John McCain: Maverick or Miscreant?

Thus far in my political blogging, I've questioned only John McCain's policies. I have, and still do, believe that his ideology is fifteen to twenty years out of date. Furthermore, though he clearly knows foreign policy, despite the occasional gaffe (though I'm dubious on his Middle East knowledge), he lacks any real understanding of economics. Plus, I've felt throughout this campaign that McCain has been willing to say anything it takes to get elected, including flip-flopping far more than Kerry dreamed of.

However, one thing I have not done is question the man's character. Frankly, I bought the media aggrandizement of his time as POW and thought his recent political career showed his commitment to fighting corruption - as McCain led the fight against torture, against the more extreme of President Bush's judicial appointments, and for campaign finance reform. Yet, I have recently read a lengthy biographical article that makes me question these assumptions - after all, I have never done any serious research on McCain's past. Could it be that the good Senator is little more then the volatile, petulant son of military brass?

Probably not, regardless of his past there is likely some truth about the media spin that his years as a POW created a resolve to serve his country. Besides, there are always those willing to slander you, perhaps because of a grudge, perhaps for personal reasons. However, it is also likely that there is more than a grain of truth in the claim that McCain was a spoiled, misogynistic, alcoholic military brat whose entire career was mediocre, and whose advancement came almost entirely on the coattails of four-star general lineage.

I suggest you read the article, and decide for yourself.

Hypocrisy in High Heels

So, after my last post about Sarah Palin, people suggested I was being too harsh - that she's a woman and was mayor and then governor of a republican state is impressive, that no one would ask questions about "who will care for my five kids - one pregnant and 17, the other five and Down syndrome?" if she was a man, that I was somehow wrong for calling into question the experience and moral fiber of a woman who wishes to be, arguably, the second-most powerful politician in the United States.

Malarky. Enough with the hypocrisy, people.

I got a bad vibe from Sarah Palin. I got a bad vibe from her life choices because she reminded me of the cheerleader captain who was dating the quarterback, who's parents' had money and was used to getting everything handed to her on a silver platter, but would cut your throat if you so much as disagreed with her. I got a bad vibe because she professed "family values" while deciding that being vice president was more important than making sure her children - one of whom needs emotional support, another who has special needs - have BOTH parents around. (Oh, by the way, I would call any man who did the same a misogynist jerk, too - not that it matters.)

Well, folks, it looks like my bad vibe has been confirmed. Ask yourself this: what would happen if you elected the high school cheerleader captain mayor of your town? Are you cringing yet? If not, maybe you should be. You would sit by and watch as she rewarded all of her high school friends, and then punished anyone who so much as disagreed with her. You would see experts fired from their jobs and replaced with incompetents, and watch as real government fell apart.

Maybe I'm exaggerating. Maybe not all high school cheerleader-beauty queens are like that. But one thing is for sure, Sarah Palin is like that. You want evidence? Here's a five page NY Times article, full of incriminating evidence and examples of why Palin isn't fit for the PTA, let alone VP: Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes.

Just for good measure, here's a nice op-ed in The Nation, as well: Lipstick on a Wing Nut