The Boston Globe: on War & Peace
Ed O`Reilly:
Kerry was wrong to vote to authorize Iraq war
O’Reilly said Kerry was wrong to vote in Oct. 2002 in favor of a congressional resolution authorizing war with Iraq, a vote Kerry himself now says was a mistake. O’Reilly said he favors an immediate troop withdrawal,
while preserving a rapid response force to deal with terrorist threats in the region. “Over 50% of the Iraqis want us out. There’s no reason to stay there any more,” said O’Reilly.
Source: Associated Press in Boston Globe, “Challenge Kerry”
May 17, 2007
George W. Bush:
President, not Congress, decides on Iraq investigations
Since taking office in 2001, President Bush has issued signing statements on more than 750 new laws, declaring that he has the power to set aside the laws when they conflict with his legal interpretation of the Constitution. The federal government is
instructed to follow the statements when it enforces the laws. Here is an example:Law passed by Congress on Nov. 6, 2003: US officials in Iraq cannot prevent an inspector general for the Coalition Provisional Authority from carrying out any
investigation. The inspector general must tell Congress if officials refuse to cooperate with his inquiries.
Signing statement: The inspector general ‘’shall refrain“ from investigating anything involving sensitive plans, intelligence, national
security, or anything already being investigated by the Pentagon. The inspector cannot tell Congress anything if the president decides that disclosing the information would impair foreign relations, national security, or executive branch operations.
Source: Boston Globe, analysis of presidential signing statements
Apr 30, 2006
John Kerry:
Kerry saves life under fire, awarded Bronze Star
[During an attack on Kerry’s Swift Boat in Vietnam], James Rassmann was thrown into the water, dodging bullets. He grabbed a netting and tried to pull himself up. But he was too weak.
Kerry, who had been hit in the arm and was bleeding, reached down with his good arm and pulled Rassmann to safety. Kerry saved his life, Rassmann said, and ‘he deserved the Silver’ [Star instead of the Bronze Star he received].
Source: Complete Biography By The Boston Globe, p.106
Apr 27, 2004
John Kerry:
Anti-Vietnam but not left-wing anti-war
While some members of the antiwar [Vietnam] group viewed Kerry as an opportunist, others realized Kerry--erudite and clean-cut--was the ideal foil for those who viewed the group as hippie traitors or even Communists.
Source: Complete Biography By The Boston Globe, p.118-119
Apr 27, 2004
John Kerry:
Supported 1998 missile attacks against Afghanistan & Sudan
Kerry vigorously backed President Clinton’s decision in August 1998 to launch simultaneous long range cruise missile attacks against terrorist strongholds in Afghanistan and Sudan that were linked to bin Laden.
Kerry stated, ‘Those who strike out against us with terror have to understand we will pursue them and do everything in our power to protect American citizens and interests.’
Source: Complete Biography By The Boston Globe, p.332
Apr 27, 2004
John Kerry:
Afghanistan incursion justified and not the same as Vietnam
Kerry rejected the leftist argument that America brought the 9/11 attacks on itself, that suicide hijackings constituted a ‘crime’ but not an act of ‘war’ and that US action against an impoverished Afghanistan was comparable to its aggression in Vietnam
Source: Complete Biography By The Boston Globe, p.337
Apr 27, 2004
Wesley Clark:
Committed to survival and preservation of Israel
Clark voiced his commitment to “the survival and the preservation of the state of Israel.”
Source: Johanna Weiss, Boston Globe, p. A3
Sep 20, 2003
Shannon O'Brien:
$3 million to assess threat against water supplies
State Treasurer Shannon P. O’Brien proposed that $3 million be issued in grants to provide cities, towns, and water districts the means to assess the safety of public drinking facilities. O’Brien, chairman of the Massachusetts Water Pollution
Abatement Trust, said the events of Sept. 11 require a reassessment of the security of the water supply. The treasurer has filed legislation to finance the grants with pre-existing water trust funds left over from state loan repayments.
Source: Boston Globe, “Security of Water Supply”
Oct 18, 2001
Pat Buchanan:
Doesn’t matter to US whose flag flies over Jerusalem
If Palestine wants to fight and die and unite the Arab states around them, we cannot stop them. It’s not vital to America’s security whose flag flies over Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (in Boston Globe, p. A19)
Oct 18, 2000
Dick Cheney:
US too soft on Iraq
Dick Cheney said yesterday that the Clinton administration had let the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, “slip off the hook” on UN weapons inspections. Cheney said the US had a “very robust” inspection capability under President Bush and after the Gulf War.
Source: Boston Globe, “Campaign Notebook,” p. A28
Sep 21, 2000
Dick Cheney:
Iran: against sanctions; makes oil deals there
Cheney’s oil company has conducted business in Iran and Libya by carefully maneuvering around US sanctions, using foreign-based subsidiaries and workers. Cheney has frequently fought to lift US sanctions against Iran despite concerns about terrorist
activity. Just last month, Cheney said that the US should lift sanctions against Iran and allow US oil companies to invest there. “There’s been a decision not to allow US firms to invest significantly in Iran, and I think that’s a mistake,” Cheney said.
Source: Michael Kranish and Walter Robinson, Boston Globe, p. A11
Jul 26, 2000
Bill Bradley:
Against intervention
Bradley is positioned as The Democrat Who’s Against the War in Kosovo.
Source: Boston Globe, Sunday April 25, 1999, p. C4, by David Nyhan
Apr 25, 1999
Page last updated: Oct 11, 2020