there are still some open issues, Troke.
did rep. kennedy talk to any other members about recruiting their children for the war if they voted for the war?
did rep. kennedy's nephew ever get into the war?
how many children of congressmen are now enlisting? how many more are there now?
rep. kennedy artfully dodges these issues by stating that he has other family members in the military as do other congressmen. but that wasn't the question. the question was about THEIR children.
i don't think this is a subtle distinction.
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Michael and Me: What ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ Refuses to Tell You
By Rep. Mark Kennedy
Special to Roll Call
July 6, 2004
http://www.bendomenech.com/blog/archives/001638.html
I wasn’t able to attend the press conference on censorship held last week by entertainment filmmaker Michael Moore. Although it’s a topic of great importance to me, there were two reasons why I couldn’t go. One, I wasn’t invited, and two, its hypocritical host was only interested in talking about “censorship” perpetrated on him.
Moore failed to recognize the irony of this situation. This press conference took place the day before the release of his film “Fahrenheit 9/11,” in which Moore censored me from movie screens across the country.
Allow me to recount what really happened the day Moore shoved a camera in my face. On the predictable path between the Capitol and my office after a vote, Moore and his camera crew were standing outside the Longworth House Office Building, waiting to talk to any Member of Congress who stopped.
Citing a since-disputed statistic that only one Member of Congress has a child in Iraq, he asked me whether I would help recruit children of Members to join the Army. My answer was yes, especially those who voted for the war. I added that I myself had a nephew on his way to Afghanistan. Upon hearing this, my moment in the spotlight was over, and Moore and his camera crew went on their way.
Shortly thereafter, the trailer for the movie hit the mainstream media. For those of you who have already seen the movie, or if you plan on doing so, you will recognize me as the guy in the suit who listens to Moore’s question, gives him an inquisitive look, but who doesn’t get to say anything in response. The fact that my answer wasn’t included came as no surprise. It would have disproved his theory that we in Congress lack conscience in how we vote.
The more I thought about it, and the more I was asked about it, the more his question offended me — and the fact that he didn’t use my answer made it worse. It’s like asking someone an accusing question on talk radio and not offering them a microphone to respond. He was implying that we in Congress placed no value on the human lives involved in war, which is simply not the case. Further disproving his theory, I’ve talked with many friends in Congress whose family members have dedicated their lives to the military. Moore has seriously underestimated how many of them there are.
Sending our troops into harm’s way is the most serious vote we ever cast as Members of Congress. We voted to allow our military to free people from the fear of terror and to protect us here at home. That’s a message you don’t hear in “Fahrenheit 9/11.”
Families all across the United States, including the families of Members of Congress, sacrifice for our freedom and our safety. Our dedication to our country goes deeper than a pithy question founded on a fabricated statistic. These men and women dedicate their young lives to keeping us safe, and they are the ones who should be offended by his implications.
My nephew was in his sophomore year at Iowa State University when he was called up to active duty. Though it disrupted his college career, he was honored to serve his country. This is the nephew I referred to when speaking with Moore, and he’s not the only member of my family involved.
In fact, this young man’s brother, another nephew of mine, recently completed his service in the Navy, and my wife has a cousin who just returned from Iraq. It’s an honor to have members of my family choose this path.
This brings me back to his press conference on censorship. When confronted by a reporter about why he censored me, Moore recounted a fictional conversation between the two of us. He continued to talk but did not give a coherent answer, and then moved on to someone else’s question. It’s not a healthy debate when the person you’re dealing with makes up the answers.
My limited dealings with Moore have been riddled with lies, double talk, misspeak and manipulation. First he said I was in the movie, then that I wasn’t. He still maintains that my remarks were not edited, when in fact they were edited out. On and on, over and over again, his story keeps changing. But this was his plan. The more controversy, the more free press, the more money in the bank for Michael Moore.
When is enough enough? He’s called Americans dumb and said that our stupidity is embarrassing. He’s now mocking the dedication of millions of American lives to the military, and we are paying for him to do it. I hope our men and women in uniform who are protecting us in Afghanistan and Iraq didn’t hear him trivialize their position. They instead deserve praise and our support for the work they do every day.
When do we, as Americans, say enough is enough? It’s your choice to see the film, but understand that it’s for entertainment purposes only, not to be mistaken for truth.
Rep. Mark Kennedy is a Republican from Minnesota
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June 4th, 2004 2:52 pm
Statement about Rep. Mark Kennedy's Remarks in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
http://michaelmoore.com/warroom/smackdown/index.php?id=12
The following statement was submitted to the Minneapolis Star Tribune on June 3, but it was not printed in their article on June 4. Here is what was given to the paper in response to statements made by Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-Minn):
A spokesperson for Fahrenheit 9/11 released the entire transcript of the exchange between Michael Moore and Rep. Mark Kennedy (see below). None of this exchange is included in the film. No statements by Rep. Kennedy are in the film. There was no editing of his remarks and Congressman Kennedy will remain in the film.
In the interview Mr. Moore asks if the Congressman will pass out recruitment brochures to other members of Congress to try to get their kids to enlist in the army and go to Iraq. Congressman agrees to do this, saying, he'd be happy to. Especially those who voted for the war.
Farhenheit 9/11's spokesperson said, "We would like to ask the Congressman if he spoke to members of Congress as he agreed to do, especially those who voted for the war, to sign up their kids to go to Iraq? We would like to know what Members of Congress he has spoken to by name and what did they say?
"We anxiously await his response and sincerely hope he did not lead us on, saying he would be happy to hand out recruitment brochures to Members of Congress who voted for the war so as to get their children to enlist, and then not do so."
Transcript of Interview with Rep. Mark Kennedy.
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY How are you doing?
MM: I'm trying to get members of congress to get their kids to enlist in the army and go over to Iraq. Is there any way you could help me with that?
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: How would I help you?
MM: Pass it out to other members of congress.
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: I'd be happy to. Especially those who voted for the war.
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: I have a nephew on his way to Afghanistan.
MM: Because there is only one member who has a kid over there in Iraq. This is Corporal Henderson, he is helping me out here.
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: How are you, good to see you.
MM: There it is, it's just a basic recruitment thing. Encourage especially those who were in favor of the war to send their kids. I appreciate it.
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: Okay, bye.
Donner9x: Official member of His Majesty Bush's imperialistic, super-duper secret, right-wing extremist, neo-con, Proud, crusading-Xtian, oil-grabbing, prisoner-"torturing" cabal... ( For the dense: /sarcasm off ) 
