From: Gene McAloon 

There is nothing in that excerpt that supports your "can't we all just
get along" claim.

Some of the things Kerry is suggesting would certainly be in the right
direction, although how much of it could actually be implemented under
present circumstances is questionable.

The real problem of course is the traditional penchant of US administrations, of
either party, to support right-wing pro-US dictatorships, the definition of
"stability" as seen by Washington. Kerry is not about to question
that policy. For the last 150 years, no one but flaming liberals and only
those outside government have questioned it.

Kerry is right about the threat of terrorism being exaggerated. Of course
it is and for obvious political reasons. It is the kind of thing that
requires police and intelligence actions, not war. We tried the war thing
in Afghanistan and that has failed as all such military actions will
necessarily.  As the Israelis should have learned long ago, no amount of
military action can snuff out "terrorism," only removing the
underlying causes can do that.

You can argue about what those underlying causes are and the practicability
of removing them, but that is the kind of thing that has to be addressed
and that is what Kerry has in mind. Getting together and talking about it
is just what we
should be doing, not the mindless "war" crap Bush is forever
ranting on about. A
little less rant and a little more thought is just what we could use at
this point, but unfortunately Buss is mired in his past and present
mistakes and is not likely to admit to failed policies. Not that Bush is
unaware of the failed nature of his policies. He is now practically begging
the at one time "irrelevant" UN to step into Iraq and bail him
out.

On Sun, 1 Feb 2004 14:14:15 -0500, "Mark Hessey"
 wrote:

>
>"Monte Davis"  wrote: Feel
free to provide a
>quotation to support what you said. But if you're just too busy... we'll
>understand.
>
>In the debate the other night, Kerry (the current front runner) called the
>threat from terrorism "exaggerated" and went on to say that he felt the
>fight was more of a law enforcement chore (just as it was looked at by
>Clinton through his entire administration) and a military operation. His
>"can't we just all get along" platform is excerpted from his
web site here:
>=========
> "A Kerry Administration would fight to expand our diplomatic presence with
>a particular focus on the Islamic world. Kerry's plan would:
>  o Promote Dialogue and Understanding by Appointing a Presidential Envoy to
>the Islamic World. Kerry will improve the reputation and understanding of
>America in the Islamic world by appointing a Presidential envoy who will be
>tasked with building social, cultural, and economic relations in key
>nations.
>
>  o Assist Civil Society Groups and Governments that Aid Democracy, Public
>Participation, and Free Expression. Kerry will ensure that the U.S.
>government works with the private sector and international institutions to
>help civil society groups and governments aid democracy, public
>participation, free expression, transparency and efficient economic
>management.
>
>  o Promote Cultural Understanding. Kerry will support the establishment of
>study centers within U.S. universities, expand development of "American
>corners" in cultural and educational institutions in the Arab and Islamic
>world, and launch a significant translation project to bolster material
>available in Arabic and other regional languages.
>
>  o Support the Creation of Opportunity for Youth in the Arab and Islamic
>World.  Kerry believes that the U.S. should lead and support multilateral
>institutions in defining and implementing a mission for business development
>and technological advancement in the Arab and Islamic world. This strategy
>should emphasize an important role for women, creating a positive example of
>societies in which women are full economic participants.
>
>  =========
>
>  I presume he means to accomplish these deeds by explaining nicely to those
>that call for terrorist attacks that it's a good idea for them to roll over
>and abdicate their power over the people so "we can all just get
along."
>
>

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