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TechnoratiThe Things They Left Behind (or Didn’t Remind You About)
The introduction to John McCain at the Republican National Convention last night was all about family values. There was the paean to his mother and father, the touching story of his and Cindy's adoption of a baby girl from India, and then there was Cindy herself, who was the focus of much of a gauzy introductory film on McCain, and who also did the introductory speech, and who brought all the kids up on stage with her at the end.
Oddly missing from this warm, feel-good picture, however, was a single mention of McCain's first wife Carol Shepp-the one who stood by him, raising their three kids, through his trying five years in a Vietnamese prison, only to be dumped upon his heroic return for a younger woman, despite, or because of, her having suffered permanent disabling and disfiguring injuries in an auto accident during his absence.
Now I'm not faulting McCain for leaving his wife for a younger, richer woman. Who knows what the relationship was like at the time. Maybe Shepp wanted him out of her life by the time he started slipping off to date beer heiress Cindy Lou Hensley. But if McCain and his campaign staff wanted to make him a poster child for "family values," they should have had the basic integrity to explain that he didn't always consider marriage a binding covenant, for better or worse, richer or poorer, and in sickness or in health. (If you want an unvarnished view of the real John McCain, read an interview with Carol McCain published last June in the UK newspaper, The Mail, headlined The Wife US Republican John McCain Callously Left Behind.)
McCain's party, and his fundamentalist Christian backers, are always attacking efforts by gay Americans to win the right to marry by saying that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman, but clearly, with over half of all those marriages between a man and a woman ending in divorce, it's not all that sacred, and McCain is living testament to that hypocrisy.
But this was just the most blatant of a string of hypocrisies that ran on for four days in the Twin Cities.
There was the long list of speakers touting America's "freedoms" as, outside the convention hall, police thugs dressed in military gear, and armed with huge batons and assault weaponry were bashing in doors and terrorizing journalists, arresting others and dragging them face down along the street, using teargas against peaceful demonstrators and arresting them by the hundreds.
There was McCain talking about how everyone, including the "child of Latino immigrants," is an American, to an audience of Republicans that was so embarrassingly white that you had to shield your eyes from the glare of the screen.
There was Sarah Palin, complaining about a media focus on her pregnant 17-year-old daughter Bristol, all the while shamelessly parading that same daughter and her 18-year-old impregnator, who was dragged down to the convention to be shown off after the two had been somehow convinced to get married and make the baby "legal."
There were the repeated characterizations of McCain as a battler against corruption and the influence of "special interests," without a word of mention of his having been the recipient of over $100,000 in cash from Charles Keating, a corrupt banker whose interests McCain shamelessly pimped for in Congress, only narrowly escaping indictment himself.
Perhaps the most outrageous hypocrisy of all was claiming that the McCain/Palin ticket would be "taking on" the corrupt Washington Establishment, as though that establishment hadn't been predominantly Republican for most of the past decade, and as though McCain and Palin hadn't been an integral part of it. McCain, after all, has spent those years dutifully voting with his Republican peers over 90 percent of the time, shoveling out perks to the rich and the corporations, while Palin, first as mayor of the small town of Wasilla, and then as governor of Alaska, employed an Abramoff-linked Washington lobbyist to help win massive amounts of corrupt "earmarks" for her town and state. She even backed the notorious $400-million earmark for the "Bridge to Nowhere" until it became a national joke, yet there she was, in her acceptance speech, claiming to have opposed that outrageous taxpayer ripoff.
Republicans are claiming that this election will not be about issues as much as about character. But given the incredible fraud that was perpetrated on viewers by the four-day Republican extravaganza, I'd say it's more about caricature.
19 Comments so far
Show AllWhy don't we let these chimps into the cockpit to finally pilot the damned aircraft into the lake?
I believe it was Republican spokesperson Nicole Wallace (yes?) who, when asked when Palin would be available for interviews, said, in essence, "Why should she talk to you?", meaning the press. They may indeed try to make this stick. As of last night, Palin had reportedly returned to Alaska for a week. Very strange behavior when there are only 60 days left until the election.
Joe Biden was on fire yesterday: "What do you talk about when you've got nothing to talk about?". Indeed. So instead, you sling mud and lie your ass off. It's worked before. Will it work again?
As always, David, fine work.
You know it will work again with the right wing evangelicals, the NRA, the red necks, the dum dum Foxy News watchers; and a lot of politically, naive Americans. The question to me is: will it be enough to beat Obama? Many,many Americans will not vote for him because he is black and like the lady I heard the other day on C-Span: " I do not trust Obama " which we all know is an euphemism for he is not the right color! You mean you trust McCain then--- right? We all know you cannot trust either party; especially Mr. Mastercard, but they are all that is left and all you can do is hold your nose and vote!
Yeah, and if they'd really been honest, they would have started the video with this excerpt from Apocolypse Now while playing Ride of the Valkyries in surround stereo. They would have also mentioned that some 5 million Vietnamese--mostly innocent civilians--died needlessly, thanks in part to John McCain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx7XNb3Q9Ek
McCain is a corrupt Keating FIVER. That alone should dissuade a
patriotic American from voting for him.
It has become painful to see, again and again, the litany of hypocritical statements and actions of the Republicans who always claim the mantle of morality and "family values." For once, I would like to see this parade of shame enumerated by the network news, either on their nightly broadcasts or one of the "news" hours. I am all too aware of these failings, yet the majority of voters -- those low information ones -- are never exposed to the history of words and deeds of their candidate. I grant that those who support McCain/Palin would refuse to believe, or will excuse the hypocrisy of the words and deeds. But, perhaps, there are voters out there who would be able to receive the information, process it, and, when confronted with the cognitive dissonance, decide that the Republicans don't deserve their votes in November.
I love the way Mr Lindorff exposes the hypocrates.
Thanks Saila. Viewed one way, the nomination of Sarah Palin is like a gift from the gods for journalists. The woman is such a collection of horrors, hypocrisy and hate we'll all be busy for years.
The unfortunate thing is that the corporate media is so intimidated after eight years of Bush and Cheney that they aren't really doing the job. I just read a piece in my local paper, the Philadelphia Inquirer, talking about how the Bristol pregnancy might bring needed attention to the needs of the new 450,000 teen mothers we have in America each year, but it failed to even mention that both Palin and McCain have opposed funding for teen mother support and for sex education for teenagers. The same paper ran a story about how parents of Down children were excited by Palin's story and her candidacy, and failed to note that both Palin and McCain have voted to cut funds for special education.
This is not journalism. It's fawning propaganda.
Dave Lindorff
Visit Dave Lindorff's website at www.thiscantbehappening.net
WCDEVINS: The last Christian "prophets" who spoke of the return of the messiah led to an event known as "The Great Disappointment," when their alleged date came and went without Jesus showing up. A whole new branch of Christianity emerged as the 7th day Adventist. How did they get devout, utterly disappointed (with failed prophecy) followers to tag along? By suggesting the Deity was offended by the CHOICE of which day to worship, to herald as the sabbath. I kid you not. I suppose these are the types of things Barnum noted when he uttered, "A sucker is born every moment."
I remember driving through the deep South some years back. The ONLY radio stations one could pick up were Christian, and in rural areas, the only places to socialize were churches. Now there's a burgeoning "Christian rock" industry with its own stations, gigantic glitzy mega churches, and TV networks devoted to "the new chosen." Unfortunately for people who are natural conformists, and haven't the type of intelligence that digs deep for answers, belonging to these groups merits many social and sometimes economic advantages. Given to respecting authority, when their own "spiritual leader" gives greed a facelift and applauds their entrepreneurial passions, you get the makings for why and how people who might otherwise have a shot at living lives of caring and conscience are co-opted by these beliefs that rationalize the worst in who they are, while making others into targets of their collective angst and ample hypocrisy.
Thanks, Siouxrose. I appreciate the comments, but you really didn't have to...I must admit I was just being a wiseacre.
I've actually worked for a traveling circus and witnessed Barnum's axiom first-hand; it's interesting to view life from the soft white underbelly. One day circus and religion crossed paths when our "chaplain" visited that day's circus sponsor, a Unitarian Church, and wanted to burn it down. I loved it. There was a portrait of Emmett Kelly behind the "altar", the sanctuary was in an old Pullman car, and an "Impeach Nixon" banner flew from the steeple. Actually, the kind of organized(?) religion I might be able to get behind.
Please do read Robert Heinlein's "A Stranger in a Strange Land"
for the most hilarious mix of
___ circus and
___ "spiritual" non-conformist religion
to the nth power.
Namaste
Also, Tom Robbins' "Another Roadside Attraction."
Sometimes Christians join the Prophet by going through Heaven's Gate in a group!
McCain could have learned so much in that prison camp. Instead he continues to hold on to his macho roots and condemns himself to a life of misery. In prison camp he could have learned how to be a real man. Not the kind of man who gets into the Naval Academy because of nepotism. Not the kind of man who agrees to drop bombs on people he didn't even know. Not the kind of man who accepts bribe money from a businessman. Not the kind of man who lies about his bravery and character in order to get a job. But the kind of man who always tries to do what is right, not for himself, but for the good of the future. Being the kind of man who uses his masculinity and social position in ways that promote justice and equality, which will bring about a process that could put an end to all wars. This is the value to society that today’s full-circle veterans have. We know what it’s like to lose a war. But losing was something McCain couldn't accept. So he is forced to keep on trying to prove that he is not a loser. That’s why he keeps looking for an enemy. He continues to act and think like an active duty officer. McCain is still trying to become a man. It’s just too hard for him to admit it, and he’s got nothing to lose by continuing.
Palin is a token. And she is willingly participating in her audition for entrance into American the oligarchy. She’s not there because she’s a woman. She’s there because she has promised to serve the empire.
Hoa binh
Spot on, since 1492. McCain is not a character, but a caricature.
"Oddly missing from this warm, feel-good picture, however, was a single mention of McCain's first wife Carol Shepp-the one who stood by him, raising their three kids, through his trying five years in a Vietnamese prison, only to be dumped upon his heroic return for a younger woman, despite, or because of, her having suffered permanent disabling and disfiguring injuries in an auto accident during his absence."
No caring person would vote for McCain.
Pappy McCain?
From the film "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou"..
Pappy O"Daniel: "We need a shot in the arm. You hear me boys? In the bleepdamn arm! Election held tomorrw, that son of bitch Stokes would win it in a walk!"
Junior O'Daniel: "Well' he's the reform candidate, Daddy."
Pappy O"Daniel: "Yeah."
Junior O'Daniel: "A lot of people like that reform. Maybe we should get us some."
Pappy O"Daniel: "I'll reform you, you soft-headed son of a bitch. How we gonna run reform when we're the damn incumbent? Is that the best idea you boys can come up with? Reform?! Weepin' jesus on the cross. That's it! You may as well start drafting my concession speach right now."
Junior O'Daniel: We could hire our own midget(read female), even shorter than his.
Pappy O'Daniel: Wouldn't we look like a bunch of Johnny-come-latelies, bragging on our own midget, doesn't matter how stumpy.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
SHARE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW! It’s important:
As you probably suspected – it was James Dobson and his nefarious “Focus on the Family (whose family?) that selected Sarah Pahlin.
Do an internet search for: The Council for National Policy Meets in Minn, Vets Palin and you will find a relevant article. (I’m not sure if I can include URLs here on CD, hence the recommendation to search for the article.)
Also search for: Council for National Policy. It’ll scare you half to death, but NOT nearly as much as the article about Palin’s church on the huff-post site. Her pastor’s name is Kalnins. The following is from the huffington post article:
“During the 2004 election season, he praised President Bush's performance during a debate with Sen. John Kerry, then offered a not-so-subtle message about his personal candidate preferences. "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I'm sorry." Kalnins added: "If every Christian will vote righteously, it would be a landslide every time."”
“Months after hinting at possible damnation for Kerry supporters, Kalnins bristled at the treatment President Bush was receiving over the federal government's handling of Hurricane Katrina. "I hate criticisms towards the President," he said, "because it's like criticisms towards the pastor -- it's almost like, it's not going to get you anywhere, you know, except for hell. That's what it'll get you."
These are the people who want to run our country, and probably the entire world.
Please get the word out.
Juliann
Dobson's pissed because he didn't get raptured up with all those who were worthy back in 2000. Everyone whom Christ saw as true to his teachings was called home. You don't remember anyone disappearing? That's strange, I'm sure it went off as predicted. Must have been a lot fewer true followers of Christ than everyone thought, I guess.