stupid remark, he did intend it to be a joke poking fun at BushCo, but unfortunately it did not come out right. Kerry needs a better comedy writer. As for Bush's reaction--it's the latest phony issue he's trumpeting. Anything to "wag the dog" to keep Americans' minds off the real issues--BushCo's total inattention to Katrina recovery, Bush's own stupidity regarding Iraq, etc. Back to Kerry--maybe what he should have said was that if you don't get a good education, you just might be elected President of the United States and get this country involved in a misguided war such as Bush's in Iraq.

Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:12 PM)

1st Kerry, now Ted kennedy. Can these two " I got my income from my family" fools shut their pieholes? One blathers about college and Iraq, the other- the only enemy he ever faced was an empty booze bottle. Sheesh- Democratic party needs no other ills- John and Ted strike again.

Bobby Orr; Worcester MA (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:13 PM)

Matt has it right, too many of our young folks have no economic opportunity here in the US, they simply cannot find enough jobs that pay a living wage that will allow them to raise a family. Therefore they take on military service knowing that they will be paid regularly and will have benefits for their spouses and children. Right now the great majority of them Will spend time in Iraq in the senseless war that our incompetent leaders have gotten us into. Those that are unable to afford college or are not able to get a piece of the reduced funding for education are indeed, overwhelmingly, the ones that get sent to Iraq. This is not to say that our young folks are not patriots, for they are the ones that are putting their lives on the line, just like John Kerry, who is a war hero while Bush "Cut and Run" from his own military service so that he could help with electioneering. With this in mind the words of the Bush and his cohorts fall rather flat in this case once again while they ridicule a man that is a true patriot and send our patriotic young to be slaughtered in a senseless, illegal, and incompetently run war that is only making money for the war profiteers.

B. Honest, Portland Oregon (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:29 PM)

I dont think that Kerry has enough brains to know what he was saying. He just lets his mouth move before his brain can process -- which is why WE -- the American people -- and he lost in 2004. He should keep his mouth shut and let the DEMS win for once. Who needs him NOW? This is not to say that all these macho Republicans -- like Bush on down - are pro-military: if they were, they would have served when there was the time to serve and they would have sent in the troops to Irag when there was the need to do so.

Janusz Ordover, New Canaan CT (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:31 PM)

Someone should ask Bush how many madals he was awarded while he was hiding in Texas or Alabama or where ever he was during the Vietnam War. Did they have NVA in Texas? John Kerry, as well as John McCain, have earned the right to say anything they desire about the War or Troops or the Commander in Theif. Besides, those sitting in the White House are the Traitors of this Country, no one else. The first ones to yell CHARGE, while sitting in the comfort of home. That's why their children will never serve. I have a name for them, COUCH COWARDS.

John J. St. Augustine Fl. (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:49 PM)

These tactics have been used time and again by this party to misdirect attention from CURRENT events that they can't defend so they argue about anything else to redirect attention away from pertanent topics. It's past time to recognize these tactics and address the current issues, loss of freedoms (habious corpus and patriot act), authorized torture, corruption, falsified justification to invade Iraq (lying), lack of securing our nation, lack of attention to Social Security and heath care (especially our elderly), major tax breaks for the wealthy, the deficite, international relationships. This only scatches the serface of neglected issues. Not to worry though America the free will soon be a thing of the past which is apparently what was desired since 51% (at least that's what is proclaimed) voted to keep this incompetent corrupt tirent in office. Time to FINALLY pull our heads out of the sand (or whereever it is) and recognize the damadge that's been done and hope and pray that it can be corrected someday, probubly not in our lifetimes.

John, Salt Lake City Utah (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 5:56 PM)

John Kerry should apoligize to any person that was offended by a bad joke. Then move on. John Kerry has never been able to tell a joke. He has no sense of timing. The Democrats have fallen into the trap of the 04 election by his gaff. Kerry is now talking about his service in Nam and the lack of service in war by the hawks in Washington. The focus should be on Iraq, diminishing middle class income, increasing number of poor, and the poor leadership at the DOD.

Robert Stelling (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:00 PM)

If Bush and the Republican led Congress care about the troops as much as they claim, then why did the Congress allocate 20 million dollars on a Victory party for Iraq, but cut funding in half, down to 7 million dollars for the Head Trauma program that the US Military runs for War injured. Maybe that Party is important, but surely not as important as our troops. STOP LISTENING TO THEIR LIES AMERICA.

John J. St. Augustine Fl. (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:07 PM)

I don't know John Kerry very well. In fact, I don't know him at all. But I think I know what he meant to say. If you're educated or not, you could end up in the military, in a War Zone, like he did, or if you're a know-it-all well-connected Combat Dodger, you could end up being President, or if you're a slimy lying backstabber, you could end up in a Swift Boat, but if you're uneducated enough to believe Combat Dodgers and Swift Boat Liars, you or someone just like you, most certainly will end up in Iraq, where you have a chance to dodge combat and later, lie about guys who didn't.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:17 PM)

I agree with Janusz- It was incredibly stupid of John Kerry to insinuate that our forces are in Iraq because they didn't study or excel academically. I am a Democrat who voted for him in 2004, and think he should apologize. If I were in the military, I would feel insulted. Also, with mid-term elections a week away, he is jeopardizing the Dems' chances in congress and in gubernatorial races. At this moment, you just want to cringe at his political ineptitude. The Republicans have jumped on this like a dog on a bone. They know that even though the war is unpopular, and voters are blaming Bush and the Republican congress for their many mistakes and scandals, they still do not want to see the troops disparaged in any way. He gave those in power an early Christmas gift.

Kim, Crofton, Md (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 7:19 PM)

I personnally am still waiting for Bush's threat to harm Americans: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

Tom, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 8:06 PM)

Politics as usual, I'm no Kerry fan and wish he would shut his trap but give me a break. He starts with the words "You know, education, if you make the most of it" clearly implying that the object of his words are the educated. If he had simply managed an “us” before stuck the meaning would be completely different. It really is amusing to watch a bunch of draft deferring politicians accuse a vet with an education of being against the troops. Bush and Cheney ran away from service to their country as fast as they could, they should shut up. It's interesting to notice the mainstream media basically reports the incident as if Kerry is truly against the troops.

JPM (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 8:42 PM)

hey, "Bobby," all Kerry or Kennedy needed to do to match the spoiled scion of a ruthlesly rich family like Bush is to desert his post to snort coke off a Mexican prostitute's butt.

Lee Steele (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 8:48 PM)

the repub. cowards are good at calling people names and then hiding behind the military. bush abd cheney both discredit the militaty by being cowards and liars who send everyone but thier families to die. thier families live in the lap of luxury, where do you live???

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:22 PM)

Please note that the elder Bush remarked in his biography, that after what he saw in wwII no child of his would ever fight in a war. In other words, this country is not worth his children risking life and limb. Please also note that none of his children served in combat. This country is worth fighting for but the lives of it's children should not be used so carelessly in so stupid an enterprise as this war. Just ask yourself, the war ends in a week or in ten years later, will the resulting mess look any different.

Mike Ransom (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:34 PM)

Bush is such a steaming hypocrite, demanding an apology from Senator Kerry. FOX SPEWS just blabs on and on on this topic. War crimes, pedophiles in Congress, pedophile hiders in Congress - nope, FOX SPEWS knows how to be fair and balanced. ANyway, what's lost in this discussion is the fact that the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND fraud, while allocating NO money to help one single kid, does mandate that "at risk" students' information be provided to recruiters to supply the meat skeet for the great oil wars. Repugs passed and BushCo signed a bill with a big, lofty name thats only active element is making sure recruiters find out who's flunking out of school. I could see falling for the Music Man, but Bush? You fools. Heil Bush.

Black Flag (Sent Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:35 PM)

Anybody who reads, writes and understands English who heard John Kerry's comment would know that the comment was about the idiot in the WHITE House and not about any American soldier or fighting man or woman. Today we have lost American democracy because Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and their ilk have found a puppet and have learned that many Americans can be fooled by arguing with straw men. It is a sad day in America when a statement made by John Kerry about George Bush's failings are turned by REpublican operatives into insults against American men and women in uniform and nobody in our national media places the blame where it belongs - on today's Republican party. Shame on you, John McCain, for lending your name to this shameful action. I expect no better from the Karl Rove's, Dick Cheney, Tony Snow's, Rush Limbaugh's and their ilk, but you should know better.

Ray A Democrat, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 12:02 AM)

Kerry is telling it like it is. If you are dull you make dull choices like the gentlemen in WH who acquiesced to his friends who had a project to re-district the middleast, but now has a terrible war that he cannot finish nor can he explain it. Funny the majority don't get it , but I cry about all our people who are dying to promote secular and special interests in Iraq. Do they deserve todie for some demagogue in the WH? Or worse still, what about the defenceless men, women and children who have died in Iraq all this time while Saddam is in prison? Did they deserve to die too? No. Look into these facts we need a change these men in power do not tell the truth , and I pray that Kerry should not apologize because the truth is out there and it is known to the real culprits.

Allen (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 12:11 AM)

arrent, you put into words, exactly what I was thinking. Thanks... I wonder, besides George W., how many members of Congress have children serving in Iraq, etc.?

Sam, Mt. Pleasant, MI (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:38 AM)

Sen. Kerry is a Diplomat and Statesman, and should leave joke-telling to those who have something less intelligent to say. The CONServatives were more than happy to twist it to their benefit, and will continue to do so with clever sound-bites in hopes of once again - fooling the public - and stealing another election!

phxson, phoenix, az (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:06 AM)

I just want everybody to know, that for me and my family not only it's an insult but it also hurt the integrity and the pride of my family. His comment is way out off line. My husband has serve the military with all his heart not to mention the fact that he is very smart and I'm speaking in behave off all the ""very highly educated"" men and women that serve in the military and their family like my that I know. From generations in my family they all had serve in the service and not because they didn't have another choice but because they felt in their heart to serve their country. Not to mention the fact that I personally had know "a lot" off very smart and educated people who have and are in the service. May be he should back to school before trying to run for presidency.

Mari Coleman, California (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:44 AM)

Much ado about nothing.

Lois Kaness, Lakewood, CO (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 9:24 AM)

Wow! reading some of the comments on this page makes me ill. The stupid nature of the comment, even if it was misspoken, needs to be corrected and Kerry needs to applogise for it. People on this page saying that the GOP is using this to there advantage, duh...It's election time. What do you think would happen if it was the other way around? Now for the morons that are posting that Kerry is right and the the people who serve are uneducated. You couldn't be more wrong. My father and uncle served and both have their masters. Guess they are stupid to. Whatever your poltics are, blindly covering for a mistake Kerry made, makes you stupid

Eric, Tampa FL (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 11:49 AM)

Yes, for God's sake, can't any of these politicians utter the words I'm sorry, I really goofed. I'd think so much more of them if they could just admit they're human and make mistakes.

jeanie o, Saint Inigoes, MD (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 11:49 AM)

Yes, for God's sake, can't any of these politicians utter the words I'm sorry, I really goofed. I'd think so much more of them if they could just admit they're human and make mistakes.

jeanie o, Saint Inigoes, MD (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 12:03 PM)

Eric - what about blindly defending a war criminal - know what that makes you? A collaborator. I don't take scoldings from war crimes collaborators.

! (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 1:42 PM)

Oh Gawd, who cares if Kerry made a bad joke. It's just a diversion from the election.

Tammie, Moore, Ok (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 2:04 PM)

Now Tom, you took Dubya's 'Joke' all wrong. You obviously don't know GOP Code Words, do you? Harm, when spoken by a Republican, doesn't mean kill, it only means held without charges, waterboarded, and sleep-deprived, before being sent to Gitmo Archipelago, forever. Not kill. This administration would never kill an American for no good reason. They would for a good reason, but those are 'Classified'. So sleep well, tonight, it could be your last one in a while.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 2:28 PM)

Mari Coleman: Are you the same way after finding out Bush lied? or did you forgot and let him slide on this? we wouldn't be in a war that had nothing to do with 9/11. And now Afganistan is going down too,so what about that? and in which prison is ban laden right now? after all we started two was because of him right?

Heidi, michigan (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 2:53 PM)

Hey !, war criminal? How so? Correct me if I'm wrong but don't criminals get arrested, prosecuted and jailed? Now you call me a collaborator, wow lot of time spent on that one. Next you'll call me a war monger or a religious nut, lol. Sorry but none of the above fit me. I'm just a realist, I look at things at face value. Like looking at you, with the name calling and labels your throwing. Try taking a step back from yourself and your party and take an open view. It's amazing what you'll find.

Eric, Tampa, FL (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 3:50 PM)

"Hey !, war criminal? How so? Correct me if I'm wrong but don't criminals get arrested, prosecuted and jailed? " Invading another country without cause is a WAR CRIME. Torture is a WAR CRIME! Bush should be tried. You stand corrected. Was Stalin a war criminal? Hell, yes! Was he tried for it? Hell, no!

! (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:10 PM)

! are you talking about Bush here? because it was his lies to get us in the mess we are right? I mean staying the course, mission accopmlished, bring it on is much better right? you are a joke

confused, NM (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:21 PM)

Kerry should apologize. This isn't about attacking Bush or Republican v. Democrats, but about a senseless attack on the brave men and women who are protecting our country. He should realize that what he said was wrong and admit it was wrong, rather than blamming republicans for making it seem something more than it is.

Jenna, Gilbert, Arizona (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 6:21 PM)

For all the people who say this is just a political attack by the republicans are insane. Haven't you checked your local television ads lately?? Who is attacking who??? Both parties! Republican and Democrat. Kerry was wrong, he should admit it. You DONT CUT DOWN OTHER AMERICANS... only washed up bands like the Dixie Chicks are good at that.

Jenna, Gilbert Arizona (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 6:24 PM)

"Invading another country without cause" I'll be sure to let Curds and all the others helped by our presence and our fight that it was not really a cause. Or all the other people that have suffered and/or died at the hands of a dictator. Other then that, the Dems voted for it as well, so I guess your a collaborator as well. Ah, and then there is Torture, I can go all day on this one, but it isn't worth the effort. I guess being dunked in a tank of water must be tuff...compared to having your head cut off.

Eric, Tampa, FL (Sent Wednesday, November 01, 2006 6:35 PM)

Oh, Heavens to Betsy, Eric. I guess we should go into every country that is led by a dictator? Or just the ones who tried to kill our president's daddy? And do we end genocide to all countries who suffer from it, or just the ones our president's daddy decided to leave alone? Do we have to let our president prove his manhood by invading countries with other people's children? We'll need a draft for sure if we are going to oblige Bush. Why don't we solve our own problems first?

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Thursday, November 02, 2006 9:20 PM)

Jane, to answer your first question, yes we should go into every country where there is wrong doing and people being hurt or killed. Try not being political and try being human for a change. If we, as a country, have the ability to help people we should. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. Now you keep saying because of his "daddy". There are so many places right now that need our attention and help and we cannot be everywhere at once. But How do you rate the lesser of two evils? I personally don't care what Bush's reason were for going there rather then another country. Bottom line is we needed to be there and there really isn't anything to argue about that. You also say that we should fix our own problems first, and I agree, but I would like to think that this country has the ability to multi-task, I do it at work and I'm sure this country can handle the same. It seems from these comments, everyone is quick just to point out the fact that they hate Bush and this administration. But where is your hate getting you? I don't like most of the choices this administration has made over these past few years either, but it hasn't made me as bitter as everyone here. These past few years have been hard, and would be for any administration that would have been in control, tuff choices had to be made. Whatever you side with or whatever your political views are, don't let them cloud your judgment and your common sense.

Eric, Tampa, FL (Sent Friday, November 03, 2006 11:47 AM)

When it's my son who is being sent to Iraq, FOR NO GOOD REASON, I think my judgment is pretty sound. It's easy to be for wars if you or your family is not affected. My son is a career army soldier and he has been to both Bosnia and Iraq. He'll be going back next June for a third tour in Iraq. Our first mission was to get rid of the weapons of mass destruction, and there were none. Our second mission was to bring Sadaam down and capture him and bring him to trial, and we've done that. Out third mission was to give the Iraqis free elections, and we've done that. I do not personally hate Bush, I just think he cares little for our soldiers to send them to Iraq, or anywhere, without the proper body armour, without their vehicles being properly armoured, and without a plan. We've done what we were told were our missions. Now we need to get out. American lives are just as precious as other lives around the world. We as Americans have done plenty to help the world throughout our history, but I feel we don't really want to help others so much now, but instead want to help the corporate entities who make big bucks when there are wars and conflicts. I pray for our soldiers every night, and I know every mother is proud of her soldier fighting. We don't want them to die just for a president's vanity. And wouldn't it be nice if we were sure of our votes counting in our own country? And wouldn't it be nice if seniors, like my eighty-three-year-old mother, could get medicines more resonably priced? And wouldn't it be nice if we could secure our borders here so more terrorists like Hezbollah couldn't keep coming to our own country? I'm full of concerns for our country and its citizens, as are many people now. Tough choices were made? Who did it help, and who did it hurt? Answer that.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Friday, November 03, 2006 8:49 PM)

Jane- in response to your comment. Yes your son is very brave for going to Iraq, but none the less I think you are steering far from the orignal question. This discussion was lost a while ago, and I do not believe it needs to be about whether Bush is Good Or Bad. I believe it is about the negative attention hypocrites like John Kerry are saying about our troops. They are dedicated and educated people and are so far from gaining the respect they deserve. This is NOT about the mission in Iraq, this is about hateful comments. As for troops being in Iraq. I too have a son in Iraq and I disagree with you 100%. My son as well as my family knows that he should be there as well as anywhere in the world that is corrupt and we must multi task in creating a better america and world. It is HIS CHOICE To serve our nation, and he is proud doing it. He would never back down, and nor would we ever question our sons capabilites and decisions. WE must not forget this is NOT THE FIRST WAR EVER! WE also must not always focus on the DEMOCRAT/ REPUBLICAN issue... rather we should focus on what is important... and that is equality for all. I find it very hard to believe that any democrat wants equality for anything, on the contrary Bush and many republicans have made many mistakes. So where does that leave us. With a bunch of corrupt delagates running and serving important positions. It is very kind of me to say that any of the presidents, goveners and senators all have been perfect.... and saying that, I am being kind. I could go down a list of how Democrats are idiots without effective solutions and how Republicans are not open minded. Its a never ending battle and I think we need to wash out the bad and bring in the good. Bring in the good people.

Kelly, Mesa, Arizona (Sent Saturday, November 04, 2006 6:07 PM)

I got away from the subject. Kerry is an idiot who can't tell a joke, but he didn't criticize the soldiers. He criticized the president who got us stuck in Iraq. Anybody who listened to the whole speech, knows this. I am so tired of the present administration spinning everything and changing facts to fit their stories. The terrorists were NOT in Iraq when we started our war there. We left Afghanistan and the hunt for bin Laden to go after Sadaam, who was not harboring and giving aid to anti-American terrorists. NOW the terrorists are there, because we are there. Now the terrorists are back in Afghanistan growing stronger every day, because we left. Bush and the Republican congress has done so much to hurt our soldiers: tanks not having armour to protect from IEDs, soldiers having to try to "rig up" makeshift armour for vehicles that Rumsfeld says is not acceptable, soldiers not having proper body armour, soldiers not being sent in sufficient numbers even though the military experts said more than double the number we sent would be what we needed (this was said before we went). That Bush would blast anybody, especially someone who served in the military and risked his life, is amazing to me. Especially since he didn't say what the media is saying, if you only look at his whole speech, which they won't play. Just because people don't like Kerry, doesn't mean he implied what the Republicans have said. Bush, every day, disrespects the troops with his policies. I am against this war, but I support the troops. I would love them to be able to come home and fight another day - in a war that makes sense, not this one.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Monday, November 06, 2006 1:16 AM)

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