McCain/Palin: Team from Hell

Questions John McCain Would Not Answer

Photo: McCain/Palin: Team from Hell

John McCain was contacted on several occasions to answer some questions for Pravda.ru. Unlike the western corporate media, nothing is hidden here, nothing is out of bounds to ask the candidate. Both he and his staff failed to respond. Those unanswered questions are presented here:

Senator McCain, is it true that as a child, you were quick to anger and you used to hold your breath until you passed out? Was it also true that your parents would put you in a bath of ice water to try and get you to stop?

Is it true that you finished 894th out of 899 at the Naval Academy, the absolute bottom of your class?

Is it true that because of your family connections, you were admitted into the flight training program over much more qualified candidates? Is it true that in flight school, your grades were very poor (according to your instructor)?

Is it true that your first wife, while you were a POW, fought to make sure that you came home and you rewarded this loyalty by divorcing her immediately after your return?

Is it true you were known for carousing, womanizing, drinking and a poor choice of companions, and that one month after your divorce, you married Cindy Lou Hensley, wealthy daughter from the prosperous Anheuser-Busch beer fortune?

Is it true that right after you were shot down you were giving interviews to foreign correspondents, providing information on your prior command, casualties and tactics, in violation of the Military Code of Conduct?

Is it true that while a POW for 5 years, you admit to having given information to the enemy while a prisoner of war in exchange for favors?

Is it true that when you returned from captivity, you were ashamed to face your family because of what you did while a prisoner of war?

Is it true that while a member of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs (1991-1993) you referred to POW/MIA family members and activists as whiners, vultures and the lunatic fringe?

Can you comment on your absolutely dismal voting record on veterans’ bills and why so many veterans are angry with you?

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973

Is it true that you fought to improve relations with Vietnam because your family stood to profit greatly because of their large corporate interests in the Budweiser Corporation? Wasn’t Budweiser among the first large US Corporations to enter Vietnam after relations were normalized?

Did you recently tell reporters, "I hated the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live" ?

Was it due to bad luck or lack of ability that you lost 5 aircraft in 11 years?

The first one in 1958 when you ditched one plane into Corpus Christi Bay while practicing landings.

The second was over the Iberian Peninsula while flying too low, taking out some power lines.

The third happened when returning from partying after an Army-Navy game in Philadelphia, you crashed while flying a navy trainer.

The fourth when you were in the cockpit of a plane aboard the USS Forrestal when it was hit by a rocket. The plane was destroyed, and you escaped with some injuries, but 134 sailors in the same vicinity on the Forrestal were killed.

The fifth plane was lost when you were shot down on your 23^rd mission in Vietnam where you became a POW?

Is it true that despite having received all sorts of military honors, you had only flown 23 combat missions during the war totaling no more than 20 actual hours in combat?

Do you still stand behind your previous statements to "make it a hundred" years in Iraq and "that would be fine with me that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for 'a thousand years' or 'a million years” as far as you are concerned?

Before a crowd at Murrells Inlet VFW Hall in South Carolina, you were asked when you thought the US Military might "send an air mail message to Tehran" you started singing: “'Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran,' to the tune of Barbara Ann. What were you thinking? Does such behavior suggest that you have the ability to deal with national security, foreign relations and diplomacy?

You were also quoted on several instances telling voters they are to expect many other wars. Can you tell us about the wars you are planning on?

It is said you take a lot of medication for arthritis pain and you also suffer from recurrent melanomas, a deadly form of cancer that spreads quickly. Given your age and state of health, what are your chances of being healthy enough to perform the duties of your office if elected?

On March 21, 2008, while speaking at a press conference in Amman, Jordan you falsely accused Iran of harboring and training al-Qaida terrorists. You apologized after Joe Lieberman whispered in your ear that you were wrong. You then withdrew that statement and instead said that “While the Iranian government is training other ‘Islamic extremists’ across the border, that does not mean they are involved with al-Qaida in Iraq.” How does this reflect on your judgment and ability to conduct international relations for your country?

McCain Misleads US Autoworkers

According to the United Auto Workers union (UAW), Senator McCain is not telling the truth about always buying American cars, as the family fleet reportedly includes a Honda and a Volkswagen among the 13 cars they own. Cindy McCain drives a Lexus with the private number plate "Ms Bud" which is registered to Anheuser-Busch.

"When he's in the Midwest, he tells voters he supports the industry," UAW president Ron Gettelfinger said. In an interview on a Detroit television station, McCain told Michigan voters he was “Proud to buy American cars.”

Newsweek reports that Barack Obama and his wife Michelle own a single car, a Ford Escape Hybrid, which was dubbed by Gettelfinger as a "green machine" emblematic of a future generation of US vehicles.

General Petraeus Counters McCain

At a talk at the Heritage Foundation, General Petraeus contradicted John McCain's arguments about Iraq and Afghanistan. This wouldn't be significant except for the fact that McCain consistently cites Petraeus as a justification for his policies. The drop in violence in Iraq was mainly due to the Anbar Awakening. As early as 2004/2005, commanders in Iraq were recommending that the US to negotiate with insurgents.

Petraeus definitively came out for opening communications with America’s adversaries, a position McCain is attacking Obama for advocating. Citing his Iraq experience, Petraeus said, “You have to talk to enemies.” McCain praises General Petraeus for his success, but refuses to acknowledge what Petraeus himself has learned and said.

What Did McCain Mean by "That One"

John McCain made the remark during the second last debate when discussing a 2005 Senate vote on an energy bill. “There was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one,” he said, pointing to Obama. “You know who voted against it? Me.”

McCain was going back and forth on the issues. He was so angry about the state of his campaign that he referred to Barack Obama as ‘that one,’ and couldn’t look at Senator Obama, he couldn’t manage in his anger to say Obama’s name. Many were shocked by the offensiveness of this reference.

Criminal Terrorist Associate and Supporter of McCain

While John McCain and his campaign have been continuously bringing up Barack Obama’s working with William Ayers, a former Weathermen activist when Obama was 8 years old, Gordon Liddy has contributed thousands of dollars to the campaigns of John McCain. Liddy held a fundraiser for McCain at his home and hosted him on his radio show, where McCain said to Liddy, "I'm proud of you." In his interview on Liddy’s radio show, McCain said, "Congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."

Liddy is a convicted felon whose crime was to try and subvert the democratic process. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crimes in the Watergate burglarizing of the Democratic National Committee office which was part of a scheme to steal the 1972 election through sabotage, illegal spying and dirty tricks.

Liddy has never expressed any regret for his crimes, nor has he developed any respect for the law. After the 1993 raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, he endorsed the shooting of federal agents: "Kill the sons of bitches."

Palin and Troopergate

A state legislative panel comprised of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats has concluded that Sarah Palin abused her power in the firing of the state's public safety commissioner. The vote was 12-0 declaring that Palin committed ethics violations and used the power of her office for personal gain.

The panel spent more than six hours discussing an ethics report into the firing by Governor Palin. The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn't the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner, Walter Monegan, but says it likely was a contributing factor. Monegan says he was dismissed as retribution for resisting pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor's sister.

Palin contends that Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute. Palin’s story is that Monegan arranged two unauthorized lobbying trips to Washington. But according to interviews and records that were obtained, the governor’s office authorized both trips. Therefore, Palin was caught in an outright lie. The report also touches on whether Palin's husband meddled in state affairs and whether her administration inappropriately accessed employee medical records.

Although the process is just beginning, a judge has ordered an investigation that Sarah Palin used a personal e-mail address to conduct state business so as to avoid the state system set up for such communication.

Palin Still “Thinks” Iraq Tied to 9-11

Quoted in a Washington Post article, Palin told soldiers headed for deployment in Iraq that they would soon be "defending the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans" showing that she thinks Iraq had something to do with 9-11.

Compare and Contrast

The characters that surround John McCain, coupled with his commitment to continue Bush’s basic anti-middle class economic and social policies, would make his presidency nothing more than a continuation of the nightmarish Bush years and probably even worse.

Additionally, as the Georgian conflict erupted, McCain irresponsibly and foolishly issued belligerent and aggressive statements, condemning Russia without waiting for all the facts. Barack Obama, other world leaders and even Bush took a more cautious approach. Henry Kissinger said the unpleasant fact is that “the first shot was fired on the Georgian side.” Colin Powell said the Georgians provoked the crisis. McCain's initial response was reckless, as well as his continued approach as outlined during the debates.

Just as Sarah Palin said she was qualified on foreign affairs because she can look over to see Russia, so too can Russia look at Sarah Palin. What is seen is not liked in the very least. If the McCain/Palin team were qualified to lead they wouldn't have to lie, character assassinate, rattle swords and cheat.

McCain's pro-war mentality might well divide his nation and the world even worse than now and lead to the worst instability and danger in world history, largely due to his known bad temperament and questionable stability.

Senator Obama has run an intelligent and honorable campaign. He offers ideas and plans rather than empty rhetoric and character attacks. His economic plans are championed by leading economists, unlike McCain, who has supported the disastrous policies that have brought his nation to the verge of complete economic collapse. McCain himself should be the most vulnerable in the area of character but for the protection afforded him by the corporate media and the basic ability of his opponent to emphasize issues and solutions to problems, and to advocate and practice change from typical political mudslinging.

Barack Obama has called for a bottom up economic growth that wouldn’t be solely for the benefit of the super rich. He has emphasized diplomacy, negotiation and building bridges when dealing with adversaries. His willingness to negotiate gives Russia and the world a sense of hope for future relations, respect for international law and respect for other nations.

Lisa KARPOVA

PRAVDA.Ru