2008.09.24
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Maverick to the rescue!
President Bush told us Wednesday night that "our entire economy is in danger." Apparently, John McCain thinks he is the man to save it.
Gimme a break. More likely, Johnny Mac just isn't ready for prime time. I'm referring to the Friday night debate with Barack Obama. Or maybe he wanted to slow Obama's roll. Polls show that voters trust Obama more than McCain to fix the economy. Whatever the reason, McCain came up with the ultimate "dog-ate-my-homework" excuse: It's the economy, stupid.
The Maverick Man has thrown this 2008 soap opera, er, I mean presidential campaign for a loop again by suspending his campaign and heading back to D.C. to tackle the financial crisis. Sure, this country is in a financial mess. Should McCain and Barack Obama stay in the loop and up to date on the developments? No doubt. But please, don't exploit the economy as an excuse for taking a powder from a crucial and pivotal presidential race. Take your case to the people.
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The sky is falling, the sky is falling...so says Chicken Little now John McCain. Cold feet before Friday's debate? If no one has informed Mr. McCain, he's not the President and is he limited to handling one emergency situation at a time, if he were? If so, America you're selling out your future security. The current President can solve this chaos via Executive Order and not needing McCain to come back to DC for some "folksy" political rhetoric.
Comment by Bobby Buck — September 24, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
Presidential debates last minute wrangling is not uncommon so I am not worried they will take place.
By keeping those in the know that would be president is a great ideal by keeping the possible incoming President hear those ideals for fixing an immediate problem.
Unlike Bill Clinton he kept everything secret when he left the White House, "Hillary just kept the Presidential Dinning and Silverware".
Comment by Backlash — September 25, 2008 @ 8:48 am
THE DEBATE IS ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS STUPID. ME THINKS THIS TIME THAT I SMELL A RAT LOOKING TO PAINT THE SITUATION. 2005 WHEN THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS, YOUR BOYS KILLED THE MEASURES THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED THIS SITUATION. WE ONLY NEED TO LOOK AT WHO HAS GAINED THE MOST FINANCIALLY TO KNOW THE RAT SMELL SHOULD BE SPLIT.
Comment by RANDY — September 25, 2008 @ 9:33 am
I really dont think McCain has cold feet for the debate..I believe hes trying to show the importance of the problem and doesnt want to fiddle while rome burns..on the other hand..Hes been in the Senate for what..26 yrs..I mean whats he gonna do now besides posture.? Wow remember when the biggest problem we had was Clintons love life?..looking back.."Them was the good ole days!"!!How about 3 terms for Bill!!
Comment by Larry — September 25, 2008 @ 9:49 am
Sadly, it looks more like an elderly man to the rescue.
Whether or not the decision to suspend his campaign is a political ploy, a faltering sidestep, or a sincere attempt to put the country first as he claims, a person of John McCain's age may not have the energy to be in Washington by day and fly to a nationally televised debate by night. A president must be prepared to handle many problems and have the energy to be at his or her physical and mental best under pressure. John McCain is not prepared. This leads to the obvious question, is Sarah?
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — September 25, 2008 @ 10:08 am
According to "folks on the hill", they aren't really sure why McCain is suspending his campaign to deal with this as they are "getting near the end and things are being worked out without him"...seems to me this is either political pandering or someone...who has horrible speaking skills ......is afraid to go against a charasmatic speaker.......
Comment by reed — September 25, 2008 @ 11:20 am
YES!!! CANCEL IT!!!! That's the BEST idea yet!!! Cancel ALL of them. Just shut up and go away, ALL of you!!! It will take all of you a week to count all the bribes, pay-offs and hush money you've got in the last few days for The BushMaster's taxpayer RAPE anyway. YES!! Cancel your STUPID "debates". They're FIXED,the "questions" REHEARSED and you KNOW it. The people are sure on to you FOOLS now!!! PLEASE!!! Cancel 'em all and GO AWAY!!!!!
Comment by Percy Kution — September 25, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
Ms Goldenwillow Mcain spent years in a prisoner of war camp I am sure he has the mental strength to handle the pressure.
Yet when I was out to sea in the Navy we spent 116 on the water and the only land we seen was on the horizon and of a crew of 400 men we only had 3 suicide attempts, trying to figure out who got the right stuff isn't about smooth choreographed speeches and expensive suits both candidates have them but will you do the right thing at the right time.
What you think is tough is actually minor me.
Try working in a hospital ER Peds on the weekend in a major metropolitan city now that's TOUGH!!!
Comment by Backlash — September 25, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Oh please. My 12 year old son saw right through what McCain is doing, "he is using the financial crisis the country is in to make himself look better." I'll be glad to leave the world in the next generation's hands when they can see it and call it like it is.
I also adored what Obama said about the person in the role of president being able to multitask. If McCain can't handle a debate and working on the bailout, then he shouldn't be raising his hand to sit in the oval office!
Comment by Heather — September 25, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Ms. Goldenwillow I guess being held in Hanoi Hilton for years being repeatedly tortured tough.... Sad
I wonder how some of us would have faired being beaten daily. am sure we would have did just fine.......NOT!!!
I guess there is something to well rehearsed speeches and expensive suits.
Comment by backlash — September 25, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
According to cnn a deal was reached.....did McCain make it there in time to save the day?????
Comment by reed — September 25, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
To John McCain and other political tricksters...you can run but you can't hide. Truth and true purpose somehow will always find you.
Comment by Bobby Buck — September 25, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
Not fulfilling your responsibilities as a legislator during times of crises is like someone who leaves a burning building to save himself without regard to others left in the building. Sounds like Obama - he's ready for this Friday's exam, but he failed the course to lead.
Comment by Jim — September 25, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
As the daughter of a decorated USMC fighter pilot, I learned first-hand what it means to have the right stuff. For any military history buffs, my dad flew in the Black Sheep Squadron under the leadership of "Pappy" Boyington in WWII and later fought in the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean conflict. My family lived on numerous military bases, where I developed a tremendous pride in our country and military. I later married a USAF Vietnam veteran and our son served in the US Army.
Very few Americans would disagree that John McCain's military service and his sacrifice for our country deserve the utmost respect. There is no question he is a tough and brave man and that he cares greatly about our country. Even so, I must defend my comments as being realistic. I think we have every right to question and make such judgments when it comes to the presidency. We know that Senator McCain lives with pain and disability from his POW days, every moment of every day, and for the most part he hides it very well. That takes a lot of fortitude. The fact remains, the human body ages no matter how willing and determined the spirit. I have never known anyone who did not lose stamina growing older. Politics aside, I think the age factor is a serious concern.
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — September 25, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
I would like to have seen the debate go forward, and am disappointed that it was canceled. There's only so much a single senator can do in this situation. But I believe "backlash" is correct, McCain isn't running from anything after what he's persevered in the past. I don't know for sure what his motive is in suspending the campaign, but it's not enough to change my vote. And, Yes, Mrs. G., I believe Sarah is up to the task. Maybe she should stand in for her boss in the debate, as I believe she might size up better against Obama. I've thought all along that the race is between those two in the minds of the voters and I've seen nothing to change my opinion on that. I guess Biden's reaction to all of this would be to plant his foot squarely in his mouth, doing the only thing he knows how other than PLAGIARIZING.
Comment by Mike — September 26, 2008 @ 2:43 am
McCain's decision to suspend his campaign was nothing more than melodrama. Obama put it best when he said that the job requires multitasking and dropping the campaign to rush off to Washington like he's a superhero is NOT multitasking. I don't believe this is a question about his health or his age but I do believe he was trying to get some attention and he got it. The question is, what did he really accomplish???
Comment by Lo — September 26, 2008 @ 8:06 am
Sorry, Jim:
Your excuse for McCain's tentative absence for a crucial debate is just that an excuse, or possibly a ruse to cover weaknesses in his held positions on Iraq and continuing to bleed the American economy, or possibly the incapacity to be the active leader on all fronts that will be demanded by the future President. Clearly, what's going on in DC is not being affected by McCain's presence.
Comment by Bobby Buck — September 26, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Always two sides. Yes, it's a smooth campaign move to "forego" campaigning to focus on a high-profile issue. But it's also a smart move to be fully aware of what's happening (all the discussion and outcome) if you're potentially the one taking it over in a few months.
Sidebar: Obama mentioned one of them would be taking over the situation in "40 days"...I think there's an election around that time, but it's news to me if they've moved up the swearing-in ceremony.
I'm looking at the silver lining..perhaps if the debate doesn't happen, Bob Barr can take the free airtime.
Comment by Ed S. — September 26, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Regardless of the very questionable assertion underpinning the McCain campaign, that POW status guarantees the future integrity of a man, (and war hero status didn't prevent greedy criminal corruption by Republican Rep. Duke Cunningham), how does McCain's POW endurance of FORTY years ago in any way indicate that he has great physical stamina today? It doesn't.
The McCain campaign did not actually "suspend" itself Wednesday, they simply ducked any commitments they had come to fear. McCain getting busted as still being in NYC, and still doing press interviews, after a last minute cancellation of his Letterman appearance when he'd
told the show's producers he was rushing to DC, was pretty brazen. Not sending Palin, who was also in NYC then, shows what a basically ornamental function she has in the McCain campaign.
Palin's as ready as ANY other choice to be the leader of the US, we're emphatically told by those who wish for a continuum of Republican rule, so she should have been ready for a foreign policy debate in McCain's stead. Now that it looks like there WILL be a debate Friday night, and McCain will apparently be there, we can find out more about how the troop escalation in Iraq has brought about better multi-party governance, with an oil agreement and lessened need for American security forces-THOSE THINGS BEING THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS FOR THE "SURGE", ACCORDING TO GEN. PETRAEUS.
Like a life or death relay race, which in fact it is, it is on election day that the next administration must begin to set the pace.
In 2006, GOP robots like Felix Macawitz all used "Stay The Course" as their campaign mantra, until voters declared that the course was being set by an inept navigator. "Drill baby Drill" was an attempt at the same sort of sloganeering for dummies, but clear even to the ordinary Joe is that the long term energy solutions are so much more intricate than that, that it has had no persuasive impact. So now we are left to decide if we can afford to let pilot McCain-notorious for crashing expensive jets after his mediocre Naval academy performance-steer the country through the heavy flak caused by the unchecked policies of his party's idealogues. Why aren't they sloganeering with "Stay The Course" Now?
Making an Enron of the whole country, with Iraq and Afghanistan in a "slow attrition" holding pattern, and social and environmental problems unaddressed-these are the results of the GOP's best choices as leader that we're asked to reward. Fight the awful and crucial menaces of flag burning and homosexuals-vote for McCain!!
Comment by PJ — September 26, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
After watching debates this evening, I have come to the conclusion that Sen. McCain has positions on 2 issues which are deal breakers for me.
1 - The idea of taxing health care premiums and treating it like income is precisely the opposite of what is needed. The last thing we need is to pay tax on exorbitant health care premiums.
2 - His supposed care of Veterans is the most outright lying I have ever heard from a candidate. McCain has never, I repeat never supported full funding for the Veterans Administration. He even opposed the latest update for the G.I. Bill fearing this would lead to a manpower drain from the military.
There apears to be a great disconnect from the words of John McCain to the actions of the Senator. Haven't we had enough double talk for the last 8 years?
Comment by Shaun — September 27, 2008 @ 12:58 am
Debate One: Obama leads in youthful but seasoned vigor, mental acuity, and international agility. It is no longer the America of old...the once unilateral source of influence from the western hemisphere.
Comment by Bobby Buck — September 27, 2008 @ 2:35 am
Shuan military health care should not include military hospitals performing abortions. This has been place in the many military health care bills.
Such as the Military Abortions Amendment in which McCain voted N Amendment Passed - Senate (52 - 40). It's obvious to me that Democrats and some Republicans view abortions as viable form of birth control.
But when viewed in the eyes of countries where these are performed our military is nothing more than baby killers.
Comment by Backlash — September 27, 2008 @ 8:07 am
Backlash, you seem to have a few things that are twisted, starting with my name (Shaun). During my time in the military, including 5 years as a personnel specialist, it's been my experience that very few abortions are performed in military hospitals. Most women who get pregnant in the military usually separate because of pregnancy(Chap 8, AR 635-200 for rules & regulations). I would even wager that military commanders are for abortions performed by military hospitals, as this keeps people in uniform and not on the homefront. Surely you must be aware that there is a shortage of personnel in the Armed Forces these days.
Besides that, I was speaking of full funding for Veterans Hospitals. I would doubt abortions are even performed at Veterans Hospitals, as most VA hospitals do not have even services directed for female veterans.
Comment by Shaun — September 27, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Obama looked naive and frustrated. Obama must have studied hard to sound informative compared to his experienced competitor, but alas, there is no substitution for having seen previous financial crises, wars, diplomacy, etc. Obama is being exposed for what he is - a pretender to the throne.
Comment by Jim — September 27, 2008 @ 9:49 am
Shaun are you insane!!! To make a statement like "you would wager that military commanders are for abortions performed by military hospitals". Is just irresponsible.
Just as irresponsible as Capitan Melvin D. Munsinger being relieved of his command for shooting dolphins during a mine shoot in 1983.
No Commander I ever served under have ever voiced an ideal like that publicly.... Wait I forgot we did have some clowns that spoke like that they were involved in the 'Sky Hook'.
Either or if you thought like that in the military this would stunt your career within the ranks. Unfortunately women used the VA hospital in Hawaii, and the Naval Hospital in Subic Bay and Clark Air Force Base to get abortions done when these bases were open in the Philippines.
As well as Okinawa Japan personnel responsibility prevents unwanted births not a doctor or politician with the morals of a rabid dog.
For as FULL FUNDING for VA Hospitals Democrats have block spending on the system each time it has came to a vote since Clinton. Shanna will acknowledge I have no love for the past mention name.
Comment by Backlash — September 27, 2008 @ 11:47 am
Tailhook Scandal
The 1991 Tailhook scandal, involving naval pilots who sexually abused female officers at a convention in a Las Vegas hotel, excited plenty of outrage at the time as an example of military attitudes and Top Gun libidos running amok.
And it is also suggested that the post-Tailhook spirit may have contributed to the suicide this year of Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda, the Chief of Naval Operations.
Far as the mis-spelling of your name and "tailhook" typo. You should have been accustomed to that in an air-condition space.
Understand Shuan no self respecting person of the military would think or allow such action on there watch.
Comment by Backlash — September 27, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
Get a grip, backlash. Time to drop some science on you. The purpose of the military is to fight wars. Officer commissions are awarded by Congress, and every enlisted contract says on the bottom line that they will follow the orders of the President of the United States, and uphold the constitution of the United States. That being said, was it not the Supreme Court which rendered Roe vs. Wade.
In terms even you may understand, this is a nation of laws, and at this time, abortion is not against the law.
As you claim, Democrats blocked full funding for the VA, but McCain is the one claiming to be a friend of the Veteran, but actions speak otherwise.
By the way, you Squids seem to spend too much time on the oceans ruminescing on things you know nothing of.
Comment by Shaun — September 27, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Shaun as a "5 year personnel specialist" the closes you probably got to a battle is a paper cut or typing the accolades of others.
Patrolling the surface and subsurface is risky business, confirming the knowledge of Possible Nuclear Weapons insuring Nuclear Deterrence is not a game for one who have push the button.
One may be able to quote rules and regs, yet when it comes to rescuing and enforcing and protecting the borders of the United States Sea Lanes falls in the hands of the Men and Women of the U.S Navy and U.S. Coast Guard that will use them.
When it comes to the protection of ones Vessel it takes a man with the willingness to do so with out ones hands tied to protect his crew. A naval saying "All the Navy's rules are written in blood." Waiting for permission cost lives.
It is my opinion Obama represent that as Clinton did, by having interceptors disarmed as Russian Bombers challenge our air space. Hind sight is 20-20 and unwillingness to defend oneself by turning the other cheek is useless when dealing with Radical Muslim Extremist.
Far as reminiscing, I reminisce on those souls I have seen lost and giving their all for the freedom so many take for granted, for those that are on "Eternal Patrol" at sea something you only read about from a desk.
McCain has been there,how ever his opponent can shoot basketball. Your ideology don't represent my ideals no matter how well versed you are, when it comes to fighting there are no rules just casualties.
On the Eve of Desert Storm The Secretary of the Navy visited each ship in the battle group we had a sailor get on his hands and knees and beg him to take him off the ship because he didn't want fight or possibly die in battle. He had this sailor helicopter off within that hour, all I can do is pity his cowardice because we were all scared.
The night of the battle we listen on the ships radio as the F18's were returning as surface to air missiles was launched at them and as one plane was hit the description was a fire ball at that moment Michael Scott Speicher went on Eternal Patrol.
Comment by Backlash — September 28, 2008 @ 2:56 am
I agree with Shaun to the extent that medical premiums should remain untaxed so long as the plan is non-discriminatory. I also agree that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and that a woman's constitutional right to choose to do something I disagree with is none of my business. But performing abortions with taxpayer money? And at V-A Hospitals so that we won't lose the soldier's service? I side with Backlash on that one. We don't need to kill babies to protect our borders.
Comment by Mike — September 28, 2008 @ 4:24 am
I did neglect to mention that I spent my other 5 years in service as a Communications Security Specialist in a Pershing II missile battalion. I remember distinctly when that famous sailor, Johnny Walker (Red) gave up our disposed commo codes, and the upheaval that went on in the Army Security Agency after the turncoat and his family of treasonus turncoats were exposed. Needless, I will always have a low opinion of sailors.
However, I digress. If a commander in the field has a pregnant soldier in his or her unit who becomes pregnant, will he want her to be sent home to have her baby or would he prefer to keep manning levels up to operational level? A commanders mission can be waylaid by a mass number of pregnancies in his unit.
I was surprised to see that cowards can just up and go home in the navy. Thank God for Gen. Patton and not Admiral Patton.
Comment by Shaun — September 28, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Shaun:
Thank you and Backlash for your service to this country. You are both heroes on that score. You make a valid point that we don't want pregnant women in battle, but is there no such thing as birth control in the armed forces? And in the event a soldier does become pregnant, I would much rather see her go home, as you suggest, than abort just to keep fighting.
Comment by Mike — September 30, 2008 @ 2:28 am
Mike, Backlash, do you know how many abortions were performed whie I was in Germany? Zero. That's right zero. Abortion is illegal in Germany. Believe it or not, birth control is free and readily available. Evidently, the Germans have come to understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Perhaps someday in our puritanical society we may be so enlightened.
Comment by Shaun — September 30, 2008 @ 6:11 am