- This movie is as close to a hagiography as one can come while still remaining true to the facts. And the funny thing is, John Kerry the man truly deserves it. As I was remarking to a friend today just after seeing the movie, he is one of the most intellectually substantial, most morally courageous people ever to seek the office of President. We don't say this enough on our side, because we're still so consumed with anti-Bush animus that it's hard to focus on the many good things about our candidate -- and believe me, watching this movie, it is impossible not to compare the astounding, inspiring life of John Kerry to the shallow, empty, pampered life of George W. Bush, who has never stood for anything, who has never made a courageous choice, who has taken the easy road every day of his life and been rewarded for it.
There is no one I would rather cast my vote for on November 2nd than John F. Kerry.
Kerry's actions in Vietnam itself are impressive -- but I wish the political climate in this country were such that we could talk about the time period Going Upriver focuses on, the years when John Kerry really came into his own as a leader: during the anti-war movement.
He didn't have to oppose the war. He did so because he was right. And in opposing the war, he became one of the VVAW's most eloquent spokespeople, rising to national prominence because he was one of the few people who could see a way past the divisions of Vietnam -- a person who before the strife was even over could see how to start healing the wounds of a divided country and begin the process of moving forward, together, as one nation agian.
After leaving this movie, it's hard to imagine a man better suited to be our president in these times.
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