Barack: Rev. Wright Ain't My Mouthpiece!

181. McCain Has Two Standards on Drug Abuse
The GOP candidate is a hawk in the drug war, yet his wife got no penalty

Stanton Peele



Much has been made of allegations of possible youthful use of illegal drugs by Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush. Meanwhile, his chief GOP opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, has admitted that his wife not only illegally used drugs but walked away from criminal charges. The McCains have worked to make Cindy McCain's addiction into a political asset—despite the fact that she stole the drugs from a charity she directed and used them while mothering four young children.

John McCain
John McCain

In 1994, Mrs. McCain admitted that she had solicited prescriptions for painkillers from physicians who worked for an international charity that she founded, the American Voluntary Medical Team. She then filled the prescriptions in the names of her staff.

There are two ways to react to this behavior. According to the Betty Ford model, people can sympathetically respond to the oppressed and ignored wife of a busy politician who has bravely come forward to admit her overpowering addiction. Mrs. McCain took this posture when she first tearfully confessed her addiction. She and her husband repeated this performance in October on the NBC program "Dateline."

The other possible public reaction is one of anger. Americans are prosecuted every day for such drug use. While most drug abusers purchase their drugs from street dealers, Mrs. McCain used her status as a charity director and senator's wife to cajole the drugs she wanted.

In fact, Mrs. McCain was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration after the agency was approached by a former staff member of her charity. The investigation resulted in no charges or prison time for her, and she entered a diversion program. While these records were not made public at the time, Mrs. McCain eventually confessed her drug use when she learned that a reporter was investigating the story.

Is Mrs. McCain to be judged as a pitiable victim or as a criminal felon? This debate is at the heart of the discussion of American drug policy. Should we deal with illicit drug users as victims or as criminals?

Let's examine Mrs. McCain's position in these terms. She was the privileged wife of a prominent family and spouse of an important politician, a person who had her own position of prestige and power. Should she not be held at least as accountable for her actions as an uneducated inner-city drug user? After all, she could enter drug treatment at any time she chose, unlike many drug users who find themselves in prison.

Moreover, Mrs. McCain was violating a position of trust by stealing from a charitable organization, using its money and medical expertise to fuel her drug use. Is this not morally more reprehensible than simply purchasing drugs illegally?

Finally, Mrs. McCain was the mother of four children at the time she admits to using drugs—between 1989 and 1992. Her children were born in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1991. In other words, Cindy McCain was using drugs while raising small children, one of whom she adopted while she was an addict. In most states, family services will remove children from a woman who is known to be an active drug addict, and she would certainly not be allowed to adopt a child while addicted.

John McCain is a hawk in the drug war. He advocates stricter drug laws, penalties and enforcement against drug sellers. He has had nothing to say about redressing our punitive approach toward drug users. Of course, McCain also supports family values. Yet if John and Cindy McCain were not well-off and influential, they might not have a family at all. McCain's lack of concern for street drug users contrasts sharply with the support and understanding his wife received. It's the old American double standard. For "straight-shooter" McCain, charity begins at home—and ends there.



Stanton Peele, a New Jersey psychologist and attorney and author of Diseasing of America (Jossey-Bass, 1995), is a senior fellow of the Lindesmith Center, a drug policy think tank in New York and San Francisco.

Posted at 2:52PM on Apr 30th 2008 by John Mccain Left his crippled wife for Cindy

182. McCain Left His Crippled Wife for a 25 Year-Old

Everyone's heard about Bill Clinton's blow job. Everyone's heard about Rudy Giuliani's divorces and affairs. But, strangely enough, the media has mostly ignored the fact that John McCain, while in his 40's, cheated on his wife (who had been crippled in a car accident) and left her for a 25 year-old. His new young wife then went on to become addicted to drugs and stole pills on a regular basis from a charity she had created called the American Voluntary Medical Team.

All the dirty details are in this article.

McCain is a war hero. True. But he's not exactly as squeaky-clean as the mainstream media would like you to believe.

If this becomes a Clinton vs McCain election, anytime someone brings up Bill's infidelity, you can point out that at least he stayed with his wife. This is better than John McCain, who left his crippled wife for a women almost twenty years younger who ended up a Limbaugh-like-pill-popper.

Posted at 2:54PM on Apr 30th 2008 by John Mccain Left his crippled wife for Cindy

183. Senator Obamas biggest mistake was to keep explaining this situation after he made that speech on race. Once he was asked to explain more the only thing he should have said was "I can't be held responsible for what someone else says. I can only hope you judge me by what i say, my character ,and how i have carried myself doing this campaign. If this situation will make me lose some of my support for the presidential nomination this is something i will have to except. When the voters cast their votes and i am not the Democratic nominee, i will take the defeat gracefully and campaign for the Democratic parties nominee.Thank You." My theory is a story will go on as long as you keep adding thing to the end of it. Stop adding to it and eventually it end.

Posted at 3:12PM on Apr 30th 2008 by responsibleforwhatisay

184. When Obama speaks of hope and change for people coming together it is hard for anyone to believe him as his mentor for most of his life preached hatred and racism. did he not pay attention at service or is he just ignorant or dumb i dont think so. we do not need someone who does not love this country. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!

Posted at 3:35PM on Apr 30th 2008 by freedomisnotfree

185. I have never witnessed a presidential campaign this heated. Maybe if Hillary had won fast and quick like John McCain all of this would not be happening. Hillary came into this race assuming she would win. I was going to vote for Hillary because of being familiar with Bill. My vote changed when Bill compared Obamas win to Jesse Jackson. Why Jesse Jackson? I'm sure other Democratics have won in that state and didn't get the white house. Why not compare him to someone else instead of Jesse. I'm just hoping all Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and all other non-white Americans are taking heed to this election because this situation will come up again. Look at how that Carval guy did Bill Richardson once he didn't endorse Hillary. It's like once you go against them their whole demeanor changes about you. I hear so many people say this elect is not about race. Why hound Obama when that sniper story came out of Hillarys own month. Oh she misspoke so just let it go.

Posted at 3:52PM on Apr 30th 2008 by responsibleforwhatisay

186. Stick a fork up Obamas ass.....hes done......

Posted at 7:48PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Michael Richards

187. This whole thing makes me sick to the stomach. When those priests were raping those innocent, little children, the Catholic politicians were not held accountable and those rapings were going on for years upon years. No body blamed Hilary for Bill screwing every female that walks or crawls, she knew what was going on and is still with him today. Obama does the same thing, stays in the church that he is comfortable in because he has his roots there, just like I do at my church, even though I do not agree with what they say there all the time, and he is ridiculed? You guys have to be kidding...at least be fair!

Posted at 8:41PM on Apr 30th 2008 by ShayMe

188. OBAMA is not a bigot yes , he stayed in church for twenty years, however, he is only trying to make the right changes
that we need so much in this country. You show me a perfect man on this earth, so much hate in the world, I hope for the
day when we can all live peacefully, a man can only make some changes he can not make this world perfect. We all need need to pray for this country, we are fighting two wars, people are having having hard times. We need to stop being haters
whether Mrs. Clinton, Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama wins the Presidency some people are going to be unhappy.
" ONE LOVE ''
JUNE BUG

Posted at 11:05PM on Apr 30th 2008 by JUNE BUG

189. I'm sorry but Obama is not for the American people. If you look at many of his photos ops or media article, he never says the pledge, puts his right hand over his heart, wears a flag lapel, plus he has a pastor who's blasting America as well and then Obama is trying to cover his @ss saying that he didn't know???? Come on, do we really want this person for president???

The Muslims are hoping he wins and then we are screwed. Think about it.

Posted at 11:52PM on Apr 30th 2008 by common sense

190. Elisabeth Hasselbeck is to McCain what Reverend Wright is to Obama so I don't think he has anything to worry about.

Posted at 12:00AM on May 1st 2008 by Not to Worry Obama

191. Oh Oh OH!!!Bama.

Posted at 10:08AM on May 1st 2008 by I think I just came

192. That manly bitch hilary lied about being shot at. If that is not a peep inside the integrity of a person, than what is? Oh, I forgot she is white. It's okay for her to be dishonest.

Posted at 3:02PM on May 2nd 2008 by No Bilary in 09

193. The only thing Hil will be saying at 3 a.m. is "Bill, where the hell are you?, get your ass home!" LOL!

McCain cant even find his way back from the salad bar. Lol!
When the phone rings at 3 a.m., McCain picks up his remote control, and says "hello, white house" lol!

Posted at 5:30PM on May 1st 2008 by No Bilary or Insane McCain in 09

194. #191 , 12:00 AM have you losat your mind , the only comparison that someone can make to minster wright is someone like michael moore or klan leader robert bird (both have extreme socialist view points) . You sound like that demented poster who 10:02 , aroound 166 (the poster probably deserves the same title he keep trying to label hannity)

Posted at 5:13PM on May 1st 2008 by No Lies

195. Obama WILL be a TERRIBLE Predsident.. WHY DID HE CONTINUE GOING TO THIS CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS? case closed!! VOTE FOR A TRUE AMERICAN= HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT 2008 "SHE IS THE BEST CANIDATE FOR PRESIDENT! & SHE'S FOR THE AMERICAN AMERICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!

Posted at 7:26PM on May 1st 2008 by Cheryl Soto in Indiana