In this
MSNBC article the long and illustrious record of John F. Kerry is discussed, with emphasis on his fights against money laundering, arms trading, drug dealing, and other forms of terrorist funding, arming, and shady dealing.
desperateo4 makes the case that Shrum should be taken to task for underesitmating the American public, and for selling the candidate's record short.
I agree in part, and disagree in part.
Read on for what I would say...
I think the issue comes down to a very simple proposition - easy to envision but difficult to implement - the critical task of
properly framing the issue.
- Framed so as to grab and hold the readers' attention.
- Couched so as to emphasize and magnify the candidate's positive impact and forceful participation in a tough, difficult, complicated and CRITICALLY IMPORTANT fight.
What would I say?
"John Kerry has been fighting terrorism, and winning, for nearly 20 years. John Kerry led the battle against shady financers, money launderers, arms dealers, and drug dealers, and he brought them down. John Kerry's record in the Senate shows that he can do what this president has failed to do - curtail terrorism by cutting off terrorist's money supplies, their source of weapons, and their havens and shelters."
Or...
"Thank you for asking. I am quite proud of my record in the Senate, and here's why. Since I was elected to represent Massachussetts I have sponsored, co-sponsored, written, or co-written XXX bills and resolutions in support of tax relief for the middle class, balance budgets, and military strength. In addition I led the way in investigations of both BCCI and the Iran-Contra affair, both of which involved tracking down, interdicting, indicting, and smashing money-laundering, arms-smuggling, and drug-dealing done for and by terrorists and their shady contacts in and out of several governments and financial concerns. I have been fighting for a stronger America, for fiscal responsibility, and for financial security for the American people for almost 20 years in the Senate. Furthermore, I have been fighting terrorists and their sponsors and financers and weapons suppliers since before my opponent was in government. I am proud of my record, it is a strong record, and I will not let up in the fight I have been leading on ALL those fronts when I am President."
There are several diaries that run down this topic and many links to background information:
here, and here, and here, and here
What would YOU say?
Make your play, have your say, from your keyboards to Kerry's lips, I say!
Update [2004-10-20 3:7:2 by RedDan]: here is a list of links to the various stories - some straight, some conspiratorial - about BCCI, Iran/Contra, and Kerry.
What's Right with Kerry - Nation
Truth - Bush's #1 Enemy (DU)
BCCI Affair - FAS
Barreling Bushes - Common Dreams
Scoop - Recovered History
Scoop - Bush, Bath, Bones and BCCI
Salon - John Kerry uncovers Iran Contra
Recovered history
American Progress
Wiki - Ollie North
Encarta - BCCI
Encarta - Kerry
Wiki - John Kerry
Disinfopedia - Kerry
Iran Contra Rehab - Nation
Bush's Dubious Friends
Bush, Bin Laden and...Counterpunch (heh!)
GlobalResearch
Bush and Scandals - CampaignWatch
Bush Family Skeletons - BushWatch
Boston Globe series - Kerry, a candidate in the making
BCCI
BBC news on BCCI
BBC news on BCCI
Follow the Money - Sirota, Wash Monthly