As one would expect, corporate media reacted to the developments in Libya by turning to one of their favorite sources: Republican Sen. John McCain. He was on CNN this morning (and last night as well), and odds are that he’ll be on a Sunday show.
McCain’s line on Libya is that the White House should have waged a more aggressive war. If any of these outlets wanted to challenge him on his record on Libya, all they would need to do is talk about this ancient newspaper article from August 2009:
Or perhaps this item from Politico, from way back in August of this year:
Sort of undermines the whole “pariah” paradigm, doesn’t it?
And you have to wonder, as with bin Laden, just what part the history of his dealings with the West might have played in his murder.
Those are details those nations wouldn’t care to have come out in a trial, don’t you think?
Not to insult or discriminate in any way against McCain as an ex-POW. In fact I admire his ability to survive it as well as he has. But one has to look no further than to all the contemporary talk (Bradley Manning for instance) about the psychological effects of solitary confinement and military incarceration in general to appreciate what long term effects might be influencing the judgement of the good Senator. Particularly his concept of “vendetta”, even revenge in the military theater. He can be such a contradiction sometimes in debate, but he definitely leans towards being a war-monger when it comes to the Middle East.
The current argument is that extended solitary is cruel and unusual, even to the point of torture. If nothing else the lack of social intercourse can and does effect the thinking patterns of those in such extended isolation.
And a good friend of mine who lives in AZ has been an acquaintance of the McCain household for many years, and he assures me that the good Senator has an odd sense of Humanity that reminds him of Richard Burton’s persona in Apocalypse Now. That’s creepy Beaver. Someone like that to have gotten so far in politics is too bizarre for anything but fiction. Like an old EC or early DC comic. Dark and ominous, and not what I want to see in the personality makeup of my leadership.
Yet here we are nonetheless…
Getting rid of the dictator and starting on a course of democracy, coped with good international relations, without huge costs to the US isn’t good enough? Because there isn’t any “no bid” contract for Haliburton? Seems that things are going quite well as is. Time for the US to get involved in ways that do not have anything to do with military force.
@Rolin Stone: Richard Burton was in Apocalypse Now?
and check out this tweet from mccain [posted by the conservative magazine the american prospect, among others] that he sent after meeting gadhafi
http://blog.prospect.org/blog/weblog/tweet-mccain-libya.png
Wow what can one say about John but can you believe he was actually the Republican presidential nom?Hey John ..it looks like sharia law is coming Libya’s way.Did you hear that thousands of hand held Soviet rockets capable of shooting down airliners have disappeared from Libya’s arm depots. Coming our way soon no doubt.What a flipping mess.When we Americans look back we probably deserve some of the knocks we are now going to take.Just look at the last election.A choice between a terrible candidate, and a horrible one(you choose who is who).I do believe if it was Hilary against Mitt we would today be far better off ,whom ever won.Speaking of Hilary where does she stand on Libya?Remember Condoleezza?She did a Q and A about once a week.Is Hilary still alive or did I miss the news?
I agree with some of the bloggers here in questioning Johns mental(help me with a word here)agility-state-comprehensian?Something is just not at the level it should be for such a weighty job responsibility.Sorry John .
hillary’s out doing her job…..
clinton visited uzbekistan and tajikistan on October 22 as part of a regional tour that earlier had taken her to afghanistan and pakistan.
she was interviewed on fox news sunday yesterday where she said she supports an investigation into whether there was any wrongdoing in the killing of ousted libyan leader muammar qaddafi. she said, â┚¬Ã…“I think such an investigation would be very important to establish accountability, and rule of law, and pave the way for the inclusive democratic future that the Libyans tell me they want.â┚¬Ã‚Â
Thanks I missed her.Contrary to pop belief here,I seldom catch Fox.
I never thought she was not working her ass off.She is most def a person with an amazing work ethic.Just so out of the public eye.I often feel we have no secretary of state.She is either silencing herself for political reasons, or has been silenced for same.My guess is her goal is the presidency in four.Lots of maneuvering to do before then.The Clinton Chess game rambles on.
P.S…..A tell all book by her in a year would be off the charts as a seller.
@michael e wrote: Just so out of the public eye.I often feel we have no secretary of state.She is either silencing herself for political reasons, or has been silenced for same.
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Or, you’re assuming these things because you personally have no idea what she’s been up to and have not heard anything. And judging by your response to woodward, you seem to be missing these things because you haven’t looked for them. At all.
I don’t think you can make the charge “Is Hillary still alive” if you haven’t at least made an effort to see what she’s been up to lately. She ain’t about to drop by your house and give you a personal briefing of State Dept. activities, ya know.
Again, you’re taking your personal view of things– in this case that Hillary is completely outta the spotlight– and putting it out there as indisputable fact. You do that a lot.
John you could be right.It is after all just my perception.I do not know if it is shared by others.
Same old BS from Johnny Boy! And from his southern half, Graham! And the nut, Lieberman!
What a team – of also rans!