Some thoughts on John McCain’s pending demise
With the news that John McCain has a likely terminal form of brain cancer, the media is falling all over itself to heap sympathy, best wishes and praise on the octogenarian solon. While I am just as sympathetic to his family as I would be any other, I cannot play the hypocrite and act as if I do not feel a sense of relief at McCain’s future absence from our nation’s capital. McCain has always been a wild card, more truly a Joker, with unpredictability as his premier trait, a political capriciousness that did not endear him to many like me who served in the same war as McCain.
Many have forgotten that McCain’s BFF in the Senate was John Kerry before Kerry left to become Secretary of State. That totally inexplicable friendship, except as two rich guys, who married right, sharing their good fortunes, left me cold. John Kerry is to me the single most despicable thing that came out of the Vietnam War with his lying denunciations of his fellow servicemen for purely personal political aggrandizement. Jane Fonda was a traitor but at least she didn’t use her treachery to build a political career, which is precisely what John Kerry did.
That McCain could embrace this oily traitor was proof enough to me that McCain’s judgment was clearly impaired. I tried to credit that to his horrible treatment while a captive in North Vietnam but that line of credit ran out when McCain, as a supposed conservative Republican, time and again displayed a too eager willingness to cave to the liberal opposition and grant them their way. Again and again I tried to rationalize away his abandonment of our conservative principles with the excuse that he still was one of us Vietnam vets so that deep down, he held our best interests at heart.
That belief was totally crushed in 2004, when John McCain attacked the Swift Boat Veterans as “Dishonest and dishonorable,” in a deplorable attempt to defend that Stolen Valor candidate for president, John Fraud Kerry. Any former senior naval officer like McCain, who had achieved the rank of O-6 Captain, a wing commander, could have taken one look at Kerry’s Vietnam records and heard alarm bells going off all over the place. Instead he chose to ignore the obvious fraud, the manufactured fiction, and turn his back on his fellow Vietnam vets. That’s when I turned my back on John McCain, a political opportunist who had his finger in the political wind, hoping for a high appointment from a President Kerry, a shoe-in for the office, until the Swiftees launched their fact-based, evidence-supported assault on the would have been Stolen Valor President.
That folks, is why ol’ Poetrooper isn’t a wailing, teeth-gnashing, self-flagellant at the news that John McCain’s allotted time on this planet is soon coming to an end. While I can extend my sympathies to his loved ones, I cannot find it in my heart to bewail the fate of this betrayer of his battlefield brothers. Some here at TAH will disagree, considering me crass and disrespectful.
We are now weapons free: Fire at will.
Category: Politics
Although I have a little more sympathy on the human side of his illness (cancer sucks!), I can not disagree with the politics side. He was a D disguised as a R.
Well-said, tc!
As a minor point, most D’s would disagree with that assessment. As would statistics. He voted with his party over 85% of the time during the past 18 years.
He might not be the staunchest of R’s, but he’s hardly a D.
And regardless of his politics, I wish him and his family the best during this incredibly difficult time.
You got that right, As an AZ citizen, McCain sucks bigtime, the RINO has sold us all out, time and time again, I can feel a little sorry for his family, but not much, they talk like he has brainwashed them to the max as well, especially his dimwitted daughter! The greatest favor he could do for America is RESIGN! imho (now when he dies we will get to listen to all the woe is me BULLSHYT, about what a great man he was, makes he nauseated to think about it!)
OJ Simpson was paroled yesterday. The mid-day news was completely devoted to broadcasting and commenting on his parole hearing, instead of on the news. The man’s a jackass, and a felon, but the newsies were drooling over him as if he were cast in gold.
I view McCain’s politics the same way. He was a jackass, in it for himself.
While the death of any person is sad, I have to agree that there is, with McCain, a sense of relief that he will no longer be in a position of influence.
I pray for grace and peace for his family, and wisdom for the voters to chose someone better.
Except the voters had a chance to vote for Kelly Ward and threw it away,, let’s see if they do the same thing this time as she is running against the other RINO a.h. Flake!
I truly wonder if the GOP didn’t dodge a bullet when he lost his presidential bid? After all, he DID seem to draw defeat from the jaws of victory AND given his flip-flops on issues I wonder if he wouldn’t have dealt the GOP a proverbial death by a thousand cuts? I nearly lost my Mom to cancer some years ago and I wouldn’t wish what he has on anyone but on the other side I see people like him, Mitch McConnell and a host of others on BOTH sides of the political aisle as what’s wrong with DC and why we need Congressional Term Limits!
I ache at the prospect of this man suffering.
Politically he abandoned us as Vietnam vets
but I balk at seeing him suffer the same fate as that pos Ted Kennedy.
John McCain puts his country first and is willing to compromise in politics like our founding father’s intended and any rational person would want.
And you hate him for not being “loyal” to your party.
It says a hell of alot about you.
It also explains why you are deadly silent on all the issues surrounding Trump. Silence would not be your course of action if it were a democrat with these investigations and connections to the influence of a hostile foreign power.
The only thing you have had to say about Trump’s performance is that he returned a cover to a Marine’s head.
Because that is literally the best you can do. And you are more loyal to party than country so would not dare criticize your party leader.
Politician? Country first?
BWWWWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
(wheeze)
BWWWWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Dude, not even you’re that naive, are you?
I did 6 years active in the Marines because I love a political party. Fuck you Lars, who the fuck are you to question anyones love or service to this country. McCain was dead to me when he held hands with that murderer Ted Kennedy.
DUDE! John McCain, like nearly all other “Lifer” Politicians, is ONLY interested in his grip on money, power, and prestige and his breed will flip-flop, sell out or flat-out sell their souls to keep it all. Letters and petitions from constituents only go so far when it comes to the bribes (*OOPS!*, campaign contributions) from fatcat donors and PACs that they get when they sell out. Like I said, McCain, McConnell and many others in DC are living proof of why we need Congressional Term Limits!
No he doesn’t. He puts John McCain first foremost and always. He claims to be a republican but is a RINO, and he seems to delight in shitting all over conservatives any chance he gets. Your bullshit statement about loyalty to party first not country, is precisely what the socialist democrats have done since the Clinton crime family got in the white house. They bear many similarities to the Nazis. Seriously, you need to pull your head out of your ass, get a shot of oxygen and a clue. BTW, McCain is not a hero. He is a traitor, a collaborator, and a dimwit. We lose nothing valuable when he craps out, but the socialist democrats lose a valuable ally.
For a second there I thought you were talking about the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, USMC Steve.
I have no reason to. He has not fucked me and my fellow conservatives over for roughly 30 years. McCain has at every possible opportunity. My president, while not perfect, has shown me nothing that I have to take serious exception with, except he shows far more loyalty towards my country than this RINO political whore does.
Who lives there?
1600 Pennsylvania Av?
Where the hell is that?
Nevermind. I’ll google it.
Google is your friend.
I normally do not get into the Lars bashing, but I do take an exception to your comments about hating him for not being loyal to his party. I do not hate the man, I disagree with his politics. He is not or never was a true conservative.
I have an equally distaste for any congressional member that previously voted to repeal Obamacare knowing it was politically correct to do so, and equally knowing Pres Obama would veto it, or Sen Reid would never let it on the senate floor, but now will not pass the same bill.
I did not vote for Trump, I voted against H Clinton. That said, the only thing Pres Trump has done to make me cringe is some of his tweeting. The stock market is up because of the optimism the business world has in him, the DoD is doing what they are suppose to do, I support his choices in his cabinet and the Supreme Court.
Per your quote – “It also explains why you are deadly silent on all the issues surrounding Trump. Silence would not be your course of action if it were a democrat with these investigations and connections to the influence of a hostile foreign power.” I can also say the same thing, but replace Trump with H. Clinton, Pres Obama, etc.
We obviously have different political views, but do not think I do not pray that John McCain the person, can overcome this horrible disease.
“The only thing you have had to say about Trump’s performance is that he returned a cover to a Marine’s head.”
Trump gave us General Mattis as SECDEF. That is the best thing about his performance. That alone would be enough for 4 or 8 years.
The fact you didn’t realize this makes me question how much you actually pay attention to the military.
I would say appointing Neil Gorsuch as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court is equally impressive.
Remember that Lars bashed Mattis when he was being confirmed. Whether it was Lars’s usual idiocy at play or if he was just hating on Mattis for being a Trump appointee, and thus projecting his own failings on the rest of us now, is open to interpretation.
And while we’re at it, numbnuts, do yourself a favor and Google, “Keating Five.”
Then go play Hide and Go Fuck Yourself.
Gee, you guys have got yourselves into such a snit over COMMISSAR Commissar showing up.
You know he’s just doing this to piss you off. He doesn’t really give a rat’s tiny little ass about anything else. Not even worth the bother.
You’re right, which is why I usually don’t respond to him. But today, for some reason it bothered me. Maybe it was him questioning our compassion (or lack of) of a man dying of cancer.
That’s why I usually skip his blather and most of the follow-on comments. I really wish Jonn would install a twit filter so I could skip Lars’ blather much more easily.
I like that..a twit filter.
Uh…. no?
“Again and again I tried to rationalize away his abandonment of our conservative principles with the excuse that he still was one of us Vietnam vets so that deep down, he held our best interests at heart.
That belief was totally crushed in 2004, when John McCain attacked the Swift Boat Veterans as “Dishonest and dishonorable,” in a deplorable attempt to defend that Stolen Valor candidate for president, John Fraud Kerry.”
Read it again Sam!
I re read the article twice but could not find the word Trump in any of it.
What did I miss?
You ever wonder if Lars might really have some kind of cognitive disorder? Sure, he’s an idiot with delusions of genius, but do you suppose he might really believe his own bullshit?
IMHO he has let himself get brainwashed into a mental and intellectual oblivion.
If you review his comments, they are essentially the same from one post to the next. The only thing that changes about them is the name or names of the individuals and the particular subject matter. It’s as though he’s cutting and pasting everything he says, kind of like the Magic 8 Ball.
“And you hate him for not being “loyal” to your party.”
Nope. First of all, I don’t have a party. Second, I don’t hate him, I despise him. As far as politics go, he is just another political hack, one of many. He will say or do what he needs to lure the voters into voting for him, then he becomes a “man of conscience”, saying and doing what he pleases.
He is willing to compromise on some things that I am not. Compromise is not always good.
I consider myself to be one of his “wacko birds”.
If this “says a lot about me”, so be it. I am not ashamed.
And, once again men and women of TAH, Commissar (aka: Poodledick/Commissar/Major Cocksucker) has shit all over a politically oriented thread, like clockwork.
Don’t you have a Antifa protest or a meeting of the local “defense committee” to be at?
Actually, you illustrious termite, most of the denizens of this forum are more loyal to -Country- than party, or anything else.
And many of them have repeatedly demonstrated that fact, one that you so repeatedly besmirch with your vacuous vowel movements.
You simple minded prick, commissar! the only thing you remember about the numerous improvements trump has done is remember his placing the Marines cover back on his head! You are a freaking waste of breath!!
Is there anything to those rumors I have heard that he didn’t behave honorably while POW?
A significant number of his fellow POWS accused him of collaboration and misbehavior, but it was quickly quashed, what with his daddy being a very senior Navy bigwig.
There are also a number of accounts portraying him as a sub-par US Navy Pilot that would have been drummed out if not for his Dad being an Admiral.
There were several stories, some reasonably credible, that he was the instigator of the USS Forrestal fire with some flight deck stupidity that he did. Anyone have further info on that?
The 2.75″ rocket that accidentally discharged on the flight deck was mounted on his plane, and he was in the cockpit at the time, but as far as I know there was no indication that he had done anything wrong.
Horseshit. The Zuni came from an F-4. Get it right.
Not a single rumor about McCain’s poor performance as a pilot was ever proven correct. Same thing for the claims about his collaboration with his captors. He was tortured so badly he tried to kill himself. That much is known.
His political positions speak for themselves. He always has been a “big government” guy, despite his claims to conservatism, just like Bush.
Resurrecting these rumors is at the least disrespectful, if not libelous. Also it’s no hagiography express regret that the man suffers from brain cancer. It’s a lousy way to die.
My bad. Went back and looked it up, and you are correct, both about the type of rocket and it’s source. As I said, though, I never did think he was responsible for the incident.
Of course none of them were ever proven correct. Daddy was the fleet commander, so they got crushed before they could do the son any serious harm.
Sorry guys, but John McCain was not responsible for causing the fire aboard USS FORRESTAL, and he didn’t demonstrate any ‘flight deck stupidity’ that day. And sorry, TOW, but that is an incorrect statement regarding a 2.75″ rocket being accidentally fired from John McCain’s A-4 Skyhawk. The rocket that started the conflagration aboard USS FORRESTAL was a 5″ Zuni rocket that was accidentally fired from an F-4 Phantom that was parked across the flight deck from where John McCain’s A-4 was parked. That 5″ Zuni flew across the flight deck and hit McCain’s fully fueled and armed A-4, which is what started the fire aboard USS FORRESTAL. ‘Witness to History: USS Forrestal Fire’ http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=2967 ‘[…] Mowad was a young lieutenant aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59) on July 29, 1967, when a stray Zuni rocket from an F-4 Phantom, triggered by stray voltage, set off a chain of events that left 134 dead and more than 300 injured. The deadly chain reaction began when the rocket hit a parked and armed A-4 Skyhawk (piloted by a young Lt. John S. McCain), rupturing its fuel tanks and feeding fires that enveloped planes parked on deck. The impact also sent a 1,000-pound bomb into the fire, which “cooked off” and killed the flight deck chief and the first wave of trained fire fighters. More explosions followed, engulfing half the airwing’s aircraft and blowing holes into the steel flight deck. Fuel and broken and burning aircraft fell through the holes, spreading the fire deep into the ship. The crew heroically fought the fire, rushing to dump armed bombs and aircraft over the side. It took an hour for the flight deck fire to come under control. Other fires raged throughout the day and into the night. The crew — most untrained in fire fighting and damage control — saved the ship and hundreds of lives by sheer courage and force of will. […].’ Here are some other sources that also document that John McCain was not responsible for the fire aboard USS FORRESTAL: ‘The Forrestal Fire’ (Naval Aviation News, October 1967)… Read more »
My bad. Went back and looked it up, and you are correct, both about the type of rocket and it’s source. As I said, though, I never did think he was responsible for the incident.
Roger all TOW; no worries.
Being that you’re a fire fighter, you might be interested in the embedded video found here:
‘USS Forrestal – Trial by Fire’
http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/07/28/uss-forrestal-trial-by-fire/
I saw that a while back, but I’m up for a rewatch. Nothing but respect and awe for the guys who saved the Forrestal. Same as those who faced a similar predicament on the Franklin in ’45
Look up “wet starting”. They were preparing to launch, they were not just parked on the flight deck, or the pilots would not have been in the aircraft. It was alleged that McCain, being a smart ass, did that, and it startled a Phantom pilot behind him, who then accidentally popped off a rocket, which started the fire. Not too many people around to verify it because most of them were killed in the fire. And daddy being the fleet commander would have made sure it didn’t get publicized. Thus the truth may be out there, but no one will ever know. It all goes back to your basic impression of him as to whether you believe it or not.
You are really pushing the usual Democratic rumors. Give it a rest. Repetition does not add weight. We know all about liars who make up nonsense for political gain.
You my dear, are non consequential. Not even related to a democrat, so that is bullshit. And I have heard veterans including Navy ones who seem to think there is credence to this theory. They also aren’t democrats. We will never know since the full report most likely didn’t get out due to Daddy being the fleet commander, and of course just about everyone on that flight deck got waxed.
USMC Steve: Please see the official U.S. Navy navy.mil references relating to the USS FORRESTAL incident that I posted above. I did not just make those up. That said, if you really believe that you somehow know better, i.e. you know the ‘real’ inside story, then I recommend that you contact the Navy ASAP and straighten them out on what ‘really’ happened out there on the USS FORRESTAL so that they can correct their historical accounts on their official websites. Also, please note that McCain’s A-4 was not on the same side of the flight deck directly in line in front of the Phantom that fired the rocket that started the conflagration; McCain’s A-4 was ACROSS THE FLIGHT DECK FROM THE PHANTOM, and the 5″ Zuni rocket that was fired by the Phantom flew across the flight deck and hit McCain’s A-4. P.S. Some would say that I have a reasonable amount of experience in Naval Aviation and in how flight deck operations are conducted, so I understand the start/taxi/launch sequence aboard ship. I also understand the details of the aircraft arming sequence aboard ship, which you clearly do not as evidenced by your erroneous assertion that the ‘startled’ Phantom pilot ‘accidentally popped off a rocket, which started the fire’. Aboard ship, aviation ordnance is not armed during the start sequence; it is only armed (as in ‘pins pulled’ and ordnance ready to be fired/launched by the aircrew) just prior to aircraft launch. For the Phantom pilot to have ‘accidentally popped off’ the rocket in the manner that you describe above, an entire sequence of flight deck ordnance safety procedures would have had to have been violated by a very large number of flight deck personnel and the F-4 Phantom pilot himself. Flight deck ‘yellow shirts’, flight deck safety observers, and the F-4 Phantom plane captain would have had to have allowed ordnance personnel to get under the wings of the Phantom during the start sequence, and then those flight deck Ordnancemen would have had to have physically pulled the arming pins on the aircraft’s rocket pods while the Phantom… Read more »
I checked the official high drag low speed US Navy report on the incident, and it says the rocket DID NOT HIT MCCAINS AIRCRAFT, BUT THE ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FLIGHT DECK. And since you know all this flight deck type stuff, how the fuck did that rocket just fly off that aircraft and go boom then. Based upon what you said, there is no possible way it could have happened, yet it kinda did.
Well USMC Steve, you asserted in your post above that the Phantom pilot was ‘startled’ and that he ‘accidentally popped off a rocket’. That assertion implies that, as I described above, the Phantom pilot took actions in the cockpit to activate his aircraft weapons system, ordnancemen armed the rocket pod, and then the pilot fired the rocket himself.
As badly as you may want all of that to be true, that simply did not happen.
As clearly described in the cited reports, the errant rocket that started the fire aboard USS FORRESTAL was accidentally fired due to a stray voltage anomaly, so that is how that rocket ‘flew off of that aircraft and went boom’. The Phantom pilot did not fire the rocket from inside the cockpit.
Stray voltage can cause aviation ordnance to activate/fire regardless of cockpit weapons system switchology, and it is a very dangerous threat whenever flight deck aviation ordnance operations are being conducted, particularly when electrically primed/released weapons are involved.
It’s clear that you have a very strong desire to try to blame McCain for what happened aboard USS FORRESTAL, but
the facts prove otherwise. McCain simply wasn’t responsible for causing that fire.
In closing, I’ll repeat what I posted above:
Regardless of what one may believe regarding McCain’s politics and his conduct while serving in elected office, I would strongly recommend that anti-McCain conspiracy theories be ignored when it comes to trying to blame him for what happened aboard the USS FORRESTAL.
But, was it true?
Or maybe, maybe the rumors were quashed because they were just rumors?
Naahhh, that’s crazy talk.
Let me know when you get real evidence to back that BS up. Good luck with that.
In fairness, lots of “true stories” about GW Bush popped up surrounding Dan Rather’s “fake but true” incident. Honestly, I’ve never come across anything credible that says McCain acted dishonorably as a POW. Politics often has a way of turning good men bad.
Let the Swiftboating commence!
So, you ae calling for his former military colleagues to point out and refute exaggeration of his service? Are you also going to share any evidence to support such a claim of exaggeration or are you just farting frivolities?
You seem to be trying to pervert the meaning of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, into “how dare someone criticize a champion of the left”.
..
fail
Amen to all your said, John!
Well said, as usual, Poe.
I agree completely with your assessment of the situation.
Jane Fonda “was” a traitor? Did that bitch fucking die? Because I’ll openly celebrate that shit.
I’ve already paid for the first keg, and I’ll wheel it out to her grave the day she gets planted.
Let me know when the beer is gonna flow. I’ll be there.
When “Hanoi Jane” Fonda finally kicks the bucket I’ll GLADLY donate some 7′ lengths of 6″ diameter PVC pipe with screen to be installed on her gravesite to be used as PISS TUBES!
Why the screen? She gets it all.
Just to keep people from dropping too many cigarette butts down the tubes and clogging them.
I wish he had punched out of the Senate a long time ago when he still had some respect. Good point about Kerry. There’s only a couple of folks that I wouldn’t wish brain cancer on though: Fonda and Kerry.
Spot on Poe.
so long, songbird. you won’t be missed.
Just because it sucks that he has brain cancer doesn’t mean we can’t dislike his political stance.
Granted there are plenty of people out there who I’d be happy to see die slowly and painfully of something like brain cancer, but he hasn’t risen to that level.
I concur though that it’ll be a good thing to see a replacement for him in Congress that isn’t a RINO or unpredictable.
I do not wish cancer on any one. This is the term limit on someone who has basicly comitted a long running back stabing of conservatives. The only thing that comes to mind as far as I can remember that he did right was selecting Sara Palin as a running mate.
I was wondering if the tumor maybe explained that. But I am no Palin fan and thought she was a regrettable VP pick.
That being said, no one ‘deserves’ a brain tumor and I wish him the best recovery possible. I would also say that had he retired in 2008 after losing, I think I would have had a far higher opinion than I have now. The years of caving in to the left did not help, and that he has worked with the establishment Republicans working with the Democrats to resist anything Trump tries to accomplish certainly does not endear me. I am not a fan of Trump’s at all (I voted against Hillary) but I do believe that the lackluster support from his own supposed party establishment in concert with the Democrats is pitiful.
Hey guys, I think this debate is beneath us. Whether you agree with his politics or not (or who he chose as his friends) John McCain served honorably and gave far more of himself than most as a young man. In a time like this we should pray for his recovery, wish him well, and leave it at that. I think we are losing a sense of respect and humility- we should not allow politics to overshadow all else.
That is debatable, from the testimony of those who served with him and some of his fellow POW’S. I never claimed to be a nice person, but I really don’t care what happens to the guy. He didn’t care what he did to all of us for decades.
NotaLeg, did you not read my piece? I clearly gave the man every break in the world and he continued to betray me and my brothers. I didn’t fully turn against McCain until a few years ago, 2004, when he turned on the Swift Boat Veterans.
Just how in hell can you interpret that as being beneath us? We’re not a troop of Girl Scouts here, but grown men and women, many of whom have been in armed combat in service to our country, folks who have earned the right to speak honestly about how that country is governed.
And you would muzzle our free speech in deference to this man who has not served us well, simply because he now faces the same fate we all will eventually? I think you do your fellow veterans a disservice by accusing us of bad behavior.
You want to see some real hatred and vituperation? Go read some of the civilian websites where their content makes ours look like we’re heaping praise by contrast. And we, as McCain’s fellow warriors, certainly have a greater right than those critics to speak our truthful minds.
What noble deeds a man does in his youth does not buy him a free pass from honest criticism of his misdeeds as an old man.
No, NotaLeg, this discussion is not beneath us. If it makes you feel better to think so fine, but don’t scold us like children for expressing our honest feelings about a very controversial man.
Feel free to criticize me–but don’t talk down to me.
I’m curious what you think of this: http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/letter_to_pickens_062008.pdf
This was written by Kerry’s crewmembers.
No, it wasn’t, it was written by Kerry’s legal team and signed by two of Kerry’s crew who had been pre opted prior to his campaign into supporting his story. Kerry’s crew was divided on his account, with some supporting the SBV’s.
D, here’s a question for you. Do you know why, in spite of being defamed, discraced and legally damaged in the worst possible way, with huuuuge grounds for a defamation lawsuit, that John Kerry never sued the Swift Boat Veterans? Here’s a clue: had he filed suit he would have subjected his military records to discovery by the SBV lawyers. In this litigious age, no lawyer, which Kerry is, would have have allowed himself to be robbed of the presidency by a bunch of defamatory liars. BUT, as a lawyer, Kerry also knew that a positive defense to a defamation suit is the truth. If he released his records and the SBV’s were proved right then he’d lose the suit and live the rest of his life in disgrace.
A decade later have you seen John Kerry’s records D?
My Father in Law had this and was gone in a matter of months. Enduring traumatizing radical treatments that wreak havoc on his body. He did not know where he was, who he was, or what was going on. In the end you could smell death in his hospice room just before he passed.
Mere hours before he died, he had a single moment of clarity. He could not speak but raised his arms out asking to hold my two children at the time(his only Grandchildren) my 2 yr old Daughter and my 6 month old Son. He stared deeply into their eyes kissed them and handed them back to my wife.
Knowing what is ahead for Senator McCain I wish him a peaceful and painless journey.
Dusty in here.
The sister of some of my college buddies just passed away from this same thing.
A difficult way to die.
My Grandma succumbed slowly to cancer. She had bouts of complete incoherence, though I and a few of my cousins (I’m one of about 30 grandkids; Irish family) were able to help with it somewhat, as she would still recognize us. She might not have any idea where she was or what was going on, but she knew her grandchildren. The first time it happened, she had refused to eat for two days before I got there (had just been released from a campaign fire in Mariposa). She recognized me, and though she wasn’t able to talk for another two days, she let me spoon-feed her. The hospice took great care of her, and we checked in on her several times a day (again, big Irish family), so she never went long without company. But it was gut-wrenching for everyone, and it went on for months. Losing her was terrible, even after all that. Since then, I’ve lost three of my aunts to various cancers, and another to heart disease. Thank God none of them ended up like Grandma. They all kept their faculties until a day or two before their end.
I don’t think I have it in me to wish that on anyone who hasn’t molested a child or something like that.
Mr. McCain’s stance has been to wobble from one side of the table to the other, to suit his own needs. Maybe he should have stepped aside a while back, but that’s water over the dam.
Brain cancer is a miserable way to die. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Amen. My sister’s fiancee died painfully from this; would not wish it on anyone.
fiance, dammit
Sorry to say I disagree. Most people I wouldn’t wish it on, but there are a few who deserve slow painful deaths. But, that’s a small percentage of people, like 0.0001% kind of thing.
One thing that I could always see as a difference between liberals and conservatives, or Republicans and Democrats was a sense of decency when it came to a person’s illness, and impending death.
Democrats and liberals would rejoice at the medical woes or death of a person with whom they disagreed. Republicans and conservatives would express sympathy and move on.
Now that distinction appears to be gone.
We have met the enemy, and they are us.
I believe you are misreading the tone here.
No one is rejoicing over the fact that McCain has cancer and is facing a difficult death. We are instead feeling pity for him and his family.
But neither are we willing to let his impending death suddenly transform him into a saint.
The number of crocodile tears shed on the morning news programs this morning – you would have thought McCain had either been elevated instantly to sainthood or had officially turned Democrat.
Nope. Sorry.
From the article:
While I am just as sympathetic to his family as I would be any other, I cannot play the hypocrite and act as if I do not feel a sense of relief at McCain’s future absence from our nation’s capital.
Also:
That folks, is why ol’ Poetrooper isn’t a wailing, teeth-gnashing, self-flagellant at the news that John McCain’s allotted time on this planet is soon coming to an end. While I can extend my sympathies to his loved ones, I cannot find it in my heart to bewail the fate of this betrayer of his battlefield brothers.
Fuk dat.
I fight fire with fire.
Had McCain been a better human been, we wouldn’t have had 8 years of 2% GDP growth and loss of so many freedoms to the relentless advance of the progressive agenda.
McCain became a tool of the enemies of my children. And I do not take kindly to the people that plan to endebt my children’s future and steal their freedoms.
I am tired of being nice to people who only want our demise.
We have met the enemy, and they are them.
Now playing Fight Fire with Fire, the Metallica song from the 1984 album “Ride The Lightning”.
Great classic rock for you oldsters.
Music from 1984 is not yet classic, it’s just old. Classic Rock? I think the TAH regulars who served in Viet of the Nam are the most qualified to define that.
My personal RVN theme song would probably be either Gimme Shelter or Sympathy For the Devil by the Rolling Stones.
Yep. It’s just a shot away.
“(Sittin’ On)The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding was THE song when I was there. The lyrics may have varied a bit.
That one and one or two others can still alter my mood.
“Eve of Destruction” was a close runner-up.
Or if you read Pogo, “We have met the enemy and they is us!”
I miss Pogo.
Pogo was great. So was Shoe. I think Shoe might still be around.
McCain has done a great deal of damage since he became a politician, has absolutely shit on conservatives and republicans in general, and is a crappy example of a human being. Given that the people in his district don’t seem to notice that, or care, and keep electing him is a tragedy too, because they were not the only people this guy kept fucking over. We all got to suffer. None of us are dancing the hoopty hoopty over the guy having cancer, but we aren’t going to cry when someone like that passes on. We will probably feel relief and hope the next politician is a bit better. I am sad for his family though. Meghan McCain seems a very decent sort.
I agree with Notaleg on this one. What ever his sins, McCain did serve his country and got his ass beat real bad in Vietnam as a POW. Yes he did not vote like some of his fellow vets would have liked him too. But at least he put on a uniform flew his aircraft and engaged the enemy and was shot down. I wish him well with his struggle with cancer.
Service? Stipulated.
But that uniform does not confer sainthood on anyone, nor should we allow ourselves to put some folks above criticism simply becasue they served.
His subsequent actions are valid as topics of discussion, and of criticism, as are the actions of any other person.
Criticism? Yes. “I’m glad he’s dying?” Not so much.
Show me anyone in here who has said that.
I can find a person abhorrent in their behavior without hating the person. I can dislike a person and still not hate them. I can hold animosity toward another, but not wish terrible things upon them.
To do so would be to tarnish my dad’s memory; he taught me to be a better man than that.
I feel very sorry that this has happened to McCain. I wouldn’t wish this sort of death onto hillary clinton. It’s a horrible way for anyone to die.
My deepest sympathy and prayers go to his family, and I pray that God will show His mercy on Mr McCain.
That’s all I have to say.
I’m willing to accept that the John McCain who came home in 1973 wasn’t the same man who ejected from his stricken A-4 in 1967. I don’t know the man personally, but I could accept that.
There’s no denying that he and the other POWs were tortured horrifically. God only knows what kind of long-term psychological scars that can leave. I read something a while back that described a British fort in Hong Kong that was repurposed into a prison by the Japanese when they took over. When the Brits came back in 1945, they found British and Australian POWs in there who’d been so abused that they not only lost hope, they couldn’t even remember how to speak English. I don’t know the real story of what happened in the Hanoi Hilton, but it’s plausible that he may not have recovered from it.
That being said, in his political career, he has been so unreliable and self-serving that at times he could make Frank Underwood of “House of Cards” seem principled by comparison. He should’ve been out of Congress long ago. However, his time should’ve ended via term limits, not death, and especially not a horrible disease. Regardless of his political record, I have nothing but sympathy for him and his family.
From my reading of this conversation, I can’t see anyone who is pleased to see Mr. McCain die horribly. On the contrary, many pray for his recovery from this disease.
However, the deification of Saint John by the MSM starts now. He will be remembered as “fearless,” a Republican willing to compromise who could work with both sides of the aisle. This is all prelude to setting up a liberal (R or D) as his “replacement,” entirely possible in AZ where the demographics have changed very greatly in the past decade or so. Please, do not hold your breath waiting for a true conservative senator. I lived in Giffords’ district for many years…it won’t happen (and I would not be surprised if Mark Kelly runs.)
With respect, no one I can think of in the MSM is going to be spending much pixellated ink on McCain’s close relationship with Stolen Valor Kerry at this time. That’s why it is so important to mention, here. Well done, Poetrooper !
Well PT ya nailed it again. I’ve heard mixed stories about about McCain and VN as well, but can’t wish this end on him and his.
I also lost interest in anything he might say after the Kerry fiasco. I was at the Kerry Lied rally and got some insite from first hand sources.
Wish I had your way with words…
My Navy NEC required primarily working with cancer patients: from babies to 100 y/o, E-1 to Senators, First Ladies, Flags by the dozen, anybody and everybody. I easily had as patients more than ten thousand individuals. I would NEVER, NEVER wish cancer in any form on anyone. Now, as far as McCain, he assumed RINO status years ago and, politically, I have little respect for him. I wish he didn’t have cancer and, at best, I pray his voyage is as painless as possible.
Juan McPain’s brain cancer is another data point that Libtardism is a mental disease.
May his family find peace and solice. May Juan McPee slip away quickly and painlessly. Love the sinner, hate the sin. That is all I have to say on the matter.
I am really torn on this one and I think my final opinion will likely take place down the line when all the facts come out… if they come out in regards to these recent revelations about his connection to that Russian broad. However, given the pictures she took, the fact he was the one who sought out that fake dossier, the fact she is connected to Fusion who produced that fake dossier, and given several other things I just can’t feel bad about the situation outside of wishing his family the very best.
Well Poe if you lasted until ’04 thinking he was a good guy you’re a better man than I…when he and the other crooked fucks involved in the Keating Five horseshit got caught playing for pay….Glenn and McCain were only criticized for “poor judgment” meaning they shouldn’t have taken money and then tried to interfere with regulators…they got a pass in my opinion largely because of their reputations previously but for me from that moment on both men were of questionable character in my eyes…
When it comes to liars and cheats I’m with Nietschze who said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that I will never be able to trust you again.” As with posers, once a fucking liar always a fucking liar. John Glenn and John McCain chose to do what they did with Keating, McCain and family used his jet to take vacations that he never bothered to pay for until it was clear Keating was going to be in trouble publicly…
I am not without sympathy for his current situation, but he ceased being a trustworthy representative of we the people almost 30 years ago for me…so fuck John McCain’s politics, but I hope he gets well and is able to have some time with his family before he passes.
If I recall correctly McCain didn’t take any cash, he just took perks like free use of private aircraft. Completely innocent.
You’re welcome to your opinion, Poe.
My own view is the thing to understand about a politician is you have to assume from the jump that he is a liar and a scoundrel until proven otherwise. Like the fable of the scorpion and frog, it is the nature of the political species to be shamefully opportunistic. They can’t help themselves.
I’m also unclear why Hanoi Jane gets a hallway pass. Although, indeed, she’s never held elective office, the woman was married to SDS activist and California State Senator Tom Hayden, and later to CNN founder Ted Turner. Her political posturing and use of indirect levers seems at least as serious as McCain supporting his pal Kerry.
Honestly now, Perry, when have you ever known me to express an opinion?
Hanoi Jane gets no pass from me nor has she since I began writing my political tirades in 2004. If you Google her name with mine you’ll pull up some of my doggerel and soap box rants like “Forever Green”.
The only reason I began my Internet harangues was the entry of John Kerry into the 2004 presidential race. As I explained back then, as long he was nothing more than a senator from the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts, he wasn’t really a concern to me down in the Texas Hill Country. But when he announced his plan to become CinC, that became an entirely new situation. I hooked up with the Swift Boat Vets who liked my writing and gave me a forum and wrote on their behalf throughout and following the campaign.
Because Fonda threw her support behind Kerry, I went after her, too, so there’s actually quite a bit out there from me on that topic, some of it pretty rough.
Even as a “newer” generation service member, I give her no pass. I can fairly well recognize how veterans feel about her. Some newer military personnel don’t even know who she is. (Though they really should.)
I came in with leaders who were Viet Nam veterans and I had many opportunities to hear the things she was doing and how bad she was. Some are surprised I would feel harshly towards her, but I do because of them and because of her contempt for the military, which is present even still.
At the end of the day, I didn’t see it as you “giving her a pass” just that in this case its not about her.
Regardless of his politics, he did his time, he suffered as a POW for a lot of years and had some pretty serious physical debilitation because of it. At the end of the day, even if he only did an initial contract, he was still a veteran. It sucks that he’s having to deal with this, even if he was politically screwy.
Being from Arizona and dealing with this crazy morons antics
It’s relief he is on his way out
It’s morning in America again
I would invite anybody on this blog to come to a town hall meeting here in Arizona
that MC Fain has hosted
And tell me how it feels being called stupid and a idiot because we are tired of Washington
And because this asshole won’t (and others)
Do what we put him in Washington to do believe me we have been trying to kick his ass out
But the alternative is worse maybe now we can get some fresh blood in the senate
That may do what they say they will do. The healthcare debacle is my case in point
I’m also from Arizona. I’d like to offer McCain a hearty handshake and a warm cup of soup. Too bad he was not treated here in Phoenix at the World Class VA hospital that is running so smoothly now.
They are bashing him here in Tucson, they had a dude on the radio that was friends with him a while ago talking about how crazy he has become and the tumor may explain
His behavior and he swears Mc Fain is a closet liberal or bought and payed for by special
Interest
It’s 104.1 FM
Something tells me the Trump administration isn’t going to give ISIS big shots visas to go to the funeral. I’m sure ISIS is devastated about their number #1 supporter and fund raiser condition. McCain is a yuge fart and should probably be in GITMO. Instead he’s been parading his POW status around for decades while selling the country out, being a complete phony, and all on the tax payers dime.
Sucks he got cancer but for people to praise this fart for his deplorable politics is ridiculous.
I do have one positive memory of Sen McCain … it was shown on the Don Imus tv program back in 2000 … McCain had just conceded the Rep primary to W, and Maria Shriver was getting all up in his face trying to make herself the story…he finally yelled, “Will you please just get out of here!”
I became, for that day, a John McCain fan.
While I greatly respect the service of McCain and his suffering (As all the residents of the “Hanoi Hilton did) I also dismiss most of the stories of him being a traitor. I read the stories of POW there and they could break anyone.
As for Kerry I didn’t need the “Swiftboat Veterans” to know his character. When I left the Navy it was NOT any war or combat but I felt like I was abandoning them (Shipmates). To walk out on a tour of duty in a combat zone on a technicality showed his character. His actions later lying about invented “War Crimes” shows he was nothing but a human turd. A con man too. Two rich women??
McCain and his “Maverick” crap was BS. Him and Kerry turned into human turds in the bowl of Senate politics that needed flushing long ago. they just kept floating up though.
His loss? Not much of one now.
Geez-a-fuck. This is pathetic. Petty politics about how he’s not what you want him to be. Boo-fucking-hoo. Guess what, he kept getting reelected by the people of the state of Arizona. Guess they’re all libtard doofuses too, huh? The man isn’t cold and people are already commenting how much he won’t be missed. Low class. How about everybody shutting their suck, wishing the man and his family the best and then waiting until he’s called home to make your ghoulish comments on his friendship of Kerry or how he doesn’t have tea party wing nut bonafides. This is the sickening part of American politics that needs to just go the fuck away.
Well boo-fucking-hoo, so your style is to wait and hit ’em when they’re dead, huh, chief? That’s a really impressive display of courage.
Last time I checked almost everyone responding here is wishing the man and his family well and offering their sympathies.
Well, except for you, that is…
Not quite my style. I keep my politics close, while you obviously wear yours on your sleeve. You started the conversation with your petty political bullshit about how you won’t miss him wen he’s dead. Don’t try to run from that. Running down somebody facing a crisis takes real courage. Hope you’re proud of yourself.
Not petty to many Viet Nam vets.
Are you an actual Viet of the nam veteran akpual? If so, what’s your beef? Gonna trot out that “bad pilot and caused the FORRESTAL fire” or because he was friends with John Kerry? Do you have an actual beef from your service in Vietnam caused directly by Senator McCain? Prolly not, just running your suck. I am not a Vietnam vet, but I have much respect for what the Senator has done for the nation and the citizens of the great state of Arizona. I sure as hell won’t kick the man while he’s down, nor after he is called home. My opinions of him are mine but thanks for sharing yours.
You’re goddamn right I have a beef with him for John Kerry. And yes I am a Viet Nam vet. Not that it’s any of your fucking business.
That is his support of John Kerry
Man, that is a long time to grind an ax. Who are you to say who anybody can befriend? Holier than thou, aren’t you? And don’t curse, ol’ poe will come around and spank your pee pee for dropping an F bomb.
You demonstrate your ignorance, W2. You keep your politics close? Then why blow in here profanely blasting everything in sight including taking a purely gratuitous shot at the Tea Party, an organization which has no bearing on my thoughtful essay or today’s discussion?
You sound too brash and clearly too unread on the subject matter of McCain’s relationship with Vietnam veterans to have an opinion that actually matters in the discussion at hand. Present an argument other than you’re just pissed off and perhaps we’ll listen.
Let’s all hope that if you are a serving W2, you gain enough maturity to learn from those who’ve gone before you. If you’re a retired W2 then Ol’ Poe thinks he might see a reason or two why you’re not a retired W3.
Thanks for your input ol’ poe. Guess I just don’t show proper deference to my elders and obvious betters. You’re totally right on everything. Sorry for disagreeing with you. I’ll shit my mouth so as not interfere with you kicking a man while he’s down.
Shit my mouth our shut my mouth. Either way it’s appropriate.
Sarcasm isn’t your strong suit either, W2…it requires wit.
Thanks for pointing me out as a dimwit as well. It must get lonely up there in the clouds with all the superiors. Face it, you tried to kick a man when he is down, I called you on it and now your panties are all in a twist because I didn’t just go along with your bullshit post. Geez, those panties must really be all bunched up for you to be so butt hurt.
It required no pointing out by anyone as you’re doing a bang-up job of that all on your own, W2.
And your response to Akpual clearly illustrates you have a lot to learn on a lot of topics, chief, loyalty being one of them.
It’s fairly easy for folks reading here to see who has their panties in a twist and it sure ain’t Ol’ Poe, heh-heh.
Thanks for pointing out my disloyalty. Trying to figure out who I am being disloyal to? You? those panties are so knotted around your fourth point of contact it’s affecting the flow of blood to your brain housing group.
“The man isn’t cold and people are already commenting how much he won’t be missed.”
In case you missed it (and you obviously have), people here and elsewhere have been saying not-nice things about him for years. To start praising him now would be hypocritical.
Death comes to us all. McCain ain’t anything special in that regard, so why should we cry crocodile tears?
Hate to tell you dude, but in a couple of surveys I have seen, the reelection rate for an incumbent politician, ANY incumbent politician, approaches 90 percent. Why do you think that is? Not because they are doing a good job. Because most people cannot be bothered to exert some effort to see who is a better candidate and vote for them. They go for the status quo. As to the lack of love for him, you get the respect you earn, and fucking the people you represent, as well as the rest of us over does not engender much love. As to your disparaging remark about “tea party” conservatives, go fuck yourself.
AMEN!
Don’t have some crayons to eat and glue to drink Department of the Navy, USMC steverino? The tea party were never conservatives, just a bunch of pissed off people who hated obamacare. Notice how important they are now? Back on the fringe since their arch nemesis, Obama, is no longer president. Tea party, pffft.
Hell, they don’t even got props from Fox anymore.
Wrong answer clown. They were portrayed by the mass media, as well as socialist democrats and of course, the establishment republicans as being extremists, because all three groups see anyone who actually is a constitutional conservative in favor or a government that does what WE want it to do as a threat. And since you haven’t been paying attention, they are continuing to gain traction as more real republicans are getting elected, and slowly replacing the establishment republicans. I suspect 2018 will see a few more coming in too. The Tea Party actually predates Obamacare too. It came about when Obama started running wild in the white house.
Could you not simply have said: appreciate his service, dislike his politics, hate some of his friends and wish him a speedy recovery out of the Senate? This seems a bit, well, distasteful. I agree that the man seems to have a complicated relationship with his fellow veterans and some of his actions were not as honorable as they should have been. That said, is it really necessary to kick the man in the teeth before the ink on diagnosis is even dry?
Also, remember that even Keating had his saving grace – look up his grandson.
Amen.
You should let her speak for you, chief, since you’re not doing so well on your own.
Susan, go read an account of how brutal McCain was in divorcing his cancer-stricken wife so he could marry a rich trophy wife, then come back here and lecture me again about kicking folks in the teeth.
And ol’ poe is holier than thou too. Walk on water much?
If I showed you, hell-bent as you are to prove me wrong, you’d just start yellin’
“Ol’ Poe can’t swim! Ol’ Poe can’t swim!”
Poetrooper, I am not saying I am getting the last word here but this will be my last comment on this post. You can have your opinion, just like me. I don’t agree with you at all, not even 1%. That’s my right as an American, and it’s your right to disagree with me too. This conversation has degenerated to the point of being almost personal, and that ain’t good. We’ve got enough external enemies to keep us busy. Shouldn’t be harping on each other.
It is my right to dislike someone because of the company he keeps. McCain can befriend anyone he wants. I can also state my opinion. Also, ot seems you have been less than civil and no it is not too long to grind an axe.
“This conversation has degenerated to the point of being almost personal,”
That’s pretty funny considering your first comment included “… Low class. How about everybody shutting their suck…”.
There’s something to be said for taking the high road. I vehemently disagree with Newt Gingrich on countless things, he also was pretty fucking brutal divorcing his first wife, who was dealing with cancer, to marry a newer, younger one,… and god forbid he ever be diagnosed with cancer, I’ll have nothing but sympathy for the guy. Nobody deserves that.
Also, I think we currently have a President who, minus the cancer angle, was also a dick who was cheating on his first wife and divorced her for a younger model. Again, don’t like the guy at all, but had this happened to him, I’d be pretty disgusted by any liberals who expressed ‘relief’ at how he wouldn’t be in DC any more. More to the point, had any liberal blog posted such ‘relief’ in that scenario, I imagine it’d stir some outrage here. And deservedly so.
It’s fine to dislike someone. It’s understandable to hate them, even. But when you let that hate surpass your humanity, you’ve got a problem, in my opinion.
LC, you seem to be a decent type from most of your comments here, but I think you are woefully lacking in your understanding of the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the bitterness that remains against traitors and turncoats of that war. In McCain’s case, that bitterness extends to him because he embraced and befriended the traitors like Kerry and Fonda while turning on and denouncing his fellow Vietnam veterans.
That sort of betrayal engenders an antipathy and indifference which is probably difficult for you and so many civilians, even other military like this twit, W2, to understand. So be it.
However, if you’re going to come read at an old warrior website be prepared to deal with some old warrior attitudes without imposing your “high road” values on situations you know little to nothing of.
Yawn, you made it personal. ol’ poe, you just can’t quit being such a sanctimoneous asshole now can you? Looking down your nose at other people who don’t agree with you – tsk-tsk, you don’t know because you’re a civilian, or a twit. Maybe when you’re critically ill I can come around and tell people what a jerk I think you are. “Old warrior attitude” doesn’t give you the right to preach at anybody and expect them to shut up and take it. Go piss up a stiff rope.
“Maybe when you’re critically ill I can come around and tell people what a jerk I think you are.”
Well, sonny boy, bring your lunch and be prepared to stand in a very long line.
Great. I think I can make that happen.
You making a threat, sonny?
Nope, no threat, you said bring your lunch and stand in a long line. I took that to mean you think there are a lot of people on God’s green earth who also think you are a sanctimonious asshole and a jerk. I’d just be standing in line waiting to tell everyone why I think you are those things and since the line would be long,
I’d need nourishment to make it through what you implied would be a very long day waiting in line with all your fans.
OK, I yield; you made me laugh with that one, Chief, just picturing that line. Made me think how glad I am that I’m not Jane Fonda. And, truth is, I’m not too far away from that line at my age. Think about it: I was a young, scared shitless, infantry fire team leader and squad leader in combat over 50 years ago.
OK, we’ve had a good run here tonight and I admire your tenacity, misguided though it is. Let’s call it a night and you watch for my next piece so you can jump all over it and prove what an asshole I am. Then we can cross swords once more.
I get the sense that you’re active duty and if so, just want you to know that while I may dig in your shit, I appreciate your being there and doing that as do all the other old farts who gather here.
G’nite, Chief…
“this will be my last comment on this post”
*sigh*
I knew it was too good to be true.
Make it personal dickweed and I’ll always come right back at you. The man called me a twit. I was willing to let it go, but he made it personal
Dickweed? There you go again using language totally uncalled for.
I called you a twit because you demonstrated all the identifying marks of a twit, like calling someone a dickweed when there was absolutely no reason to.
You don’t do that and I won’t do that. How’s that?
Poe, I often don’t agree with you but I have been reading your stuff for a while here at Jonn’s place. This particular piece tripped my trigger and I vented my spleen. I always cherish the exchange of ideas, especially those different from my own and I try to make sure I don’t make it personal. I guess when somebody makes it personal, or trolls, my dander gets up.
Graybeard and I had a back and forth a while back about Mexican immigrants. Being fellow Tejanos I thought, and still think, his position is wrong but he never made it personal so we parted ways agreeing to disagree. Seems like when it’s left vs right it’s always personal. I am a Reagan Republican and have been since I voted for him in 1980. I didn’t like the Clinton democrats and I felt like the Obama admin squandered their chance at greatness by jamming Ocare down everybody’s throat, but I tried to never make a personal attack and I wouldn’t attack anyone if they thought those ideas were good. Poe, you remember “Well, there he goes again” during the Reagan / Carter debates, right? That was an “awww snap” moment but it wasn’t personal. Why does everybody feel it’s OK to kick John McCain when he’s down and make it personal? That ain’t right and deep down you know it too. Just because somebody has a different belief than you why is that wrong?
Now, Timactual is a smart ass and he deserved to be called a dickweed for being a smartass
Troll. He didn’t add anything other than to stir shit up so yes, he is a dickweed.
Now that’s more like it, Tex. My wife’s family are old Texas ranchers and pioneers, the Reynolds’ and the Matthews’, mentioned in numerous Texas histories as well as Handbook of Texas Online. I married her in Odessa, went to UTEP in El Paso, spent many years in San Antonio and out in Bandera County in the Texas Hill Country.
So, see there, we might have more in common than you think. And in spite of what Joe thinks, I’m really not known as an asshole by those who know me.
However, when you kick the comments doors in and come in with both guns blazing, you can expect a strong reaction from me. On the other hand, if you come at me with a reasoned, thoughtful criticism, you’ll get a reasoned thoughtful response. Unfortunately, you blew in here like Lars or Joe yesterday and I had no idea who you are, so I blew back. Count on it, get in my face and I’m gonna get right back in yours.
How about we don’t do that anymore? I write something and you say, Poe, that’s a crock and here’s why. We’ll get along just fine and we’ll both probably learn something.
I’m offering you a handshake. Will you take it?
I’m also an old geezer and need to go to bed so I won’t see your answer till manana. Till then, you stay good, OK?
Buenos noches, Senor
Poe, you had to go and compare me to Lars? I know who my parents are and neither are related. Lars? Come on, man. That ain’t right.
I’ll take your handshake and I’ll bury any hatchets that might be out there. Life is too short and Americans should not be fighting with other Americans. We’re all on the same team and need to face forward towards the NorK’s, CHICOMS and pooty poot and his Rooskie commie bastards as well as islamic extremists.
Please, don’t compare me to Lars though. Those are fighting words in Texas for sure.
That’s like saying I wear spandex bike shorts, drive a shitty jag-u-war and know where Elaine’s body is buried or I jump out of airplanes drunk or duct tape dog’s paws together.
” He didn’t add anything other than to stir shit up”
Well, I’m pretty sure I made a few other impersonal comments before you dropped in.
As I mentioned above, your initial comment here was a blanket insult of everybody here. So yes, I will stir that shit that you brought. I do it occasionally when someone gratuitously insults me or others. I will continue to do so.
If you can’t stand being mocked, don’t mock others.
“Why does everybody feel it’s OK to kick John McCain when he’s down and make it personal?”
There you go again, mischaracterizeing what people have said, making unwarranted assumptions, and reading peoples’ minds. I know it’s personal, but the best thing I can say is that your reading comprehension needs work.
Oh, poor baby. Your first comment on this thread insulted everyone here. That wasn’t personal because you insulted everyone and nobody specific? And then when some people understandably took offense and “came right back at you” you became an outraged innocent victim. BS.
Here’s a hint; Don’t insult people and they won’t insult you. That way you won’t have to cry so much.
Well said. Thanks Poe.
My well said was for Poe just to be clear.
Well, there’s two things here – there’s the hatred of McCain for befriending whom you consider to be a traitor, and there’s the dick-to-his-first-wife angle in your response to Susan.
Let’s imagine a world for a moment where President Trump were diagnosed with terminal cancer. And a liberal blog expressed ‘relief’ that this ‘traitor’ wouldn’t be in DC much longer. Do you not think that this website would pick up on that and, rightly, complain that those guys are a bunch of dicks? It’s not that I don’t have any understanding of the hatred (or indifference and antipathy) you feel, it’s that taking the low road by expressing relief that someone who lived a complicated life is going to suffer and then die is pretty inhuman. It’s just utterly unnecessary. Would you tell Meghan McCain how you’re sorry for her sake, but also relieved that her father will suffer badly then die?
The second bit is in your reply to Susan you tried to excuse this from the angle of how McCain was a dick during his divorce. Well, as I pointed out, if that’s the standard by which we treat people like dicks in return, I’m eager to hear what your thoughts are on President Trump and Newt Gingrich for the same sins.
This is a marvel of liberal reasoning.
In your second paragraph you try to use moral equivalence to shame me while in the third paragraph you denounce me for using moral equivalence to support my position against Susan.
Sheesh! I’m going to bed.
Which divorce? The one from Ivana? That was settled long ago and the documents about the settlement were sealed. She runs her own business, you know. She’s been quite successful on her own.
If you’re referring to Marla Maples, piffle. She was a golddigger and nothng else, and I don’t care whether you believe that or not, LC.
Trophy Wife, my ass! He dumped his wife, married the boss’ rich hottie daughter, and scored financially in a manner reminiscent of John F’n Kerry. Wayyyy beyond trophy wife. Net worth around 100 mil
“This seems a bit, well, distasteful.”
Life is like that. And, to reiterate, nobody is saying anything here that they haven’t said before. Hypocrisy may be your thing, but some of us prefer consistency.
Needle in the paw.
I wish Mr McCain a speedy recovery. It doesn’t hide the fact he is a hypocrite. Plus remember his health care is far beyond Obamacare or Medicare as he voted to exempt himself and fellow senators and staffers from what they require of all other Americans.
Not exactly. http://www.factcheck.org/2013/05/congress-and-an-exemption-from-obamacare/
D, did you read my answer to your question about the Kerry letter?
Yes, I did. I didn’t realize you were a part of the SBVT or I wouldn’t have engaged.
There are a “few” commenter’s here that jumped on-board with the SBVT. (stated with a great big cheese eating, slowly melting down my face grin)
http://www.swiftvets.com/
” As it does for other federal employees who purchase their insurance through the FEHBP, the federal government provides a subsidy equivalent to 72 percent of the weighted average of all FEHBP premiums.
Therefore, MOC and staff pay approximately 28 percent of their annual healthcare premiums through pre-tax payroll deductions.”
http://www.snopes.com/members-congress-health-care/
Providing premium assistance as part of the employer-employee relationship is quite different than a total exemption from the law. Also, while I appreciate the Snopes take on events, I’ve seen folks on here run them into the ground. I take it that you are fine with them and don’t believe they are part of some grand liberal conspiracy?
Snopes is as usual in political matters, incorrect. Federal employees are responsible for paying one third of their health care costs. Not 28 percent. 33 1/3 percent.
But does that include the “Cadillac Plan” that Members of Congress enjoy having?
I don’t usually go to Snopes, but I was in a hurry and it was the first entry that mentioned the subsidy. I knew there was a subsidy, just not how much.
Still, a hell of a perk.
I read somewhere that over 3000 organizations got exemptions from Obamacare, and of the list provided, almost every one of them was a union or major dem supporter.
Um, no. timactual above is exactly correct. The Federal government pays no more than 25% (other than USPS, which does have a sweetheart deal due to the Postal Union), and often pays less. That’s been the case since 1997, per Federal law.
The maximum government contribution is 72% of the weighted average of that year’s premiums across all plans. If an employee enrolls in a higher cost plan, the govt reimbursement maxes out and is going to be less than 75% of that plan’s total cost. The employee is responsible for paying the remainder – which means they pay the difference in terms of higher premiums. (If they enroll in a lower-cost plan, the govt contribution is capped at 75% of total plan cost.)
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/reference/cost-of-insurance/
In the past, for some of the higher-cost plans a Federal employee could pay 33% or more of their total health insurance cost. I’d have to do some extensive research to see if that’s still the case – but I’d bet it still is.
Well, I and my fellow federal employees in my work section must be getting screwed over then, because that rate I quoted was what our portion of our health care plan worked out to. I also calculated the percentage off my leave and earnings statement before I posted that.
Well stated, Poe.
If there were ever any doubts that you’re an asshole, you’ve put them to rest.
Well thank heavens; I thought there might still be some doubt.
Having had a family member whom went through the pain and suffering of cancer and passed away, I extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to John Sydney McCain and family.
And you prove every time you post here that you have no clue to what’s going on in the world. Now go back to sucking dick behind the truck stop dumpsters, Joe…
I am starting to get really angry. Let log off and go to sleep. I got PT at 0600.
But bwfore I go, let just say my last message to our hero McCain:
Well after listening to several local talk stations here in Arizona today and talking to numerous folks around here in the Old Pueblo and then talking to my other half, his type of brain cancer has a 98 percent
Mortality rate over 30 months, it’s a miserable way to go out, I wouldn’t wish this on anybody
As I wrote above I’m not a fan of his politics or his special interest puppet masters
But I will say Thank You for your service to our country when most wouldn’t serve
To his family stay strong and my prayers are with you
Oh dam.
Time to get ready for PT.
Im still a little hangover from last night.
Did McCain pay for his sins yet? For abandoning his brothers in arms and making love with our country’s enemies?
Fuck U, democrat tool
Thanks to you we almost lost our country.
Oops…comment went in the wrong place. Again:
Having had a family member whom went through the pain and suffering of cancer and passed away, I extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to John Sydney McCain and family.
Regarding posters who like to cite FactCheck.org in anything at all, some facts on them: Factcheck.org — A Fraudulent “Fact Check” Site Funded By Biased Political Group If you wanted to use a devious method to deceive people who are trying to differentiate between truth and lies on the Internet how would you do it? If you were extremely devious and had no conscience, you might set up a Web site with some official and unbiased sounding name that claims to be the encyclopedia of truth to be used as a tool for anyone who has the same biased view and wants to make believe to “back it up” with what they would like you to think is “indisputable fact.” That is exactly what Web sites like factcheck.org are. They are biased, politically motivated propaganda Web sites, manned and funded by biased political organizations who set up the sites for the sole purpose of deviously “backing up” the political arguments of those who hold the same views that they do. It’s kind of like you have a friend who is in on your lie, and you use him to back up your story and don’t tell anyone else he is your friend. Just because they use a name that implies unbiased assessments, doesn’t mean that they provide them. You can call your Web site anything you want. I can set up a web site called thetruth.org or realfacts.com or stopthelies.org and post any kind of biased political propaganda I want on it. The name means nothing. And in the case of sites like factcheck.org, the name is intentionally misleading and deceptive. But it isn’t the only so called “fact check” site that is a fraud. There are others. Think about it. Would you rely on any particular Web site to get the “truth?” Anyone honest would tell you that you should NOT rely solely on them to get your facts. You should get them by considering many different and sources, with different points of view and opinions and arrive at what you believe to be the truth by using your… Read more »
You hit the nail on the head
LARS…it’s “a lot” not “alot”. One of my pet peeves.
John McCain served honorably in Vietnam including in captivity (actually quite heroic if you read the accounts of his fellow POWs) and I have nothing but respect for that.
However, that was approaching 50 years ago and his service in the Senate has lasted far longer than it should have and his support for the likes of Kerry seriously diminishes his post war reputation in the Veteran community.
I also have a different take on his illness, he has had a good run, he is at an age I hope and prey I make it to, I wish him a peaceful passage to Valhalla but instead of mourning I would celebrate a life of action and consequence (good or bad) which is more than many can claim at the end of their days.
I’ve wanted McCain out of office for years, but not this way.
Where have you been LMAO…..
On 11 February 2007, my father died of brain cancer. I watched his slow, painful demise, and I would not wish that on my worst enemy (assuming for the moment that I have one).
I pray for Senator McCain’s recovery, though I know it is not a realistic hope – he has glioblastoma and is 80 years old, after all. Two strikes already. True, he’s a fighter, but – to continue the baseball metaphor – he’s got an 0-2 count and is facing Aroldis Chapman’s fastball. To be as politically incorrect as I can be, “Rotsa ruck” with that.
I dislike Sen. McCain’s politics and have for years. Is he a Republican? Well, he runs under that political party’s banner, but when push comes to shove he does not seem to hold himself to the party standards.
My personal dislike for him goes back to the mid 1990s, when he called Civil Air Patrol “pork barrel spending” and recommended it be divested from the Air Force and shuffled off to the Department of Transportation. (I was then and am now a member of CAP and don’t like that idea one bit.)
That being said, I put my personal and political dislike for Sen. McCain to one side, and wish him and his family good health and peace.
Nobody should ever have to leave this world the way my father did.
Attention on Deck:
I disagree with premise of article above. However, Poe is free to express his opinion and that is respected here.
When I look at SEN McCain today knowing his diagnosis, I am reminded of his service to this great nation, the USS Forrestal incident, his flight from the USS Oriskiny into the hands of a brutal enemy.
I am also reminded of his lonely days, weeks, months and years of torture with his fellow hero POWs. And his body, mind and finally soul tested to the point of fracture.
And I know he is a good man (although we may have disagreed with him at times) as he is the son and grandson of 2 great men.
That is all.
Carry on!
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still not Special Forces.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still an idiot.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still trying to BS his way out of trouble.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still a loser.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still in need of a brain.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still without a clue.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still a jerk.
Colt Kelly Lee Vernon Hillary Albert Clinton Bulot is still not scary.