John Kerry's Speech in Ireland Today: “Security in a Dangerous World”

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry Delivers Keynote Lecture at Ireland’s University of Ulster
March 5th, 2006 @ 10:09 am

John Kerry is in Northern Ireland today to deliver a keynote lecture at the University of Ulster. Kerry’s speech is part of the Tip O’Neill series of peace lectures at the University.

The following is an advance copy of the speech as received by The Democratic Daily — “Security in a Dangerous World”:

This January, I took a trip of my own where I saw first hand the importance of applying this lesson of hope and perseverance to the challenges we face today. I saw emerging democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq struggling to overcome terrorism and sectarian strife as they work to create a better future. I saw Israel’s democracy persevere despite the incapacitation of its leader. I saw high-tech companies thriving in India in the midst of great poverty. In Pakistan, where tensions between a secular leader and a restless Islamist movement run high, thanks to the response of the world I saw 9,000 children emerge from the devastation of a massive earthquake go to school for the first time.

I saw open societies and closed societies, rich and poor, high tech and low tech, secular and religious. Everywhere I turned, there were disconnects. So many people desperately trying to connect to the rest of the world to make a better future, while so many others desperately cling to the past, doing everything in their power to prevent connection to anything unfamiliar.

These disconnects map the fault lines of today’s conflict and future conflicts. It is in these fault lines that radical Islamists recruit their followers by playing to stereotypes of western civilization. But it is here that the critical challenges of our time is defined: winning the struggle against terror and stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=2133

[NVMojo]

1. excellent words from an intelligent man

[karynnj]

2. Gorgeous speech

This gives so much background to what we are really facing. It tries to expalin some of the roots of what is happening in a very confusing part of the world. Too bad this isn't the speech of the President of the US - arguing for a war of ideas rather than Bush's insistance on war.

I love the comment that if the push for democracy is seen as a crusade it will fail. It is great that he presents on alternative view to the world of America. I'm also glad that he has the hope and optimism he does.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. kicked and recommended

:kick:

[stevedeshazer]

4. And to think we're stuck with this idiot as President

[karynnj]

6. Those photos are precious

The fact that they were even put out is a sign that things are changing - I just wish the date were Oct, 30,2004 or there abouts.

The interviews Kerry did in January in India with the press were a stark contrast to Bush. But, this speech has so much in it I realize I need to read it several times to pick up all the pieces. It is an amazing attempt at a deep world view of this challange. I doubt there will be any coverage, but I would love to see him give this speech.

[Sensitivity]

10. Sad, Sick, Sadistic, Sureal

[autorank]

5. Excellent. Recommended!!!

"It is in these fault lines that radical Islamists recruit their followers by playing to stereotypes of western civilization. But it is here that the critical challenges of our time is defined: winning the struggle against terror and stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction."

Wow, this makes me think of the "Power of Nightmares" -- where the founder of Islamist Jihad is tortured by Egyptian secret police who were CIA trained. Pissed that guy off, who already didn't think much of the USA. Amazing world.

KERRY WON, GET OVER IT!!!

[karynnj]

8. That paragraph really is scary because Bush is doing the

complete opposite of what he should.

[politicasista]

7. K & R!

Excellent. Thanks KG! :kick:

[ProSense]

9. AP article.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060305/ap_on_go_co/kerry_oil_1

[FreedomAngel82]

11. What a great speech

He should be in the White House now. :(

[zann725]

20. Agreed...agreed. Every day I'm reminded IF only...

What a different Congress, Senate, Judiciary, Budget, TRUTHFUL world it could be...

[wisteria]

12. Ending the Empire of Oil! The root cause of so much death

and distruction. Excellent speech.

[father_of_hope]

13. great speech

I wished he hadn't conceded that fast.

[blm]

14. He had no choice - there was no evidence to be had after the fact, and Dem

party would not support him in a fight without evidence in hand.

The Dem party in Ohio was one of the weakest in the country. Why Clinton and MacAuliffe let the party infrastructure in Ohio, a majorly crucial state, get so weakened since 1996 is a mystery.

[father_of_hope]

15. please don't fault Clinton and MacAuliffe

for Kerry's cowardice.

[karynnj]

16. She blamed them for letting the local parties disinegrate

to the level they did. A healthy Ohio Democratic party would have prevented the lack of machines in urban areas that almost certainly cost Kerry votes. A 4 hour plus wait will cause people who came out to vote to give up. Blackwell et al sent a report with the machine allocation to each of the "bipartisan" county election committees. None of the Democrats saw that there were in many instances fewer machines allocated than were used in the primary. Someone should have caught this when the report came out.

As to cowardice, I assume that you have showed more bravery in your life than Senator Kerry has in his. Even ignoring Vietnam, I bet he has you beat. He couldn't challange based on exit polls, his gut feeling, or stories told - he needed the clear eveidence that could be taken to court - which still doesn't exist. (I agree that there are many suspicious things, some only now coming to light - possibly the complete melt down of the Bush administration will bring more into the open. )

[blm]

17. Do you even KNOW what was really going on in Ohio since before 2000?

Knowing it was a CRUCIAL state electorally, the Dem LEADERSHIP - Clinton and MacAuliffe - let the party INFRASTRUCTURE there go almost completely unattended and underfinanced.

Then the party told Kerry it would not back him in a fight without any hard evidence.

You want to believe that one man was supposed to handle the infrastructure of every state party for four years before he runs for president, then go ahead and blame Kerry.

Because whether you like it or not, that's the bottom line - the DNC did not do the job it was needed to do. Kerry KILLED Bush in every matchup. The DNC had its ass handed to them by the RNC and its spokepeople and Dem pundits were only schooled in defending Clinton for 8 yrs and knew little about other Dems, so the RW message machine rolled over on them on a daily basis.

[father_of_hope]

18. sorry

this blame-Clinton BS doesn't stick anymore. Kerry lost because he didn't fulfill his promise of FIGHTING. He surrendered. To me, it qualifies as cowardice.

But we must look ahead and nominate a real DEMOCRAT next time. Kerry is history.

[blm]

19. MacAuliffe was Clinton's man - YOU like the way the DNC dealt with Ohio

since 1997? Please explain.

[father_of_hope]

21. Kerry is the one

who has to explain, not me.

He lost because he didn't fight. Case closed. He's history anyway, so move on to something more constructive.

[ProSense]

23. Look at how many threads are on this board about the

excellent work Kerry is doing. I'd say he's making history, but feel free to move on if don't like Kerry.

[father_of_hope]

25. oh sure

like that failed filibuster attempt. Excellent work indeed. Only Kerry would announce a filibuster with no votes to back it up. He's pathetic. And irrelevant.

Fortunately, we have decent Democrats still fighting, like Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, Ed Kennedy and Dennis Kucinich. I even lost hope in the Clintons.

[Mass]

26. Actually Kennedy was one of those supporting and leading the Alito

filibuster with Kerry, so I guess that you dislike Ted as well (by the way, it is Ted, not Ed).

Or Feingold, who started a filibuster on the Patriot Act last week, where he did not have the vote either.


For the rest, feel free to leave the thread. If you dislike Kerry to this point, why do you insist staying here?

[LittleClarkie]

41. Kennedy is a fascist! He voted for the Pat Act! Throw the bum out!

People are strange, aren't they.

[ProSense]

27. IMO, one of the greatest grassroots rallies ever. n/t

[karynnj]

29. Ed Kennedy ???

Ted, yes Edward, yes Teddy, yes BUT I NEVER HEARD him called ED. Are you a Democrat??? (It's not a typo as the E is capitalized.)

Most filibusters are initiated before you have the needed votes - the effort is to get them. My critisism is to those in the party leadership that didn't see this was winnable and signalled a defeat before it started.

[blm]

33. You are NO JUDGE of history or Democrats.

You should move on to something more constructive because that lack of historic perception renders your opinion on Kerry irrelevant.

[fedupinBushcountry]

34. It's TED

who happens to back Kerry 100%. Before you start typing behind the curtain of a keyboard know what the hell you are saying and have facts to back it up.

Oh and by the way were you sitting behind the curtain keyboard when the fight for the filibuster was on, what did you do to help win that battle? I think I know the answer.

One man can do so much but many can do much more. You know the constitution ?
It's "WE THE PEOPLE".

[father_of_hope]

36. aren't you behind the curtain as well?

whatever I did to help the filibuster, Kerry achieved the same result with whatever brilliant thing he did: Alito is on the Supreme Court.

Out of so many capable Democrats, how can you still support this Bush enabler? This man who voted for Bush's war? This man who conceded so fast even his running mate was stunned? All he has suggested is that he would have framed a better strategy for a better war, not that the war policy itself is deeply and suspiciously flawed, based as it is on total LIES and mercenary plunder! Kerry has done our side more harm than good.

And the last thing the Democratic Party needs is a mealy-mouthed, weak, wimpy and middle-of-the-road coward like Kerry leading it. He lost when he didn't call Bush a War criminal, an AWOL National Guardsman, an election thief, and a mass-murderer.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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[father_of_hope]

39. when was the last time

you heard a GOP shill call Bush a War criminal, an AWOL National Guardsman, an election thief, and a mass-murderer? Get real.

You Kerry supporters are the reason Bush is still in power. Kerry is no progressive. He's an establishment enabler. He IS the establishment.

[ProSense]

40. Bill Kristol called him incompetent. Easy to say stuff for appearance n/t

[father_of_hope]

42. so to you calling Bush 'incompetent'

is the same as calling him a criminal, an AWOL National Guardsman, an election thief, and a mass-murderer?

Laughable.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

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[father_of_hope]

46. lol

you shouldn't call everyone who exposes Kerry for the miserable failure that he is a GOP shill or a Zell.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

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[ProSense]

59. Excellent filibuster attempt. Excellent speeches. Excellent work. n/t

[ProSense]

60. delete n/t

[karynnj]

65. Did someone appoint you as chief judge and jury?

I missed the memo. But in that vein, could I say that:

"Father_of_hope is a mental midget and a coward who is unlikely to ever show the courage, disipline, or integrity that John Kerry shows every day of his life. Case closed.

[karynnj]

52. You forgot all the other possibilities

- supporter of another candidate who might capture some likely Kerry supporters if he was gone
- disgruntled Deaniac who believes everything said in the primary, though Dean himself refers to some charges as just politics.
- immature Bush hater who thought 2004 would bring an end to Bush's Presidency, who is willing to smear Kerry because he lost.

I have no problem with someone who says, I think Clark (Feingold, Edwards, Warner, hillary ....) will be a better candidate in 2008 than Kerry. If reasons are given I may debate them - but that is fair. What is not fair is saying things that are not true about Kerry. You have the option to ignore him - if he truely is a lack luster candidate wouldn't he fade away.

[Mass]

53. Dont call my senator a miserable failure - He is a great senator

and I am proud to have him and Kennedy.

Amazing that you are still trolling here, whoever you shill for.

[blm]

68. Name ONE lawmaker who investigated and exposed more govt. corruption

than John Kerry has.

If Kerry is a failure then EVERY Dem of the last 35 years is a failure by that standard.

[karynnj]

47. You have to look at actions

Kerry has, in a Republican controlled environment, passed legislation that will get accountability on some of these issues.

-He wrote and got overwhelming support for an amendment to get Congress information on the clandestain prisons as to where they are, who is there and whether international law is being followed. The entire intelligence bill is being held up because Bush wants this amendment and 2 Kennedy ones eliminated.

-Kerry wrote a letter mentioning the DSM to Sen Roberts demanding part 2 of the WMD study which the Republicans let slip. Only 9 Democrats were willing to sign on. This investigation would clearly determine if Bush lied us into war. There should have been 44 Democrats signing it. When Reid took the Senate behind closed doors, the Republicans claimed they were already doing - although Roberts responded to Kerry that it was not needed. Kerry put both letters up on the web site. Every Democrat should have pointed to that, but they didn't.

- As to election thief, Kerry has gone as far as any other Senator in listing all the irregularities. Beyond that he has pushed for fixing this at the state level - because that's where elections are run and because in the current environment, nothing genuine will pass at the national level. Kerry has come very close to attributing his loss to shenanigans in Ohio - he is correct in not going further because he can not prove the votes lost be not putting enough machines in urban areas or things done to hamper voter registration.

If you read about what Kerry has done in career, you will see a man who rejected opportunities to be part of the establishment when it conflicted with preserving his integrity or doing the right thing. Here are some key example:
-Protesting the Vietnam War - Kerry came home a bonifide hero. Before going to war, he was already a very well connected man. He could have finished his Brooklyn assignment as an aide to an admiral - who spoke of him in the highest terms and gone to law school. With that background, his natural eloquence and good lucks, he could easily have suceeded in politics
-Investigating the Contras and drugrunning - When he heard these accusations and then found they were credible, he risked his reputation and his career. This was the Reagan administration - this investigation said St Ronnie's administration was turning a blind eye to drugs being brought into the country. Kerry was the only Senator willing to investigate. (Oddly it was Lugar and Helmes in the SFRC who he persuaded it should be done.)
-BCCI- Kerry was told be almost everyone in the party to drop the investigation because BCCI in addition to dealing with Republicans had bought off top Democratic party leaders. They even had Jackie Onnasis, who Kerry knew and respected, call to ask him to stop. He didn't. He was instrumental in bringing the bank down. It was at the time facilitaing Bin Laden's efforts across the world. There is a photo that shows how loney this task was. Kerry is sitting alone at the table where the Senators custumarilly sit in a Senate hearing room questioning people on this issue. He was ostrasized from the party.

Kerry's winning the nomination was not the work of the establishment. They talked up Gore, then Lieberman, then Clark- all of whom either took themselves out of the running (Gore) or fizzled out. They then talked up Edwards. There were also many pundit comments that Hillary should run. The pundits were actually making snarky comments on when Kerry would leave the race. This bad press and insider comments dried up his money. He mortgagaed his house to get money to win an upset victory.

If you put your biases away, you would see that 2004 was a chance to get a leader who was close enough to the inner cicle to know how it worked, but uncorruptible enough to not have been bought. He was an outsider who had gotten into the inside.

Whether Bush was AWOL is not an important issue now. There is no urgency in proving what most people actually concede now. When the Rather story first came out, there was a poll that showed that among Bush voters knowing that he was less than committed to his national guard service wouldn't change their support. From their POV, what he did when he was young and irresponsible didn't count because he was reborn and because he was a great leader with a megaphone at the site of the WTC. Both VN stories indirectly hurt Kerry because they took time and attention away from what he was for.

Now that the election is over, why would Kerry even mention what Bush did in the National Guard - there's no relevant context. What he has done is to defend Murtha and others in a way that others should have done for him. In doing so he has contrasted Murtha's service to the lack of service of the man who attacked him -Cheney.

I don't know who you support, but there are few people who are less quilty of being "enablers".

[blm]

69. That's why all of DC OSTRACIZED Kerry for years because of his refusal to

drop the IranContra and then the BCCI investigations and wanted CIA drugrunning exposed.

Try reading the National Security Archives and the congressional record for a change.

[karynnj]

51. So please tell me who these capable Democrats are

who are suceeding in stopping Bush in his tracks.

Even Michael Moore didn't call Bush a War criminal, an AWOL National Guardsman, an election thief, and a mass-murderer. By the way, Kerry had a far higher approval rating than Michael Moore. Saying those things would have made people who already hated Bush happy, but it would have turned off the rest of the country. It would have led to a landslide that could perhaps have exceeded McGovern's defeat with Kerry possibly losing Massachusetts, which would be wondering what happened to the smart, well mannered, dignified man who represented them for years.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

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[Mass]

67. Good luck yourself - calling other people names does not help.

you know. It certainly shows the lack of arguments.

[karynnj]

28. Kerry is doing plenty of constructive work

He is a sitting Senator and may well run for President. Whether you like him or not, Kerry has contributed through a long career of service to this country. Some of us will support him which is our right and priviledge. You can support whoever you want.

The fact is he fought though a long campaign and nearly won - as BLM said if the Ohio party were a functioning organization, there would have been adequate voting machines and voter registation would have gone smoothly. If this were the case, Kerry would be President. The party failed him, not the other way around.

[blm]

32. He's REAL HISTORY - the senator who investigated and exposed more

government corruption than any lawmaker in modern history.

And OTHER Democrats worked against his efforts.

I can see which side you come down on.

[karynnj]

24. I sincerely doubt you have a fraction of the courage

Kerry routinely has demonstrated throughout his life. I agree it wasn't Clinton's job to help the party when he became an ex-president, but he did very very little between 2000 and 2004 to help anyone in the party.

Clinton disgraced his party through his actions with Lewinski that showed no sense and no honor. It still hurts the party. Now, he is writing letters to get Hillary - who already has over $14 million for her campaign with no opponent - from across the country. It would be nice if he asked me, a NJ resident, to give to Menendez, who will have a tough race. Instead he is pleading for money for Hillary, the number one target.

Look at the people building the party now - key among them are Dean, as DNC head, and Kerry using his network. Dean seems to be out there every day working on this. Kerry has worked for people across the country and has raised money for them. As a person and a Democrat, Kerry is head and shoulder above Clinton - who is a better campaigner and politician. (and as Bob Kerrey said an incredibly good liar.)

By the way, Hillary may well be the beneficiary of all the hard work of people like Dean and Kerry in rebuilding the party - while she siphoned off money.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[father_of_hope]

43. my motives:

I want Repugs out of power, and Kerry is not the way to do it. He lost, he conceded, he didn't fight. He's history. Let's move on to find someone who can win.

[LittleClarkie]

44. We're just talking about a damn speech here, not the 2008 nomination

Geez, dude. Kerry is still a Senator, and still often takes a lead role amongst the Dems. You're going to hear about him from time to time. And I hope that each time you do, we are not treated to repeated refrains of "He's history!" Unless of course someone's actually talking about 2008. At least then it would be in context. But that's not what this thread is about. It's about a speech.

Do you normally march into threads about Kerry to share your opinion that he was a lousy candidate who conceded to early, regardless of what the thread was originally about.

"Gee, happy birthday, Sen. Kerry. Now about that concession"

"Godspeed on your trip to Iraq, Sen. Kerry, but remember you're history."

"Good to hear Kerry was on Meet the Press. Btw, he's a loser"

Kind of non sequitor-ish, isn't it?

[father_of_hope]

48. Only a speech?

It sounds like a campaign speech to me. You don't think for a second he's not running again in 2008, do you?

Unfortunately every time his name is mentioned, 2004 comes to mind. He blew it big. He failed miserably. He conceded instantly. People will not fall for this failure of leadership again.

[ProSense]

50. But you admit it's a great speech. n/t

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

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[ProSense]

62. Those were your words and it attracted you to the thread. n/t

[karynnj]

55. He conceded because there were not enough votes

in contention in Ohio for him to have won. You can't claim votes wrongly cast, or not cast because people who came out to vote gave up because waiting over 4 hours was not possible. The Ohio party, what there was of it, did a very dismal job. Fixing it is more productive than blaming Kerry for not throwing a temper tantrum.

This speech absolutely does NOT sound like a campaign speech. It sounds like what it is, a speech put together for a prestigious lecture series at a University. It offered Kerry the forum to discuss his perspective on the fundamental problems in the culture of the Muslim world that cause a significant number of people to be drawn to terror. It was a serious, academic speech with non of the simplifications of campaign speech, none of the sound bites, no attempt to rally people.

Kerry has been on the SFRC since he entered Congress. He has traveled to many parts of the world attempting to learn where people are coming from. His comments in the SFRC and his questions are informed by the depth of knowledge he has.

He has said he has not made a decision on 2008. If he is as poor a candidate as you think, you have nothing to worry about, he'll lose the nomination.

[father_of_hope]

58. BS

Kerry knew months in advance of the Ohio mess and yet did nothing.

The Ohio Secretary of State had warned the world he was going to deliver Ohio to Bush. He laughed at Kerry's face MONTHS in advance. Yet Kerry did nothing.

[ProSense]

61. Did vote for Kerry? n/t

[Mass]

63. Thank you for keeping the thread alive

This way people can read what Kerry said.

After all, you may be a closeted Kerry supporter, who knows?

If not, you are definitively creating a flame war that is useless. Nobody will change their mind because of your arguments, and I doubt your mind is to be changed, so what is the point of these repeated posts?

[karynnj]

66. Kerry was the candidate ,

They actually did take Ohio to court on various issues including when the SoS was going to throw out voter registrations on the wrong paper.

No candidate has ever been held responsible for fixing all 50 state parties. It couldn't be done starting when Kerry won the nomination. So, where were the other 2004 hopefuls in fixing it in 2002-2004? It has never been the candidates job. Kerry nearly won in spite of having a broken party.

[blm]

70. According to you we don't need to build up a weak party infrastructure

because the weakness of the DNC in 2004 had NOTHING to do with it.

So, let's get someone else and give them the exact same Dem party infrastrucure and GOPcontrolled media that existed in 2004. Why waste our energy and money on anything else?

[ProSense]

22. You don't really wish that do you? n/t

[WildEyedLiberal]

31. No, I think he does

After all, who would have gained if Kerry had kamikazed himself on a stupid, fruitless, unprovable election challenge?

He'd still be the laughingstock of the country.

NOT saying fraud didn't happen. All I'm saying is that Kerry didn't have any kind of smoking gun and still doesn't, so a "challenge" would have been above and beyond stupid.

But I think this poster is interested in tearing down Kerry any way he can. Why might that be?

[LittleClarkie]

35. How fast is "that fast"

Sometimes people make it sound like he conceeded before election day or something. But his was the second slowest concession in recent memory. Only Gore's was slower. Normally such things are done the night of the election, not the next day.

[ProSense]

38. To this point, Kerry delivered another great speech. n/t

[Mass]

54. For those who are interesting by what Kerry said (and not by

mindless attacks against Kerry), here is the speech:

You can download the MP3 of the speech here

http://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/downloads/kerry.mp3

Trolls may ignore as they could be bothered by the fact my junior senator delivered a good speech.