Matt Taibbi doesn’t like the Iraq War. In fact, Taibbi, doesn’t like wars in general. Who does? Problem is, Taibbi doesn’t understand them either. In his article for Rolling Stone Magazine (March 6, 2008 Issue 1047), “McCain Resurrected”, Taibbi writes, among other things:
Back in the summer, when McCain boldly launched a “No Surrender” tour while all the other GOP candidates were fleeing the war issue like bitches, reporters thought the old man had finally gone senile.
But McCain’s entire career has been dedicated to the idea that America must always have the right to solve its problems by force.
McCain sees war as a way of life. To him it is necessary and intrinsically “noble” a tonic for the national soul.
No matter how moderate McCain seems on domestic issues, on the issue of war he’s stark raving mad. He’s a wounded, crusading Ahab, and civilian command and diplomatic restraint are his Great White Whale.
What did I get out of Matt Taibbi’s latest article on John McCain? Aside from his belief that McCain is a warmonger, I also get the impression by how many times he brings up the GOP, that he thinks hawkish Presidential behavior is solely a Republican trait. What about Kosovo, Bosnia, and cruise missiles into Sudan and Afghanistan two days after Monica Lewinsky’s second visit to the grand jury, just in time to change the subject on the Sunday morning shows? Now there’s the kind of military policy Matt Taibbi can get behind, and I do mean “get behind.”
Don’t get me wrong: I have no problems with Bill Clinton’s military stance during his 2 administrations. Hell, I believe the military was just hoping by Bill’s second term that his aim would improve. President Bill Clinton may be a Democrat but he is no Dove. When we started our Kosovo military campaign under President Bill Clinton, we got a lot of flack from the UN, the French (naturally) and even China.
Why did Bill Clinton lean forward militarily during his Presidency? I believe he wanted to stop wholesale genocide. He probably also remembered the history: World Wars have a tendency to start in Eastern Europe.
John McCain is also leaning forward in the face of today’s threats. Why? Well there was also brutal genocide that went on inside of Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s regime, the Anfal campaign to exterminate the Kurds. In fact they just sentenced one of the perpetrators to hang, the so-called Chemical Ali. The UN didn’t get out in front of that genocide either. Oh, and then something about a strategic response to religious nuts that want to nuke the U.S.A. no matter what we do. Is Matt Taibbi guilty of selectively assigning warmonger status? I don’t know. You need to read his article and judge for yourself.
But that’s not the only problem Matt Taibbi has with John Sidney McCain. Taibbi also has a problem with John McCain’s age.
That’s right. Matt thinks John McCain is way too old to be running for the office of the Presidency of the U.S.A. How old is John McCain? Well who the hell cares? According to Matt he is an old geezer and has a tendency–like old people do–to repeat things, like his campaign stump speeches. I bet if you asked, Matt could tell you John McCain’s age down to the year, month, day and minute. I bet he could tell you John McCain’s age in dog years, or using one of those ancient Chinese mathematical instruments called the abacus. He might even tell you the abacus was invented the same year John McCain was born.
Why does Matt Taibbi have a problem with John McCain’s age? I have thought long and intermittently on this old age fixation. I think Matt might suffer from a young man’s condition, a sort of “Eskimo Syndrome.”
You know the old Eskimo legend, where the Eskimos would leave their elderly out on the ice to die because they became a burden to the tribe? This isn’t really true, of course. The truth is that the Eskimo culture is rich in oral history, and the elders are the keepers of communal knowledge. They don’t really set them out on an ice floe. The Eskimos also had a 100 different words for snow, right? No, not really, that is an urban myth too and the real number tops out around a dozen.
They really aren’t Eskimos either. They are Inuits, according to some. Turns out the Eskimos are a tribe south of the Inuit, and they are called Eskimos because they eat their meat raw. Well okay, maybe that’s not true either, but it’s offensive anyway, sushi notwithstanding. With this in mind, and witnessing Matt Taibbi go all Eskimo on John McCain’s posterior, it has to be raw by now.
I think Mr. Taibbi would do well to spend some time with Dr. Phil during his next appearance on Imus in the Morning. Plainly he has issues as a young man, and wants the old man off the stage and floating downriver. How badly, I don’t know. But for God’s sake, Senator McCain, stay out of the Snow Belt and if you see Matt Taibbi, duck! He is trying to harpoon you. Who’s Ahab now, Matt?
If John McCain’s extended stay at the Hanoi Hilton couldn’t bring him down, what chance does a Dove with a raw vocabulary and a geriatric fixation have?
Hey Matt, how do you say “Snowball’s Chance in Hell” in Eskimo?
McCain is the personification of Dubya’s third term. He is in lock-step with Bush & the Neocons. McCain is scary. He is a quick tempered man who has a HUGE ego. Not the kind of President I want. Other Bushies behind McCain are 2 women Senators from Maine – Olympia Snowe & Susan Collins. These girls have voted with Bush all along the way always. ‘All politics is local’ said our beloved Tip O’Neil and in Maine we seek to unseat Susan Collins by our guy Tom Allen. Our Democratic Party candidate Tom Allen. Its time we Moveon. McCain is a warmonger – we need a diplomat.
We need FDR or JFK.
Welcome back, Laree!
Thanks to Matt Taibbi, McCain now has my vote. If that smirking a-hole is against him, he MUST be the right person for the job.
Or at least the right person running.
We’ve gone from FDR and JFK to SOL. 😉
Glad that’s all straightened out 🙂 Keep up the great work, Laree!
Awesome Post! congratulations again Ree.
According to Taibbi;
McCain Resurrected
Taibbi has covered many political campaigns. Why is he singling out McCains stump speech? All of the other candidates and their spouses have a stump speech. Is Taibbi saying that he just discovered the stump speech?
Yeah this article by Taibbi was less than impressive, to say the least IMO. The constant gratuitous use of profanity brings nothing to the article and seriously detracts from any point Taibbi is trying to make. Now, I’m not against the occasional well placed, f.. y… or for example, Karith s…., however, with Taibbi the use brings nothing but anger and resentment.
Nice post Ree, glad to see it back.
Neil Best Reports…
C. Vivian Stringer questions Don Imus’ sincerity
Meanwhile NYT reporting on Stringer’ recent recruiting class credits the role of the Imus controversy to a blue chip packed year…
Sold on a Sense of Family at Rutgers
Book tours, blue chip recruiting it is all going Vivian’s way!
ChannelX,
She was complaining about the attention, she didn’t want them to be known for this incident, she didn’t want her team distracted by the media attention anymore. What is Imus supposed to do if he constantly made statements about the incident, he reminds people of the Rutgers involvement. Coach Stringer wants it both ways. Imus apologized how many times ??? in fact he was criticized for apologizing so much, he turned it into a running gag on the new show…oh just let me take this minute to apologize, I have watched him do this when Dierdra was on, the joke being I am the expert at apologizing now and I understand that I am always going to be expected to apologize for everything. Right because if there was no Don Imus we would all be living in racial and gender harmony. Give me a break!
I think it is a fair statement to say Imus put lady’s collegiate basketball on the American radar. They wanted to create a buzz well they did they create a buzz saw! I think Imus has been trying to comply with Coach Stringers above request and now she has changed her mind? Imus wheres the love, I got stadium seats to fill 😉
What in the HELL does does she want Imus to do?????? Can anyone answer that question?
Back to Matt for a second…
I overlook the “gratuitous use of profanity” as a form of punctuation among 20-somethings which Matt Taibbi is not anymore in real life, but wants to continue playing one on TV and in print (pretty sure he told Imus he’s 40-something… I have to fact-check by re-listening to the interview.)
On balance, I thought the Rolling Stone article was well-written and makes important points about McCain. If the opposition party has any smarts, they’ll be working this into their campaign rhetoric, minus the aging-Soccer Mom disses and the gratitutious use of profanity.
“You know, this has been a long year. Things were stolen. And the culprit hasn’t reached out at one point at any time to say, ‘Boo. I’m thinking about you,’ or, ‘Thank you for helping me to give thought to myself.’
WHAT WAS STOLEN? DIDN’T THEY LOSE BEFORE IMUS MADE THE REMARKS? BOO, I’M THINKING OF YOU? THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME GIVE THOUGHT TO MYSELF? WTF?????????? WASN’T SHE INVITED ON THE SHOW BY SOME OF IMUS’ PEOPLE AND SHE SAID THAT SHE “WOULD HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT”? WHAT KIND OF MIND GAME IS SHE PLAYING?
“He has said that publicly, so I’m told. But is that the way you do things? Do you just get on the air and say, ‘Gee, I’m going to be a better person.’ So, how sincere was it?”
THE MAN HAS APOLOGIZED MANY, MANY TIMES. THE TEAM ACCEPTED HIS APOLOGY. HOW DO YOU WANT HIM TO APOLOGIZE, VIVIAN? I DON’T SEE WHERE SHE’S COMING FROM, ONE YEAR LATER.
HELP ME UNDERSTAND, FOLKS………
According to Wikipedia, Matt Taibbi was born in 1970.
Regarding Coach Stringer, I think she wants to hash it all up again simply because she has a book to sell, so she is going to
throw anything she can ‘out there’ again.
To be a successful coach a person needs to get into the players psyches. This requires a fair amount of manipulative skills. Vivian Stringer may not admit it (not even to herself) clearly Coach is manipulating the aftermath to advantage book sales and team recruiting.
This made me chuckle. HRC apparently trumpeting Wyoming as the first state to allow women to vote.
Turns out the whole thing was a “marketing ploy” to attract women to a state with mostly men in 1869.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0735379720080308?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true
Stringer lost all credibility with me when she apologized to Isiah Thomas.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2007/10/04/2007-10-04_isiah_doesnt_deserve_to_keep_job_says_br-1.html
ENJOY!
LindainBB –
Thanks for the fact-check – I stand corrected – the Wiki-page I looked at didn’t reveal MT’s age, and my memory (or hearing) is failing at my own advanced age…
So I now wonder, is the far-side of 30-something too old for the gratuitoususeofprofanityaspunctuation? Probably not…I love that TV ad with the text-messaging granny…I’m only as old as I act!
Taibbi also criticizes McCain on the circumstances in which he would commit forces.
Taibbi fails to recognize or mention the McCain position is in fact conventional military strategy, tracing back to Carl von Clausewitz’s On Wars (1827). In fact the strategy forms the basis of the Powell Doctrine.
Frec,
the Wiki page doesn’t state his age, but at the bottom of the page where they list other sections he could be listed in, one is “People born in 1970.”
Also, FYI, Pale Male and Lola are now “sitting” so keep your fingers crossed that this year they’ll have babies again now that the nest has been “adjusted.”
It’s not just punctuation. He uses “verbal violence” in place of good arguments. Also, he claims to be such a pacifist but he writes “I want to choke the life out of both of them” re: 2 women at a McCain rally. Seems like a guy who shouldn’t get past security, and he’s there with a press pass?
Then he calls Ann Coulter a “skanky bitch-whore”.
Creepy dude, he’s got some issues.
(Great piece Ree, sorry everybody for the sloppy & confusing site management!)
Keith,
Thank you, I really get a new appreciation for just what blogging entails. It isn’t easy but it is a whole lot of fun.
The raw language usage, I thought about it myself was it gratutious? What is the demographic for RollingStone Magazine the median age? Matt has a target audience, his audience has changed by becoming a revolving guest on Imus in the Morning and appearing on other programs like Bill Maher on HBO, his audience is increasing and becoming more varied.
I have started reading Matt’s articles routinely since Imus introduced him to his audience. I don’t know that I would compare Matt to Hunter Thompson. I really believe that Hunter Thompson is one of those writing phenoms that don’t come along very often and yes I am a really big Hunter Thompson fan. From Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, to his coverage of the Pulitzer Divorce (A Dog took my Place) for RollingStone Magazine. I would literally have tears rolling down my face from laughing so hard. Hunter Thompson explaining the why the rich are different from the rest of us and the attraction of beastiality. Once you go Gonzo it is difficult to go back 🙂
Ann Coulter is a skanky Coultergeist with racoon eyes & a creepy persona.
Here we go:
http://mainstusa.blogspot.com/2008/03/imus-effect.html
ENJOY
Keith, thanks. You more succinctly stated the point I was trying to make. Your term, “verbal violence” hits the mark dead on.
Well there goes Taibbi’s WWIII scenario…
McCain Opens Door to Troop Reductions
Source New York Times
In reference to Harley’s link about Vivian Stringer. My reply to the blog.
I was irritated last spring when the national over reaction to poor humor completely overshadowed the wonderful national championship victory of the UT Lady Vols and Pat Summit’s accomplishments as the winningest coach in all of college basketball and leading her team to a 7th national championship. While I admire Ms. Stringer and her great accomplishments, she might have more success going on IITM and promoting her book instead of rehashing all this negativity. What does it lend to the racism conversation?
That said, I felt compelled to post the following in response to Neil’s blog:
While it is possible to understand Mrs. Stringer’s cynicism, one has to wonder if she has listened to “the new IITM.” He has made the effort that was not made last spring by any of the critics – to start a national conversation on racism. He said “he wanted to stay in touch with the Lady Scarlet Knights, but we have not heard from him” (paraphrased). IMO, Kia Vaughn put an end to that conversation when she sued. Perhaps it is time to move on.
AND GO HEELS!
Thus far unimpressed by Matt Taibbi’s style, writing, and appearances on IITM. I have not had the pleasure of seeing him on Bill Maher, so about that I can’t say.
But I am left wondering what about him produces the Imus-described three-way telecoms during which the I-man, Charles, and Mike Lupica read paragraphs aloud to one another amidst gales of laughter? There’s either a point I’m missing, or an entertainment value eluding me…
What about giving Ms. Stringer her own thread? Does she deserve her own place on the boards??
mtnherbal:
Thank you! I agree with your comments…
The Lady Vols got shafted, and no one apologized to them (unless I missed it.) And Kia put the kibosh on conversation…maybe if she apologizes, the dialogue can start again.
Ree, your blog about the Matt Taibbi article is excellent.
The entire Taibbi article reeks of smugness. I suppose the ample dose of crude language sprinkled throughout is there for shock and awe, or perhaps it’s there to make him look oh so cool, and a part of the “in” crowd, that is I mean, many in the younger generation who have grown up on those words, and love to spew them out and feel a comaraderie with those who do likewise. My daughter says, “they are only words, mom.” Ah, there’s that incoming debate of words again and what they really say when spoken.
I am not planning to vote for John McCain, but if he is elected President, I will feel secure with him as our leader.
I have tremendous respect for him and what he has endured in his lifetime. He has been through the fire. Has Matt Taibbi ever been through the fire? Someone needs to remind Mr. Taibbi that the reason he can write his articles and say what he thinks is because of men and women of courage like John McCain.
And so Matt Taibbi has something against soccer moms and what they think? Oh, Mr. Taibbi, grow up! Your attitude toward these women and their thoughts is very condescending. These women are not shallow, but you are.
People who think that there is someday going to be peace in the world are naive. It is not the nature of human beings. “There will always be wars and rumors of wars.”
Yes, John McCain’s age is an issue to a lot of people. I will admit that it does bothers me a little until I stop and really think about it. I have to realize that with age, comes wisdom. John McCain is a wise man, and I would trust him as President. Granted, he would be my second choice but I would indeed trust him.
Matt Taibbi, you are so cool you just downright leave me cold!
Congratulations on your blog, Ree!
The Interview with Don Imus on 02/29/08
For Ree and the Group.
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NLvKROtLb0
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0n5wdQZGV4
Sorry this came late Ree.
Thank You Bruce,
Ginger, I hear you, and where the generation gap might be pointed out to us because of our criticism of the raw language. I have had a 30 year old tell me, that when a person uses this type of lanuage for punctionation it is one thing but when this type of lanugage is used on a continual basis, saturates the conversation, well he said, that the person probably has about 3 different words in their vocabulary to choose from 🙂 I am not speaking of Matt Taibbi now but the generation that over uses obscenities instead of digging a little deeper for something more discriptive. Is this the side effect of text messaging, too much shorthanding ect..? Matt’s targeted demograhics, the texting generation?
Ginger,
One of my favorite books is “The Naked Ape” they say since the time we jumped down from the trees, we started tool and weapon making. Out of all the species and I think it started with who the anthropolgist refer to as “Handy Man” we had two things going for us a big brain and we stood errect. We didn’t have fur,claws,tearing teeth ect…we were bare. Our ancient ancestors needed to survive, we devolped weapon making for food and survival. Humans have never stopped making weapons. Peace, I don’t think human beings are at that stage of evolution. Oh and I do appreciate a good Handy Man 😉
What’s up with all the language and verbal violence in “McCain Resurrected”? Possibly it’s cover for a badly constructed argument! What did Taibbi get right in this article?
KOSOVO
Troops on the ground? In 1999 Prez Clinton deployed US forces to Kosovo which remain there to this day..
IRAQ
On the war in Iraq? McCain was an early proponent to increase troop levels. McCain supported the Petraeus plan which reduced the daily violence and reduced casualties. McCain is for troop reductions based on rendering Iraq a safer more secure place.
IRAQI DEATHS
More of Taibbi’s twisted logic? Fact: Iraqi’s are responsible for those Iraqi deaths. US forces were not driving car bombs into markets, Iraqis were. US forces were not strapping suicide vests to themselves, Iraqis were. US forces were not constituted into ethnic/religious militia death squads, Iraqis were. What McCain stands for is reduction of the violence and casualties as US draws down troops.
VIETNAM
WWWIII Scenario? Is it reasonable to allow the enemy access to war materials? Scenario is disputed by the US mining of principal North Vietnamese ports in 1972 (Operation Pocket Monkey). At the time mining North Vietnam harbors was seen as provocative an act as bombing Soviet ships. McCain’s point “Never again do we send our men and women to fight and die in foreign conflicts unless our goal is victory!”, is rational.
CONCLUSION
Finally getting through the foul language and verbal violence to consider the premise of “McCain Resurrected” is when it hits you, this piece is fatally flawed. Under careful examination Taibbi’s arguments regarding McCain do not stand from a historic factual basis.
lindainbluebell wrote re: Coach Stringer:
I think lindainbluebell just hit the nail on the head.
This article “McCain Resurrected” did not go un noticed, we are not the only ones having this discussion.
http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/03/03/rolling-stone-ann-coulter-skanky-b-h-wh-e
Somewhere out there regarding Sweet Hillary Clinton.
“Where is the G-damned f***ing flag? I want the G-damned f***ing flag up
every f***ing morning at f***ing sunrise.”
–From the book “Inside The White House” by Ronald Kessler, p. 244 –
(Hillary to the staff at the Arkansas Governor’s mansion on Labor Day,
1991)
“You sold out, you m***er-f***er! You sold out!”
–From the book “Inside” by Joseph Califano, p. 213 – (Hillary yelling at
a Democrat lawyer.)
“F*** off! It’s enough that I have to see you sh**-kickers every day, I’m
not going to talk to you too!! Just do your G*dam job and keep your mouth
shut.”
–From the book “American Evita” by Christopher Anderson, p. 90 – (Hillary
to her State Trooper body-guards after one of them greeted her with “Good
Morning.”)
“You f** *ing idiot”
–From the book “Crossfire” p. 84 – (Hillary to a State Trooper who was
driving her to an event.)
“If you want to remain on this detail, get your f***ing ass over here and
grab those bags!”
–From the book “The First Partner” p. 259 – (Hillary to a Secret Service
Agent who was reluctant to carry her luggage because he wanted to keep his hands free
in case of an incident.)
“Get f***ed! Get the f*** out of my way!!! Get out of my face!!!”
–From the book “Hillary’s Scheme” p. 89 – (Hillary’s various comments to
her Secret Service detail agents.)
“Stay the f*** back, stay the f*** away from me! Don’t come within ten
yards of me, or else! Just f***ing do as I say, Okay!!!?”
–From the book “Unlimited Access”, by Clinton FBI Agent in Charge,
Gary Aldrige, p. 139 –
(Hillary screaming at her Secret Service detail)”Where’s the miserable c**k
sucker?”
–From the book “The Truth About Hillary” by Edward Klein, p. 5 –
(Hillary shouting at a Secret Service officer) “Son of a bitch.”
–From the book “American Evita” by Christopher Anderson, p. 259 –
(Hillary’s opinion of President George W. Bush when she found out he
secretly visited Iraq just days before her highly publicized trip to
Iraq )
“What are you doing inviting these people into my home? These people are
our enemies! They are trying to destroy us!”
–From the book “The Survivor” by John Harris, p. 99 – (Hillary screaming
to an aide, when she found out that some Republicans had been invited to
the Clinton White House)
“Come on Bill, put your d**k up! You can’t f*** her here!!”
–From the book “Inside the White House” by Ronald Kessler, p. 243 –
(Hillary to Gov. Clinton when she spots him talking with an attractive
female at an Arkansas political rally.)
“You know, I’m going to start thanking the woman who cleans the
restroom in the building I work in. I’m going to start thinking of her as
a human being”
–From the book “The Case against Hillary Clinton” by Peggy Noonan, p. 55
“We just can’t trust the American people to make those types of
choices…. Government has to make those choices for people ”
–From the book “I’ve Always Been A Yankee Fan” by Thomas D. Kuiper, p.
20 – (Hillary to Rep. Dennis Hasert in 1993 discussing her expensive,
disastrous taxpayer-funded health care plan.)
This ill-tempered, violent, foul- mouthed, hateful, abusive, beastly woman
wants to be your President and have total control, as your
commander-in-chief of our military, the very military for which she
has shown incredible contempt & disdain throughout her public life.
Surely we the people of the The United States can easily do better than
this.
The references given for these quotes have been confirmed by Snopes
http://www.snopes.com/politics/clintons/hildabeast.asp
http://www.snopes.com/politics/clintons/hildabeast.asp),
Aw! Wicked too bad. Poor Denny boy Hastert getting an earful frm the B****. Well as Elton John sang ‘The Bitch is back’. Art imitating life in 2008 – ya can’t make this stuff up.
Ree,
Generally I like Taibbi and enjoy reading his stuff, but McCain Resurrected is terrible.
Here is the question….
WHY DIDN’T IMUS CHALLENGE TAIBBI’S PREMISE, FACTS AND/OR CONCLUSION? WHY DID IMUS LET THIS GO?
…as far as Vietnam …we suffered minimal casualties prior to the “Gulf Of Tonkin” incident. Most of the Americans were, prior to that time, trainers and advisor’s. John F Kennedy, prior to his assassination , noted in history…his last command as Commander In Cheif of our armed forces…and his final executive order, that was never carried out due to the assassination, was to fully withdraw all American advisor’s and trainers from Vietnam.
After L.B.J. took the helm, a cruel hoax and lie was perpetrated by our military…”The Gulf Of Tonkin Incident.”
From Wikpedia:
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident defined the beginning of large-scale involvement of U.S. armed forces in Vietnam. It was a pair of supposed attacks carried out by naval forces of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) against two American destroyers, the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy. The incident occurred on August 2 and 4, 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin.[1]
The outcome of the incident was the passage by Congress of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted President Lyndon Johnson the authority to assist any Southeast Asian country whose government was considered to be jeopardized by “communist aggression”. The resolution served as Johnson’s legal justification for escalating American involvement in the Vietnam Conflict, which lasted until 1975.
In 2005, it was revealed in an official NSA declassified report[2] that the Maddox first fired warning shots on the August 2 incident and that there may have been no North Vietnamese boats at the August 4 incident. The report said
[I]t is not simply that there is a different story as to what happened; it is that no attack happened that night. […] In truth, Hanoi’s navy was engaged in nothing that night but the salvage of two of the boats damaged on 2 August.[3]
Off that subject…and on to another… a GREAT blog by Marshall Grossman at The Huffington Post from today, March 9, 2008:
With its usual unwillingness to look to the underlying distribution of power and authority when an argument based on the ephemera of personality is ready to hand, the media has misrepresented the significance of the huge increase in voter turn out in this year’s primaries, the giant buoyant crowds at Obama’s rallies as functions of Obama’s charisma. I suppose Obama is a charismatic speaker–although he hasn’t had much emotional impact on me–but I suspect that the charisma adheres not to him but to his supporters. In plain words what is scaring the bejesus out of the political establishment is not his political talent or his oratorical appeal but the possibility that he is fronting a MOVEMENT. In this respect the apparently vapid chanting of “Yes we can” might mean something important “Yes we can–with or without you.” Apart from the broad demystification consequent to the over-reaching menace of the Bush Administration, a few structural changes in the electoral environment persuade me that this may be a moment when “Yes we can” may come to mean “yes we will.”
Link to the full article (blog).:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-grossman/obama-and-clinton-are-th_b_90584.html
My personal favorite quote from Marshall Grossman’s blog is the following:
“How afraid can we be after the worst has already happened? It’s difficult to fathom how we can be more terrified by the prospect of who will answer the red phone at 3 AM after January 20th 2009 than we are by our knowledge of who is answering it tonight. If George W. Bush, who has failed to stop the attacks of 9/11/01, failed to apprehend Bin Laden, failed to effect favorable outcomes in Afghanistan and Iraq, failed to respond to natural disaster in New Orleans, allied us to a politically unstable yet nuclear armed Pakistan, run the country into fiscal bankruptcy, allowed the unregulated rapacity of the mortgage lenders to give us a rerun of the Savings and Loan fiasco, and turned the mighty U.S. Dollar into the currency no body wants, can answer that red phone, we can just as well train a hamster to do it.”
Well said, Mr. Grossman.
In effect…Mr. Grossman’s assessment of the current “politics and rhetoric” as usual…and want to CHANGE. Change how we deal with the rest of the world, how we deal with the enourmous monetary burden now facing our nation…and people want an advocate for that venue.
The outcome and the end results are yet to be determined…but take notice to what Grossman is saying…and he stated it so well:
“In plain words what is scaring the bejesus out of the political establishment is not his political talent or his oratorical appeal but the possibility that he is fronting a MOVEMENT. In this respect the apparently vapid chanting of “Yes we can” might mean something important “Yes we can–with or without you.” Apart from the broad demystification consequent to the over-reaching menace of the Bush Administration, a few structural changes in the electoral environment persuade me that this may be a moment when “Yes we can” may come to mean “yes we will.”
Here is the Alan Colmes Interview on Imus that Media Matters had a problem regarding the words describing her husband.
You Tube
Comments are welcomed.
On Ree’s Post:
I agree with the entire precepts, and will concede that it was, at the very least by Matt Taibbi, a ill written piece.
That being said: John McCain is not the answer to Americas’ problems at hand…and will be thoroughly vetted in the general election.
He is a “flip-flopper” on many critical issues (I.E. the immigration issue, the tax cuts for the wealthy)…and these are going to be brutally brought to the forefront in the upcoming general elections.
I would venture to say, that it is John McCain who now has become the “flawed candidate” as Karl Rove noted on Hillary Clinton.
They…in my estimation will be, if elected either one of them)…the “same ole’ same ole’ …and the American people are fed up with their rhetoric, and pandering.
Hillary on the Alan Colmes interview Friday.
Let’s not bury the lead here.
Maybe I’m younger than a lot of you (just turned 42 yesterday) but I for one don’t much care about Taibbi’s profanity. As Channel outlined so well, the piece is just WRONG.
And Hillary Clinton swears and yells at people? Who cares? I doubt she’s the first politician who has been liberal with the f-bomb.
Hey maybe that’s it. Conservatives drop boom bombs, liberals drop f-bombs? 😉
Hillary is so dishonest. I think it does matter how someone behaves and treats others when the cameras are not rolling. It’s not so much about her language as it is her total disdain for the people around her. And then she weeps in order to get sympathy. Give me a break.
I don’t see an advantage for the Left to attack McCain on his strengths- service, experience and political longevity for his country. When Matt attacks McCain for his war stance and age, it will lead people naturally to compare McCain’s record to the alternative Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama. Obama’s position on the present wars, reminds me of an online game titled “Whack Em All” Hillary Clinton is running as the canidate of experience because she was First Lady, when her husband was President. That leads to looking at her husband’s record in comparison. McCain is going to be criticized – lampooned and harpooned. I think this attempt missed Matt’s older readers. Do we read deeper? I have asked before, what has happened to critical thinking in this country?
Donald Inks,
One of my favorite Burt Lancaster movies, was titled “Go Tell the Spartans” I think it came out in 1977/78. The movie was about our early involvement in the Vietnam conflict, when we were acting as advisors. (Note to Matt, I don’t have a child in soccer presently)
Geneocide issue, seems to be politically relative and is either being omitted or it is being used for political advantage. I have never criticized President Bill Clinton’s decision to go into Bosnia, Kosovo ect. I believe he did the right the thing and it wasn’t popular at the time. Rawanda, Iraq, Darfur and there is this one that is overlapping into my family history research for no apparent good reason. Armenia vs Turkey, the event happened 1915. There are attempts to use this event to smear Hillary Clinton, why, what does an event that happened almost 100 years ago have to do with Americans in 2008? Outside agitators or Americans playing al la the Boston tea party, when they dressed up as Indians and dumped tea into Boston Harbor? I was sent this youtube, and I do wonder do we have Americans playing dress up again? I am not so naive to believe, what I am told to see 🙂
Bruce,
With regard to the Hillary quotes (no. 39 above) – I looked at the Snopes site and they seem to cast doubt on alot of those quotes, taking them one by one and giving their original source where possible. One of the troopers quoted, for instance, also had an unlikely story about Bill Clinton murdering someone, and another was a quote from an old issue of the tabloid Star which in turn was using an unnamed source. So I think we have to take those quotes with a few grains of salt.
I couldn’t seem to copy anything from the Snopes site, so my examples here are from memory (and probably inaccurate!)
Alison
Obama’s troop plan for Iraq:
Bringing Our Troops Home
Obama’s plan contemplates force reductions over 16 months. This means a dwindling US force left in harms way for over a year. Somehow this just doesn’t make sense.
Sorry Alison,
Snopes is good and generally if an actual quote cannot be copied you can use the URL on the page you found.
Remember this on here. Two URL’s per post or they are moderated.
My point in posting that piece was on Hillary’s demanding style. She is tough. But after all she was only the first Lady and truly talking out of both sides of her mouth. My opinion.
And as a Senator from NY, she is very ineffective. Again my opinion.
ChannelX,
I understood Obama wanted to redeploy our troops to Afghanistan to fight Alqaeda and the Taliban in that geographic region. I am guessing he has decided we are done fighting Alqaeda in Iraq? I believe he stated he would send troops back into Iraq to fight Alqaeda if necessary. I don’t know if he understands the Logistics this would entail? Moving troops around the middle east to address the enemy of the moment, chasing the enemy.
Whack Em All, is an online game the graphics are nine to twelve holes and then a graphic of the programer’s choice sticks up in one of the holes and you whack it with your hammer, then the graphic pops up in another hole and you whack it with your hammer and so on and so forth. The Players in the Middle East are playing three demensional chess and Obama wants to play Whack Em All 🙂 Obama wants to leave Iraq, who doesn’t?
On a Lighter note…
Wish I had been there.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Clemons sits in with Helm in concert at Beacon Theater
Famed E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons sat in with the Levon Helm Band Saturday night at the Beacon Theater in New York City.
Clemons played on the song “Tossin’ and Turnin’.” Singer Phoebe Snow was on vocals and saxophonist “Blue Lou” Marini was also on stage.
Marini is known for his stint with the “Saturday Night Live” band and for his appearance in “The Blues Brothers” movies.
At the Levon Helm Band’s Friday night concert at the Beacon Theater, it was announced some proceeds from the sale of Helm’s 2007 album, “Dirt Farmer,” will be given to charity.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where Helm was treated for throat cancer, will receive $11,200.
The Imus Ranch, a working ranch in New Mexico created by radio host Don Imus that is a charitable organization for children who are sick with cancer, will also receive $11,200.
Imus and Helm are longtime friends.
Must have been quite a show PTB. Wish I could have been there.
Lou Ruffino was supposedly going to introduce them per se.
Did you go? Or was this something you read.
What a stand up guy Levon Helm is. A hero in my book.
I found this n my Google alerts
ENJOY!
http://kcblueblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/imus-attacks-clinton-by-bringing-up.html
I guess this is Imus’ fault, too:
http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/SPORTS07/803100436/1012/SPORTS10
Taking Care of Business
Maybe Coach Stringer should stop pining for that I-Call and start taking care of business. Talking about taking care of business. KC Blue that is Imus’ point regarding HRC and BJ Bill.
ThanX Harley…
My answer to that nut on Imus attacking BJ Bill
Poor old Scarlet Knights. Not going to be in the finals this year. Too bad, too sad.
Stringer as stated previously should be coaching instead of promoting.
I lived in NJ all my life for 42 years at least, before leaving to WI, WV and now Florida. I knew about Rutgers University but didn’t even know they had a sports program.
Who cares is what I say. How come Kia Vaughn’s name wasn’t mentioned in that article? Is she writing a book too and out on tour? Good grief.
The I-Man continuuuuueeessss!
HRC is Cankle Queen, hence the pant suits. I know this is tacky and female posters will take exception. So sorry in advance, however, there can never be enough bad, tacky things to say about HRC.
cankles
A reference to a pair of legs that have no defined end of the calf area as well as no defined beginning of the ankle area. Does not only refer to fatty legs, simply shapeless legs.
HRC’s soul is like her legs —- “shapeless”
I agree Ski. You put it marvelously. My family would call them Piano legs.
But now the story within that story I commented on.
The link in that blog is about a girl being in Clinton’s red phone advertisement.
Interesting and with a video.
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_030708WAB_hillary_ad_KC.328ab14f.html
the myspace live for the troops live from Kuwait is today for anyone who is interested this is the link.
http://www.myspace.com/operationmyspace
Just in from Huffington.
“Commander In Chief” Obama To Appear With Military Brass
Maybe these guys will explain how Obama’s ‘Bringing Our Troops Home” does not needlessly expose US forces left behind in Iraq.
ChannelX,
It is true Obama needs to be much more specific on the current conflicts. Obama is appealing to many, who doesn’t want the troops home? The specifics on the effect on our National Security and how he would go about troop reduction or redeployment, would go along way to either soothe concern or make up people’s minds that he isn’t ready. This isn’t a question that can wait till later.
Maureen Dowd is going to be on Imus weds? Meanwhile latest article “The Monster Mash”
OK Skiwolf, I’ll take the bait. No one judges the male candidates by their legs. Does anyone know what Obama’s legs look like? Or care? Or any other male candidate back through history?
I do love the word cankle, though. Piano legs, too. Very descriptive.
My real point Alison was my last sentance and all the tacky stuff was to set that up.
Ever see the Showtime series “Weeds”?
Anyhow, I did apologize in advance. Does that help?
Ski wolf, Alison,
Marty has pointed out Obama’s man boobs before on her blog, I don’t think Hillary gets a pass. Imus mentioned his cankels on the air with Dierdra, when he was discussing his legs swelling. Bill even stated in a speech about his wife, she is what she is, I can’t make her into something else so they admit this is it folks. Then you have Sharon Stones point of view, that Hillary is still in her sexual prime and that intimidates men. Uh huh, it isn’t her tendency to try and neuter them, ask Shoester, I bet he crosses his legs everytime he reports on her now 🙂
Meanwhile I am thinking that Marty, has read some Hunter Thompson herself.
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2008/03/pulitizer-takes-leak.html
Keith,
Remember when you mentioned that we can order books through Amazon through Support Imus site, there is a set up now right? College Girl, mentioned Dierdra’s new book. Could we get a refresher on how that works ordering through Support Imus on Amazon?
http://getoffmyphone.blogspot.com/2008/03/growing-up-green.html
We ought to link up Stringer’s book to donate some funds to the Imus Ranch! 😉
I’d rather just donate to the ranch, the price of her book maybe, but just forget about Vivian Stringer getting any of the dough.
Maybe we should all post naked photos of ourselves so we can show how perfect OUR bodies are.
Sharon Stone — her relevance to anything is?
This discussion on Hillary’s legs is mostly said like the comedians do on the pantsuit issue.
No one is disrespecting her legs. Making fun yes, but I am one who has a wonderful woman who isn’t a string-bean. And do not make fun of a persons shape.
It is kind of counter-productive to what the real issues are. She just isn’t qualifed period.
I-Shout, USA Today
‘Heat’ is on sex offenders in Linda Fairstein’s 10th thriller
There are some good bloggers out there:
http://dj-astellarlife.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-hate-daylight-savings-time-imus-blind.html
Show her some love! 🙂
I guess this is the debate on race they were talking about:
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur41565.cfm
Was Roker invited?
ski wolf,
Sharon Stone is oblivious to her latent comedic talent.
Meanwhile it looks like MMFA got out ahead of itself, oops.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2008/03/09/media-matters-book-says-free-ride-mccain-oops-bad-timing
Is the left, going to out left itself? I remember what Laura Ingraham stated about the Democrat party if they can’t win in this political climate, they need to hang it up.
Ree,
Buying through Amazon? Just saw this in the Right Column above. That Keith, he’s a quick one…
Help support the Imus Ranch with your purchases.
SupportImus.org will transfer all of its fee, between 4-10% on most items.
SupportImus.Org – Amazon Affiliate Store is located at….
http://astore.amazon.com/thimti-20
A little off subject but about Politics. A Jackie Mason You Tube Video regarding his appearance on Jimmie Kimmel live.
Not required boys and girls. But funny nevertheless.
ChannelX,
thanks I went ahead and bookmarked the page.
Great looking site
Support Imus Amazon Store
Bruce,
Jackie Mason is very funny and very intelligent. I saw him perform in Vegas about 8 years ago. Thanks for the clip!
Who in the world is “Lobster Newburg”?
By the way,
Don’t know if any of you guys watch As The World Turns (I have on and off since the early 90’s), but it is ironic that Procter & Gamble are bending over backwards (pun intended:) to keep the folks from GLAAD happy. Was watching today and two straight dudes did a scene straight outta Brokeback! They’re going to have a LOT of explaining to do to the religious right before its all done……
Wonder what Imus & Bernie will say about Spitzer’s trouble with the Gambino family & the Emporers club tomorrow? Should be interesting.
Lobster Newberg is Esther Newberg – Imus’s Jewish agent – thus the term ‘Lobster’ said with ‘tongue in cheek’
Harley,
Esther Neuberg – Newburg, is Imus’s agent, she only calls him when she notices or hears, bad news or bad press…pretty funny.
I was trying to post this on Imus Truth, it is the link to Arlene Ladell Hayes online webpage. The art on the set, Imus mentioned today. I really like American Indian Art myself. Kirby Sattler, Colorado Artist and J.D. Challenger, Oklahoma Artist, I have J.D. Challenger set as wallpaper on my myspace page right now.
http://www.joewadefineart.com/cont_painters/hayes/hayes_oils.htm
There is a Red Earth Festival, every summer in Oklahoma City and part of the Hall is donated to American Indian Art. I think it is set for the early part of June this year, I am planning on driving up for festival.
Laree,
I took the day off today to treat myself after a weekend in the blizzard and am enjoying the MySpace show. I can’t see myself stickin around for Jessica Simpson, but Disturbed was pretty good and the stream is amazing.
Ginger,
Naked pics? Hmm…I can be persuaded if YOU can. hee hee
Dang, you New Yorkers know how to keep things jumpin’:
ENJOY! 🙂
I’ve always been told being client “#9” was bad luck. Oh bummer for holier than thou Spitzer.
Bye-Bye Tucker Carlson….
Maybe, Obama was listening to Imus this morning…LOL…
From the Washington Times…
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/10/obama_im_no_vp_1.html#more?hpid=topnewshttp://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/10/obama_im_no_vp_1.html#more?hpid=topnews
You know what would be great? Obama appearing on Imus. In my Imus centric world an appearance is critical to understanding a prez candidate.
BTW I take it kind of personally that Obama refuses to appear on the program. Feels like he’s dissing the entire I-Nation. There you go….
This just in
WCBS, Fox News: Spitzer To Resign
Both WCBS and Fox News are reporting that Eliot Spitzer is expected to resign shortly. David Paterson is expected to take over as the new governor of New York State.
At a press conference, Gov. Spitzer appeared with his distressed-looking wife and gave a statement apologizing to his family and to the public.
Source: mediabistro fishbowlNY
You can’t make this up people…
On Cindi McCain…where Johns money came from to launch his political carreer…and for more info…google Johns voting on legislations involving the alcohol industry during his terms in the senate…(he repeatedly recused himself from voting).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Hensley_McCain
Wonder how Hillary is taking the news? I bet Sharpton is already trying to figure how to benefit from the Paterson administration……. 😉
More on John McCain and the Anheuser-Bush connections…
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/09/alcohol_industry_ties_may_test_mccain/
From the above link on the Anheuser-Bush connections article:
“The alcohol lobby is one of the most influential in Washington. Although McCain has recused himself on alcohol issues, he has not refused the industry’s money. Out of all candidates for all federal offices in 2008 – the White House, Senate, and House – McCain has received more alcohol industry money than all but two.
The top recipient was Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, with $210,750, followed by former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani with $186,725 and McCain with $152,725, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. In addition, the analysis showed that McCain was the top recipient among federal candidates of money from Anheuser-Busch, the company that supplies beer to his wife’s firm, providing $15,200.”
This quote was from an article that came up on ChanXs I-Mash yesterday…that I saved…yet the article that was on the Imash is now gone…???? Hmmm….
“In 1979 at a military reception in Honolulu, McCain met Cindy Hensley, an attractive 25-year-old woman from a very wealthy politically-connected Arizona family. Cindy’s father, Jim, founded the Hensley and Company, the nation’s third-largest Anheuser-Busch distributor.
McCain described their first meeting, “She was lovely, intelligent and charming, 17 years my junior but poised and confident. I monopolized her attention the entire time, taking care to prevent anyone else from intruding on our conversation. When it came time to leave the party, I persuaded her to join me for drinks at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. By the evening’s end, I was in love.”
While still married to Carol, McCain began an adulterous relationship with Cindy. He married Cindy in May 1980 — just a month after dumping Carol and securing a divorce. The newlyweds honeymooned in Hawaii.
McCain followed his young, millionairess wife back to Arizona where her father helped catapult McCain into politics,
Today, Cindy Hensley McCain is chairwoman of Hensley’s board of directors. Hensley and Company financial reports show assets worth a minimum of $28 million for the McCains”
The “Keating Five” episode…from wikpedia:
“McCain became enmeshed in a scandal during the 1980s, called Keating Five, in the context of the Savings and Loan crisis of that decade. Between 1982 and 1987, McCain had received approximately $112,000 in political contributions from Charles Keating Jr. and his associates at Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, along with trips on Keating’s jets.[74] Subsequently, in 1987, McCain was one of five Senators whom Keating contacted in order to prevent the government’s seizure of Lincoln, which was by then insolvent and being investigated for making questionable efforts to regain solvency. At Keating’s request, McCain met at least twice in 1987 with the chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to prevent the government’s seizure of Lincoln.
McCain at the September 1992 christening of USS John S. McCain at Bath Iron Works in Maine, with, left to right, his mother Roberta McCain; his son Jack; his daughter Meghan; and his wife Cindy McCain.
McCain at the September 1992 christening of USS John S. McCain at Bath Iron Works in Maine, with, left to right, his mother Roberta McCain; his son Jack; his daughter Meghan; and his wife Cindy McCain.
On his Keating Five experience, McCain said: “The appearance of it was wrong. It’s a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do.”[75]
Federal regulators ultimately filed a $1.1 billion civil racketeering and fraud suit against Keating. The five senators came under investigation for attempting to influence the regulators. In the end, none of the senators were charged with any crime, although McCain was rebuked by the Senate Ethics Committee for exercising “poor judgment” in intervening with the federal regulators on Keating’s behalf.”
To avoid becoming overwhelmed by political blogs the I-Mash publishes the latest blogs up to a maximum of 10 political blogs. Blogs covering Imus typically remain in the I-Mash for about 6 to 8 weeks depending on maintenance….
Regarding McCain;
Like most POWs his marriage ended in divorce. The separation results in incalculable stress on relationships. McCain has been very upfront about this.
Cindy McCain’s financial status and battles with addiction are well known.
Since the Keating Five episode McCain has been a leader in ethics reform, much to his colleagues chagrin.
Donaldinks: Re: the creepy Bushie McCain – thank-you for your info – I was aware of all that – but maybe some people on this site – McCain cheerleaders – will not like that you put the info here. Gotta love it! Thanks again. Its scary that he loves & fawns over Dubya so much. Its creepy.
Mrs. McCain looks & seems exactly like a ‘Stepford’ wife. Scary.
Oh i forgot to mention regarding McCain’s involvement in the Keating Five, “No Laws Were Broken”.
Donald,
Now you are a friend of mine along with many here. The McCain situation was ironed out by him changing the law. And as Channel stated so succinctly, NO LAWS WERE BROKEN.
Now it would be illegal to accept favors from contributors or PAC’s.
Wonder what the Clinton’s do?
Did it occur to you the reason why there are so many McCain supporters here is because of his loyalty to Don Imus. Johnny Mac never wavered. His support for Don Imus was resolute. He was the first big name politician to appear on WABC with Imus.
If returning John McCain’s loyalty makes one a cheerleader, well guilty as charged.
Isn’t that amazing Channel.
Our own Imus having an influence on John McCain and his supporters.
I will say this again.
ChannelX,
I think the McCain took some hits down in Texas too before Huckabee dropped out of the race because he mentioned the highly charged vaccine issue. I don’t think of myself as a cheerleader it is hardly cheerleading, pointing out that he is being targeted by all kinds of media types. I am sure he knew he was going to be targeted, when he started running for the office of the president.
There has been a lot of name calling here. Casting aspersions towards McCain such as NeoCon, War Monger, “Stepford Wife” none of which is true.
Just absolute nonsense directed at a person who has and continues to be a strong Imus supporter. John McCain stood for Imus when everyone else was saying “wait and see”. That’s good enough for me.
ChannelX,
When people start name calling i.e. McCain is a Bushie, and he behaves creepy and it is scary, all it tells me is that McCain has a chance as good a chance as the other two…otherwise they wouldn’t say anything, they wouldn’t care, so he must be a real contender for the Presidency. No need for personal attacks on someone you don’t think is a serious threat. I don’t see the advantage in attacking McCain’s character it only rallies the Republican base by attacking him and again it makes people compare him to the Democrat canidate’s character. In the instance of character, I believe Obama stands up better then Clinton.
Hey STD,
On the “other” site you accused me of starting a conversation about McCain when all I did was respond to a sad poster who made fun of McCain because he can’t comb his hair.
What I did was explain to this sad poster that he can’t comb his hair due to injuries sustained as a POW. I asked you to to read more carefully again and to apologize for accusing me of something I did not do.
But, you have yet to do that. So, I ask you again to go back and accurately report what took place.
For some reason you seem reluctant to do that? Seems “creepy” to me. Almost “gitish like”.
As a POW the Vietnamese offered John McCain a release from prison. This offer was an effort to embarrass the United States since McCain was the son of a top US commander. McCain refused the offer. As a result of his refusal he was tortured held in solitary confinement and imprisoned for five and half years.
Just another example of creepy behavior?
Elliot Spitzer, Governor of New York.
Once attempted to investigate Imus and his ranch in New Mexico for illegal use by masking it as a charity when he thought it was a Vacation home for Don and Deirdre Imus.
Now he is the topic of conversation by all the News outlets.
Read about one persons opinion on the Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-gerber/why-women-keep-their-pant_b_90854.html
I post here and comment when necessary. But do read Imus Truth. More and more negativity by some there who also post here is running wild especially about this skit.
“IMUS RADIO THEATRE ON THE AIR” Well it is my opinion for what it’s worth the skit is well thought out. Not stellar but complete and on topic today. So I release this to you.
I only ask that if you are able to comment and rate please do so. Don’t rate the skit, rate the presentation. And if you do not have a Youtube account it is very easy to sign up for one. You don’t have to send videos or presentations. Just some basic information and email address and password. I would appreciate it.
Episode 7 of the Imus Theatre on the Air
Skiwolf:
Just to clarify, John McCains injuries were the result of his crash landing in Vietnam, in which BOTH of his shoulders were broken, prior to being captured…and subsequently tortured. He was indeed a brave and valiant soldier. One would hope that no one thinks any of my above posts were meant to detract from that fact. I wanted to make that point very clear. On his military service to his country, I hold him in the highest regard.
Point of this thread? McCain Resurrected represents a horrible piece of journalism. Taibbi set out to smear McCain and did so by playing fast and loose with facts and history. Certainly haven’t righted all the wrongs but at least gave it a try…
As for his injuries from the crash, the North Vietnamese captors withheld medical care from McCain. This lack of care, in violation of the Geneva Convention, resulted in his permanent injuries.
Full disclosure – Anheuser Busch is my brewer of choice. As such, recently visited the St Louis brewery on a fact finding tour and received two complimentary beverages…..
Chax,
You are correct to point out not only the injuries to John McCain from his crash landing…but also the torture he endured at the very time of his capture, and the withholding of medical treatment by the Vietnamese. God only knows what that brave man endured. He is a hero as an American Soldier and Veteran at any rate.
From Wickpedia:
“John McCain’s capture and imprisonment began on October 26, 1967. He was flying his twenty-third bombing mission over North Vietnam, when his A-4E Skyhawk was shot down by a Soviet-made SA-2 anti-aircraft missile over Hanoi.[32][33][34][35] McCain fractured both arms and a leg,[36] and then nearly drowned when he parachuted into Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi.[32] After he regained consciousness, a mob gathered around, spat on him, kicked him, and stripped him of his clothes.[37] Others crushed his shoulder with the butt of a rifle and bayoneted him in his left foot and abdominal area; he was then transported to Hanoi’s main Hoa Loa Prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs.[37][38]
Although McCain was badly wounded, his captors refused to give him medical care unless he gave them military information, beating and interrogating him.[37] Only when the North Vietnamese discovered that his father was a top admiral did they give him medical care[37] and announced his capture. His status as a POW made the front pages of The New York Times[39] and The Washington Post.[40]”
As I stated way above on this thread…The Taibbi piece was ill conceived…often times outright slanderous…in my belief. Why Imus glorifies this “journalist” is beyond belief.
…LMAO…and Chanx, My “beer of preference” is Miller Light”…and I have to PAY for mine…lol. At any rate, the next one I have…I will cheer to your health, and well being. 😉
And here is to good health with wishes for propsperity for you and your family….
Michelle Malkin gets 15.1 Million hits a month on her blogs, that is in her latest bio, which is posted on her blogs. Michelle is highlighting Rollingstone’s latest magazine, in this blog. This raises RollingStone’s visiablity.
What is that saying, Mike Myers used to use, in one of his SNL skits, I’m verkelmped “talk among yourselves” I’ll give you a topic. (No such thing as bad publicity) RollingStone readership I believe was stated by Newsbusters, around 1 million, I think that is hard copy? I don’t know what kind of online viewing they get? When the major blogs start covering you it increases interest.
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/03/12/look-its-glowbama/