Discussion Thread: Kerry's Appearance on GMA Regarding Medals

Good Morning America - ABC News

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Let's see if I can kick this off.

During the promo at the beginning of the show, where he was standing by live in West Virginia, and throughout the interview itself, Kerry tried hard to keep this huge "what me worry?" smile plastered on his face. He coupled it with numerous condescending head shakes that seemed to imply "these poor benighted fools who so miserably misunderstand the greatness that is John Kerry."

[Moby Grape]

Said Kerry, "Actually I did NOT throw my medals over the fence before I threw my medals over the fence."

[ShandaLear]

"I threw my medals away before I kept them."

[Rander7]

I just e-mailed GMA and told them that Gibson's interview was like a breath of fresh air, considering ABC's usual trouncing of Conservatives and Republicans, and the "overlooking" of Liberals goof-ups!

[7thson]

I will try. Whenever you get a medal, you get a ribbon with it. If in ordinary dress uniform - say like being the OOD, JOOD, Messenger of the Watch (navy talk) - you wear all your ribbons on the left side. For very special occassions - commissioning a ship - you wear your medals on the right side and the ribbons that do not come with medals on your left side.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Just in time for Athens, the latest Olympic sport: the medal throw!

Could be some media exposure for Kerry, up there on the platform receiving his medal, insisting that the American flag be raised upside down, that the old Soviet national anthem be played, while wearing a black glove and giving a one-fisted black power salute.

Just a thought!

[ShandaLear]

"Clinton was the same way. He told his lies so vividly, even he believed them."

Difference between Clinton and Kerry is that at least Clinton looked good when he did it. Can't say the same about John Boy.

[maryz]

Then he fired his campaign manager and brought in new blood to rally his supporters and shake things up.

I read he also gave a big chunk of pre-primary/caucus money to the NH and IA dem parties, respectively. FWIW.

[FRMAG]

Every medal depends (hangs) on a ribbon which is "color coded" and identifies. There are two categories "awards" and "decorations." The medals are not worn on the normal class A uniform but are worn on the dress uniform either in full size or miniture form (ribbon with depended metal device) Normally only a representation of the ribbon is worn on the class A uniform sometimes referred to as "fruit salad) over a breast pocket.

[Puddleglum]

Today's DNC talking points to explain Kerry's GMA appearance:

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LOL!

[Timeout]

By focusiing on "ribbons or medals?" that plays right into the Kerry playbook. That's what his campaign WANTS this gaffe to be about.

Don't fall for it. He's trying to change the subject.

The real scandal:
FOR THIRTEEN YEARS (1971-1984) HE PERPETUATED THE MYTH ABOUT THROWING "MEDALS". THAT WAS HOW LONG HIS ANTI-WAR PROFILE SERVED HIS POLITICAL PURPOSES!

Then in 1984 he was running for the Senate. Union members told him they didn't like that he'd thrown away his medals. After allowing the "myth" to hang out there for 13 years, Kerry suddenly changed his story and produced the medals. Since then he's been trying to undermine his own anti-war activites...being a war protester was no longer heroic (Reagan had been elected!).

[N. Theknow]

Kerry started flip-flopping the moment he returned to the US after his Viet Nam service, because he then realized a Viet Nam war hero was dirt to his elitist friends, it just wasn't popular enough for debate boy.

Probably thought he could get into Jane Fonda's pants.

[bluegrass]

What a numbskull.

[gramho12]

George Costanza, on coaching Jerry on how to beat a lie detector: "It's not a lie if you believe it"

[Stargate]

Almost. When you wear your medals they go on the left side and any awards that only rate a ribbon and no medal are then worn on the right side.

[hchutch]

We have a crack-up on Good Morning America.

Real nasty one, too.

[capt. norm]

I saw that on Fox where she couldn't answer any questions and had to keep recititng her talking points.

Maybe she is part of their problem.

Her Republican counterpart was cool, talked in a warm friendly voice and gave straight answers.

I think that's where the Repulicans are winning...in the 'straight answer' column.

[proud American in Canada]

"From each according to his inability, to each according to his misdeeds - DNC Motto"

That is a great tagline. :)

[TomGuy]

Ok, let's follow this:

Kerry says medals and ribbons are interchangeable.

Kerry votes to throw his medals over the fence.

Kerry doesn't have his medals with him, but he has his ribbons with him.

Kerry doesn't go home to get his medals, but he has his ribbons with him.

Kerry throws his ribbons over the fence.

Kerry throws 2 medals from other men over the fence.

Years later, Kerry says he didn't throw his medals over the fence.

Years later (today on GMA) Kerry says ribbons and medals represent the same thing.

Years later (today on GMA) Kerry says he threw ribbons but not his medals but the medals of two other guys over the fence but he is proud of his medals that he didn't throw over the fence because he didn't go home and get his medals then, even though he voted to toss them, but he had his ribbons which represent medals so he threw them, the ribbons, over the fence.

How dare you question his patriotism??????!!!!????


[snicker]

[NCjim]

I think that the Dims are like sharks - they will eat their own if they smell blood in the water... and Kerry is definitely hemorrhaging!

[July 4th]

So Kerry has raised GWB's service again? Wonderful. Kerry's back on McAuliffe's level now.