As Folk Singer Supports Kerry, He Objects, Too

NY Times ^ | January 4, 2004 | ADAM NAGOURNEY

[Pharmboy]

DES MOINES, Jan. 3 — Senator John Kerry reached into the past on Saturday with an endorsement — and a 10-minute song of tribute — from Peter Yarrow, a member of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.

But the mini-celebrity moment took a turn when Mr. Yarrow, a peace activist since before the two men met protesting Vietnam, was asked if he was disturbed that Mr. Kerry voted in favor of war in Iraq.

"Absolutely!" Mr. Yarrow shouted to a questioner, and he raised his hands to try to command the attention of reporters and Kerry supporters at the police union hall here.

"Let me say this," Mr. Yarrow said. "I fought with John about this. I said, `This is crazy!' "

Asked if the war vote had hurt Mr. Kerry's candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, Mr. Yarrow responded, "Oh sure, sure."

Mr. Yarrow said that Mr. Kerry told him had seen information that justified the war. "He said, `Peter, I'm on the intelligence committee,' " Mr. Yarrow said. "I know they have weaponry, nuclear weaponry, and I have the absolute assurance they'll go only with the United Nations. He was like everybody else — lied to by people who have no honor."

Mr. Kerry's advisers tried to end the scene, telling Mr. Yarrow that the senator was on the bus. Mr. Yarrow started for the door but did an about-face when he saw Mr. Kerry was still in the room.

"John is over there. John is not done talking," Mr. Yarrow said. "Don't try to move me when I'm still talking."

Mr. Yarrow returned and shared his favorite line in the Kerry song: "These bullies now in power echo fascists' great tradition: Keep us scared, create a war and stifle opposition."`

Mr. Kerry said he was not disturbed by the difference of opinion. "He understands my point of view, and I understand his," he said.

[Pharmboy]

Great Moments in Democrat Politics

[Support Free Republic]

If you don't make a donation to Free Republic, then that's one more thing you have in common with Patrick Leahy.

[billorites]

With endorsements like that,
Who needs enemies?

[facedown]

Mr. Yarrow returned and shared his favorite line in the Kerry song: "These bullies now in power echo fascists' great tradition: Keep us scared, create a war and stifle opposition."`

Another graying commie weighs in.

[NonValueAdded]

Sounds like the only documented lie was from Kerry's handlers to Peter of Peter, Paul, and Mary. Not THAT Mary is it? Wesley?

I'd like to hear John F'in Kerry (he is dropping his g's now, isn't he) explain that "only with the UN" leak. I'm sure the folksinger is cleared to here JFK (who served in Vietnam, by the way) leak classified information.

[SamAdams76]

"He said, `Peter, I'm on the intelligence committee,' " Mr. Yarrow said. "I know they have weaponry, nuclear weaponry, and I have the absolute assurance they'll go only with the United Nations.

Do we need a president who so pathetically panders to washed-up rock stars like this? How humiliating to be in a position of having to justify one's policy to this Marxist has-been. How far outside the political spectrum must Kerry go to shop for voters?

[Lancey Howard]

War, shmoor.... It's all about socialism for a washed up windbag like Yarrow. A little thing like war can't stand in the way of big government confiscation and redistribution of other people's money.

[IncPen]

Kerry self-destruction ping

[Pharmboy]

How far outside the political spectrum must Kerry go to shop for voters?

Yeah...I almost feel sorry for him (th phony bustard).

[Dog Gone]

A month from now, Kerry will have officially dropped out of the race.

[Pharmboy]

In case you forgot what a 60s windbag looks like.

[CT]

Peter Paul and Mary are identified as communist sympathizers in the book, "Commies," by Ron Rodash. IN fact Mary Travers went to school with Rodash. The school was known as the "Little Red School" in NYC.

Anybody that has ever heard Michael Savage refer to "Red Diaper Doper Babies" should know that 'ol Mary is what Savage is refering to. People raised as commies that to this day still think they are on the winning side.

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

It isn’t often that a political candidate brags about being endorsed by a convicted child-molester, ...

[mass55th]

How appropriate that Kerry should get support from a child molester.

Here's an excerpt from an updated (Jan. 14, 2002) online article on the Milwaukee Journal Online website:

"Consider one other case: Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. The folk-pop trio has enjoyed a family-friendly image for decades, and has even done albums of children's songs. Back in 1970, however, Yarrow pleaded guilty to taking "immoral and improper liberties" with a 14-year-old girl.

According to media reports, the girl and her 17-year-old sister went to Yarrow's hotel room seeking an autograph, and the musician answered the door naked and made a sexual advance that stopped short of intercourse. The 14-year-old victim resisted his advances but did not shout or leave the room.

Yarrow served three months of a one- to three-year prison term. In 1981, he was pardoned by President Jimmy Carter. The singer has acknowledged the incident as "the most terrible mistake I have ever made." Today, it is all but forgotten."

Link to article: Click Here

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Was it Peter or Paul who had the "Michael Jackson" troubles years ago?

[mountaineer]

Asked if the war vote had hurt Mr. Kerry's candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, Mr. Yarrow responded, "Oh sure, sure."

The most extreme leftists just can't believe they're not in the majority. Try visiting the great unwashed (as the arrogant libs perceive us) in "flyover country" sometime, Pete (and Howard the Duck Dean) where people still salute the flag and are proud of their military heroes.

[mountaineer]

Paul Stookey, post PP&M, was more part of the Christian music scene, but I don't know his political leanings.

[Pharmboy]

Hmmm...I had forgotten about that. Thanks.

[putupon]

There was a song out a few years back that had the lin, "What the world needs now is another folk singer, like I need a hole in the head."

Anybody know the title and/or artist for that tune?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

These people cannot be reformed. If they go after children once, they'll probably do it again, no matter what Jimmah Cartah says.