McCain is the wrong man

The last two blogs were really about poverty-- its roots and some of its results. What one thinks should be done-- or not-- often carries over to their political philosophy. Most of us are aware our country is facing many serious problems-- immigration, war, infrastructure crumbling, trade issues, possible recession or worse, global climate change, environmental protection, social issues, energy costs and potential shortages, etc. Who best can handle these problems? I have written about the Democratic candidates and now here's my take on the Republican choice.

Where do I start with Senator John McCain's candidacy for the presidency of the United States? Simple statement says it all-- He's the wrong man at the wrong time! Then comes why I believe that to be so. How about starting with Frank Rich's column in the New York Times for April 6th-- [Tet happened and No One Cared].

Obviously I would disagree with almost all of John McCain's stands on issues-- assuming he stays with what he's said recently which given what he did on tax cuts is no given-- straight talk express, my foot. McCain, indicating what kind of judges he would choose, supported the nomination in 1987 of the conservative extremist Robert Bork. Some Republicans say McCain is too moderate, too middle of the road for them. Is that some kind of trick?

McCain brags about his stubbornness as if it's a virtue. After doing some research on McCain, who I really knew very little about before this, I realize that when he hugs up to Bush, it's probably because he recognizes a kindred soul. That thought should send shivers down our spines because it looks like they are indeed kindred souls. [Who is John McCain?]

He's a war hero, right? Except there is a lot more to that story, parts the mainstream media doesn't reveal or talk about. What the heck ever happened to genuine journalism? Where did it go? Oops, it's easy to go off on a tangent regarding our press, but here's what I found on the record about [McCain's military service.]

Are there things in McCain's past that might make him subject to control by neocons who can use things only they know to pressure him to do what they want? [More about who John McCain is... the kind of story the mainstream media leaves for independent newspapers to explore]

So what about today? Just how good is his judgment now? Frank Rich dealt with a very immediate McCain judgment call. Exactly how much does he understand about Iraq? Is it really all about patriotism or is it his own ego he's trying to protect and the media is helping him. Here is another look at that-- [McCain gets facts wrong again].

For anyone remotely considering voting for him as a viable choice in November, I hope you will take time to read these links; then do some of your own research. I don't generally use so many links, but this is one of those times where it'd take a book to explore why this man is a disastrous choice right now. To me, what is scarier is how the press is totally giving him a wash. I think they are because of those five years as a POW where he suffered terribly and acted nobly. The press admires him, seeing him as a genuine hero, and therefore don't explore any other parts of his past or present. What in his character would make him a good president? Is his being principled as a prisoner of war enough reason to vote for him to run the United States?

Over and over people like Chris Matthews, others on the mainstream media cable stations refer to McCain as a straight-shooter when his history shows he has been anything but. The press likes him and only briefly refer to that temper which he himself said even as a child was so vicious that he would literally pass out from his rages. The press ignores his mistakes and act as though he's so wise, that of course, he couldn't have misunderstood who the Shiites or Sunnis are. Real journalists would be heading their article-- He doesn't care who they are!

Finally here is an excellent analysis by Frank Schaeffer. The first book I read by him was written during his (and my) fundamentalist Christian years. He wrote one of the few of that kind of book that I kept as my life and philosophy changed, 'Addicted to Mediocrity' on creativity and spirituality. Oops, I am getting distracted again. Here is the link to Schaeffer's recent article in Huffington on McCain-- [Sometimes honor is wrong] on why McCain is the wrong choice for president at this critical time in the history of the United States.

And they tell us that it's taking a risk to elect Senator Barack Obama president???