This piece was posted here: McCain on ANWR by one of my blog readers and comment makers, a great guy that is also a member of The American Conservative Forums, great post BobF, and way too close to the real deal I am afraid…

Last week, Bill O’Reilly interviewed John McCain on the O’Reilly Factor. Bill O’Reilly really grilled McCain about his opposition to drilling for oil in the ANWR and McCain got visually upset with the questions.

Bill O’Reilly is a professional TV host and interviewer, so in order for the common people to understand what John McCain was really saying in his answers, we hired an every day American Citizen (AC) to explain what he really said.

O’REILLY: You voted against ANWR drilling. You voted against ANWR.

MCCAIN: Yes, and I’ll vote against drilling if they want to drill in the Grand Canyon, and I’ll vote against it if they want to drill in the Everglades. And I will try to make it more attractive for Florida and California and other states to have drilling off of their coasts, but I’m not going to force them to because…

(AC) Even though comparing ANWR to the Grand Canyon and the Everglades is lame, I don’t want any drilling in the United States.

O’REILLY: But no one lives in ANWR.

MCCAIN: No, it’s pristine beauty.

(AC) Yes, I know it’s a frozen wasteland but to me it’s pristine frozen wasteland and I want it to stay that way. I think it’s pretty and what I think is all that matters.

O’REILLY: So what? Who sees it?

MCCAIN: Well, all I do is believe that we have to preserve some of the great natural treasures of this earth…

(AC) I don’t care, we’re not going to drill there!

O’REILLY: In the Arctic Circle?

MCCAIN: …no matter where they are, my friend. And I…

(AC) Listen jerk, didn’t you hear what I said? You’re pissing me off now by these questions. I don’t care where ANWR is located, I said no drilling!

O’REILLY: You know, a lot of people aren’t going to like that.

MCCAIN: I know a lot of people don’t like it, but I am also an environmentalist. And so was Teddy Roosevelt, my hero. And I believe that there are just some things that you have to…

(AC) I don’t care what the American people say or want; they’re not me. I follow the teachings of the Gormonites and its high priest, Al Gore. Teddy Roosevelt loved the outdoors and I love my frozen waste land on top of the world because that’s where I’ll be when I win the White House, on top of the world looking down at you little people.

WASHINGTON (AP) - John Hagee, an influential Texas televangelist who endorsed John McCain, apologized to Catholics Tuesday for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having “emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews.”

Hagee’s support for McCain has drawn cries of outrage from some Catholic leaders who have called on McCain to reject Hagee’s endorsement. The likely Republican nominee has said he does not agree with some of Hagee’s past comments, but did not reject his support.

In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote: “Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”

Donohue, one of Hagee’s sharpest critics, said he accepted the apology and planned to meet with Hagee Thursday in New York.
“I got what I wanted,” Donohue said in an interview. “He’s seen the light, as they like to say. So for me it’s over.”

The controversy had threatened to pursue McCain throughout the campaign, potentially hurting his standing with Catholic voters. A majority of Roman Catholics voted for President Bush in the past two presidential elections, critical votes in close elections.

How about that?? Political correctness reigns as the truth gets kicked to the curb again…

I had a bit of respect for Hagee, he had the guts to stand up and say what was on his mind, and he spoke the truth as he, an many others see it, the truth had set him free, right up until the time where he caved to the demands of politics and political correctness…

Hagee has cited the Inquisition and the Crusades as evidence of anti-Semitism within the Catholic church and has suggested that Catholic anti-Semitism shaped Adolf Hitler’s views of Jews.

“In my zeal to oppose anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its ugly forms, I have often emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholics and Protestant relations with the Jews,” Hagee wrote. “In the process, I may have contributed to the mistaken impression that the anti-Jewish violence of the Crusades and the Inquisition defines the Catholic Church. It most certainly does not.”

I guess Hagee is going to be McCain’s version of Jeremiah Wright, but I have yet to hear Wright apologize to anyone for his inflammatory remarks…

I really don’t like flip-floppers, of any ilk, if you can be shown that you are wrong in a belief or statement and you apologize because you’re actually wrong, that’s one thing, but to succumb to the pressure of public opinion, to go back on your beliefs because others don’t like your view, well, to me that’s showing a lack of belief in yourself and your positions…

If I operated my blog off of the guilt that some believe I should feel, I’d have to close the blog down, I get lots of emails telling me how wrong I am to do this or say that, but here’s the deal, if I didn’t believe what I say, or write, then I wouldn’t put it on the blog and out there for all to see, that’s called having the courage to back your convictions, I guess Hagee just didn’t have it…

I am seriously of the belief that if a man can’t stand by his own words, then he just needs to keep his mouth shut…

There is one other possibility in all of this, he may have been running his mouth about the church of idolators and perverts just because he knew it would garner him some attention, and if that were the case, he was dead wrong in that regard…

Full Story Here:
Pastor Hagee apologizes for anti-Catholic remarks

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Barack Obama wants to be president of these 57 United States

Ah, Oregon. The beautiful Northwest. Rain. Trees. Clouds. Rain. Friendly territory for Sen. Barack Obama, the leading contender for the Democratic Party’s long-disputed presidential nomination.

So there he was in Beaverton today at the start of a two-day swing through Oregon, virtually ignoring his remaining Democratic opponent, what’s-her-name from New York, as part of his new strategy to act like the actual nominee while she flails around way behind in numbers.

Naturally, this being the Northwest where everything is not ruined quite yet, his staff had Obama visit an eco-friendly company, Vernier Software & Technology, that makes products for science teachers. He could get education in there too, see?

In his prepared remarks Obama was ready to start blasting Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, to show the Illinois Democrat is moving on to the general election campaign.

But first the freshman senator had to go through all the obligatory delighted to see you, delighted to be here part of stump speeches that also require that you actually know where you are.

Obama pulled that off O.K. But then he drifted away from the text a tad, as rookies are wont to do sometimes, forgetting how exhausting this primary process is and should be. And trusting in their instincts, their very tired instincts.

“It is wonderful to be back in Oregon,” Obama said. “Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it.”

The Times’ conscientious Robin Abcarian thought she heard something different there. She checked her tape recorder. It had captured what he had actually said — 57 states now. A new Louisiana Purchase that’s gone unannounced so far? Was he channeling his inner John Kerry-Heinz 57 personality?

(UPDATE: At a later stop Obama was talking with reporters and expressed concern he’d also mis-stated the number of potential cyclone victims in Burma. He said, “”I hope I said 100,000 people the first time instead of 100 million. I understand I said there were 57 states today. It’s a sign that my numeracy is getting a little, uh.” At that point, an aide cut him off and ushered journalists out. Before he could mis-speak again?)

Oh, and as far as Hawaii voters are concerned, they’re probably delighted to learn that Obama’s campaign staff doesn’t think that tiny state can justify an appearance by his eminence, even though he did a lot of growing up there. Or maybe because he was there.

Let’s see what they do with that in the Honolulu media, which the Republicans have probably already notified.

Maybe it’s Obama’s age. He’s getting up there in his forties, you know.

-Andrew Malcolm

This is, in my opinion, one of the best things I have ever seen printed at the L.A. Times, and I offer serious kudos to Andrew Malcolm for this article…

Found at:
Tony Phyrillas - Barack Obama smarter than a fifth grader?

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Cindy McCain says she will never make her tax returns public even if her husband wins the White House and she becomes the first lady.

“You know, my husband and I have been married 28 years and we have filed separate tax returns for 28 years. This is a privacy issue. My husband is the candidate,” Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain, said in an interview aired on NBC’s “Today” on Thursday.

Asked if she would release her tax returns if she was first lady, Cindy McCain said: “No.”

The Arizona senator released his tax return last month, reporting he had a total income of $405,409 in 2007 and paid $84,460 in federal income taxes. He files his return separately from his wife, an heiress to a Phoenix-based beer distributing company whose fortune is in the $100 million range.

Full Story Here:
Cindy McCain says she’ll never release her tax returns

LOUISVILLE (AP) — The National Rifle Association says Republican presidential candidate John McCain is scheduled to give a speech during a forum at the N.R.A.’s annual meeting next week in Louisville.

N.R.A. spokesman Andrew Arulanandam says the U.S. senator and presumptive GOP presidential nominee will take part in the group’s Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum on May 16, the first day of the three-day meeting. The meeting will be followed a few days later by Kentucky’s primary election.

Also scheduled to speak at the forum are former GOP presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, former White House political director Karl Rove, Republican U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear.

Arulanandam says Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were not invited to this N.R.A. event.

Full Story Here:
McCain slated for N.R.A. meeting

That last line had me laughing out loud, for 1 thing, I believe Barack Obama would be very afraid to show up at a place that was filled with gun lovers and gun owners, although most are sane and normal people there is always that 0.001% that’s just plain ape-shit crazy and would hide a gun in a body cavity if they thought they would get even a remote opportunity at taking a shot at the Jr. Senator from the great state of Illinois…

Last week, Sen. Barack Obama claimed that many Midwestern voters “cling” to guns and religion to placate themselves for their loss of jobs and economic prosperity. SOURCE

Anyone can understand the NRA not wanting Obama there after the bum made such ridiculous statements but the didn’t invite Hillary?? She’s into guns ya know, she said so…

“You know, some people now continue to teach their children and their grandchildren. It’s part of culture. It’s part of a way of life. People enjoy hunting and shooting because it’s an important part of who they are. Not because they are bitter. … As I told you, my dad taught me how to shoot behind our cottage. I have gone hunting. I am not a hunter. But I have gone hunting.”  SOURCE 

Yeah, well, I’m not a pilot but I’ve been up in a lot of airplanes, does that instill a sense of confidence in you?? And if there is anyone out there that truly believes Hillary and her impassioned pandering of gun owners, I have some bridge properties you may be interested in owning…

Now, on to Sen. John McCain and guns, McCain, the apparent darling of the Republican party and the leader of a bunch of ankle biting little lapdogs affectionately called McCainiacs… 

Sen. McCain is basically a pandering politico and will say and/or do anything it takes to get elected to the presidency, including, but not limited to pandering to gun owners in an attempt to gain their support and the support of the Conservative voting base, a base that he all but turned his back on in 2000…

John McCain tried running for president in 2000 as an anti-gunner. This year it appears he is seeking to “come home” to the pro-gun community, but the wounds are deep and memories long. John McCain - GOA 2008

As if there wasn’t already plenty of evidence that Senator John McCain is the wrong choice for pro-gun Republicans in the Presidential primary, the Columbus Dispatch has added one more item to the list: Buckeye Firearms Association

Nowhere is McCain’s chicanery and duplicity more jeopardous than in the area of the right to keep and bear arms. On issues relating to the Second Amendment, John McCain is a disaster! For example, the highly respected Gun Owners of America (GOA) rates McCain with a grade of F-. McCain’s failing grade is well deserved. John McCain Is A Liberal Gun Grabber

I could go on and on but you get the idea, McCain is sucking up to the NRA and will turn his back on the gun owners of America as soon as he’s sworn in and any way this thing goes, gun owners will become the target…

McCain may be a bit better president than Hillary and Hillary would be infinitely better than Obama but let’s face the facts, if these 3 are the best that the parties have to offer and if we are so complacent that we’re willing to accept these candidates, then come November we’re going to get exactly what we deserve…

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