Kerry calls terrorism a nuisance?

[Pollwatch99]

Posted on the Drudgereport, anybody have more details?

"In Washington, Republican Party chief Ed Gillespie criticized Kerry for saying in an interview in The New York Times Magazine that, "We have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they're a nuisance." He appeared to equate terrorism to prostitution and illegal gambling, saying they can be reduced but not ended"

[The Duke]

I guess Kerry wanted to make the campaign more challenging for his handlers.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Terrorism is no more than a nuisance right now...

[A18]

It's a threat to the existance of humanity

Kooks + Nukes = Oops

[shankbear]

Kerry just does not have a clue nor a serious grasp of the situation.  He continues to confound reasonable people.

[The Duke]

Terrorism is no more than a nuisance right now...

All you need to hear to know that Democrats can't be trusted with national security.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

He is correct, like it or not, terrorism can never be ended. Anyone who thinks it can be universally wiped out is one naive fool.

[A18]

No duh

The point is, it's a hell of a lot more than a nuisance. When New York is radioactive, then it'll be a nuisance.

[The Duke]

He is correct, like it or not, terrorism can never be ended. Anyone who thinks it can be universally wiped out is one naive fool.

So human developement is a prolonged stasis, never changing course?  How can you seriously argue that?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

On average more people die in gang violence than terrorism each year.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

He is correct, like it or not, terrorism can never be ended. Anyone who thinks it can be universally wiped out is one naive fool.

So human developement is a prolonged stasis, never changing course?  How can you seriously argue that?

yep, sad fact.

If this wasn't the case we would've quit with war a long time ago.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

People jumping on comments like this is the biggest reason why political debate has become so boring in this country.  Candidates simply are not allowed to deviate from their talking points out of fear that they will will say something that is interpreted the wrong way and have it blow up in their face. 

There is absolutely nothing about what Kerry said that is incorrect or inappropriate.  What point are Republicans trying to make here?

[Pollwatch99]

Terrorism is no more than a nuisance right now...

Please tell Kerry/Edwards to keep publically announcing this.  Sorry Gov; have strong feelings do not agree

[A18]

That terrorism is more than a nuisance. It is a threat to civilization.

[opebo]

Obviously Kerry's statment was ill-advised, but it was correct.  Terrorism cannot be ended, anymore than bar-room brawls can be made impossible.

The only way to reduce the threat to secular societies would be to eliminate religious mania.  Alas, no one is willing to do that.

[Pollwatch99]

He is correct, like it or not, terrorism can never be ended. Anyone who thinks it can be universally wiped out is one naive fool.

Wrong on state sanctioned terrorism( like Afgan), that can be defeated.

Right on non-state sanctioned terrorism.

There is a difference.

[A18]

And they gone on talking, ignoring the fact that a terrorist with nuclear weapons could end the world.

Okay, sure...just a nuisance then....

[Pollwatch99]

Kerry has alluded before that you fight terrorism with police action.  Bush believed you use the miltary to wipe out state sanctioned terrorism. Kerry hides his views, Bush doesn't.  Look at this board, splitting between republicans and democrats.

Here is the whole point; say what you believe so Americans can cast a vote based on your true beliefs.  It's about not running an honest campaign for office.  Mark my words, the republicans will hit really hard on this now and it's merited.   

[agcatter]

Expect Kerry to call a news conference tomorrow.  He will announce that terrorism was a nuisance before it wasn't.

[opebo]

Kerry has alluded before that you fight terrorism with police action.  Bush believed you use the miltary to wipe out state sanctioned terrorism. Kerry hides his views, Bush doesn't.  Look at this board, splitting between republicans and democrats.

Perhaps that will be useful if there ever is any State terrorism.

[Pollwatch99]

Kerry has alluded before that you fight terrorism with police action.  Bush believed you use the miltary to wipe out state sanctioned terrorism. Kerry hides his views, Bush doesn't.  Look at this board, splitting between republicans and democrats.

Perhaps that will be useful if there ever is any State terrorism.

Wow, wouldn't you agree than the Taliban in Afgan allowing terrorism training camps is the classic example?

[Mr. Fresh]

Oh please, Democrats you jumped all over Bush about a similar statement.

I think Kerry saying that, while dumb, is still valid.  It's true that terrorism is evil, and pointless, but it still is a nuisance to us regarding International Affairs and such.  I don't want to demean the importance of us fighting terrorism or the seriousness of it.  But from a Nation/State standpoint, it is a nuisance to us.

[opebo]

Kerry has alluded before that you fight terrorism with police action.  Bush believed you use the miltary to wipe out state sanctioned terrorism. Kerry hides his views, Bush doesn't.  Look at this board, splitting between republicans and democrats.

Perhaps that will be useful if there ever is any State terrorism.

Wow, wouldn't you agree than the Taliban in Afgan allowing terrorism training camps is the classic example?

Well, I did say State terrorism - not sanctioned.  In any case I think few dispute the Afghan war, since there was an actual connection between the state and al Queda.  Gore would've invaded there just as Bush did.

[opebo]

Oh please, Democrats you jumped all over Bush about a similar statement.

I think Kerry saying that, while dumb, is still valid.  It's true that terrorism is evil, and pointless, but it still is a nuisance to us regarding International Affairs and such.  I don't want to demean the importance of us fighting terrorism or the seriousness of it.  But from a Nation/State standpoint, it is a nuisance to us.

Good for you for recognizing this.  And I agree it was a very dumb thing for Kerry to say.

[Pollwatch99]

In terms of Mr. Gore.  Given his behavior since 2000, one has to be thankful he wasn't the President.  Did Nixon behave this way after losing a close election to Kennedy?  No, and Gore gets no excuse for his significant failures to show dignity and stateman's