Why did McCain lie about this?

independent_thinker2002 · 07-12-08, 02:06 AM

Quote:

"When I was first interrogated and really had to give some information... I named the starting lineup, defensive line, of the Pittsburgh Steelers as my squadron-mates!" -- Sen. John McCain

kdka.com - McCain Named Steelers Defensive Line In POW Camp

Touching story. Except for the fact that every other time he has told this story it was the Green Bay Packers offensive line.

Quote:

Asked what first comes to his mind when he thinks of Pittsburgh, McCain chuckled, "the Steelers. I was a mediocre high school athlete but I loved and adored the sports but the Steelers really made a huge impression on me particularly in my early years."

And then McCain told a rather moving story about his time as a P.O.W. "When I was first interrogated and really had to give some information because of the pressures, physical pressures on me, I named the starting lineup, defensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers as my squadron mates."

"Did you really?" asked the reporter.

"Yes," McCain said.

"In your POW camp?" asked the reporter.

"Yes," McCain said.

"Could you do it today?" asked the reporter.

"No, unfortunately," McCain said.

Here's one reason he likely couldn't do it today -- the Steelers aren't the team whose defensive line McCain named for his Vietnamese tormentors. The Green Bay Packers are. At least according to every previous time McCain has told this story. And the McCain campaign just told ABC News that the senator made a mistake -- it was, indeed, the Packers.

In McCain's best-selling 1999 memoir “Faith of My Fathers,” McCain writes:

“Once my condition had stabilized, my interrogators resumed their work. Demands for military information were accompanied by threats to terminate my medical treatment if I did not cooperate. Eventually, I gave them my ship’s name and squadron number, and confirmed that my target had been the power plant. Pressed for more useful information, I gave the names of the Green Bay Packers offensive line, and said they were members of my squadron. When asked to identify future targets, I simply recited the names of a number of North Vietnamese cities that had already been bombed.”

In 2005, A&E ran a movie version of "Faith of My Fathers."

And McCain discussed that precise clip on CNN.

The actor playing McCain, asked to name the men in his squadron, says: "Starr; Greg; McGee; Davis; Adderly; Brown; Ringo; Wood."

Cut back to real life. The CNN anchor asks McCain: "For those who don't know the story, were those NFL football players?"

"That was the starting lineup of the Green Bay Packers, the first Super Bowl champions, yes," McCain responded. But it's -- it was the best I could think of at the time."

Political Punch

Fiddytree · 07-12-08, 02:12 AM

Because it made Pittsburgh feel nice and gooey.

Frankly, I find it silly this is a big deal to some.

DarkWizard12 · 07-12-08, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by independent_thinker2002

kdka.com - McCain Named Steelers Defensive Line In POW Camp

Touching story. Except for the fact that every other time he has told this story it was the Green Bay Packers offensive line.

Political Punch

your attacking McCain because he named off the wrong football team? Wow, thats almost as important as saying your against the FISA act, and then voting for it. And its MUCH more important that saying your full a total ban on guns, and then applauding the court's decision on the DC handgun ban case.

Oh yes, the average american voter: "McCain said the packers in his story, not the steelers! Steelers are the devil! No more McCain!!"

independent_thinker2002 · 07-12-08, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddytree

Because it made Pittsburgh feel nice and gooey.

Frankly, I find it silly this is a big deal to some.

Yes, it is trivial. The thing is, if he would lie about something like this, what else would he lie about? What does it say about his character? If this is an honest mistake how bad is his memory?

independent_thinker2002 · 07-12-08, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkWizard12

your attacking McCain because he named off the wrong football team? Wow, thats almost as important as saying your against the FISA act, and then voting for it. And its MUCH more important that saying your full a total ban on guns, and then applauding the court's decision on the DC handgun ban case.

Oh yes, the average american voter: "McCain said the packers in his story, not the steelers! Steelers are the devil! No more McCain!!"

Yeah, Obama won't get any of my money now over FISA.

Who is marketing themselves as the "straight talker"?

Fiddytree · 07-12-08, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by independent_thinker2002

Yes, it is trivial. The thing is, if he would lie about something like this, what else would he lie about? What does it say about his character? If this is an honest mistake how bad is his memory?

Excuse my cynicism, but isn't this a basic trait of politics? There is very little risk involved other than losing in a week long battle for positive publicity. Stories like this come and go quicker than celebrity news spots.

Simple lies are easy, risky lies are difficult. Just because you pull off a white lie doesn't make it easier to make the really big lies. I think we all know that when it comes to our own lives.

Fiddytree · 07-12-08, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by independent_thinker2002

Yeah, Obama won't get any of my money now over FISA.

Who is marketing themselves as the "straight talker"?

Who usually does? The truth is, straight talk is more of a veil that can be exploited from time to time. In many ways, many politicians use this technique, but usually without directly saying they are straight talkers in all politics. They use it with certain issues.

Being a true believer is to be naive.

CaptainCourtesy · 07-12-08, 03:20 AM

I wonder what this thread is a response to?

independent_thinker2002 · 07-12-08, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCourtesy

I wonder what this thread is a response to?

It's not really a response to anything. I just put it out there for discussion.

It seems that McCain's excuse is that he "misremembered". Either that is a lie to cover up a lie, or his memory is failing. It was an obvious pander. I don't believe that it was a coincidence that he "misremembered" the Steelers while in Pittsburgh. He is the one that is running on being a straight shooter. Does he think that people are so stupid that people would believe he knew who the Steeler's D-line was when they were a horrible team back then? If he can't remember the details from a very memorable experience that he has written a book about, I'd say it's time for him to retire.

Summerwind · 07-12-08, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by independent_thinker2002

Yeah, Obama won't get any of my money now over FISA.

Who is marketing themselves as the "straight talker"?

I was feeling that way about FISA until I read a few more details. It seems to me that two things have moderated my opinion (however since it would've passed even if Obama had voted "no," I still confused why he voted "yea")

Point 1 - It only gives civil immunity to telecoms for wiretapping AFTER 9/11/2001. Since most of the wiretapping was started before 9/11/2001, many of the civil claims may still be able to go forward. Plus it only restricts civil claims, not criminal claims.

Point 2 - They only get immunity IF they can provide proof of who ordered them to gather and provide the information. I think this is good because it forces the telecoms to reveal exactly who (and when) is responsible for wiretapping in the administration. I think this could be just what is needed to go after the Bush administration for illegal wiretapping.

I don't know if these two points will end up making a difference, but it does give me pause and makes me realize that the wording is fairly carefully presented with specific "proofs" being required. Perhaps its not as bad as it initially appears. Fingers crossed.