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This Week with The Chicowitz: |
| Each week our Boomer-in-Charge, Hershel Chicowitz, has something to say about life, society, or what's going on... from the perspective of a baby boomer. This is what's on his mind the week of August 2: |
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| WARNING: This essay is rated P - for Political content. Some material may be too intense for some readers. Discretion is advised. If you are not up for a serious discussion on the issues of the day, there are over 300 other pages at BBHQ with nothing but fun and nostalgia; please wander around elsewhere at BBHQ. |
That was how John Kerry began his introduction to the American people last Thursday, as he began his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. For those of you who have not had the TV on the last seven months, John Kerry served in Vietnam. Today, he wants everyone to make certain that the world knows that.
In case you missed his speech, I have some highlights from it, and quotes from other statements from the man who might be president. To make matters interesting, I'll throw in some curve balls and present some of them in the form of quiz questions. You see, I am reporting for duty, too:
| On the other hand, if you have committed his speech to memory, or if words bother you, please... just look at the pictures. ('Cause I promise you, if you have followed the Kerry campaign intently, you are not going to like me rehashing it for you here.) I went through a great deal of effort to assemble the pictures. The one with Princess and me took the better part of an hour to prepare, as Princess is not at all photogenic. | 
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But, if it is all you can do to struggle through this week's "biased opinion" (as one angry reader put it), we have a reward, of sorts, if you make it through to the end. We have a contest.... should be simple for any true-blue boomer.
Now, let's get to work:
How many times did John Kerry refer to his military service in his
acceptance speech?
Six.
How many times in his acceptance speech did John Kerry refer to his major
legislative accomplishments in the Senate, where he has served 57 times
longer than he served in Vietnam?
Ah, that would be zero, as he has no major legislative
accomplishments.
57 times longer; really. (What a coincidence, huh?)
"We will add 40,000 active duty troops...to strengthen American
forces."
Was that President Bush, signaling his intention to strengthen our
military?
Or was it John Kerry, who says he will use the military only
"occasionally," and only with the permission of the United Nations?
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"I am saddened by the fact that Vietnam has yet again been inserted into
the campaign... We do not need to divide America over who served and
how. I have personally always believed that many served in many different
ways... [those who do so are playing] to the worst instincts of
divisiveness and reaction that still haunt America. Are we now going to
create a new scarlet letter in the context of Vietnam? The race for the
White House should be about leadership and leadership requires that one
help heal the wounds of Vietnam, not reopen them." Was that George Bush, slashing out at those who criticized his cushy position in the National Guard while John Kerry was dodging bullets in Vietnam?
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"Health care is a right for all Americans." - John Kerry, July 26,
2004.
How many times is health care guaranteed as a right in the U.S.
Constitution?
OK, who said this:
"The American people want an experienced hand. . . . This is not the time
for on-the-job training in the White House on national security
issues."
Was it George Bush, of his opponent John Kerry?
Or was it John Kerry, of his opponent (and now his choice for
vice-president), John Edwards?
"Is the liberation... so imperative that all those risks are worthwhile
at this moment?"
"My fear is that our beloved country is not yet ready for what it will
witness and bear if we go to war."
"It sounds like we are risking war for pride, not for vital
interests."
Is that John Kerry, questioning the war to remove Saddam Hussein from
power?
Or, did I just make that up?
Regarding President Bush's request for additional money for support for
the troops in Iraq:
"I actually did vote for the $87 billion...
before I voted against it."
Nah..... I had to have made that up, didn't I?
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On July 12 John Kerry spoke to the NAACP and declared: "I will be a
President who truly is a uniter, not one who seeks to
divide our nation by race, riches or any other label."
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On July 13 the Washington Post published a front page story titled "Kerry Keeps His Faith in Reserve; Candidate Usually Talks About Religion Before Black Audiences Only."
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"We are a nation at war -- a global War on Terror against an enemy unlike
any we have ever known before." - John Kerry, July 26, 2004. "The war on terror is primarily an intelligence and law enforcement operation..." - John Kerry, January 29, 2004. |
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Didja' get the coincidence of the number 57? Pretty clever of me to notice it, huh?
John Kerry spent four months in Vietnam in the late 60s. Now, you may not think that is much time, but it is more time than he has spent working at his job this year, a job for which he is paid $130,000 a year of taxpayer dollars.
In 1969, John Kerry reported for duty in Vietnam after being denied a request by the draft board to serve his required time in Paris doing research. Four months later, he bailed out. Let's hope that, if he is elected president, he will not be so quick to cut and run.
OK, as a reward for those of you who held your nose and made it this far, here is the contest: Who is this?
We'll give an annual BBHQ Trivia membership to the first three people who correctly identify him by name (first name only).
| OK, we warned you. Now, if you agree, tell us. If you disagree, tell us, and tell us why. Be specific; be brief; include your e-mail address so we can reply. But we do want to hear from you. Join the debate! |
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Hershel will have something else to say on August 9: mark your
calendar 
to
remind you to come back to BBHQ every Monday.
We're open to offerings from visitors to BBHQ. If you have something to say of interest to boomers, write it as well as you can in 800 - 1,000 words, and send it to us. We can't guarantee we'll publish it, but we'll surely consider it.
If you like what we're doing here at BBHQ, please help us by buying stuff through our link to Amazon.com:
| The BBHQ Album of the Month is "Old Friends Live on Stage (Deluxe Edition) (2 CD/1 DVD)," by Simon & Garfunkel. If you were fortunate enough to see them in concert last year, I do not have to sell you. The concert was terrific! This album collection includes 55 songs, plus their new recording, "Citizen of the Planet," and one of the songs sung by the Everly Brothers during the concert. The DVD was recorded during their concert in Madison Square Garden in 2003. For any S&G fan, this is a must have! But then, you knew that already, didn't you? |
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The BBHQ Book of the Month is
"Vinyl Highway," by
Dee Dee Phelps. You remember her as Dee Dee, of Dick and Dee Dee.
Together, they took a decade long ride on the rock and roll roller
coaster. It was a heck of a ride! Dick Clark, Quincy Jones, the Beach
Boys, Glenn Campbell, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton... Dick and Dee Dee
rubbed shoulders with all of them. This is her "behind the scenes" story.
It's pretty cool.
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