Kerry Flap

What he said: “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.”

What was scripted: According to aides, the language was originally written to say that "if you're intellectually lazy, you end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq - just ask President Bush."

Six days before the election, Kerry said he wanted to avoid becoming a distraction in the battle for control of Congress. He added he sincerely regretted that his words were “misinterpreted to imply anything negative about those in uniform.”

Kerry stirred controversy when he told a group of California students that individuals who don’t study hard and do their homework likely would “get stuck in Iraq.” Aides said the senator had mistakenly dropped one word from his prepared remarks, which originally was written to say “you end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq.” In that context, they said, it was clear Kerry was referring to Bush, not to the troops.

Above are two comments taken directly from news reports. I'd like to add my two cents worth. Let's look at the second first.

It looks as if Kerry left written text and was speaking "off the cuff" when he dropped one word. I don't think so. At best, it was more than one word and changing the tense.

you end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq

becomes

you get stuck in Iraq

Eleven words down to five; getting to get. Two entirely different meanings. The scripted version obviously refers to President Bush (who by the way, had higher grades at Harvard than Mr. Kerry did), and the second just as obviously refers to the troops themselves.

My advice, Mr. Kerry? Don't deviate from your script. You'll end up saying either what you really mean, or saying something other than what you do mean. In either case, you end up with egg on your face, insulting thousands (perhaps millions) of people, and maybe not being invited to participate in the next Presidential Race.

Now, addressing the first quoted text: How can not getting a good education or you'll "get stuck in Iraq" in Iraq be misinterpreted? "You" might be a generalization, but can only be interepreted as those who are in Iraq. Apparently because they didn't study and get a good education. If someone doesn't have an education (perhaps a Harvard education, Mr. Kerry?) there is no other alternative than entering the military. Sorry, I can't see the misinterpretation. The words speak for themselves.

Perhaps Kerry did make a mistake, who among us hasn't? But Mr. Kerry, don't try to spin the issue into something it's not. The issue at hand is the statement that came out of your mouth. My interpretation is that it is you who are trying to turn your faux pas into the Republicans trying to distract attention away from the war. Say you're sorry, that your foot got in front of your eyeteeth and you couldn't see what you were saying. Don't compound the stupidity by trying to turn it around. That tactic only works with stupid people.

Neither the voters nor the military is as stupid as you seem to think we are, Mr. Kerry. Except, perhaps, for the voters of Massachusettes. I simply can't explain the two senators from the great state of Massachusettes.