# John Kerry\>Jack Ryan? How? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 30, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895 "2004-06-30T15:42:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895/121 "2004-07-03T04:12:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Also, Elvis, try finding a contemporary definition of swinging. As in, swinging parties. Swinging chat rooms. And whatever definition you use, unless it’s “committed unmarried sexual relationship between two people,” you’re still wrong as a matter of law. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895/122 "2004-07-03T05:14:21Z")
> [@](#): > > See, I have plenty of people in the military currently who tell me these things. If he was such a war hero, why doesn’t he have the veteran vote. Out here in the heartland, I’ve yet to meet a single veteran who isn’t pro-Kerry. My sample is almost certainly skewed, but the swiftboat vets for truth look and act like an astroturf group, and so far the only major issue I’ve seen vets turn on Kerry for is the idea that he dishonored them with his condemnation of war crimes (using language he long long ago apologized for going overboard with) or didn’t properly conform to some sort of imaginary code of decorum when it comes to using medals in a protest. On the issues, vets seem to line up with Kerry pretty solidly: they like not seeing the military used as tool to clean up politician’s goofy messes, they like getting pay and benefits for their service, they like a CiC that actually listens to their brass instead of spitting all over them and brushing their concerns aside… and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895/123 "2004-07-03T06:30:41Z")
> [@qcomdrj](#): > > Ok, he can’t chose his awards. He can apply for them however. And if he has a friend higher up than him that can recommend him for it, then yes, he can make an impact. Can someone confirm this, please? I think he’s wrong. Even if he’s right, Purple Hearts are awarded to those wounded in combat, so I don’t see why any sort of application process would be necessary. In any case, the man is a highly decorated veteran and you’re grasping desperately for any reason you can find to discount it. It’s pretty cheap. > [@](#): > > See, I have plenty of people in the military currently who tell me these things. Well, I’m convinced. > [@](#): > > If he was such a war hero, why doesn’t he have the veteran vote. Al Gore didn’t carry the Tennessee vote. Does that prove he’s not from Tennessee? > [@](#): > > And yes, it is a standoff. He’s not going to change, I’m not going to change. Hence, standoff. That’s a standoff in the sense that you’re being obstinate, not that the facts are inconclusive. > [@](#): > > Apparently all of you assume that the media is moderate or conservative leaning “All” of us have said no such thing. > [@](#): > > and nobody in the media does anything based on what the rest do, am I right? News outlets scoop and copy each other constantly, but they don’t all decide to spin stories the same way to help particular people. You’re assuming there is a large degree of foresight and calculating in news reporting. There is not. ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895/124 "2004-07-03T20:07:08Z")
Goddamn, Sam! Are you actually accusing Kerry of having a friend who got him his awards? Are you that intellectually dishonest? Or are you choosing the coward’s way out by not actually saying anything, but simply making baseless implications? Either way, you belong on Fox. And: > [@qcomdrj](#): > > See, I have plenty of people in the military currently who tell me these things. Bullshit. Lies make Bill Clinton stronger and more powerful. Or didn’t your father tell you that? And you wound me, sir, in referring to me as **Diogenes**. Of course, it could be worse. Such is life and all that rot. However, since I now have your permission to snort cocaine with my money, rest assured I will do so. After all, I was only awaiting your clearance before doing so. Oh, and this: > [@qcomdrj](#): > > Apparently as a voter I’m not supposed to. Hell, son. Why didn’t you say that you were all lathered up for a good martyrdom kink? We coulda put you in touch with any number of scantily clad ladies who would nail you to a cross of either mahogany or cherry and flail the hell out of you. Or, if that job of yours pays exceedingly well, you could spring for the cross of gold. More expensive, but worth it for those who are history buffs. Oh, wait. You’re obviously not a history buff, what with your broadsides and assorted nonsensical crap about Kerry’s (possibly) imaginary buddies, and Juanita Broaddrick and her tales of woe. So, never mind. > [@qcomdrj](#): > > As I have said, I am learning from this. No, you most assuredly are not. > [@qcomdrj](#): > > I intended to see what the views of this thread were on the fairness of the media. Apparently all of you assume that the media is moderate or conservative leaning, and nobody in the media does anything based on what the rest do, am I right? No, you did not. If that was ever your intent, you would have begun a thread that wondered what the views of people were on the fairness of the media. “Apparently” you are too ignorant to read and gather the opinions of others. No surprise, you understand, but I felt that it bore saying. Particularly since this thread allegedly began as you simply wondering why Kerry’s divorce records weren’t opened. Remember? Way back in the mists of day before day before yesterday? You gotta learn to focus, Dad. Otherwise you wind up looking like, well, like you do. And from a purely non-partisan standpoint, that ain’t so good. Also, if your intent is to demonstrate that you understand the dangers of excess turgidity, you really oughta spell “priapism” correctly. Well, and learn to read the definition of a word. Priapism refers especially to a condition caused by disease. Not simple sexual arousal. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895/125 "2004-07-03T21:25:44Z")
I should refine what I said slightly: > [@Marley23](#): > > News outlets scoop and copy each other constantly, but they don’t all decide to spin stories the same way to help particular people. I should have said that the extreme partisans on both sides does this. The mainstream media outlets do not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-jack-ryan-how/252895.md?page=6)