can anyone point me in the direction of the facts

[Freeper]

Beer Snob-50  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Mon Aug-31-09 02:40 PM
Original message
can anyone point me in the direction of the facts
   
concerning the supposed letter that senator kennedy sent to the kgb. i can only find rw sites and large words of treason.

i am interested in what this was all about.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6431449

I can point you to facts go anywhere but DU.

LiberalAndProud  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Mon Aug-31-09 02:46 PM
Response to Original message
1. This is the first I've heard of it.
   
Given your experience, I'd guess it is fiction spun from whole cloth like almost everything on those sites you have encountered.

Beer Snob-50  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Mon Aug-31-09 03:21 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. well i first heard about it listening to the end of limpballs show.
   
i usually like to listen to him for just a little (my cardiologist would be upset if my blood pressure went up too much) and then refute him. normally, media matters debunks him within a day but nothing on this yet.

LiberalAndProud  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Mon Aug-31-09 03:38 PM
Response to Original message
7. I had to go to one of those sites to get this (ugh)
   
Since Rush said it, I knew there had to be that kernel of truth wrapped up in the really big lie.

TEXT OF KGB LETTER ON SENATOR TED KENNEDY
_________________________________________

Special Importance
Committee on State Security of the USSR
14.05. 1983 No. 1029 Ch/OV
Moscow

Regarding Senator Kennedy’s request to the General Secretary of the Communist Party Comrade Y.V. Andropov

Comrade Y.V. Andropov

On 9-10 May of this year, Senator Edward Kennedy’s close friend and trusted confidant J. Tunney was in Moscow. The senator charged Tunney to convey the following message, through confidential contacts, to the General Secretary of the Center Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Y. Andropov.

Senator Kennedy, like other rational people, is very troubled by the current state of Soviet-American relations. Events are developing such that this relationship coupled with the general state of global affairs will make the situation even more dangerous. The main reason for this is Reagan’s belligerence, and his firm commitment to deploy new American middle range nuclear weapons within Western Europe.

According to Kennedy, the current threat is due to the President’s refusal to engage any modification on his politics. He feels that his domestic standing has been strengthened because of the well publicized improvement of the economy: inflation has been greatly reduced, production levels are increasing as is overall business activity. For these reasons, interest rates will continue to decline. The White House has portrayed this in the media as the "success of Reaganomics."

Naturally, not everything in the province of economics has gone according to Reagan’s plan. A few well known economists and members of financial circles, particularly from the north-eastern states, foresee certain hidden tendencies that many bring about a new economic crisis in the USA. This could bring about the fall of the presidential campaign of 1984, which would benefit the Democratic party. Nevertheless, there are no secure assurances this will indeed develop.

The only real threats to Reagan are problems of war and peace and Soviet-American relations. These issues, according to the senator, will without a doubt become the most important of the election campaign. The movement advocating a freeze on nuclear arsenals of both countries continues to gain strength in the United States. The movement is also willing to accept preparations, particularly from Kennedy, for its continued growth. In political and influential circles of the country, including within Congress, the resistence to growing military expenditures is gaining strength.

However, according to Kennedy, the opposition to Reagan is still very weak. Reagan’s adversaries are divided and the presentations they make are not fully effective. Meanwhile, Reagan has the capabilities to effectively counter any propaganda. In order to neutralize criticism that the talks between the USA and the USSR are non-constructive, Reagan will grandiose, but subjectively propagandistic. At the same time, Soviet officials who speak about disarmament will be quoted out of context, silenced or groundlessly and whimsically discounted. Although arguments and statements by officials of the USSR do appear in the press, it is important to note the majority of Americans do not read serious newspapers or periodicals.

Kennedy believes that, given the current state of affairs, and in the interest of peace, it would be prudent and timely to undertake the following steps to counter the militaristic politics of Reagan and his campaign to psychologically burden the American people. In this regard, he offers the following proposals to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Y.V. Andropov:

1. Kennedy asks Y.V. Andropov to consider inviting the senator to Moscow for a personal meeting in July of this year. The main purpose of the meeting, according to the senator, would be to arm Soviet officials with explanations regarding problems of nuclear disarmament so they may be better prepared and more convincing during appearances in the USA. He would also like to inform you that he has planned a trip through Western Europe, where he anticipates meeting England’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and French President Mitterand in which he will exchange similar ideas regarding the same issues.

If his proposals would be accepted in principle, Kennedy would send his representative to Moscow to resolve questions regarding organizing such a visit.

Kennedy thinks the benefits of a meeting with Y.V.Andropov will be enhanced if he could also invite one of the well known Republican senators, for example, Mark Hatfield. Such a meeting will have a strong impact on American and political circles in the USA (In March of 1982, Hatfield and Kennedy proposed a project to freeze the nuclear arsenals of the USA and USSR and pblished a book on the theme as well.)

2. Kennedy believes that in order to influence Americans it would be important to organize in August-September of this year, televised interviews with Y.V. Andropov in the USA. A direct appeal by the General Secretary to the American people will, without a doubt, attact a great deal of attention and interest in the country. The senator is convinced this would receive the maximum resonance in so far as television is the most effective method of mass media and information.


If the proposal is recognized as worthy, then Kennedy and his friends will bring about suitable steps to have representatives of the largest television companies in the USA contact Y.V. Andropov for an invitation to Moscow for the interview. Specifically, the president of the board of directors of ABC, Elton Raul and television columnists Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters could visit Moscow. The senator underlined the importance that this initiative should be seen as coming from the American side.

Furthermore, with the same purpose in mind, a series of televised interviews in the USA with lower level Soviet officials, particularly from the military would be organized. They would also have an opportunity to appeal directly to the American people about the peaceful intentions of the USSR, with their own arguments about maintaining a true balance of power between the USSR and the USA in military term. This issue is quickly being distorted by Reagan’s administration.

Kennedy asked to convey that this appeal to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union is his effort to contribute a strong proposal that would root out the threat of nuclear war, and to improve Soviet-American relations, so that they define the safety of the world. Kennedy is very impressed with the activities of Y.V. Andropov and other Soviet leaders, who expressed their commitment to heal international affairs, and improve mutal understandings between peoples.

The senator underscored that he eagerly awaits a reply to his appeal, the answer to which may be delivered through Tunney.

Having conveyed Kennedy’s appeal to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Tunney also explained that Senator Kennedy has in the last few years actively made appearances to reduce the threat of war. Because he formally refused to partake in the election campaign of 1984, his speeches would be taken without prejudice as they are not tied to any campaign promises. Tunney remarked that the senator wants to run for president in 1988. At that time, he will be 56 and his personal problems, which could hinder his standing, will be resolved (Kennedy has just completed a divorce and plans to remarry in the near future). Taken together, Kennedy does not discount that during the 1984 campaign, the Democratic Party may officially turn to him to lead the fight against the Republicans and elect their candidate president. This would explain why he is convinced that none of the candidates today have a real chance at defeating Reagan.

We await instructions.

President of the committee
V. Chebrikov

Beer Snob-50  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Mon Aug-31-09 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. interesting!
   
so, rush is correct in saying that kennedy talked to the ussr through tunney to undermine reagans policies in russia. although i don't find it close to treason.

No it's not close to treason it is treason. Uncle Teddy was actively working to try to under mind Reagan's foreign policy with the country we were at (cold) war with. He even had a plan to try to influence the people. 

[djones520]

You can lead a DUmpass to water, but you can't make it pull it's head out of it's ass.

[docstew]

No it's not close to treason it is treason. Uncle Teddy was actively working to try to under mind Reagan's foreign policy with the country we were at (cold) war with. He even had a plan to try to influence the people. 

I wouldn't say that rises to the level of "giving aid and comfort", but it is, at a minimum, a major violation of the Lodge Act.

[djones520]

I wouldn't say that rises to the level of "giving aid and comfort", but it is, at a minimum, a major violation of the Lodge Act.

I'd say intent to commit treason would be more appropriate.  He was just sending feelers out, not such actions had yet been committed.

[Freeper]

I wouldn't say that rises to the level of "giving aid and comfort", but it is, at a minimum, a major violation of the Lodge Act.

I would think "hey lets mess this up for Reagan" would fall under comfort and aid to the enemy.

[docstew]

I would think "hey lets mess this up for Reagan" would fall under comfort and aid to the enemy.

Your point is debatable... what was the name of the declared shooting war we were in against the USSR?

admittedly, though, your point would probably carry the argument, as the Rosenbergs learned to their dismay, that a shooting war isn't necessary.

[Freeper]

Your point is debatable... what was the name of the declared shooting war we were in against the USSR?

admittedly, though, your point would probably carry the argument, as the Rosenbergs learned to their dismay, that a shooting war isn't necessary.

Even though it wasnt a shooting war it was still treason to conspire with the enemy.
I thought of the Rosenbergs when I saw your post.
Here we have a senator working with the soviets to try to neuter our defenses. As far as I am concerned he was a traitor to our country. You may be able to provide a legal reason of how it falls short of treason but morally I think he was traitor. Just like OJ is a murderer but legally he can't be touched.

[Carl]

I went to look at the thread and that post showing the letter killed it completely.
So funny when reality smacks them so hard in the face they simply have to pretend it doesn`t exist.
Wonder if it will get pulled or if the word is out to just let it die.