We are at war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Are US Senator John Kerry’s continuing derogatory comments at President Bush while we are at war essentially committing treason against the US? Eerily similar to speaking out against alleged atrocities during the Vietnam War.
Treason Violation of allegiance toward one’s country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one’s country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies. A betrayal of trust or confidence.
Comments from Kerry’s speech at New York University today (the day before Bush addresses the United Nations in New York):
“Let me put it plainly: The president’s policy in Iraq has not strengthened our national security, it has weakened it."
“The president claims it is the centerpiece of his war on terror. In fact, Iraq was a profound diversion from that war and the battle against our greatest enemy, Osama bin Laden and the terrorists. Invading Iraq has created a crisis of historic proportions and, if we do not change course, there is the prospect of a war with no end in sight.”
Kerry said Saddam Hussein “was a brutal dictator who deserves his own special place in hell. But that was not, in itself, a reason to go to war. … We have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure.”
Referring to Bush's remark that the war was a “catastrophic success,” Kerry said the president “has made a series of catastrophic decisions. … At every fork in the road, he has taken the wrong turn, and he has led us in the wrong direction.”
Kerry accused Bush of “colossal failures of judgment – and judgment is what we look for in a president.” The administration’s policy “has been plagued by a lack of planning, an absence of candor, arrogance and outright incompetence,” he added. "And the president has held no one accountable, including himself."Thoughts?
We don’t have a soveriegn, so saying the Pres. isn’t doing the right thing isn’t treason. Sen Kerry never proclaimed alleigance to some other country or entity, and he hasn’t, to my knowledge, shared classified materials. Criticising your govt. and it’s leadership isn’t treason in this country. If he had actually offered aid to the enemy, or if he had shared info about our military plans, or if he had donated money to al Qaeda, then that would be treason. Otherwise, every time we went to war, everyone in the country would have to shut up until the war was over for fear of being heard to criticize the govt. and being charged with treason. Virtually half the country would have committed treason during Vietnam.
No, Senator Kerry is free to talk about all of the different positions that he has on Iraq as often as he comes up with them. Someday he might even decide what his position on the first Persian Gulf War.
Kerry is just saying (today) he would not have ousted Saddam. But a couple of weeks ago in a speech he said, knowing everything we now know today, he would have voted to use force in Iraq. I mean - these are Kerry’s own words!
– Kerry is just saying (today) he would not have ousted Saddam. But a couple of weeks ago in a speech he said, knowing everything we now know today, he would have voted to use force in Iraq. I mean - these are Kerry’s own words!
Correction, he would vote again to give Bush the authority to wage war. Bush has to make the decision for himself. It was stupid, because he gave Bush the benefit of the doubt.
I’m honestly just asking a question that has been bothering me, not stating a fact. Election campaigns seem to focus on constantly slamming the opponent instead of stating their qualifications, experience, plan and vision. The definition of treason I found is that treason is violation of allegiance against one’s own sovereign OR country…acting to aid its enemies…Kerry’s comments are against President Bush (representing this country) and further divide the country, ostensibly giving confidence and aid to terrorists.
Kerry has stated: “the president “has made a series of catastrophic decisions. … At every fork in the road, he has taken the wrong turn, and he has led us in the wrong direction.”
Kerry accused Bush of “colossal failures of judgment – and judgment is what we look for in a president.” The administration’s policy “has been plagued by a lack of planning, an absence of candor, arrogance and outright incompetence.”
John Kerry is walking a political tightrope. Even in hindsight, many (stupid) people in this country, including President Bush, still believe that we should have gone to war with Iraq, and unfortunately he has to try to appeal to them. He has to if he wants any shot at winning this election.
I’m sure the truth is that Kerry wishes he didn’t vote to authorize the Iraq war, but he can’t say it. To me the important distinction is that knowing what we what we know now, he is against this war. On the other hand, Bush is still is behind this war and sounds like an idiot saying he would do it all over again if he could. However, if he didn’t say this he would still be an idiot, but he’d also be without a job in November.
The problem comes down to the people of this country, they still don’t oppose this war enough for all the politicians to agree that it was terrible idea.
He can say what he means all he wants, but that doesn’t make it right or true. There are peoples lives at stake here and I’m not voting for a candidate because of an uncanny ability to pick a direction and adamantly stick with it. My dog can do that much.
Don’t confuse the war in Iraq with the war on terrorism, no matter how many times Mr. stick-to-it tells you they are the same.
…and is not so intelligent. WOW, I’m surprised you’re being so tough (but probably accurate) on Dean. Add in his maniacal fits of screaming compared to W’s Presidential aplomb and it would be a fun debate.
You mentioned McCain above. I agree that he would easily win this year. I think Colin Powell would be another great candidate. That said, I cannot imagine why anyone would want to be president, especially in the current world environment.
– You’re not listening. Wither you believe Bush or not it doesn’t matter. Bush has stayed true to his support of the Iraq war, his supporters believe in the war. Kerry can’t make up his damn mind and his side is split.
Now you are stating facts I can’t dispute. It seems you often start out stumping for Bush and then all of a sudden you shift back to the center as if you’re impartial!
Pull a Bush, take a stand, and join the right-wingers man!
The idea of another side is not even on your radar screen so when someone, like me, who views things from two sides and calls it like it is your mind gets hurty.
Two sides indeed - right and center and yes I’ve got emotional scars from it, some that may never ever heal.
Nay little man! You have to come to terms that you guys have picked such a weak candidate that he can’t even beat the unbelievably beatable Bush. So instead of understanding that I have the clearest most common sense political and life views you have ever heard you slam me as a Republican in a self-defense attempt.
OK you got me with the little man talk. My wife says the same exact thing so it must be true.
Back to the election: JK is not a great candidate, ok he’s a weak candidate! (doesn’t mean he can’t be a great President). BUT since he isn’t Bush he still has a good chance of beating Bush and I think he will in the end. Psst, Psst…I’m not sure if you’ve heard but the word on the street is that JK is a *closer. *
And I do think all Republicans should be slammed as much as possible until they see the light, but you are safe since you aren’t a card carrying Republican.
In the words of En Vogue… “Free your mind and the rest will follow.”
In the words of MUCH BETTER En Vogue… “My lovin, no you’re never gonna get it…”
I’m sure the truth is that Kerry wishes he didn’t vote to authorize the Iraq war, but he can’t say it."
Then he should have said he made a mistake. He should have come out and say he agianst the war in Iraq and it was a bad idea. He didn’t.
I remember the words of one of our German commentators on TV when Kerry voted for the war which were about like this:
"it is a very positive Amercan feature of Bushs opponent to vote for the war, although he is actually against it. As this war is already decided, no matter what anybody else in this world says, it shows that he feels responsibility for his compatriots and the US soldiers, enforcing them, instead of making them feel insecure at the wrong time. "…which was before the war started at all.
I personally think it’s a good way to look at it. If he now (almost 2 years later) comes out saying that the war was wrong, then it is his very good right to do so! I don’t see any treason in that, but just the freedom to say what he thinks! Shouldn’t that be possible?
Wow, Mr. Tibbs, have you ever heard the Greeks discuss about politics on the street? It is a funny thing to watch. it sounds like they were about to beat each other up, but never would they do that! After everybody shouted at each other they sit back down , drink a glas of Ouzo and continue their game of Bagammon.
I am just trying to visualize you all excited at your screens and having these hot dicussions… :-)))
At the time the world thought that Saddam had WMDs
No, Mr. Tibbs, the world didn’t believe Iraq had WMDs, the world thought that they might possibly have them, so that the UN sent out inspectors, either to prove that they did or did not have them!
That’s too bad, Mr. Tibbs, you just destroyed my wonderful humorous illusions, my image of those people discussing here with me …of those highly political intellectuals that I am talking to , eager and excited to be politically right and never wrong, fighting the battle for the right candidate only a few weeks before the greatest elections of all…(haha) …but anyway…I am not in the position to “interfere” in your election campaign, as I don’t have a political say in your country and my opinion who the right candidate should be, is competely worthless…as far as inner political issues go.
It is intersting to read though…and I would love to see how all of us here would be sitting at one table…with a few 6packs of beer (we drink beer cases with at least 20 bottles/ case by the way, as 6packs are simply too small…) and discuss about about politics!
I’m not sure that bottles and politics go together. Way too easy to make a weapon out of a bottle. For the true American political experience, we should get together over several cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon in the can, or over a keg and a whole bunch of red plastic cups.
If I should ever “end up” in Dallas I’ll definitely give you a call. And, if you ever plan to see Europe again, let me know…we’ve got 12 breweries for only 1.2million living in this small area (1 per 100,000) where I live and for you, I’ll organize a tour visiting all 12 of them…
