McCain can sing rock n roll & he has a really great sense of humor too

The actor SLIM PICKENS, riding a hydrogen bomb that was grafittied either HI THERE or DEAR JOHN. In "Doctor Strangelove," Ground Zero (accidentally) was the Soviet Union. Pickens screamed "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-Haaaaaaaaaaaa!" all the way down.

During the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran, an obscure musical group, Vince Vance and the Valiants, released their novelty version of the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann," called "Bomb Iran."

(We didn't Bomb Iran. We just wanted to. Americans get very frustrated very easily.)

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator John McCain, who is running for the Republican nomination for the presidency, has revealed a previous unknown side, his funny sense of humor.

Via the e-mail web form on McCain's Senate website, Vleeptron Shared Its Feelings with this war-frothing psycho.

===========================

Senator John McCain
United States Senate
Washington DC

Don't you know how to do anything except bomb non-Christian Asian children, women and men?

You don't have my vote to bomb Iran.

If you say you were just making a joke, you don't have my laughter.

You MIGHT have the votes of some of my neighbors' children, who will die if we go to war against Iran, just as 3316 of my neighbors' children in uniform have been killed in the other war against Asian non-Christians you love, the war in Iraq.

But when they return to Dover Air Force Base, they will have to stop voting for you.

Try this exercise of the imagination: Look up at the sky and imagine bombs falling on you, your family, your neighbors. Will your last thoughts be proud when you read "Made in the USA" on the bombs? Will you think America is bringing you a gift of freedom and democracy?

Try this exercise of the imagination: Imagine yourself as an enlisted man during a doomed scoundrels' liars' War Without End.

Resign from the Senate, let the new majorities in Congress enact the clear will of the American people to end the Iraq War, and do not threaten and terrify the world by trying to become president.

You and your White House cronies gave war a chance. Now let sane, decent Americans give peace a chance.

Robert Merkin

Specialist 5
US Army 1969-1971
Army Commendation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal

===================

The New York Times
Friday 20 April 2007

MoveOn Blasts
McCain’s Song

by Sarah Wheaton

Senator John McCain’s “Barbara Ann” — “bomb Iran” parody has the political world rockin’ and a-reelin’. (Sorry, was just a little too easy.)

The flap involving the Beach Boys’ song originated at an appearance in South Carolina Wednesday when an audience member asked Mr. McCain if he would send an “air mail message to Tehran.”

The Arizona Republican’s response, as is usually the case these days, got around (round-get-around) via YouTube:

Mr. McCain’s audience laughed and applauded to his response, and it was fun, fun, fun until some groups on the other side of the political spectrum caught wind of it.

Asked Thursday how he would respond to critics charging his comments were insensitive, Mr. McCain responded, “Insensitive to what? The Iranians?”

Well, uh, actually, the National American Iranian Council’s president, Trita Parsi, had this to say: “To joke about such a matter at a time when war in the Middle East has done so much to weaken America is beyond comprehension.” He continued, in an email release, “It would be better if Senator McCain sought to find solutions to this challenge facing America rather than treating it as a joke.”

Not missing a beat, liberal MoveOn.org released a new television advertisement featuring Mr. McCain’s song, followed by a voiceover,

“John McCain?
We can’t afford
another reckless president.”

With a $100,000 buy, MoveOn’s ad is slated to air in Iowa and New Hampshire Tuesday through Friday of next week, a spokesman for the group said.

On Thursday night, Mr. McCain said critics should “get a life.” But after picking up so many bad vibrations, the campaign evidently decided some excitations of its own were in order.

“It comes as no surprise that America’s most liberal interest group would attack John McCain’s belief that we cannot allow Iran to destroy Israel,” said campaign spokesman Matt David. The release went on to cite some of MoveOn’s more sensational ads, including an image of the Statue of Liberty with a bag over its head, and the group’s opposition to invading Afghanistan immediately following the 9/11 attacks.

The Sloop John M. officially sets sail on April 25 in New Hampshire.

- 30 -

34 comments so far...

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1.
April 20th,
2007
2:17 pm

McCain’s Long Promised Road seems to be arriving at a dead end.

Not a bad thing, though. He’d probably have wanted to bring back the draft which would have brought on Student Demonstration Time.

Perhaps the best advice anyone can give him at this point is bow to the inevitable and Take A Load Off Your Feet.

Gotta go. Surf’s Up.

— Posted by RAS
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2.
April 20th,
2007
2:25 pm

Wanna send Iran “airmail” (heh heh)? Vote McCain!

What the world needs now is NOT more belligerence. Just when you thought he couldn’t get any worse, now McCain’s official position is that if anyone opposes bombing Iran, they must be bent on allowing Israel’s destruction. AS IF Iran even would have an incentive to bomb Israel. Ignorant fearmongering. No cognitive dissonance there! All hypocrisy is swept under the rug of egotistic power, as the military men joke about that which gives an impression of the USA which creates more hate toward us… How stupid and unpatriotic.

— Posted by Erik W.65
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3.
April 20th,
2007
2:27 pm

I don’t know, if this is the worst people can say about John McCain, I guess he deserves a second look. Life is short and a little humor helps the pain. At least John hasn’t done the DREADED “flip/flop” on an issue.

— Posted by toby
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4.
April 20th,
2007
2:34 pm

I guess since Sen. McCain is an intelligent man, he has realized his Potemkin Marketplace stroll is the crazygluebaby that will deny him the nomination, so why not self-destruct as flamboyantly as possible?

Anyone who wants to invade Iran should probably come up with the more than 800,000 ground troops that would be necessary first. This time, arm them and train them before the invasion. Also, have global support and some real evidence for the need for invasion. And lastly, why the heck would anyone want to start another unwinnable war in a desert nation that hates us, especially when it will be completely worthless once the oil and water run dry?

— Posted by Dan Stackhouse
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5.
April 20th,
2007
2:39 pm

It’s a shame to watch Sen. McCain slip-slide into becoming a reactionary in order to woo Republican votes. He once was a man that stood for decency.
Alas, the downside of politics.

— Posted by Jim Turley
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6.
April 20th,
2007
2:40 pm

The reporter’s question about insensitivity was off-base and kind of ridiculous. The real issue is that the song by McCain is way too wreckless from someone who’s campaigning to become the next President. I agree with MoveOn’s stance that we cannot afford another leader with even a ~hint~ of a cavalier attitude toward war and its consequences. McCain needs to choose his public words much more wisely.

— Posted by mike
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7.
April 20th,
2007
2:41 pm

Quit kidding yourselves, when some Americans say “support the troops”, they mean to unleash total war.

— Posted by Seve Bolger
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8.
April 20th,
2007
2:41 pm

What was McCain thinking? What an irresponsible thing to say.

— Posted by Debs
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9.
April 20th,
2007
2:44 pm

It’s insensitive to the thousands of killed american soldiers in Iraq who are sent to fight these wars. The Republicans repeatedly seem to think these are just fun and games - a war against Iran would cost 10s of thousands of American lives, not a joking matter last time i checked.

— Posted by Scott B
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10.
April 20th,
2007
2:45 pm

You idiots please give it a break. It is a joke. The proclaimed President of Iran said that he wanted to destroy Isreal anyway. John has the gumption to make a joke about a joke. Stop overanalizing a joke.

— Posted by Greg
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11.
April 20th,
2007
2:45 pm

How can they crticise an ad with the statue of liberty with a bag over her head. That is right on, showing the direction of America. They need to just get real and admit that bomb bom iran is really a stupid thing to say. Insensitve? Yes. War causes a great amount of suffering, alswys, to masses of defenseless poor people, lightyears removed from jet-setting McCain — he owes them an apology.

— Posted by frank burns
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12.
April 20th,
2007
2:48 pm

MoveOn.org must be feeling some pain if this is all they can come up with. So, McCain is poking fun at the Iranians. Good…they deserve a nudge. If one is to get one’s panties in a bunch, one should focus on the hateful vile coming from the mouths of many Iranian politicians, not on a war veteran’s somewhat goofy sense of humor.

— Posted by Richard
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13.
April 20th,
2007
2:49 pm

As bad as his joke was, when someone asked him today “don’t you worry about offending people”, he said “who Iranian?”. He didn’t say Iranian government but Iranian. He is an idiot. He is part of the same group of people who have nothing to contribute, but wants to a president, just like the other one, what her name Hillary who.

— Posted by Markux
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14.
April 20th,
2007
2:50 pm

IT WAS A JOKE!

(For those of you who are Democrats/have no sense of humor)

Oh! And for the guy who thinks he knows it all (that’s you Eric)…
joke /d?o?k/ Pronunciation Key - [johk] verb, joked, jok·ing.
–noun
to say something in fun or teasing rather than in earnest; be facetious: He didn’t really mean it, he was only joking.

Get over yourselves.

— Posted by Glenn
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15.
April 20th,
2007
2:51 pm

McCain, of course is right. We do have to be willing to bomb Iran at some point in our warming war with the Iranian Islamist Twelvers over there. So, what choice did he have but to say so, and he said it in a way consistent with his personality, with irony. I only wish Ahmadinajad would wrap himself up in a letter and send himself to John.

— Posted by Jim Carmine
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16.
April 20th,
2007
2:52 pm

Life is short…..(responding to another reader’s comment)
Especially for all the innocent people we would be annihilating with bombs over Iran. Shame on you John McCain.

— Posted by Andrea Lapey
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17.
April 20th,
2007
2:53 pm

So the Iranian president can say “anything” wants against the west and Israel. One guy makes a joke and it’s whoa!!! Truly, I believe some of these liberals need to apply for a “permanent” Iranian visa and pack up and go. They can get back with us in a month or so and tell us how “wonderful” Iran is (unless they line them up against a wall and well, uh).

— Posted by David White
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18.
April 20th,
2007
2:55 pm

are you people crazy. Senator McCain makes a joke. and all everybody does is critize. a “real” american would know it was a joke and not take it seriously. and yes it was funny. get a life and relax a little . it definately helps him in the 08 race. it shows he is a real person .

— Posted by Darin
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19.
April 20th,
2007
2:56 pm

I’d say this former front runner fast fading into single digit-land planned this to get some press, but he’s not THAT smart…

— Posted by Brian Austin
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20.
April 20th,
2007
2:56 pm

One of the few Republicans that a lot of Democrats would have voted for is failing fast. Sad end to a great career. Rule #1: don’t chain yourself to an anchor.

— Posted by bbobbobby
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21.
April 20th,
2007
2:56 pm

I have always liked McCain personally and thought his honesty was refreshing. Even when he didn’t even know what his position was on condoms, he was upfront about his lack of knowledge on his policy stance - I thought it was amusing and appreciated his candor. But national security is not something someone should joke about at this time.

— Posted by Helen NYC
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22.
April 20th,
2007
2:59 pm

I agree with McCain. His critics can “get a life” if they can’t take a joke. An off the cuff remark obviously meant to get laughs is not advocating war with Iran. People really need to calm down and have a sense of humor, or atleast understand that other people do.

— Posted by Vince
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23.
April 20th,
2007
2:59 pm

In response to Mr. Stackhouse, no one wants to “invade” Iran, the message (which I applaud)about BOMBING Iran is a response to that country’s efforts, near fruition, to acquire a nuclear weapon. Yes, it will one day be a worthless desert again but not before it has nuked Israel and exported nukes to terrorist enemies of the U.S. You know those bumper stickers that say, “Back by Popular Demand” and feature that stupid peace sign? We need one that says: “Back by Popular Demand - Nuke Iran.”

— Posted by Michael A. Padgett
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24.
April 20th, 2007 3:00 pm

Why is it that the Democrats make a big deal out of everything? First the A.G. hearings, and now McCain? The Democrats along with Republicans should be collaborating, but ever since the Democrats came into the house and the Senate, it’s been nothing but Republican bashing.

McCain made a simple jest, and nothing more. Stop the fuss, and let’s make an effort to create a bridge of understanding. Ughh… politics, the bane of mankind…

— Posted by Peter
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25.
April 20th, 2007 3:01 pm

McCain’s remark is outrageous, almost pathetic, and Wheaton’s cute treatment of it on the blog is not much better. Too many people have died …

— Posted by david ballingrud
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26.
April 20th, 2007 3:02 pm

Honestly, he is absolutely right. People need to lighten up. Ms. Parsi? you’re half right, in a time when war is ravaging the middle east and that is the sole focus of western media, humor is what is needed. What’s shameful is the oversensitivity to playful humor, not the attempt of a politician to do something than complain about policy. Senator McCain has no reason to apologize, if so many fear the loss of dignity by our congressmen, forcing those to apologize creates the image that the media controls our legislators. Our politicians are afforded the same rights of speech and expression as any other citizen and as such should not be admonished or shunned for a light hearted remark. It is shameful to see so many thin-skinned individuals who are void of any sense of humor. There’s a difference between political correctness and attempted political perfection, learn to laugh and “get over it”.

— Posted by Anthony Robinson
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27.
April 20th, 2007
3:08 pm

Republicans are such hypocrites. Remember when Kerry was attacked by the right for making the Iraq joke? And now Mccain does it and they brush it off–and they can get away with it.
If you want non-accountable, scandalous, and short sighted politicians, vote Republican!

— Posted by Rick
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28.
April 20th, 2007
3:10 pm

Being my forth cousin, I used to give him more of a hearing than his rightwing colleagues. I rarely agreed with him, but listened. He has now completely lost me attention. I do, howerver, hope that he stays in the race as a constant reminder to all of the “undecided” that put Bush in office of how bad it will be.

— Posted by Mark McCain
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29.
April 20th,
2007
3:10 pm

I think McCain was once a great man who has seen the worst of man kind. I am not saying he would make a great president but the alternative is much worse in the Democratic front runner. A women that has the seen the worst of one man and did nothing to change him. We need a young canidate with a goal for peace, but also won’t take any crap off any other country or nation. We need a goverment that listens to the people and doesn’t just bicker and point fingers at one another.

— Posted by Todd
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30.
April 20th,
2007
3:12 pm

I believe this event is being taken out of context. I’m pretty sure that is not what Mr. McCain fully aimed it to be, especially the way it is “interpreted” by the media.

— Posted by Aleks
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31.
April 20th,
2007
3:12 pm

Really…they are supplying people who are killing Americans…and just maybe we should wait until they attack…they are not Arabs…they are Persians. Stll all in all, get a life….

— Posted by Larry S
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32.
April 20th,
2007
3:15 pm

McCain’s lost it. Singing a song glorifying the use of violence in a week when 200 people lost their lives in Iraq through bombs (not dropped by the Americans but the bombings took place because of the American occupation) and when a college kid went on a violent rampage is sickening. Truly sickening. And after watching one of the presidential candidates sing about bombing a country you wonder at the violence in American Society? Its right there - singing in your face.

— Posted by Skasster
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33.
April 20th,
2007
3:21 pm

So, here we are in a society that is in fact armed to the teeth, with words of life and death treated as jokes. How do you tell when the joke is over and the shooting begins?

America has a public mental health problem, bigtime.

— Posted by Steve Bolger
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34.
April 20th,
2007
3:22 pm

I LOVE IT! The only McCain has done that I support.

— Posted by Go-go

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