Senator John Edwards came and visited on Wednesday, and it was wonderful. I've seen Senator Edwards speak many times, and I have NEVER seen him as good as this. He was inspired, honest, candid and refreshing. It was a beautiful sunny day, the room was bright, and listening to the Senator's view of the world, it sure felt like anything was possible. He has a broad view of the leadership this country needs, and talks about issues that are disregarded by the media and other candidates. I think I speak for all in attendance when I say that his speech was extraordinary, and very Presidential.Michael Maxey, who is normally an expert on foreign affairs and aid, took some footage and created a short video from the event. (He's a jack of all trades!) It can be found at http://www.youtube.c.... While it doesn't have the whole speech, I think it can give everyone some idea of what we felt listening to the Senator's moving words.
Special thanks are due to all those came, supported Senator Edwards, and contributed to the cause. If you didn't make it, will you please consider making a contribution to Senator Edwards' campaign? He and Elizabeth need, and deserve, our help.
If you'd like to make a contribution on-line, you can make it at http://johnedwards.c... . If you'd prefer to send a check, you can make it out to "Edwards for President," and mail it to me at: Andrew Hurst, Reed Smith LLP, 1301 K Street NW, Suite 1100-East Tower, Washington, DC, 20005. If its dated before 3/31 we can count it in this quarter's totals.
Thank you again for your patience, and hope to see y'all soon!
I am a very patriotic American. I joined the military during college and served in the Reserves while I was earning my degree. Shortly after I graduated from college 9/11 happened and I lost a friend in the World Trade Center attacks. I decided to switch from the Reserves to full active duty in the U.S. Army in the hopes of going after Osama Bin Laden and those who attacked us on 9/11.
I was sent to Iraq where I served for a year on the ground as an Infantry Sergeant. I know what the reality of that war is - and I know it needs to end. The troops have done all that they can do militarily. There were no weapons of mass destruction, Saddam is gone, the Iraqis have had three democratic elections, and they now have a new security and police force. The Iraqi government has not stepped up to the plate. As a result we now have an extremely volatile situation there that requires the leadership that only John Edwards can provide. Our current commander in chief does not understand the reality of the situation. Our very presence in Iraq is causing a large portion of the resentment that the Iraqi people have for our troops. According to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates there is Shia on Shia violence in southern Iraq, Sunni on Shia civil war in Baghdad, Al Qaeda, and an insurgency. Iraq is a country overpopulated with multiple warring factions. The only thing these warring factions have in common is to attack and kill our brave troops.
When I returned home from Iraq I attended a Kerry/Edwards rally in Kansas City - which is not that far from where I was stationed at Fort Riley. When I got there I was surrounded by a group of young males carrying signs that stated "Students for Bush." They called me a traitor and told me to move to France. They said this to me right after I got home from fighting a war that they support and were advocating for but obviously did not have the courage to fight themselves. They shouted "support the troops and President Bush." I guess their interpretation of supporting the troops is to only support the troops who agree with them.
I have become very active in politics since my discharge from active duty in 2005 (I was honorably discharged after 8 years of service) due to my experience fighting the war in Iraq. I have campaigned hard for candidates who recognize that the war has gone on long enough and realize that we need a change in directions.
Right now all of our political energy in Washington is being spent on the war in Iraq. Until we finally end this war we can not adequately address the problems here at home that matter most to Americans like jobs, the economy, education, poverty, and global warming. Our current President believes that the only way of being patriotic is to blindly follow him down his current path of endless war in Iraq. I believe that patriotism is more than that - more than just being supportive of the military might that he is currently exhausting with his war of choice. We need a President who will work hard to secure the livelihood all Americans, take care of our children, take care of our veterans, and get our country back on track. To me that is the epitome of patriotism. That is why now more than ever we need the leadership of John Edwards. I do not want to see the next President carry on the failed policies of the current Administration. We can't afford it.
John Bruhns
PS - Josh , you da man for providing another Edwards forum of discussion
While I am still open minded as to who I will support for the Democratic nomination, Edwards certainly made a huge impression on me on Wed. This was my second chance to meet him, I also met him when he was the guest of honor at a fund raiser for Andy last year at the exact same location.
Edwards struck a chord when he talked about why he wants to be president, it is very similar to why I am a Democrat. He talks about wanting everyone to have the same opportunity that he had. My grandparents came here 80 years ago with almost nothing. Within one generation (with the help of the G.I. Bill) their sons had college degrees. In two generations their grandchildren were serving at the highest levels of the Clinton administration (my cousin, not me).
Edwards also made excellent sense when he talked about how America has to lead by example on global warming and health care. I applaud his proposal to try to expand US aid to Africa by expanding aid to education.
If the other Dems are as impressive as Edwards, there is a lot to be proud of.