Mischaracterizing my words and calling them amatuerish tripe is childish.

I have no idea what you mean here. I didn’t mischaracterize you. You are claiming some sort of equivalence between Limbaugh and Olberman. That’s a laughable opinion. I stated that is dishonest. What’s your problem?

The thing is, I didn’t ‘misinterpret’ Kerry’s comments; I saw the whole video, although I’ll confess I stopped listening about a minute after the Iraq line (I kept listening that long to make sure that he didn’t say anything afterward that changed the meaning of the line as spoken).
I didn’t listen to George Bush’s comments, or see other people talking about it on TV. I was sent the link to the video from a friend in the Guard. I made up my mind about the meaning of what he said based on that video and especially his defence of what he had said. ‘Anyone basing their opinion on what I said instead of what I meant to say is obviously a right wing asshole’? Lame.

I know that all liberals don’t hate the military, since I am essentially a liberal and I don’t hate the military (only 1 data point but it’s a quality data point). However, many people on the left are very, very patronizing towards the army (some are just outright hostile, but that’s a separate case, and relatively less common), and I think that comes out of both Kerry’s comment and some defences of it that I’ve seen (”he didn’t mean it, but everyone knows it’s really true”). Look at it this way: if Kerry had said that black kids should work hard at their education or they’d end up dealing drugs, that would be offensive towards black people, whether he had a different comment in his notes or not (maybe ESPECIALLY then). Anyone defending his comment (”He didn’t mean it, but it’s really true”) would be seen as either overly partisan or a racist. Frankly, it’s the defences of the comment that get under my skin.

I think we probably agree, however, that this one comment doesn’t really matter. Kerry’s not the candidate and never will be again. I’ve already wasted more of your time on this than it’s worth, and I see that I’ve used “some” in a way that I’ve always disliked when I see other people do it. Sorry about both of those things. Best wishes,

Seb

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I too, misinterpreted Kerry’s comments but by tuesday night I had seen the video of Kerry’s speech. Context is extremly important. The media has no excuse for getting this story wrong. I also think that those with political web sites have a responsibility to their readers to get at the truth. That’s their function, at least I wish it was.

I can see why someone in the army might be upset with the way Kerry’s comments were being portrayed but I typically don’t trust what I read or hear without digging deeper into a story. And I don’t have a prejudicial view that all liberals hate the military and only stupid people join the military. If I were you I’ld be pissed at Bush and his cronies for manipulating the story for political gain but that may be a reality to disturbing for you to ponder.

I thought the statement Kerry made was indicative of widespread attitudes on the left, and simultaneously not very important (because of who made it). His statement that he shouldn’t have to apologise for what he said because he ‘meant’ to say something else was a bit insulting to everyone’s intelligence, but whatever. The best thing to come out of this is that Kerry destroyed his chance to ruin another Democrat political campaign. But what the hell do I know, I’m in the army, so I probably didn’t have the “grades, scholarship, money or opportunity to go to college or trade school”.

Finally, Mr. Carl stated at the top of the post that he is posting on this because “a surprising number” of people are sending him the link. I think that’s a good reason.

Really finally, I’ll be leaving for Ft. Benning for basic training on Wednesday, so I won’t get to see how the attitudes change after the election. Keep in mind, while you’re watching that happen and/or yelling at each other, that you’re lucky to be able to take part in the conversation.

Best wishes, everyone.

This was not one of the better commentaries by him, but to write it and him off with generalizations without recognizing what he has accomplished is not of much value.

I don’t know why this isn’t more obvious. Keith Olbermann doesn’t expect an apology from the president. Are you crazy? He’s saying the president is a hypocrite. In essence, you’re criticizing John Kerry after all the mistakes you’ve made? Have you no conscience? The answers, no! That’s Keith’s message.

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I like most people work durring the day but by early tues evening I had read Kerry’s transcript and had seen the video and therefore understood Kerry’s mistake to be a botched joke directed at the president. There is no excuse for the Media including Lou Dobbs along with bloggers such as yourself and Sullivan to misunderstand this story. The information was there on tues for anyone who cared to do minimal research. Therefore, Olbermann’s criticism of those who should have taken the time to know better is spot on.

That said, when I first heard Kerry’s comments on tues, I too assumed he was warning the students to study hard and be smart so they don’t end up in Iraq. For many, joining the armed forces is the only avenue available to young persons who don’t have the grades, scholarship, money or opportunity to go to college or trade school so study, work hard, get good grades so you’ll have other opportunities. Of course, there are many reasons to join the Armed Forces including wanting to serve our country but the vast majority of young people don’t want to serve in the Armed Forces. In truth, most parents don’t encourage their children to join the armed forces either, especially now. That is what I thought Kerry was referring to on first blush.

It’s ironic that Kerry was roasted on tues and weds for something most people in some form or fashion believe to be true. It turns out Kerry didn’t mean what we thought he meant. It’s all quite ridiculous.

What’s even more astounding is the sleeze of this president. With little or no positive record to run on his political operatives selected out what they felt were the most damming words and turned it into Kerry hates the troops and he thinks their stupid. They knew the context of Kerry’s comments. But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good smear campaign.

And what’s your response? Lets criticize Keith Olberman because he isn’t more measured in his response. Where is your outrage? I guess he should be more thoughtful like you. To the unencumbered mind Keith Olberman is the same loud mouth you hear on the right.

Call me crazy, but the president apologizing for mistakes would actually be the president admitting mistakes. Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility is the first step in not repeating them.

Olbermann is more like a pissed off moderate than a leftwing windbag. Indeed, some think he was just another apologist for Bush for FAR TOO LONG.

Standing up to bullies, especially such dangerous ones, is not a mere rhetorical exercise. And smacking down the person who will voice the strongly held belief that certain people are just a little too confused about their own importance and, perhaps, their access to god, is — on your part — mighty damn arrogant.

As for his logic, he begins with the silly claim that it was obvious to everyone but the stupid or dishonest that Kerry was making a joke. Really? Maybe I just didn’t get my copy of the Kerry-to-English dictionary but I mistook him. As did many not just on the right but on the center and the left too. So, it’s dishonest for Olbermann to start with such an accusation.

Even John Derbyshire, Christopher Hitchens and Andrew Sullivan agree that

When you see Kerry’s prepared text â€â€? I guess you would have to accept it as authentic â€â€? you can see precisely what Kerry meant: Bush is stupid, he has always been a slacker, that left him unprepared to lead in Iraq, blah, blah, blah.

And obviously you are just being dishonest if you want to compare Olberman to Limbaugh. Do I really need to pull out all the quotes from Rush that makes what Olberman said look like Miss Manners.

You discribe his commentary as hyperbole and overwrought angst; look in the mirror.

I suprised Justin didn’t yank this amateurish tripe.

Doesn’t give me much interest in listening to rants from him now, whether I think Bush et al are wonderful (I don’t) or not.