Noteworthy News in 2004

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Friday, August 27th, 2004
John Kerry, Vietnam

"Researcher and author Jerry Corsi, who began studying the anti-war movement in the early 1970s, believes Kerry is hiding key aspects about his anti-war past from the public as he seeks the presidency. ... 'Vietnamese communists would not have won the war without John Kerry. They were cultivating his protest activity with the VVAW,' Corsi said. Corsi said the Vietnamese communists have shown their gratitude to Kerry by displaying a photo of him at Ho Chi Minh City's Protestors Hall of the War Remnants Museum. The photo of fellow anti-war activist and actress Jane Fonda also appears in the Women's Museum in Saigon." (NewsMax, June 4th, 2004)

"Epstein said the picture of the display was taken by Bill Lupetti, a Swift Boat Veteran who currently is visiting Vietnam. Epstein said the display photograph's 'unquestionable significance lies in its placement in the American protesters' section of the War Crimes Museum' in Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon. The Vietnamese communists clearly recognize John Kerry's contributions to their victory,' he said. 'This find can be compared to the discovery of a painting of Neville Chamberlain hanging in a place of honor in Hitler's Eagle's Nest in 1945.'" (WorldNetDaily, June 1st, 2004)

New York Sun: Kerry's Photo Raises Eyebrows In Museum In Ho Chi Minh City
NewsMax: FBI Files Show Kerry Met With Communists More Than Once
WorldNetDaily: Kerry Honored at Communist Museum: Photograph Hangs in Section Devoted to War Protesters

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2004
John Kerry's Running Mate Absent in Late June

Even though there is nearly four months left until the November election, Senator John Kerry has yet to name a running mate. It probably has much to do with the Democratic Party not having any meaningful candidates to allow the Kerry campaign to blossom.

There was grapevine activity to suggest that Republican Senator John McCain could be a helpful running mate earlier this year. The buzz was no doubt created as a result of McCain's individualistic stand on issues, which sometimes places him in non-alignment with party mainline views. Even with a speculative look outside his own party makes one believe that the options within the Democratic Party are unfavorable.

If one had to speculate which democrats Kerry may want to choose, a process of elimination may help.

Michael Moore's new film, 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' has many people thinking that he could be a big contender due to his film's attack on the Bush family and the possible impact it could have on the election. Moore lost a distributor when the film was finished and finally reviewed by Disney. The film was then bought by The Weinstein brothers of Miramax. As it turns out, Harvey Weinstein is a known Democratic organizer. However, Moore said during an interview that, "...I'm not a member of the Democratic Party...I'm the anti-Democrat."

Cross Moore off the list of likely candidates.

Hollywood has been able to service politics, as President Ronald Reagan's legacy will show. Might there be hope for Alec Baldwin who has a strong allegiance to the Democratic Party? He certainly is far to the left within the political spectrum. Yet, he promised to leave America four years ago if George W. was elected president, so the country is still waiting for Baldwin to fulfill his promise. It also leaves one wondering if he would pull the same type of stunt if he was an elected official. Imagine a Vice President Baldwin vacating the country after Congress would not pass a bill he favored.

Cancel Baldwin off the candidate list and move him toward the Screen Actor's Guild. Maybe if he follows Reagan's life more closely he could have a chance at politics.

Lately, Kerry has been benefiting from support by fellow Democrat Ed Kennedy. The two have a long history together. In 1994, Kennedy and Kerry sat on opposite sides of the spectrum concerning minimum wage during a closed-door meeting. Kennedy wanted to increase it, while Kerry didn't want to increase it. Kennedy said to Kerry, "If you're not for raising the minimum wage, you don't deserve to call yourself a Democrat." Regardless of their arguments of the past and the current honeymoon, Kennedy could never assist Kerry as a running mate due to Kennedy's own thick past.

Until Kennedy takes driving lessons and learns to keep his underwear from falling around his ankles near house workers, his name on Kerry's list is a pipe dream.

Speaking of tobacco products, Bill Clinton is hawking his new book, "My Life." Nothing more needs to be said here.

Write down Clinton's name on a tobacco leaf for the finest cigar, roll it, light it, and forget about it, even his wife.

The only two potential candidates that seem to be consistently streaking across the bandwaves and the presses are North Carolina Senator John Edwards and former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri.

Only time will tell but the clock is ticking down for John Kerry. And he isn't getting any younger-looking.

Tallahassee Democrat: With Kerry's Choices, You'd Want McCain, Too

MSNBC: Moore Defends Incendiary Film

Washington Times: Doesn't Anyone Know There's a War On?

Chicago Tribune (subscription): Kerry: Raise Minimum Wage, Boost to $7 an Hour by 2007 Proposed

The Hill: Kerry is Poised to Tell Us Something We Already Know

Monday, June 7th, 2004

Source: MSNBC (June 7th, 2004)

The United States may be covering a majority of the effort in Iraq by supplying the largest number of troops, but the coalition is comprised of thirty-three other countries. It would appear that many other countries support our involvement in Iraq. See frame to the right.

Monday, March 8th, 2004
An Interim constitution for Iraq has been signed, but Shiite leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani isn't pleased. He claims that it is not symbolic of lasting peace because it was approved by the Governing Council whose members were appointed to their positions. He voiced a desire to have laws approved by the elected national assembly.

CNN: New Interim Constitution for Iraq
Arab News: Iraqis Sign New Constitution
The Liberator: Is the U.S. an Anti-Democratic Force in Iraq?

Thursday, February 12th, 2004
It appears that Christian housewives have absolutely nothing better to do in Texas. After hearing that Joanne Webb was selling sex-toys via in-house parties, a few community members in Burleson (near Fort Worth) complained to the authorities.

The local police used two undercover officers as if in a sting operation to catch the 'offender'. As Webb described how the toys could be used to spice up a marriage, she crossed a fine legal line and now faces up to a year in jail and a fine of $4,000 if convicted.

If this is not a demonstration of religion gone awry and a total mismanagement of police effort, this editor of The Liberator will eat his shorts.

CNN: Texas Mom Faces Trial for Selling Sex Toys

Wednesday, January 14th, 2004
Wilmette resident and Chicago restaurant owner Hale DeMar faces charges after he shot a man for entering his home. Although a justified shooting, DeMar had an elapsed firearm card and used a handgun, which is illegal due to an anti-handgun ordinance in Wilmette.

Wilmette Chief of Police George Carpenter enraged gun owners when he stated that homeowners should not defend themselves with handguns.

"It would be unfortunate and potentially tragic to conclude from this incident that Wilmette families will be safer if they keep a handgun in their homes," Wilmette police Chief George Carpenter said. "The opposite is true. Wilmette families are in greater danger if they keep a handgun at home."

Handguns are far more likely to be stolen, used in a domestic argument or suicide attempt, or accidentally discharged in the home than they are to be used in self-defense, Carpenter said. Instead of choosing to use a handgun, residents were urged to immediately lock the door to their bedroom and call the police.

"Your family's safety is far more likely to be preserved by calling 911, and allowing experienced police officers to search your home, than by arming yourself and searching your home in the dark without calling police," Carpenter said. "These experienced professionals will keep you on the line giving instructions, and will ask relevant, important questions designed to result in a quick and effective police response."

It appears that Chief Carpenter is unaware that guns are used to protect citizens 2 million times a year.

WBBM Newsradio 780: Wilmette Village Board Gets Barrage Of Criticism For Handgun Ban
Ken Goze, Wilmette Life: Homeowner to Face Gun Charges
Doug Hagin, American Daily: The Threat Of Gun Control
NBC 5: Wilmette Man Charged After Shooting Burglar
Geoff Metcalf, Washington Dispatch: The Ultimate Inversion