[Flashlight]

...That's just his Massachussetts-mumble. Gawd it sounds fake because he doesn't always do it...

I'll give him a break on his pronounciation, then.

The "Private Ryan" reference is weird though. I doubt he or his speechwriter ever saw the movie; if they did I'd think the mistake would be obvious - The movie *starts* with the Normandy invasion. It doesn't make sense for the movie to *end* with it.

Like I said, I never saw the movie, but at least I know what it was about.

By the way, did you ever notice Al Gore's "accent". I never hear anyone talk about it, but he's got the weirdest way of pronouncing words sometimes.

[Remole]

It is likely that Sen. Kennedy IS refering to the final 15 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" because he is alerting people to the danger and loss associated with urban fighting; and the final 15 (really, as I recall, 30) minutes of the movie occur in a city (no longer inhabited due to months of shelling).

I think his reference is accurate, but his analysis is still wrong. Yes, urban warfare will be hell (just ask the IDF's experience in Jenin), but that in itself is not an argument against invading Iraq.

[Flashlight]

...Al Gore's "accent". I never hear anyone talk about it, but he's got the weirdest way of pronouncing words sometimes....

Like he pronounces the word "sense" as if it were "since", or "Tennessee" would be pronounced "Tinasee".

[sam_paine]

The movie *starts* with the Normandy invasion. It doesn't make sense for the movie to *end* with it.

Well, (and I can't believe a policy debate is dealing with MOVIES!!!), anyway, he is probably referring to the final bridge-defense scene in SPR. There, the remaining platoon, having completed their assigned mission of Saving Private Ryan, sets up to defend a bridge against overwhelming odds without reinforcement. The irony, of course, is that the soldiers were willing to sacrifice their lives to hasten the end of the war...whereas Teddy is cornfused thinking that soldiers are only to be used when their safety can be assured!!!

[carton253]

I think the Saving Private Ryan reference is very telling. Those brave men on the beaches and especially the last 30 minutes is the price they were willing to pay for our nation and freedom.

It also says that Kennedy does not think this country is worth the price paid during WW II. He cheapens them all. They paid the price, why won't this generation?

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" The "Private Ryan" reference is weird though. I doubt he or his speechwriter ever saw the movie; if they did I'd think the mistake would be obvious - The movie *starts* with the Normandy invasion. It doesn't make sense for the movie to *end* with it."

The last 15 minutes of Private Ryan are in present time, with an old vet, who took part in the invasion,returning to the cemetery at Normandy . He and his family walk among the crosses and Stars of David. It's a very peaceful and sad moment- did Kennedy actually say the last 15 minutes??? What a blunder!!! Private Ryan and HBO's Band of Brothers ( my personal favorite) are terrific war movies.