Logo

Malachi · 10-04-2008, 10:53 PM

Sure, the rag has been lefty since its inception, but their upcoming cover story has me flabbergasted. This comprehensive, longitudinal, well substantiated report is the most scathing political expose I think I've ever read. I find myself simultaneously unable to believe it and unable to avoid believing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Dickenson

In its broad strokes, McCain's life story is oddly similar to that of the current occupant of the White House. John Sidney McCain III and George Walker Bush both represent the third generation of American dynasties. Both were born into positions of privilege against which they rebelled into mediocrity. Both developed an uncanny social intelligence that allowed them to skate by with a minimum of mental exertion. Both struggled with booze and loutish behavior. At each step, with the aid of their fathers' powerful friends, both failed upward. And both shed their skins as Episcopalian members of the Washington elite to build political careers as self-styled, ranch-inhabiting Westerners who pray to Jesus in their wives' evangelical churches.

In one vital respect, however, the comparison is deeply unfair to the current president: George W. Bush was a much better pilot...

Make-Believe Maverick : Rolling Stone It's over 10,000 words so I gave the "readable" link.

As I've not seen any such other long look into McCain's life, I have no basis to judge its veracity, but even Rolling Stone has some professional and legal responsibility to the truth.

Surreal · 10-05-2008, 12:01 AM

This is the first time I've seen all this information in one place. It baffles me how the American public seem to forget so easily some of this stuff even happened, regardless of how well it's documented.

Reading the linked story Mad Dog Palin, and so far I agree with the sub-title: The scariest thing about John McCain's running mate isn't how unqualified she is - it's what her candidacy says about America.

Surreal · 10-05-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

The truly disgusting thing about Sarah Palin isn't that she's totally unqualified, or a religious zealot, or married to a secessionist, or unable to educate her own daughter about sex, or a fake conservative who raised taxes and horked up earmark millions every chance she got. No, the most disgusting thing about her is what she says about us: that you can ram us in the ass for eight solid years, and we'll not only thank you for your trouble, we'll sign you up for eight more years, if only you promise to stroke us in the right spot for a few hours around election time.

**Siobhan OFlynn** · 10-05-2008, 07:42 AM

I read that article before going to bed and I had trouble sleeping.

The fact tha the author uses quotes from named sources makes it's credibility hard to question.

McCain is truly a dangerous and deeply disturbed man.

I am sick that his image of heroic POW is what most people think of when they hear about him. He is far from heroic and as far as I'm concerned, he's a piece of shit.

Malachi · 10-05-2008, 11:04 AM

I did read the myriad comments to that Dickenson article to see if anyone had any substantive rebuttals. I didn't expect much as the set of people who post in such a venue is pretty small and highly self-selected. There was one comment that fairly claimed that when the airplane you are in explodes on a carrier deck it isn't terribly surprising to look after your own ass first. There were some calls to do a similar expose on Obama as if it was obvious that similar information existed to be plucked.

On the other hand, I'm am continually surprised that people who write "Barack Hussein Obama" still consider that a clever indictment.

I find myself unable to figure what to do with this information and thank all who took the time to read it. Call me snobby, but the very people who could benefit most from this information would generally consider it too long to even read.

Added: Okay, I did something meager about it:

From: me
To: news-tips@nytimes.com
Subject: Scathing, longitudinal, substantiated expose of McCain's history by Tim Dickenson of Rolling Stone

I stumbled upon a significant article describing McCain's life story in his own words and the words of others at Make-Believe Maverick : Rolling Stone

I don't think there is much that the NYT hasn't covered at various times and the presentation is much less "neutral" than that of the NYT. However, weaving all these elements into a coherent narrative is something I've not read before. The piece is over 10,000 words which ill-fits many venues but I felt that this work deserved some wider coverage.

The reason I am writing you is that I hope that you can make some use of Dickenson's work in some way. To disclose my bias, I'm registered independent, consider McCain to be a frightful choice for the nation and the world, but would be equally supportive of a similar article written about Obama if such a thing were possible.

Respectfully,
-m

Arilynn · 10-05-2008, 11:14 AM

I"m still reading it. But this part seems so clear to me that I wonder how McCain supporters can't see it:

Quote:

In his current campaign, however, McCain has become the kind of politician he ran against in 2000. He has embraced those he once denounced as "agents of intolerance," promised more drilling and deeper tax cuts, even compromised his vaunted opposition to torture. Intent on winning the presidency at all costs, he has reassembled the very team that so viciously smeared him and his family eight years ago, selecting as his running mate a born-again moose hunter whose only qualification for office is her ability to electrify Rove's base. And he has engaged in a "practice of politics" so deceptive that even Rove himself has denounced it, saying that the outright lies in McCain's campaign ads go "too far" and fail the "truth test."

Arilynn · 10-05-2008, 11:24 AM

And this is the part of McCain that frightens me:

Quote:

By his own account, McCain was a lazy, incurious student

A lack of intellectual curiosity combined an unshakable conviction in one's own view - either because you are a "maverick" or on a mission from god - is a scary combination, and it is the Bush administration trait that I find the most disturbing. McCain has shown he has this same trait repeatedly. IMO we can't have more of this arrogance and mental imperviousness for four more years.

Surreal · 10-05-2008, 11:41 AM

Autobiography is often the surest way to gauge someone's character, not because they don't spin it their own way, but because listening to the things they are proud of, or dismissive of, can be very revealing.

I read Barbara Bush's biography (found it in a used book store - not wanting to benefit people I dislike) and OMG the biases that leapt out of the page.

I bet Faith of our Fathers is an enlightening read.

**Io Zeno** · 10-05-2008, 12:14 PM

He is despicable.

Asher Bertrand · 10-05-2008, 02:02 PM

Somewhere, somehow, Hunter S. is smiling.

10-05-2008, 11:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Malachi the bathwater & the baby fish and bees are inherently sarcastic Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,664	I did read the myriad comments to that Dickenson article to see if anyone had any substantive rebuttals. I didn't expect much as the set of people who post in such a venue is pretty small and highly self-selected. There was one comment that fairly claimed that when the airplane you are in explodes on a carrier deck it isn't terribly surprising to look after your own ass first. There were some calls to do a similar expose on Obama as if it was obvious that similar information existed to be plucked. On the other hand, I'm am continually surprised that people who write "Barack Hussein Obama" still consider that a clever indictment. I find myself unable to figure what to do with this information and thank all who took the time to read it. Call me snobby, but the very people who could benefit most from this information would generally consider it too long to even read. Added: Okay, I did something meager about it: From: me To: news-tips@nytimes.com Subject: Scathing, longitudinal, substantiated expose of McCain's history by Tim Dickenson of Rolling Stone I stumbled upon a significant article describing McCain's life story in his own words and the words of others at Make-Believe Maverick : Rolling Stone I don't think there is much that the NYT hasn't covered at various times and the presentation is much less "neutral" than that of the NYT. However, weaving all these elements into a coherent narrative is something I've not read before. The piece is over 10,000 words which ill-fits many venues but I felt that this work deserved some wider coverage. The reason I am writing you is that I hope that you can make some use of Dickenson's work in some way. To disclose my bias, I'm registered independent, consider McCain to be a frightful choice for the nation and the world, but would be equally supportive of a similar article written about Obama if such a thing were possible. Respectfully, -m Last edited by Malachi; 10-05-2008 at 11:29 AM. Reason: added e-mail sent

10-05-2008, 02:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Asher Bertrand Dead Guy Creaking watermelons Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 6,701 My Mood: Blog Entries: 2	Somewhere, somehow, Hunter S. is smiling. __________________ Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-05-2008, 12:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Surreal Mental Health Hazard Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,849 My Mood: SLShopper Ads: 6 Blog Entries: 49	This is the first time I've seen all this information in one place. It baffles me how the American public seem to forget so easily some of this stuff even happened, regardless of how well it's documented. Reading the linked story Mad Dog Palin, and so far I agree with the sub-title: The scariest thing about John McCain's running mate isn't how unqualified she is - it's what her candidacy says about America.

10-05-2008, 11:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Surreal Mental Health Hazard Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,849 My Mood: SLShopper Ads: 6 Blog Entries: 49	Autobiography is often the surest way to gauge someone's character, not because they don't spin it their own way, but because listening to the things they are proud of, or dismissive of, can be very revealing. I read Barbara Bush's biography (found it in a used book store - not wanting to benefit people I dislike) and OMG the biases that leapt out of the page. I bet Faith of our Fathers is an enlightening read.

10-05-2008, 12:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Io Zeno Gone SLU Supporter Stoking the fires of Hell Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 17,021 My Mood: Blog Entries: 1 Awards: 1	He is despicable.

Logo

Site Navigation