Does anybody remember what the exact John Kerry quote was about soldiers and eductation?

Question

During the "swiftboating" part of their battle for the White House, the Kerry's made a number of "quick" comments which eventually became their demise.

One such comment came from Theresa about Laura Bush (which you can read in my previous question) and the other was a comment from John Kerry about Bush's use of ignorance to promote his agenda with the troops.

By the time the comment reached full circulation in the media, Kerry was accused of calling soldiers "dumb".

Does anyone remember the exact quote?

Answer 1

My long answer is . . .

I viewed and heard the statement on a video and I found it stilted and poorly delivered. (That video and written statement has been buried. My links are now dead.)

I have run campaigns and I know that no matter how well preparations go, if the clearest statement is written and then prepped into the speaker, it only takes a moment of distraction to have it come out mangled. The intent of the statement was to lay the outcome of poor war preparations and no backup or replacement of troops at the feet of the President.

By my best recollection, the gist of what he said had to to with the limited access that many young Americans had to education after high school unless they take the long throw of the dice that they had to take to qualify for educational assistance by joining the military. At the time of the statement, his sentiment was directed at the misfortunes being suffered by the continued sucker punch that was being thrown at trusting and patriotic GIs by the prosecution of war with a fine volunteer combat arms army whose luck had brought them into an seemingly endless war with no relief being planned or even thought needed. They had drawn the short straw. His intent was to point out the lengths to which they had gone to share in the promise of America, by way of an after service education, only to be worked like chattel because they had volunteered. The Michelle "Muckins" and "Swifters" (both deal in slime and dirt) did a tap dance with the words and then immediately leaped into a worst case translation that was unsupported by the content of the original statement. Kerry muffed an innocent construct of support and the Swifters did the wet work.

Most American consumers of the "outrage of the day" do not know how to check facts. This has become an ignorant (unaware of facts and information) and unread nation.

We do know now that combat arms soldiers who took bonus money and then were wounded and are unable to function in the military are being let go and are being dunned unto insanity for the return of the bonus money. Until that is set right by a rational administration, it will be a cause for endless misery for those affected.

The end of my long answer.

My short answer is that a mangled group of sentences uttered by John Kerry, a battle experienced Naval officer, were used as a weapon of crafted deceit for political reasons against him.

Answer 2

specific, all of Congress reported that, after the President (Bush) informed everybody that he had info that Hussein did. the clarification for his perception? while the Iraq government replaced into at war with Iran, in case you remember, the U. S. presented Iraq with those weapons. the U. S. replaced into backing Iraq and the Russians have been offering the Iranians. Iran had captured the U. S. Embassy and held them hostage for over a year...do you bear in mind that? the U. S. hated Iran for that and consequently presented Iraq, in an attempt to over throw the Iranian government. besides after the war replaced into over, the U. S. "assumed" that Iraq nevertheless had each and all the weapons that the U. S. had given them, no longer understanding that the Iraq government had the two used them for the period of the war or have been destroyed by way of the Iranians. So, Bush's motives for attacking Iraq, have been flawed. did no longer have the info then and don't have it now.

Answer 3

Sure. This is the quote:

"You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq."

But I believe it was after the election. He was making a speech at an appearance at a University.

I also find it rather humorous how liberal apologists tend to circle the wagons with spin around Kerry when their distain for our military is stated so glaringly.

Answer 4

Mr. Kerry said: “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”
It was a botched joke. Kerry was referring to Bush not to the troops in Iraq. It happened in 2006 long after the 2004 election.

Answer 5

stay in school or u could wind up in Iraq he claims he was attacking bush

i agree with mm kerry is a hero and the draft dodging frat boy should never been aloud to swiftboat him. Shame on Cbs for firing Rather over a precidural error on a true story bout bush not serving

Answer 6

I have it in some old questions.. I will have to find it.

It was something like, "... if you don't stay in college, you could end up in Iraq..." I think he was trying to warn them, as ex-military himself, there might be a draft coming.

I found it:
".. Education. If you make the most of it; you study hard; you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart; you can do well. If you don't, you could get stuck in Iraq."

Answer 7

Sorta and felt it was "dumb" of him to say it. He was thinkinng of the Vietnam War and yes it was true that some went t ocollege to avoid the draft, but let's face it that shold have made no difference as all should have to serve in that case. Just my "dumb" humble opinion. Did liberal trent Lott serve? Just kidding. Take care.

Answer 8

I love how everyone defends him about saying if you don't stay in school and get an education you could end up fighting in Iraq he him self said it was a failed attempt at a joke nothing more nothing less

Answer 9

There are numerous many experiences out there that do not have movies. Books can explore principles and ideas without having to fret in regards to a special results budget.

Answer 10

Even we Brits know Kerry was a good guy but good guys don't win in US politics. Too many fools who believe the rubbish they are fed through the politically motivated media. Wow, thats the same as in good old Britain.