(Without his shell, McCain is simply a nut that needs to be cracked, picked apart and exposed)



By Vincent L. Guarisco Back in April 2007, I wrote a zinger about the foolish maverick John McCain after he returned from his triumphant walkabout on the brutal streets of Baghdad. Johnny Boy headed straight for the public airways, where he smirkingly gushed that the streets of Iraq are now 'safe.' The foolish war pimp tried to sell the lie that everything was cozy and secure, even as he strutted around wearing his bulletproof vest, surrounded by a heavily armed military entourage buzzing in air and on the ground all around him. Indeed, according to McCain, Baghdad was safe then, and it's even safer today.

Gee, pass the prozac! I guess we're supposed to forget about the scores of GIs and civilians who have since met their brutal end in the very place McCain pranced around. Funny how ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, FOX and the rest of the sorry corporate media failed to do follow-up stories, to show those same streets marred with puddles of blood laced with intestinal tracks, brain matter -- clogged with body parts and various limbs scattered about on those same safe streets. When McCain made his announcement, more than 3,200 of his fellow servicemen and women had been slaughtered in Iraq, millions of Iraqis had been displaced, forced to flee the country or killed outright. Today, 4,147 Americans have been killed and we'll never know how many Iraqis, because we don't do body counts.



Moving right along... I am a long-time resident and ardent voter in McCain's conservative home state of Arizona. I have lived near the banks of the Colorado River for the better part of 40 years. I'm a proud progressive liberal minority living among many hard-line Republicans in my local area, although I gladly admit the times are changing. The economic hardship under Bush's leadership is quickly changing the political landscape, moving my locals away from their once cherished right-wing stewardship. Thank God for small miracles...



For me, the McCain saga began years ago. As a young boy, I still remember hearing stories about John McCain's legacy as a hero. He first caught my attention when his plane got shot down during the Vietnam war and he was captured by the Viet Cong and imprisoned as a POW in the jungles of Hanoi back in 1967. At the time, being a young faithful lad, I prayed daily, not only for McCain, but for the safe return of all our POWs. Our teachers and parents, unlike those of today, were diligent in keeping us updated on what was happening over there during the war.



In 1969, I was ten years old. I was an impressionable school kid who was encouraged by my parents and teachers to write many letters to soldiers and POWs captured in Vietnam. I did this with great reverence; I was proud to show my support. Looking back on it now, it seems like a million years ago. When I first entered the political fray I was very naive -- just beginning to learn about the worldly tribulations of war and, with puberty factored in, I was also learning the value of family morals, love and commitment. Heck, I had just barely held the hand of my first girl friend and soon afterwards received my very first kiss. Ah yes, It was an exciting, innocent time mixed with love, war, hard knocks and many pleasurable moments. And I will never deny I was an excited impressionable boy who deeply admired my war hero, John McCain! He was an inspiration that guided my hand for many letters written to him personally, and to other GIs as well.



To be fair, I agree with those who maintain that McCain deserves our highest respect for his devoted service to our country, including what he went through during his captivity as a POW. Sadly, however, my respect for him abruptly ended when the mud wore off the bottom of his combat boots soon after he returned in 1973. He soon shattered that youthful admiration, which was replaced with a real lesson in 'betrayal' when I realized what he had done to his first wife, Carol Shepp, after he returned from Vietnam. Having knowledgeable parents is indeed educational, but not always pleasant to say the least. I was completely thrown back to learn that John had several extra-marital affairs and was often unfaithful to his loyal wife who had stood by his side through thick and thin. For me, it was a shameful, dark lesson that ultimately shadowed my view of him as I watched him heartlessly divorce her in order to further his shameful political aspirations.



As an emerging student of current events and history, my admiration for him was always a duel package. I sincerely admired Carol as much as him. I took great pride and interest in her too. To me, she was one of the most admired women of her day -- a sacrosanct patriot who deserved to be seated in the front row of Fourth of July parades next to Gold Star Mothers . She was a heroine, widely admired and loved by all of us for her unwavering devotion to her husband who was held as POW. Carol was a rare, lonely soul who had the strength to carry on and to faithfully await her husband's return. And she did this at a time when many other wives and girlfriends were writing 'Dear John' letters to those still fighting in battle while learning they had no one to come home to. She was my revered role model from Philadelphia. I dreamed of meeting that special someone who might be just like her -- a precious angel. Unfortunately, Carol was thrown through the windshield of her car in a terrible accident that changed her life forever, rendering her permanently scarred and hobbling on crutches. As a result, Carol was a not-so-pleasant sight for her young unsympathetic husband who wanted to be seen on Capital Hill with a bathing beauty while stumping the halls for a new political career. John McCain totally destroyed my respect for him with the uncaring, selfish, cold-hearted betrayal in how he dumped her. Indeed, I will never forget nor forgive him for the cruel way he showed his true colors. He quickly threw Carol aside and replaced her with Cindy Hensley, his new rich sugar mama, with whom he was having an affair. Hensley is a spoiled home wrecker, worth approximately 100 million, bred from the loins of a staunch Republican father who conveniently helped elevate Johnny boy within the DC realm. I'm not into Freud, but it's easy to wonder who came so ruthlessly after McCain -- Cindy...or her father? And this self-righteous, self-serving animal wants my vote? Well, it will have to be a Hell's-Kitchen-burning-white-hot-winter November day in Bullhead City, Arizona before I would even consider putting a checkmark next to his pathetic name in the 2008 Presidential Election. Catch my meaning? Good. As a final note, after Carol suffered her horrible car accident in 1969, she unselfishly refused to allow her POW husband to be notified of her serious injuries for fear it would not be good for him while he was being held captive. You know, out here in the Arizona desert we have an old saying -- if you put an expensive skirt on a fast moving rattlesnake, political horn-dogs like John McCain will chase it all the way to the Potomac River for a kiss, a hug and especially a vote...



I could go on about the many neocon atrocities McCain has performed throughout his career as a Senator and war pimp for the Bush administration. It's an endless track record -- most of which is public record, easily found for those willing to take the time. So, for all you undecided skeptics, by all means, review his voting record for it is unbridled proof of how he constantly sold us out to K-street lobbyists. His record speaks for itself, the facts and figures are all there which prove he's not on the side of working-class America. In fact, by his own admission, he does not even know how many homes he owns. And keep in mind, McCain believes Americans are not 'rich' unless they earn $5 million or more. Well, I hate to burst his multi-mansion bubble but, take a quick pop-quiz and ask a few average citizens who are now struggling to make ends meet -- how tough it is to hold onto their 'one' home that many are just one paycheck away from losing. Yeah, I'd say McCain is more than a little out of touch with our bottom-feeding needs to say the least.

Or ask a dozen or so jobless Americans who have already lost everything, including their homes. No confusion there folks. In fact, after living in their cars for awhile or, worse yet, after sleeping on concrete sidewalks, most of them would probably consider any cheap apartment to be the equivalent of one of McCain's many mansions. And, bear in mind that McCain's veteran 'brothers in arms' are at the top of the list of homeless. B rother John, can you spare a dime?

McCain has 'arrived.' He's a real Bush kinda guy -- a marriage profiteering elitist who seems content to suffer from mansion-memory-loss and wants to be our next President. He is a pompous philanderer who dumped his crippled wife for a new pampered rich one whose daddy got him where he is today. Amazing. Bottom line, many of you may have some reservations in supporting Barack Obama or Joseph Biden but, compared to Baghdad (neocon) Johnny, they are fricking saints. But at least no one can deny, they are both loyal and totally committed to those they love. Is it really that hard to believe they may actually share some of that proven compassion with us in their new leadership? Well, if not, consider the alternative choice. Yes, consider the harsh implications of placing another known war hawk into the Oval office for four more grueling years. An old stale nut who says he wants to keep us in 'safe' Iraq for another hundred years. A musical maniac who loves to sing: 'Bomb, bomb, bomb...bomb Iran.' And, oh yes -- while you're at it, tell 'Johnny Rich' how many mansions and condos he really owns. But most importantly, and this is crucial, let's remove this nut from his media protected shell, for all the world to see. Thanks. God speed to the polls.



Vincent L Guarisco is a freelance writer from Bullhead City AZ., a contributing writer for many web sites, and a lifetime founding member of the Alliance of Atomic Veterans. Reprint permission is given as long as article content is not altered or changed and credit is given to the author. The 21st century, once so full of shining promise, now threatens to force countless millions of us at home and abroad into a dark abyss of languishing poverty and silent servitude; a lowly prodigy of painful struggle and suffering that could stream for generations to come. I'm wishing for a miracle, before it is too late, the masses will figure it out and will stand as one and roar. So, pass the word — it's past time to take back what is ours — the American Dream where the pursuit of happiness, the ability to live in a free and peaceful nation is a reality. We bought it, and we paid for it. It's time to take it back. For replies, send comments to: [email protected]