Terrorism = Illegal Gambling? (Who Else but Kerry)

New York Times ^ | October 10, 2004 | Matt Bai

[PhiKapMom]

In an interview with Matt Bai published in today’s New York Times Magazine, Kerry made a very, very, very significant statement about how he would fight the war on terror. Kerry compared the war on terrorism with eradicating prostitution or illegal gambling.

''We have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they're a nuisance,'' Kerry said. ''As a former law-enforcement person, I know we're never going to end prostitution. We're never going to end illegal gambling. But we're going to reduce it, organized crime, to a level where it isn't on the rise. It isn't threatening people's lives every day, and fundamentally, it's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life.''

Terrorism, a nuisance?

This is the latest in a series of statements where Kerry views the war on terror more as a law enforcement operation than as a war. The article also has some other revealing tidbits about how Kerry’s closest advisers don’t believe we are in a war, and Kerry’s lack of a clear vision.

[Congressman Billybob]

Thank you for posting this. I sent it immediately to my three closest contacts in the media.

Billybob

[Victoria Delsoul]

''We have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they're a nuisance,'' Kerry said. ''As a former law-enforcement person, I know we're never going to end prostitution. We're never going to end illegal gambling. But we're going to reduce it, organized crime, to a level where it isn't on the rise. It isn't threatening people's lives every day, and fundamentally, it's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life.''

Sure, instead of 3000 people being killed by the terrorists, let's say we have 200 or 100 people killed, which is acceptable. Having under 100 people killed every year – 40 or 50 people - means, that we'd really have terrorism under control. At this point, it just becomes a nuisance and we can live with it. After all, there are more people dying from car accidents and heart attacks than from terrorists attacks. I think people would see the wisdom of this. See, the point here is not to eradicate terrorism, but to reduce it. In time we'll get used to seeing children and buildings being blown up.

[absinthe]

When was the last time that whores or drug dealers flew passenger planes loaded with innocent Americans into buildings with innocent Americans to commit mass murder?

We think alike. I just emailed this to a friend of mine:

Mr. Kerry, just when was the last time a prostitute or gambler flew an airplane into a large building? Or drove a truck bomb to a Federal office? Or set fire to Russian schoolchildren? Or blew up a busy pizzeria?

Okay, you're correct on one point: prosititutes and gamblers are nuisances. But since when are terrorists just nuisances? That's an insult to prostitutes and gamblers everywhere.

[toomanygrasshoppers]

It sounds like he is saying that a certain level of terrorism is "acceptable", like other "victimless" crimes i.e. prostitution and illegal gambling. I guess if we can limit terrorist related murders to let's say...200 per year or so then that is OK. He is so removed from the real world.

[jriemer]

Terrorism is just a nuisance? Where is this man's brain??

To put it in pictures:

"(Terrorists) They're a nuisance" John Kerry NYT Magazine 10/10/04

[libs_kma]

"it's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life."

WHAT THE @#$%???? IF those same 100 families of victims of September 11 are still in his camp tomorrow I'm going to be the biggest surprised Freeper on this planet!

This is a completely asinine thing to say! THREE THOUSAND AMERICANS KILLED IN ONE DAY..and THATS not threatening to the fabric of our lives???

If he has one single vote left in this country then we know exactly who the enemies of this country are!!

HE DOESN'T GET IT!!!

[jriemer]

This idiotic statement should be Kerry's final kiss of death. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he WILL NOT protect the USA!

see post #26

[pabianice]

This is the second true article about Kerry printed by the NYT in the past few days. What is happening here?

[OH Swing Voter]

I think sKerry's vision is that we live like they do in Israel--constant "nuisance" attacks. Ketchup boy--I have news for you--American's don't want to live like that.

[truth_seeker]

With FEWER people killed, Pearl Harbor would likewise now be classed merely among the several and varied categories of "nuisance."

One of Kerry's strengths is calming us down, getting us to accept things, not be riled up over mere incidents of mass murder.

What a "nuanced internationalist."

What would the Bush campaign do without him?

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[prairiebreeze]

NY Slimes eleventh hour attempt to appear "fair & balanced"?

[gilliam]

Terrorism, a nuisance that we have to live with? Does this guy have a clue? I guess Kerry doesn't want to win this war.

[Edgerunner]

Kerry shouldn't be allowed on the White House TOUR!

[CThomasFan]

That has the be the dumbest thing I have ever heard him say.
It would have been dumb enough if he had set that strategy at the beginning of the race, but to take that position now means one of two things:
Either this is the way he has always felt, but didnt want to let on until after the election (beyond a scary liar and a threat to national security)
or else he has decided that the only way to win is to totally re-makeover himself and frame a campaign that ignores his previous position (beyond a flip flopper and running scared)

He either fell and gave himself a concussion before this interview or else he is more concerned about his chances than we are. I think the RNC should take that clip and have an ad out by tomorrow with pictures of what terrorists do...and Kerry sipping lemonade out on the balcony with Teraysa "above the din of it all" in their chalet.

I think he may have shot himself in the foot for the last time.
I wonder if even the MSM will turn on him on this. That was just stupid.

[engrpat]

Already did it and work tomorrow for 4 hours at our local office and then again later in the week. If anyone hasn't volunteered, try it. It is a hoot and a good way to meet some supper people.

[kabar]

''We have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they're a nuisance,''

And exactly when was that? Prior to 9/11 when we had the USS Cole attacked, our embassies bombed in Tanzania and Kenya, Khobar Towers, WTC I, Pan Am 103, TWA 800, etc.? Living with terrorism is a failed strategy and a total misunderstanding of the problem.

[savedbygrace]

There's a joke in there somewhere about Teresa and a horse's head, but I'm not gonna be the one to do it.

[Smartass]

What a dumb, stupid statement from a wannabee
president. Since when have "Whores" or "Drug Dealers,"
among other things, ever flown airplanes into buildings,
or intentional cut peoples heads off for the sake of their cause.

What planet has this traitorous spoiled brat been living on?