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July 19, 2004
Bush tells Florida about Castro's Devious Practices
Bush is back in the state that gave him his 2000 victory.
Today, he is accusing Castro of exploiting Cuba's children
by selling sex-tours to the impoverished nation.
What would happen to Fidel Castro if Fidel Castro said
that George Bush is a Child Molester or Fidel Castro
was found saying that John Kerry is a Child Molester?
Softvote's Poll shows Bush currently leading Florida with 46.86%
of the vote against Kerry's 45.26%.
Posted by Elouise at July 19, 2004 02:58 PM
Comments
I think that Bush needs to worry about his own country first before trying to fix everyone elses.
Posted by: Jirai at July 20, 2004 08:36 PM
Oddly, I have seen a letter from Fidel Castro addressing that particular charge with a flat denial.
Castro's Own words: "Mr Bush, I must be calm but sincere. I have absolutely no intent to insult you ot to launch personal attacks. But, it is cynical to include Cuba in a list of countries involved in the illegal trafficking of persons. And what is even more outrageous and abhorrant in this arrogant report that the StateDepartment feels obliged to issue every year is the claim that Cuba promotes sex tourism, even with children."
He goes on, Castro is not known for brevity, but I think that statement is fairly clear.
BOO
Posted by: Karl Leuba at July 21, 2004 06:35 AM
Hey Karl, you would take the word of a communist dictator over the word of our president. what is wrong with you. Do you hate Bush and our country that much. If you do why don't you go on over to Cuba and live with Castro, apperantly you find him more trustworthy.
Posted by: David Lowery at July 22, 2004 09:32 AM
Kerry is a lier. He is disgraceful. My husband is a Disabled Service Connected Vietnam Veteran and that SOB is once again trying to use the Vietnam Vet for his own cause just like he did when he was protesting. He is not for Vets and is disgraceful getting those vets to be on stage with him and had the nerve to lie to them and publically use them just to promote his campaign. He doesn't give a dam about them and he absolutely will not do anything for them. He made shameful statements about the National Guard and stating until you have carried a weapon in war you don't know what being a vet is. Well...who the hell is also in Iraq...National Guard. Vets should be outraged by this inhuman. His words...Bring It On...well we vet families and vets are bringing it on. And now that we are...he trying to spin it and say he did not start this...Think about this...Terrorist are waiting for our Elections too !!!
Here read the views coming from a true vets wife.
Posted by: Da at July 22, 2004 03:29 PM
I think kerry uses "bring it on" so much because it makes his speech seem longer.
I for one would like to see "kerry sit on it"
I am tired of hearing that worn out phrase.
Posted by: Da at July 22, 2004 03:33 PM
Hmn, yes, taking the word of a dictator is definately silly at the least. However, I don't truly trust Bush, I want some non-involved third party to look into it.
Posted by: Eric at July 22, 2004 05:09 PM
Since Redford, Spike Lee, DeNiro, Depp, Coppola, Asner, DiCaprio, Costner, Spielberg and Oliver Stone all love Castro (not to mention dozens more in Hollywood), I guess we should love the ruthless dictator too, right?
So much for the elite left-wing radicals and their views on politics. Why do they think anyone really listens to such dysfunctional idiots? Well, I guess there are some who do, but how do they sleep at night?
It's just becoming so hard to find a movie to see these days that doesn't include one of these nuts in it, but I certainly don't want to give them any more money so they can go overseas and bad mouth the US, while cashing their paychecks made in this "evil, capitalist society."
The propaganda is so intense in the communist country to our north (Canada) that 40% of their teenagers think the US is an evil empire. I guess they don't remember that on 9/11 we were the ones attacked. They also expect that if they are ever attacked we'll come to their rescue.
Maybe all the Castro lovers should move to Cuba and get a taste of communism done the right way complete with torture chambers and prison camps.
Posted by: M.S. at July 22, 2004 05:20 PM
Jirai thats a selfish democratic thing to say about bush. im glad bush doesnt just worry bout our own country. yea i know we dont have a perfect country. but no president can make that possible. compared to other countries like Iraq, our country is doing just fine.
Posted by: Jeff S at July 22, 2004 11:06 PM
It's odd how the American people want to believe anyone but Americans. We hold up the dictators of violent countries as if they have earned some great achievement. If anyone tries to do anything about it, they are blasted for being intollerant of the ways of other societies, or just the way other people are.
If a country like Mexico, or Spain were to speak out against the practices of Castro in Cuba, many wouldn't have any problem with it. But when "WE THE PEOPLE" of the United states say anything, we're being nosey.
If it's because Bush was the one who said it, then look back at mogudishu in the 90's with Clinton. See page,
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ambush
By the way, we might not be so edgy about Cuba if they haddent been pointin Nuclear Missles at us during the cold war in 1962.
See... http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/colc.html
And by the way... It was Castro who was in charge... He's such a nice guy, what a humanitarian... let's give him an award. I'm sure he would have a sent us a nice letter then saying, "No I don't have nuclear missiles pointing at you... I'm a nice cuban just smoking my Cigars."
Posted by: The Voice at July 23, 2004 08:19 AM
As with most of what Bush states (when he can form a complete sentence), this comment was taken out of context and paraphrased. The only source that can be attributed to this falsehood is from an obscure graduate thesis. Do the research and don't fall into the 'Rush Limbaugh syndrom where someone does all the thinking for you because it hurts the brain too much.
Posted by: Carl Welch at July 23, 2004 08:25 AM
Not a bad point, Jirai, but what happens in other countries often has quite an effect on us, as the problems in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown.
Posted by: RT at July 23, 2004 10:33 PM
Who can trust the word of a Liar? Bush claim's Kerry Flip Flops. Weapon's of Mass Destruction? What's Bush's reason for War in Iraq now? Saddom is an Evil Dictator? Eventually they would of attacked us? To bring freedom to the Iraqi's? To steal the Oil? 900 lives were lost ( American ) and Thousands of Iraqi's. Bush has cost us over 100 Billion dollars, for what? The Terrorist are coming Scare tactic's of Bush? and now what, Castro's Devious. Maybe you will fall for it, but I wont
Posted by: Cal_Sunshine at July 24, 2004 06:04 AM
I've been telling my brother to stop using our young girls (12/13/14 years old) in his sex industry... but according to him that's the bait for our survival (sure US $).
"What about the promises of 1959 about the future of our children?" I replied.
"What promises? Oh, I'll do that again tomorrow," said him.
Posted by: Castro's brother at July 24, 2004 07:45 AM
If anyone of you reactionary morons actually read and understood anything about Cuba, you'd realize how much better off the average Cuban is, and even their lowest classes, than the average and lowest classes of the rest of Latin America. Castro has done more for Cuba than anyone else ever has, and the blockade and travel bans do nothing but hurt the Cuban people. Castro is not perfect, and neither is Cuba. But he's a damn sight better than what the rest of Latin America has, which are all classist dictators propped up by the US! Barring Venezuela, of course, but that's not for the lack of the CIA trying to dislodge Chavez.
Viva Fidel! Viva la revolucion!
Posted by: El_Casey at July 24, 2004 03:32 PM
Cuba hasn't had a free presidential election in over 40 years, HIV-positive homosexuals are kept away from the rest of society and Castro doesn't allow any of the freedoms we have here in the US.
And the rest of Latin America is worse than that?
I didn't understand where "El Casey" was coming from until I clicked on the name and came up with a communist website. Suddenly it all made sense...
Posted by: Mike at July 24, 2004 11:00 PM
Cal_Sunshine is the real moron here. Maybe get your head out of the hot Cal sand and read a book or listen to some unbiased news for a change. You may learn something.
Posted by: JP at July 24, 2004 11:04 PM
I just returned from Cuba and spoke to every Cuban I could. They are a poor country, mainly because US policy has made them poor through the stupid embargo which hurts the average Cuban and strengthens Castro. Every person I talked to said the same thing, that they are poor, but they have their dignity, and they won't be bullied by the US. If Bush wants to undermine Castro, he would open up the borders and let US citizens travel freely, like they do to China and Vietnam. The fact that he doesn't, says that he doesn't care about Castro, but about Cuban American votes in Florida. What a liar we have in the White House. What a fraud.
Posted by: gb at July 25, 2004 09:04 PM
I don't buy the claims that the Cuban people are better off with Castro. We need to take over that country and flood it with capitalism and tourism. Then we can make it our next state.
Posted by: Jimbo at July 25, 2004 11:20 PM
I believe Castro is full of it. President Bush has done an outstanding job in office considering everthing he has had to face. I believe he was the right person in the 2000 election and even more so for the 2004 election. Go Mr. President Bush!!! FOUR MORE YEARS!
Posted by: Lissette at July 26, 2004 04:19 PM
4 more years of what? dept? poverty? lost jobs?nows he whats to take away our overtime pay. is this what 4 more years means cause that all he has accomplished
Posted by: gw at July 26, 2004 07:48 PM
President Bush has confusion regarding abuse of children. Several thousand children have been 'lost' unaccounted for by Children and Family Services in Florida. Jeb promised he would fix this problem and find the childrens locations but he has failed.
Posted by: Aileenbail at July 26, 2004 09:29 PM
I was going to respond to gw's obvious ignorance and try to educate the poor slob, and then it hit me: why waste my time? Some people are much happier being ignorant.
Posted by: Mike at July 26, 2004 09:54 PM
Hey gw, if you would investigate some of the economic sites you might learn that we currently have the LOWEST unemployment rate in twenty years, lower rates of people enrolling on welfare and for your information, every state has missing children unaccounted for. Yes, we certainly have our share of social ills. But there is a reason people flock to live here from all over the world. (Even all those poor people from Cuba who risk their lives traveling through shark infested waters) We have freedom and a diversity of cultures and religions like no where else on the globe. Given the crisis this country has seen since 911, this administration has dobe a remarkable job.
Posted by: Carol at July 27, 2004 10:16 AM
Well as disheartening as it is to see some of these comments, I have only one question and one statement to all of the Bush haters.
Q. Remembering how disgusted you are with Bush, how many of you sent your tax rebate back in order to make a point? I would say VERY FEW of you hypocrites.
If you are only hating Bush because you are staunch demoncrat and would vote for squirrel just because he wore a demoncrat sign then you all need to get a life, a brain and for most instances a real grasp on what is really important in life. I''ll give you all a clue "Being able to rest at night knowing that your country is safe enough for ANYONE to make a daily run to the corner store for whatever you may want and driving your suv there because you can afford the gas while listening to something you truly like on the radio or in your cd player" I am guessing those are the freedoms peopole take for granted.
Posted by: izzylouhoo at July 27, 2004 01:10 PM
It is sad how so many people talk of the problems in our own country as if we were some third world nation facing the totalitarian rule of a militarily oppressive government. How we should fix our problems first and then worry about other nations. How our nation is so evil and how we are only interested in world domination and imperialism. Don't get me wrong; it is your right to say what you will about the USA, but why don't those of you who think like this open your eyes to the truth.
If you happen to be an American and live in the United States then consider this. The people that make up this great nation are from all over the world. Many from very different walks of life and cultures, and most of which fled their countries and risked their lives to seek out opportunity in the U.S. When mothers and fathers throughout the world are willing to put the lives of their children in danger to simply have the opportunity to set foot on American soil there is something to be said about how very desirable life is in the U.S. I don't know about you, but I cannot think of a better place in the world to live than the USA. Sure, there are other great places in the world to live but can you think of a "better" place? I believe people who think we have problems here should try living for six months in Bosnia, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq, Nigeria, Angola, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, or even Somalia. Heck, don't even go so far, try Haiti, Cuba, or Bolivia. You could even try Venezuela under the rule of Chavez. I am in no way implying that just because it is better here than in any of those nations that we should not constantly strive to make our country better. I am saying however, that most people in any of the countries I mentioned above would risk life and limb to come here, to the U.S.A., and in addition to that be willing to pick our cabbage and strawberries. Imagine that.
Open your eyes; you live in the land of opportunity, the land of milk and honey. The home of the FREE!!! You live every day in freedom from the day you are born till the day you die. You live in a land where the decisions you make are your own responsibility. You live in a land where opportunity abounds and freedom rings! You live in a land where you are endowed with "certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". You live in a land that some people around the world can only dream of. So, before you knock the U.S. and its own problems, take a look at the rest of the world and the problems that we are helping to fix.
I think Sean Hannity put it best when he wrote,
"People don't dream all their lives of escaping the hellish countries they live in and pay their life savings to underworld types for the privilege of being locked up in a freezing, filthy, stinking container ship and hauled like cargo for weeks until they finally arrive in ... Moscow ... or Beijing ... or Baghdad ... or Kabul. People risk their lives to come here-".
Quote from "Let Freedom Ring: Winning the War of Liberty over Liberalism"
by Sean Hannity
Posted by: Carlos at July 27, 2004 11:17 PM
I can't believe so many people in this country think that our reasons for going to war with Iraq should be founded solely on the existence of WMD (and don't worry for all you democrats, they will be found and uncovered since they obviously do exist, just at the opportune time to make you all look like idiots before the Nov. election). Isn't it enough that Saddam tortured and murdered hundreds of thousands of his own people in addition to those of other countries? I have a passionate hobby in that I cherish the memory of past wars, why they were fought, their outcomes, and the brave people that fought. I remember distinctly that just about everyone in this country wanted to avoid going to war at all costs in WWII. It seems like now that Hitler's murderous ways are uncovered and are no longer a secret like they were in the late '30s to early '40s, it seems like everyone should think: "Gee, this guy is a tyrant hell bent on committing genocide on all people he pretty much dislikes. We need to get in there and fix things!" I'm sad to hear that there are still so many people who disagree with the US entering WWII. My grandfather fought in WWII (he toured in 30 missions as a bombing navigator including the same mission that the Memphis Belle ran) and I am very proud of what he fought for. I am absolutely disgusted that people in this country think: "These aren't our problems, they are Iraq's problems, let's stay out of it and worry about problems in our own country". Well aren't we all human beings? Don't we all live on this planet? Do you think that we should sit back and allow other human beings to be tortured, raped, murdered, and treatened by all of these things every day of their lives just because they live in a different country? I'm sorry, but these democrats who think that Bush should be charged with war crimes have the wrong idea, it is they who should be charged with crimes against humanity! So for all you people out there, democrats, republicans, etc. if you want the United States to sympathize with terrorists and murderers, and sit back while they continue to destroy humanity go ahead and vote for John Kerry. If you want the United States to clean-up this world and get rid of ruthless tyrants that threaten not only the US, but all of humanity, vote for George W. Bush! He is leading us in the right direction by taking the fight to the terrorists and he is proactive in destroying those who would destroy us, rather than hiding behind the U.N. and hoping these terrorists don't find a flaw in our system that will make us vulnerable to attack like 9/11.
Posted by: Dave at July 28, 2004 08:44 AM
i totally agree with you Dave.
Posted by: Jeffro429 at July 28, 2004 09:54 PM
You people are morons..you quote Kerry as saying Bring it On when it was your own beloved Dictator Bush that said 'Bring it on', inviting terrorists to come to Iraq to kill our troops. Some Americans you necons are. You wrap yourselves in the flag then question the valor of a man who served his country in Vietnam. You quote the Bible but forget Jesus' message of peace, love, tolerance and understanding. You call liberals unamerican for dissenting from our government, yet your own republican president Abraham Lincoln said "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."
Liberal is not a four letter word, but BUSH and DICK are.
Posted by: scott at July 30, 2004 04:46 PM
Jeffro,
Since you are going to go there... You want peace, love tollerance and understanding?
Understand this...
"Understand there are those who will refuse peaceful means of reconciliation or problem resolution. Some refuse diplomacy (Palm 120:6-7)."
"Understand there are ruthless and evil entities in the world. These need to be dealt with for they destroy the peace and victimize the helpless at every turn (Psalm 41:5; 54:3; Ezekiel 36:5-7)."
"Those who persist in evil and refuse to live at peace are to be firmly dealt with in the Lord. We are not to sit back and do nothing or continually appease those who do evil (Psalm 109). We are not to be naive or pacifistic."
Quotes from calvarychapel.com
12 Biblical Rules of Engagement in The Just War
Posted by: Carlos at August 2, 2004 01:56 AM
Very good insights Carlos (though I think your words were directed at Scott, not Jeffro).
Scott, I believe our own republican president Abraham Lincoln also said, and I quote: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" -Gettysburg Address-
Your party doesn't stand for these ideals, rather it seeks to further devide all of us. I think the mistake you made in quoting Lincoln, was that you misinterpreted the "...when they SHOULD..." part. Yours is a party with a history of supporting frivolous lawsuits and constant protests that support no cause but to give themselves more power. You should understand that, just like a little child that cries when he/she doesn't get what he/she wants, your constant protests do nothing but discredit what integrity you have left in your political party. Brothers and sisters, stand with me as we assume the roles of parents to these little children so that we may show them that their cries will amount to no gains in this fight (we must vote for President Bush!)
Posted by: Dave at August 4, 2004 01:39 PM
Thank you Dave, you are right. It was directed at Scott. The dividing line is a bit confusing.
Posted by: Carlos at August 5, 2004 04:33 PM
I would never vote for Bush, that would be insane. He's a liar. He's using Terror and scare tactics for self satisfaction. He's worse than Saddam. Why else is our soldiers perishing in bloody battles? I don't want to hear lame excuses.
Posted by: Linda at August 10, 2004 11:44 AM
Linda, why do you spout the liberal mantra? How has he lied? Give me real lies, not the ones the communist party spouts off about, give me specifics. How is he worse then Saddam? Has he killed hundreds of thousands of his own people? Has he sent out rape squads? No he hasn't he has stopped these atrocities by making Iraq a free country. Please, you sound very ignorant when you say such things.
Posted by: David Lowery at August 13, 2004 11:10 AM
Carlos and Dave are both idiots!
Posted by: Michael Allison at August 23, 2004 09:09 PM
what is wrong with you? just because a person says "hey, that's wrong" doesn't make him a bad person....it is ok that atrocities occurred in vietnam (as is, i suppose, abu grahib now)...because it didn't involve all vets????? what in god's name is wrong with you people?????????
Posted by: paula small at August 25, 2004 08:42 PM
Paula,
The Abu Graib atrocities that you speak of, how many of the prisoners are dead now?
Did they tell the stories of the times they had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, tape wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and generally ravaged the countryside of South Baghdad?
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
How can one man be resposible, for 7 or 8 soldiers, so far down the ladder from him, with everything else in the world going on?
If he concentrated on this you would be bashing the man for something else.
Just admit you hate GW Bush and would rather have Saddam as your president and show us all how iggnorant you really are.
I am issuing a challenge to Kerry supporters, show mw evidence of just 1 bill Kerry has initiated on behalf of middle class America, national security or for that matter health care.
This is your chance to swing voters to your side.
My name is Wayne, and I'm reporting for duty!
Posted by: Wayne at August 26, 2004 08:25 PM
Linda,
Our soldiers are perishing in bloody battles to provide you with the freedom to criticize the President of the Untied States. Our soldiers are persishing in bloody battles so that we aren't hiding in shelters at a terrorist uprising in this country. Our soldiers are dying in battle because terrorism is a real threat, not just to our country, but to innocent people all around the world sim-ply because they opposed the tyrannical reign of their dictator.
The freedom that you cherish is being attacked in this country by a different form of terrorism. The terrorsim of lawyers attacking free speech because they criticize John Kerry and a media that is aligned to the similar tactics by painting any opposing voice to Kerry as liars. A form of terrorism that allows them to call the President Hitler and accuse him of killing babies by poisoning the water, but shuts down anyone who is critical of them. Yes, your rights will be protected so long as you agree with him, but God help you if you don't.
Posted by: Jim Rodkey at August 27, 2004 03:02 AM
A THING TO REMEMBER THE CODE OF SILENCE DOES NOT CONQUER IN THE LONG RUN, IT DESTROYS THE INTERGRITY THE SOUL, THE HEART ,AND MOST OF ALL THE BELIEF THAT MAN CAN EVENTUALLY HEAL WITHOUT DENIAL .
WHEN A MAN STICKS UP FOR HIS COUNTRY HE IS A WHISTLE BLOWER ,AN IF A MAN DOESN'T WANT MURDER AND WAR HES CONSIDERED A COMMIE
IF A MAN LISTENS TO THE WRONG NEWS ITS SPREADS LIKE WILD FIRE ,ITS EASY TO MAKE JUDGEMENT AND FALSELY ACCUSE BUT IT TAKES GUTS AND MORALS TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES AND USE GOOD JUDGEMENT
IF U DONT READ HISTORY OR ABOUT OTHER COUNTRYS AND JUST TOLD WHAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE TRUE FACTS
NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE AND EVEN ALL THE BLOGS ON LINE OR WEB SITE WILL DO NO GOOD
IT TAKES A GOOD MAN TO THELL THE TRUTH ,WHICH WE INSTILL IN OUR CHILDREN (WELL MOST)
IF A MAN GETS ON TV AND SAYS F YOU IT TEACHES GOOD CHRISTIAN VALUES ? TO GO TO WAR TO KILL MILLIONS IF JUST CONSIDERED POPULATION CONTROL?
OVER 1000 SOLDIERS FAUGHT AND OVER TEN THOUSAND ARE HOME WOUNDED . NOT TO MENTION THE FIRST DESERT STORM WHERE NOW THERE ARE BIRTH DEFECTS
SICK SOLDIERS FROM CHEMICALS DISORDERS AND SOME FATAL
THIS COUNTRY IS SO DIVIDED LIKE LIL CHILDREN FIGHTING TO MAKE A POINT BUT IN REALITY WE ARE ALL AMERICANS WORKING HARD TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FAMILYS AND HOPE AND PRAY WE WILL NOT BECOME A NATION UNDER DICTATORSHIP AND CENSORSHIP
GOD BLESS JOJO
Posted by: ohgorsh at September 8, 2004 08:08 PM
Two decades ago, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) was a highly respected financial titan. In 1987, when its subsidiary helped finance a deal involving Texas oilman George W. Bush, the bank appeared to be a reputable institution, with attractive branch offices, a traveler's check business, and a solid reputation for financing international trade. It had high-powered allies in Washington and boasted relationships with respected figures around the world.
All that changed in early 1988, when John Kerry, then a young senator from Massachusetts, decided to probe the finances of Latin American drug cartels. Over the next three years, Kerry fought against intense opposition from vested interests at home and abroad, from senior members of his own party; and from the Reagan and Bush administrations, none of whom were eager to see him succeed.
By the end, Kerry had helped dismantle a massive criminal enterprise and exposed the infrastructure of BCCI and its affiliated institutions, a web that law enforcement officials today acknowledge would become a model for international terrorist financing. As Kerry's investigation revealed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, BCCI was interested in more than just enriching its clients--it had a fundamentally anti-Western mission. Among the stated goals of its Pakistani founder were to "fight the evil influence of the West," and finance Muslim terrorist organizations. In retrospect, Kerry's investigation had uncovered an institution at the fulcrum of America's first great post-Cold War security challenge.
More than a decade later, Kerry is his party's nominee for president, and terrorist financing is anything but a back-burner issue. The Bush campaign has settled on a new strategy for attacking Kerry: Portray him as a do-nothing senator who's weak on fighting terrorism. "After 19 years in the Senate, he's had thousands of votes, but few signature achievements," President Bush charged recently at a campaign rally in Pittsburgh; spin that's been echoed by Bush's surrogates, conservative pundits, and mainstream reporters alike, and by a steady barrage of campaign ads suggesting that the one thing Kerry did do in Congress was prove he knew nothing about terrorism. Ridiculing the senator for not mentioning al Qaeda in his 1997 book on terrorism, one ad asks: "How can John Kerry win a war [on terror] if he doesn't know the enemy?"
If that line of attack has been effective, it's partly because Kerry does not have a record like the chamber's dealmakers such as Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) or Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Though Kerry has been a key backer of bills on housing reform, immigration, and the environment, there are indeed few pieces of landmark legislation that owe their passage to Kerry.
But legislation is only one facet of a senator's record. As the BCCI investigation shows, Kerry developed a very different record of accomplishment--one often as vital, if not more so, than passage of bills. Kerry's probe didn't create any popular new governmental programs, reform the tax code, or eliminate bureaucratic waste and fraud. Instead, he shrewdly used the Senate's oversight powers to address the threat of terrorism well before it was in vogue, and dismantled a key terrorist weapon. In the process, observers saw a senator with tremendous fortitude, and a willingness to put the public good ahead of his own career. Those qualities might be hard to communicate to voters via one-line sound bites, but they would surely aid Kerry as president in his attempts to battle the threat of terrorism.
From drug lords to lobbyists
Despite having helmed the initial probe which led to the Iran-Contra investigation, Kerry was left off the elite Iran-Contra committee in 1987. As a consolation prize, the Democratic leadership in Congress made Kerry the chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations and told him to dig into the Contra-drug connection. Kerry turned to BCCI early in the second year of the probe when his investigators learned that Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega was laundering drug profits through the bank on behalf of the Medellin cartel.
By March 1988, Kerry's subcommittee had obtained permission from the Foreign Relations Committee to seek subpoenas for both BCCI and individuals at the bank involved in handling Noriega's assets, as well as those handling the accounts of others in Panama and Colombia. Very quickly, though, Kerry faced a roadblock. Citing concerns that the senator's requests would interfere with an ongoing sting operation in Tampa, the Justice Department delayed the subpoenas until 1988, at which point the subcommittee's mandate was running out.
BCCI, meanwhile, had its own connections. Prominent figures with ties to the bank included former president Jimmy Carter's budget director, Bert Lance, and a bevy of powerful Washington lobbyists with close ties to President George H.W. Bush, a web of influence that may have helped the bank evade previous investigations. In 1985 and 1986, for instance, the Reagan administration launched no investigation even after the CIA had sent reports to the Treasury, Commerce, and State Departments bluntly describing the bank's role in drug-money laundering and other illegal activities.
In the spring of 1989, Kerry hit another obstacle. Foreign Relations Committee chairman Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.), under pressure from both parties, formally asked Kerry to end his probe. Worried the information he had collected would languish, Kerry quickly dispatched investigator Jack Blum to present the information his committee had found about BCCI's money-laundering operations to the Justice Department. But according to Blum, the Justice Department failed to follow up.
The young senator from Massachusetts, thus, faced a difficult choice. Kerry could play ball with the establishment and back away from BCCI, or he could stay focused on the public interest and gamble his political reputation by pushing forward.
BCCI and the bluebloods
Kerry opted in 1989 to take the same information that had been coldly received at the Justice Department and bring it to New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, who agreed to begin a criminal investigation of BCCI, based on Kerry's leads. Kerry also continued to keep up the public pressure. In 1990, when the Bush administration gave the bank a minor slap on the wrist for its money laundering practices, Kerry went on national television to slam the decision. "We send drug people to jail for the rest of their life," he said, "and these guys who are bankers in the corporate world seem to just walk away, and it's business as usual…When banks engage knowingly in the laundering of money, they should be shut down. It's that simple, it really is."
He would soon have a chance to turn his declarations into action. In early 1991, the Justice Department concluded its Tampa probe with a plea deal allowing BCCI officials to stay out of court. At the same time, news reports indicated that Washington elder statesman Clark Clifford might be indicted for defrauding bank regulators and helping BCCI maintain a shell in the United States.
Kerry pounced, demanding (and winning) authorization from the Foreign Relations Committee to open a broad investigation into the bank in May 1991. Almost immediately, the senator faced a new round of pressure to relent. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Democratic doyenne Pamela Harriman personally called Kerry to object, as did his fellow senators. "What are you doing to my friend Clark Clifford?," staffers recalled them asking, according to The Washington Post. BCCI itself hired an army of lawyers, PR specialists, and lobbyists, including former members of Congress, to thwart the investigation.
But Kerry refused to back off, and his hearings began to expose the ways in which international terrorism was financed. As Kerry's subcommittee discovered, BCCI catered to many of the most notorious tyrants and thugs of the late 20th century, including Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the heads of the Medellin cocaine cartel, and Abu Nidal, the notorious Palestinian terrorist. According to the CIA, it also did business with those who went on to lead al Qaeda.
And BCCI went beyond merely offering financial assistance to dictators and terrorists: According to Time, the operation itself was an elaborate fraud, replete with a "global intelligence operation and a Mafia-like enforcement squad."
By July 1991, Kerry's work paid off. That month, British and U.S. regulators finally responded to the evidence provided by Kerry, Morgenthau, and a concurrent investigation by the Federal Reserve. BCCI was shut down in seven countries, restricted in dozens more, and served indictments for grand larceny, bribery, and money laundering. The actions effectively put it out of business what Morgenthau called, "one of the biggest criminal enterprises in world history."
Bin Laden's bankers
Kerry's record in the BCCI affair, of course, contrasts sharply with Bush's. The current president's career as an oilman was always marked by the kind of insider cronyism that Kerry resisted. Even more startling, as a director of Texas-based Harken Energy, Bush himself did business with BCCI-connected institutions almost at the same time Kerry was fighting the bank. As The Wall Street Journal reported in 1991, there was a "mosaic of BCCI connections surrounding [Harken] since George W. Bush came on board." In 1987, Bush secured a critical $25 million-loan from a bank the Kerry Commission would later reveal to be a BCCI joint venture. Certainly, Bush did not suspect BCCI had such questionable connections at the time. But still, the president's history suggests his attacks on Kerry's national-security credentials come from a position of little authority.
As the presidential campaign enters its final stretch, Kerry's BCCI experience is important for two reasons. First, it reveals Kerry's foresight in fighting terrorism that is critical for any president in this age of asymmetrical threats. As The Washington Post noted, "years before money laundering became a centerpiece of antiterrorist efforts...Kerry crusaded for controls on global money laundering in the name of national security."
Make no mistake about it, BCCI would have been a player. A decade after Kerry helped shut the bank down, the CIA discovered Osama bin Laden was among those with accounts at the bank. A French intelligence report obtained by The Washington Post in 2002 identified dozens of companies and individuals who were involved with BCCI and were found to be dealing with bin Laden after the bank collapsed, and that the financial network operated by bin Laden today "is similar to the network put in place in the 1980s by BCCI." As one senior U.S. investigator said in 2002, "BCCI was the mother and father of terrorist financing operations."
Second, the BCCI affair showed Kerry to be a politician driven by a sense of mission, rather than expediency--even when it meant ruffling feathers. Perhaps Sen. Hank Brown, the ranking Republican on Kerry's subcommittee, put it best. "John Kerry was willing to spearhead this difficult investigation," Brown said. "Because many important members of his own party were involved in this scandal, it was a distasteful subject for other committee and subcommittee chairmen to investigate. They did not. John Kerry did."
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0409.sirota.html
Posted by: ohgorsh at September 8, 2004 08:32 PM
To MY FELLOW AMERICANS: The history is always changed, changed by some DEMOCRAT POLITICIAN that beleives AMERICANS ARE DUMMIES.
Always changing the subject, always MIXING the information.
This page is regarding FIDEL CASTRO. A brutal and murdered DICTATOR for more than fourty years. Similar to his BEST FRIEND, SADAM HUSSEIN, whom visited CUBA many times and had STRONG TIES with this murderer CASTRO.
I lived in Central and South America for many years, and it was palpable, that the interest of Fidel Castro in America was, and is in our present time, the financing of ALL POSSIBLE TERRORIST in the region. Colombia,Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, just to mention a few.
ALL TERRORIST IN THESE COUNTRIES ARE ACTIVELY FINANCED BY FIDEL CASTRO.
Their moto is "KILL ALL AMERICANS" , "THE INVADERS". They teach their children TO HATE THE UNITED STATES.
MATH CLASSES and BOOKS are teaching children to count BOMBS, MORTARS and AK-47.
SUBSTRACTIONS are by HOW MANY AMERICANS ARE DEAD.!!
So, my friend OHGORSH, I am so glad you can get your information adequately, cause the next time the war could be in yours and my front yard if we dont stop these CRIMINALS away from our country.
President George Bush, is a man to be respected by all means. The tasks he has in front of, doesn't resemble yours or mine of cutting grass in our backyards over the weekends. It requires a lot of intelligence, commitment and stewardship on performing all these task appropriately and morally.
YES, we will loose a lot of american lives, AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
American Soldiers, my friend, signed up to defend our country, even by putting their own life at risk.
It would be a COWARD, whom sign to be a SOLDIER just for the COLLEGE MONEY, and when are called for duty, TO "CRY" unfairness for it.
You and all of us "AMERICANS" should be PROUD of this simple fact. Proud of our military personel.
We are men. Guided by high morals and the interest of helping the needed. We are bound to protect our country. EVEN AT THE RISK OF LOOSING OUR OWN LIVES.
OUR TASK, IS TO PROVIDE "FREEDOM" TO ALL AMERICANS.
Blacks, Mexicans, Indians, and inclussive people from IRAQ, IRAN and RUSSIANS that live in our nation,and beyond, in their own land. We assist them to overcome terror, tirany and death.
Senator Kerry "DOES NOT QUALIFY" as a LEADER in this enormuous task.
Many thanks, to all "COMBATANT SOLDIERS" from the VIET NAM war(that are still alive), for telling us the TRUE STORY. However, as you and me know, WE "ALL" have treated them as POST-WAR SCUM BAGS thanks to the KERRY LIES IN CONGRESS at that time.
They never murdered childrens or raped women as this man said when he came back from viet nam.
HE NEVER SAW ANYBODY commiting any of these atrocities.
HE NEVER WENT TO CAMBODIA.
HE NEVER GOT "SHOT" by the enemy.
HE LIED TO OBTAIN HIS MEDALS -- so he could get out of Nam.
HE MET WITH THE "ENEMY" WHILE THE WAR WAS STILL ONGOING.
HE GAVE "REASONS" TO THE ENEMY TO "KILL" and "TORTURE" our P.O.W's. (NO APOLIGIES..!!!)
DID YOU HAVE A "SON" or "BROTHER" as a P.O W that had to live trough this torture.? or loose his life.?
There is more....
And all of this, more, INCAPACITATES KERRY to be our next PRESIDENT.
We all forget.
After watching on T.V all these FORMER DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTS pushing the KERRY's campaing...We just want to vomit trough the entire SHOW...
MR.Carter...A ridiculous peanut farmer that GAVE TO THE COMMUNIST the country of NICARAGUA. That gave IRAN to the AYATOLLAH KOHMEINI and the BIRTH of the current TERRORISTS in IRAQ, IRAN and S. ARABIA.
MR.Clinton....A sex disturbed man that used a young girl as a TOY " IN THE WHITE HOUSE" with a "CIGAR" from "CASTRO". (NO APOLOGIES..!!)
MR.Gore....A megalomaniac that "SAID"....and I quote: "I INVENTED THE INTERNET"...
And I could go on... and on... and on...
But, I respect you, my friend....
I know you are an intelligent and well informed individual whom will vote for the "correct" person in the next elections.
Well,..Hold on....
That Our President, Mr. Bush had commited several mistakes....?
Okay.... We know by now, he is NO GOD....
He had commited mistakes by being a young guy in the Air Force looking for a career as politician.
He had made mistakes with the International Bank of credit (can we say "he is the "responsible" one" for this.?
That he had made the mistake of "NOT KNOWING" what was "BEYOND" the Saddam Hussein "CURTAIN".?
And many more....?
WOULD "YOU" have done better?
It is very easy to TALK and VERBALLY ATTACK and HURT, but you cannot hide the truth...
JOHN KERRY, "IS NOT FIT FOR COMMAND".
Neither do you, neither do "I"...
Please, "RESPECT" your President.
Please, "RESPECT" our Nation.
Terrorist "REJOYCE" when KERRY attacks our President.
Terrorist rejoyce when "WE" HURT OUR PRESIDENT, and OURSELVES.
Posted by: riccardo at September 14, 2004 10:42 PM
The "horrors of Abu Ghraib" are hugely blown out of proportion.
Think about what happens in prisons all over the world every day. US prisons are bad enough, but in the rest of the world they make ours look like Club Med.
Think about the domestic violence that happens behind the closed doors of homes all over the world on a daily basis.
Think about the violence that occurs in the streets of so many cities around the world. Acts committed by regular citizens every single day of every single year since the dawn of Man.
In some countries in the middle east, the women have to basically wear beekeeper suits or the men will beat them to death. I'm not making this stuff up. This is real life. And this is the regular culture. Not prison abuse.
I'm not saying that what happened at Abu Grahib is right, just that it is relatively minor when you compare it to the rest of the horrors in the world.
The acts at Abu Grahib were obviously committed by a few dim-witted soldiers who were seriously bored and who thought it would be funny.
There was no "system of abuse". The Army does not have time for such BS.
Posted by: ShoemakerM at September 15, 2004 12:33 AM
I highly recommend that you click on the e-mail link for ohgorsh
This guy or girl is one serious self-indulgent narcissist.
I suspect that he is scared of the world around him, and instead of lashing out at the terrorists, has lashed out at the President.
Don't join these yahoos.
Vote for President Bush in November
Posted by: ShoemakerM at September 15, 2004 02:00 AM
Castro also supported the Russians who wanted to put nuclear missiles 90 miles from Florida and who until very recently maintained a huge spy center from which the Russians gathered signal intelligence from the United States.
Here's a headline from October, 2001.
Source = Federation of American Scientists ; Link = http://fas.org/irp/imint/c80_04.htm
"Update: On October 17, 2001, Russian President Putin announced that the Lourdes facility would be shut down. President Bush welcomed the decision.
Posted by: ShoemakerM at September 16, 2004 12:43 AM
NON-ISSUE
CUBA IS IRRELIVENT
FIGHT THE WAR ON TERROR, AND SLAP CUBA ANY TIME IT RASES IT'S PITIFUL LITTLE HEAD. PRESIDENT BUSH HAS MY VOTE.
Posted by: BRUCE EICHENBERG at September 25, 2004 03:33 PM
