Does anybody have more than this?

[Starbuck1975]

I don't see anything wrong with what he said. It is partially true. You think most of the soldiers walking around in Iraq have PhDs etc. The United States government doesn?t want educated soldiers.

Wow...just wow...don't comment on things you have no clue about.

A PhD is not a measure of intelligence or work ethic...simply education.

Every office in the military, with the exception of OCS candidates, have a college degree...many have bachelors degrees, and yes, even PhDs.

Similarly, many of the soldiers I served with were quite intelligent and capable individuals, particularly across the NCO ranks...many of these individuals lacked the MEANS to attend college, but certainly had the potential and intelligence to do so...you do realize that for many, military service is a way to escape their social situations and gain access to the educational opportunities otherwise denied to them.

I have to hear the rest of the speech, but Kerry's quote "as is" is an insult...of course I could be reacting to a quote out of context, but I am not sure how you can place that quote in any other context.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: FuzzyBee

Originally posted by: DonVito

John Kerry, like him or not, willfully exposed himself to far far greater peril than you or me in the Navy. You are willfully contorting his remark to mean something he presumably didn't intend...

Interesting that people have no problem doing this exact same thing with the President.

Example? I for one took President Bush literally when he said "I believe that human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully," and when he said "It's getting hard to put food on your family."

 

[xenolith]

JOHN KERRY'S TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, APRIL 22, 1971 -- "They told the stories at times they had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped 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 Vietnam in addition to the normal ravage of war, and the normal and very particular ravaging which is done by the applied bombing power of this country.

John Kerry on CBS Face the Nation, December 4, 2005 -- "There is no reason... that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children..."

John Kerry in a speech to students at Pasadena City College in California, October 30, 2006 -- "You know, education -- if you make the most of it, you study hard and 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."

And John Kerry again when asked to apologize to the troops buy the Bush Administration for the above "joke", October 31, 2006 -- "I will apologize to no one."

Yup, these statements, goofs, jokes, what-have-you shows a clear cut, logical pattern for the man. He just can't help himself...

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
I have to hear the rest of the speech, but Kerry's quote "as is" is an insult...of course I could be reacting to a quote out of context, but I am not sure how you can place that quote in any other context.

Well Kerry's PR gurus dont seem to have a problem trying to completely redefine the meaning of his words! And the sad thing is that half of the clowns here on P&N have already bought into Kerry's obvious backpedaling...

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
I have to hear the rest of the speech, but Kerry's quote "as is" is an insult...of course I could be reacting to a quote out of context, but I am not sure how you can place that quote in any other context.

Well Kerry's PR gurus dont seem to have a problem trying to completely redefine the meaning of his words! And the sad thing is that half of the clowns here on P&N have already bought into Kerry's obvious backpedaling...

And most of these clowns are the same ones that insisted that the Harold Ford Jr. ad was rascist because of a white woman in the ad, yet when Kerry openly insults our military they can spin it any way they want.

 

[steppinthrax]

You don't have to be in the military to know what the military is. It's pretty simple. They have no admission requirements and pretty much accept anybody under the sun. There are certain physical and medical requirements but they are real lax on the education part. I'm not surprised though at the amount of anger coming from individuals here regarding the comment Kerry made. This is the United States. Education here isn't valued that highly as XBOX 360 or a new car. People here are up for the quick fixes and short term highs.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
3) Not stupid enought to enlist.

did you seriously just insult our entire enlisted force?!?

-B.S. Computer Science (University of Maryland - 3 years for my undergrad never seen a recruiter)
- M.S. Computer Science (Johns Hopkins University - 2 years for my undergrad)

Can you say the same?

So again what Kerry said was correct. Unfortunately it will anger a lot of individuals who feel otherwise. By the way you spelled Propaganda wrong

1) I'll see your BS and MS, and I'll raise you one AA and one BA... does that make you sad? I mean, after all, I'm also one of the "stupid" guys who serves in the enlisted miliary! (I'd like to take this moment to thank the US Army, and all of my fellow taxpayers, for giving me FOUR FREE DEGREES!!. HOOAH!
2) Thanks for the spelling lesson because we all know that spelling truly matters in online forums!
3) you sound like very other Elitist that I've ever met. good for you. we're all happy that you think you're better than everyone in the modern military. You, bill Mahr, and John Kerry would get along just swell.

1. An AA is not every really respected in the world of academia as a degree. It legally is one but walk around telling higher educated people this and see what reaction you will get. An BA or generally anything with an A on the end of it pretty much means you didn't have the mental amplitude to do the heavy math. Without going into great detail we all know math is hard for some people. Also you were asking were I went, not the amount or level of degrees, so that question is you didn't go to JHU right? OK now... Also you didn't say what type of degrees these were. I mean a BA in psychology is not really impressive nor is an AA in Accounting. We like to call these degrees "cake degrees". Want to party and enjoy yourself, there you go..... Also, again recruiters didn't go around my alma mata. They knew it wasn?t worth it. I did see recruiters around local CCs and vocational schools though. And another thing you don't have to go to the military to get your education paid for. I lived off grants and scholarships most of which were from state and local governments.......

2. It really doesn?t and you can say that about anything. But I can see you have the same beliefs about your grammar as does bush has on his speeches

3. No, not at all, I think there are a lot of intellegent life in the military but the majority of them are not.....

LOL... classic.

1) just to clarify, since you obviously didnt comprehend my poker lingo: I have four degrees. (hence the whole "FOUR FREE DEGREES!" thing). I have a BS in Enterprise Management, a BA in Religious Studies, and an AA in Intelligence Operations. I also have a MS in CS from a very respected school. Coincidentally, I am considering JHU (the Nitze School) for a MA in International Relations... I just wish I had more time! Hey, wait, with all of your l33t math skillz, can you stop time for me? no? not enough "mental amplitude"? damnit.

But thanks anyways for the entire "How to be an Elitist Snob" lecture... I know exactly what you're about now. GG!

2) lol.. your rite, maybee I shoold paye more atentchun too mye speling hear bekuz it iz vary impotent!

3) you just called the entire enlisted corps of our armed forces "stupid," so there is no need for further clarification. thanks again!

Well I guess when someone is under pressure they can start making up all kinds of fake degrees. The degree(s) this person says he has fortunatley dosen't go with the person based on the logic at hand.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
3) Not stupid enought to enlist.

did you seriously just insult our entire enlisted force?!?

-B.S. Computer Science (University of Maryland - 3 years for my undergrad never seen a recruiter)
- M.S. Computer Science (Johns Hopkins University - 2 years for my undergrad)

Can you say the same?

So again what Kerry said was correct. Unfortunately it will anger a lot of individuals who feel otherwise. By the way you spelled Propaganda wrong

1) I'll see your BS and MS, and I'll raise you one AA and one BA... does that make you sad? I mean, after all, I'm also one of the "stupid" guys who serves in the enlisted miliary! (I'd like to take this moment to thank the US Army, and all of my fellow taxpayers, for giving me FOUR FREE DEGREES!!. HOOAH!
2) Thanks for the spelling lesson because we all know that spelling truly matters in online forums!
3) you sound like very other Elitist that I've ever met. good for you. we're all happy that you think you're better than everyone in the modern military. You, bill Mahr, and John Kerry would get along just swell.

1. An AA is not every really respected in the world of academia as a degree. It legally is one but walk around telling higher educated people this and see what reaction you will get. An BA or generally anything with an A on the end of it pretty much means you didn't have the mental amplitude to do the heavy math. Without going into great detail we all know math is hard for some people. Also you were asking were I went, not the amount or level of degrees, so that question is you didn't go to JHU right? OK now... Also you didn't say what type of degrees these were. I mean a BA in psychology is not really impressive nor is an AA in Accounting. We like to call these degrees "cake degrees". Want to party and enjoy yourself, there you go..... Also, again recruiters didn't go around my alma mata. They knew it wasn?t worth it. I did see recruiters around local CCs and vocational schools though. And another thing you don't have to go to the military to get your education paid for. I lived off grants and scholarships most of which were from state and local governments.......

2. It really doesn?t and you can say that about anything. But I can see you have the same beliefs about your grammar as does bush has on his speeches

3. No, not at all, I think there are a lot of intellegent life in the military but the majority of them are not.....

LOL... classic.

1) just to clarify, since you obviously didnt comprehend my poker lingo: I have four degrees. (hence the whole "FOUR FREE DEGREES!" thing). I have a BS in Enterprise Management, a BA in Religious Studies, and an AA in Intelligence Operations. I also have a MS in CS from a very respected school. Coincidentally, I am considering JHU (the Nitze School) for a MA in International Relations... I just wish I had more time! Hey, wait, with all of your l33t math skillz, can you stop time for me? no? not enough "mental amplitude"? damnit.

But thanks anyways for the entire "How to be an Elitist Snob" lecture... I know exactly what you're about now. GG!

2) lol.. your rite, maybee I shoold paye more atentchun too mye speling hear bekuz it iz vary impotent!

3) you just called the entire enlisted corps of our armed forces "stupid," so there is no need for further clarification. thanks again!

Well I guess when someone is under pressure they can start making up all kinds of fake degrees. The degree(s) this person says he has fortunatley dosen't go with the person based on the logic at hand.

That doesn't make any sense. Do you want everyone here that claims to have a degree to scan it and post a jpeg of it?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Wow - Kerry's response was surprisingly strongly worded. Although I agree with his reaction, it reads more like something someone here would post than the words of a US Senator.

From the NYT:

But if anyone should apologize, Mr. Kerry said, it is President Bush and his administration officials who started the ill-conceived war. He said his remarks, which he conceded were part of a ?botched joke,? had been distorted and called the criticism directed at him the work of ?assorted right-wing nut jobs and right-wing talk show hosts.?

?If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they?re crazy,? Mr. Kerry said in a statement. ?I?m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.?

?I?m not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox?s Parkinson?s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq,? Mr. Kerry went on. ?It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.?

At a televised news conference today in Seattle, Mr. Kerry said he was ?disgusted? by the Republican attacks, which he noted were coming at the end of a bloody month in Iraq. ?Sadly, this is the best this administration can do,? he said.

Mr. Kerry did not mention Mr. McCain in his statement, although at the news conference he said Mr. McCain should seek an apology from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney if he wants an apology from anyone.

 

[fmj7six2]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: glenn beck
This 10 second clip, curious the whole context of his message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLuMWiQ6r2o

There should be hell to pay for that comment.

Typical chickenhawk outrage. I don't think most veterans or service members would be offended by this at all, though it would be helpful to know more about the context of that remark.

I'm a veteran, and I'm outraged at Kerry's comments!

 

[theeedude]

Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: fmj7six2

Originally posted by: DonVito

Typical chickenhawk outrage. I don't think most veterans or service members would be offended by this at all, though it would be helpful to know more about the context of that remark.

I'm a veteran, and I'm outraged at Kerry's comments!

So am I, and I'm not "outraged" at them. I think his words were not carefully chosen, but they're far less offensive to me than sending thousands of Americans to their death for political reasons that have nothing to do with our national security.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

 

[CellarDoor]

Originally posted by: fmj7six2

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: glenn beck
This 10 second clip, curious the whole context of his message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLuMWiQ6r2o

There should be hell to pay for that comment.

Typical chickenhawk outrage. I don't think most veterans or service members would be offended by this at all, though it would be helpful to know more about the context of that remark.

I'm a veteran, and I'm outraged at Kerry's comments!

Care to explain why? Why would you assume he was referring to the soldiers and not the administration when his comments without context were vague at best? Add to that the fact that it was admitted afterwards that he fumbled the delivery on a line that was clearly directed at the administration, and I wonder why you'd be upset.

If, even after what I just said, you still assume he was insulting the troops, then there is really not point in arguing with you.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Yup, only the "Right" gets labeled.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Troll.

 

[hellokeith]

Originally posted by: DonVito
Wow - Kerry's response was surprisingly strongly worded. Although I agree with his reaction, it reads more like something someone here would post than the words of a US Senator.

From the NYT:

But if anyone should apologize, Mr. Kerry said, it is President Bush and his administration officials who started the ill-conceived war. He said his remarks, which he conceded were part of a ?botched joke,? had been distorted and called the criticism directed at him the work of ?assorted right-wing nut jobs and right-wing talk show hosts.?

?If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they?re crazy,? Mr. Kerry said in a statement. ?I?m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.?

?I?m not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox?s Parkinson?s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq,? Mr. Kerry went on. ?It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.?

At a televised news conference today in Seattle, Mr. Kerry said he was ?disgusted? by the Republican attacks, which he noted were coming at the end of a bloody month in Iraq. ?Sadly, this is the best this administration can do,? he said.

Mr. Kerry did not mention Mr. McCain in his statement, although at the news conference he said Mr. McCain should seek an apology from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney if he wants an apology from anyone.

I don't understand why he is so angry.

Is it because he fumbled his words and is too proud to admit it? All he would have to say is "I sincerely apologize to any in the military who took offense to what I said. I pledge to you that it was poorly worded and was in no way directed at you." And the controversy would be done.

Is it because he spoke his real thoughts and is now being criticized for them? All he would have to say is "I do not understand how soldiers could be so moronic as to re-enlist for this idiotic president's illegal war." And everyone would know his true position.

But the anger and attacks on "republican campaign hacks" just ring false and make everything he says even more suspect.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Troll.

Are you saying that I am wrong? Or are you just avoiding my post by calling me names, a common tactic by the left on this board.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Troll.

Are you saying that I am wrong?

Yes

Or are you just avoiding my post by calling me names, a common tactic by the left on this board.

No, you are wrong and a troll.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Troll.

Are you saying that I am wrong?

Yes

Or are you just avoiding my post by calling me names, a common tactic by the left on this board.

No, you are wrong and a troll.

Point proven, thank you.

 

[CellarDoor]

Originally posted by: hellokeith

Originally posted by: DonVito
Wow - Kerry's response was surprisingly strongly worded. Although I agree with his reaction, it reads more like something someone here would post than the words of a US Senator.

From the NYT:

But if anyone should apologize, Mr. Kerry said, it is President Bush and his administration officials who started the ill-conceived war. He said his remarks, which he conceded were part of a ?botched joke,? had been distorted and called the criticism directed at him the work of ?assorted right-wing nut jobs and right-wing talk show hosts.?

?If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they?re crazy,? Mr. Kerry said in a statement. ?I?m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.?

?I?m not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox?s Parkinson?s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq,? Mr. Kerry went on. ?It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.?

At a televised news conference today in Seattle, Mr. Kerry said he was ?disgusted? by the Republican attacks, which he noted were coming at the end of a bloody month in Iraq. ?Sadly, this is the best this administration can do,? he said.

Mr. Kerry did not mention Mr. McCain in his statement, although at the news conference he said Mr. McCain should seek an apology from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney if he wants an apology from anyone.

I don't understand why he is so angry.

Is it because he fumbled his words and is too proud to admit it? All he would have to say is "I sincerely apologize to any in the military who took offense to what I said. I pledge to you that it was poorly worded and was in no way directed at you." And the controversy would be done.

Is it because he spoke his real thoughts and is now being criticized for them? All he would have to say is "I do not understand how soldiers could be so moronic as to re-enlist for this idiotic president's illegal war." And everyone would know his true position.

But the anger and attacks on "republican campaign hacks" just ring false and make everything he says even more suspect.

I think that the bolded section is probably the most accurate. In addition to that, I think he's angry that the same people that smeared his record during the 2004 election are coming out immediately to smear him again, over a stupid mistake. He hates those people and does not want to sound like he is apologizing to their demand.

I think that's stupid personally, but that's my best guess as to his reaction. If he did react in the way you bolded, it would've been much better.

That being said, I think Kerry does really care about the troops (probably moreso than most politicians) and his message was really directed toward the administration. Also, I think the fact that he messed up is very unfortunate, because the message he intended to get out was an important one.

 

[theeedude]

GOP is getting desperate. You guys thought that smearing Webb would help you, but others on this board said it was a sign of desperation by Allen because his numbers were slipping. Well, guess what, Allen is now trailing in the polls. The speed at which the Republicans, including the so called leader of the free world, reduced themselves to misinterpreting Kerry's comments to put up a strawman is an indicator to me of desperation in the Republican ranks to grasp for straws.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Troll.

Are you saying that I am wrong?

Yes

Or are you just avoiding my post by calling me names, a common tactic by the left on this board.

No, you are wrong and a troll.

Point proven, thank you.

You never had a point, so you are welcome.

 

[CellarDoor]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: senseamp
Kerry is a veteran, I am sure he's outraged at how his comments are being interpreted. He was talking about Bush not doing his homework and getting us stuck to Iraq, but the desparate republicans are gasping for straws and trying to make it look like he was talking about the troops.

If you were defending a Republican like this you would have been called a "Bush apologist" many times over.

This board doesn't lean to the left.....lol, ok

Troll.

Are you saying that I am wrong?

Yes

Or are you just avoiding my post by calling me names, a common tactic by the left on this board.

No, you are wrong and a troll.

Point proven, thank you.

I'd have to agree with him. Your comment really added nothing to discussion and was meant to start a stupid flame war. It was trollish in nature.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: hellokeith

Originally posted by: DonVito
Wow - Kerry's response was surprisingly strongly worded. Although I agree with his reaction, it reads more like something someone here would post than the words of a US Senator.

From the NYT:

But if anyone should apologize, Mr. Kerry said, it is President Bush and his administration officials who started the ill-conceived war. He said his remarks, which he conceded were part of a ?botched joke,? had been distorted and called the criticism directed at him the work of ?assorted right-wing nut jobs and right-wing talk show hosts.?

?If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they?re crazy,? Mr. Kerry said in a statement. ?I?m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.?

?I?m not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox?s Parkinson?s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq,? Mr. Kerry went on. ?It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.?

At a televised news conference today in Seattle, Mr. Kerry said he was ?disgusted? by the Republican attacks, which he noted were coming at the end of a bloody month in Iraq. ?Sadly, this is the best this administration can do,? he said.

Mr. Kerry did not mention Mr. McCain in his statement, although at the news conference he said Mr. McCain should seek an apology from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney if he wants an apology from anyone.

I don't understand why he is so angry.

Is it because he fumbled his words and is too proud to admit it? All he would have to say is "I sincerely apologize to any in the military who took offense to what I said. I pledge to you that it was poorly worded and was in no way directed at you." And the controversy would be done.

Is it because he spoke his real thoughts and is now being criticized for them? All he would have to say is "I do not understand how soldiers could be so moronic as to re-enlist for this idiotic president's illegal war." And everyone would know his true position.

But the anger and attacks on "republican campaign hacks" just ring false and make everything he says even more suspect.

He's saying that they are making a fuss over something invented in their own minds. He didn't apologize, because there is nothing to apologize for.