As Long As We're Talking About Michelle Obama, Did You Know Cindy McCain Was A Drug Addict?
It's a psychedelic experience this week, watching Cindy McCain out on the campaign trail, attacking the opponent's wife. In rally after rally she says, "I've always been proud of my country," a not so subtle jab at Michelle Obama's gaffe earlier about really being proud of America for the first time.
But Cindy McCain has one hell of a scandal in her past. In the mid-nineties she was addicted to prescription pain killers. Worse, she was stealing the drugs from the American Voluntary Medical Team, a third world relief organization she founded. Like most ridiculously rich people, she didn't have to go to jail for her crimes and was allowed to enter a rehab program rather than face criminal charges. The charity was shut down.
So when Cindy McCain says, "All I know is that I've always been proud of my country," take it with a grain of salt. She spent at least three years stoned out of her mind. It's impossible to know what she thought during that time. Was she really proud, or was she just hallucinating?
Cindy's addiction has been virtually ignored this election season. As a thought experiment, try to imagine what the reaction would be if Michelle Obama had a history with drug addiction? If Michelle Obama had stolen drugs meant for third world countries to support her own addiction?
Of course, we want to leave spouses out of politics. But if Cindy is out attacking Michelle people are going to start throwing rocks back at her glass house. She'd have to be high to think otherwise.
Some stories about Cindy's drug addiction:
Salon.com
The London Telegraph
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The problem here is the double standard. If it was Michelle Obama who was the drug addict that stole from her own medical charity, every republican pundit would be talking about it every second they were on air. They went after Teresa Hines for all her money and releasing her financial information yet Cindy McCain is off bounds. If Barack Obama was married when he met Michelle and he subsequently left his wife and children for her, he would be vilified. Michelle would be a home wrecker. But John McCain leaves his wife of many years. A woman who stood by him during his captivity so concerned about his mental well-being that she didn't tell him of her own crippling car crash. He leaves her for a younger wealthy woman he met at a cocktail party. I know that marriages fall apart but the McCains and the Republican party act so high and mighty. They are not the ANGELS that they profess them to be.
The Obamas should be revered not jeered. Their history and their achievements from where they came is astonishing. They are the American dream.That
This double standard has to stop and what is sad is that it won't. Not sure why the public seems to tolerate it as much as it does. All I have to say to Cindy McCain is : GLASS HOUSES CINDY, GLASS HOUSES
Youre right.
Yeah, don't you love it? This story has been common knowledge for years, yet it's glossed over and people make it seem like a COMMENT made by Michelle Obama is damning, while Cindy McCain's ADDICTION isn't discussed. You also have to wonder what kind of marriage pushes an attractive, young, wealthy woman to painkiller addiction. Whether it was physical pain that started her spiral or not, it sure doesn't look like John McCain was paying much attention, if the problem got so bad she was stealing drugs from a charity organization.
We're not talking about Michelle: Michelle is being relaunched as the candidate's wife (as Obama's campaign admits). She wouldn't be an issue if this were not the case, and if she did not regularly stump for her husband. Why do wives want to take such an active public role and then expect to be protected by the mantle of traditionalism when they are attacked?
The wife U.S. Republican John McCain callously left behind
By Sharon Churcher
McCain likes to illustrate his moral fibre by referring to his five years as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam. And to demonstrate his commitment to family values, the 71-year-old former US Navy pilot pays warm tribute to his beautiful blonde wife, Cindy, with whom he has four children.
But there is another Mrs McCain who casts a ghostly shadow over the Senator’s presidential campaign. She is seldom seen and rarely written about, despite being mother to McCain’s three eldest children.
But when McCain returned to America in 1973 to a fanfare of publicity and a handshake from Richard Nixon, he discovered his wife had been disfigured in a terrible car crash three years earlier. Her car had skidded on icy roads into a telegraph pole on Christmas Eve, 1969. Her pelvis and one arm were shattered by the impact and she suffered massive internal injuries.
When Carol was discharged from hospital after six months of life-saving surgery, the prognosis was bleak. In order to save her legs, surgeons had been forced to cut away huge sections of shattered bone, taking with it her tall, willowy figure. She was confined to a wheelchair and was forced to use a catheter.
Through sheer hard work, Carol learned to walk again. But when John McCain came home from Vietnam, she had gained a lot of weight and bore little resemblance to her old self.
It's called "supporting your spouse?'" And what right-minded individual woudn't??? Duh!!!!!
Cindy McCain is campaigning for John McCain, too. Why do you think she is on television all of the time. Why are you attacking Michelle Obama. She did not demand protection. Cindy McCain is being protected by the media. Cindy McCain is the one who "has taken such an active public role and then expects to be protected by the mantle of traditionalism when attacked." And guess what; it's working. Cindy McCain is attacking Michelle Obama for one sentence. Meanwhile, nobody is attacking Cindy McCain for her numerous crimes.
Cindy is not heeding Barack's warning. She'd better lay off. Michele could clean her clock.
Michelle and who else?
Just Michelle..
Ultrabop -- You've got it right on with that statement! The Obama camp is literally begging the GOP to lay off the negativity, but they keep piling it on. Perhaps the GOP wants to egg him on by attacking his wife, hoping Obama will literally change the core of his character and start becoming negative? Come on, McCain, Obama is too smart for that. He's already thought your strategies through. All the McCain camp is doing is dragging Cindy McCain through the mud. I used to feel sorry for Cindy McCain, but not anymore. I can't believe she, too, has sunk this low. She never wanted to be First Lady anyway, stated several times in articles.
That's what 527s are for. Cindy McCain's character says a lot about John McCain's character. It's an issue.
She could, but she won't. That's why she's doing it. She knows she can get away with it!
If we're going to piously declare that Michele is off limits, well it's so painfully obvious: so is Cindy. A child would see that.
You used the words 'pious' and Cindy' in the same sentence? LOL
That is the point. The right has made Michelle fair game. Cindy included, and yet she continues to go after Michelle. I figure if you are going after someone with vengence, you better make sure your own life is and has been in order. To me, it's a little disgusting that she is criticizing Michelle for a comment taken completely out of context when she has something in her history that would have landed most people in jail or prison. I have compassion for drug addicts. It is a powerful addiction that leads good people to do things they wouldn't normally do. There is no indication that Cindy is still an addict, and fortunately she got good treatment which allowed her to move on with her life. So, leave her addiction alone, but Cindy needs to take a hint from Laura Bush and cut some slack for Michelle. I think Cindy knows her words were taken out of context. The Obama campaign is giving her the benefit of the doubt. She should do the same.
Cindy McCain KNEW what she was saying,no if' or buts about it.And whos to say that Cindy is still a recovering addict? Wheres her medical records showing treatment for the addiction and that she IS still in treatment,'Once an addict ,always an addict"as there is no such thing as a 'CURED ADDICT' Makes one wonder just WHY Cindy is in Vietnam,as V/N imports a lot of illegal and legal drugs. Vietnam has strict drug trafficking laws, including in some cases the death penalty, but it has long been used as a transit point for trade in heroin, hash, opium, amphetamine pills and other illegal drugs.Make
The point if this article is that as Michelle Obama has taken so much heat, even from Cindy McCain, for remarks about civic pride, no one is commenting on someone who has had a major problem in the past - not only a narcotic drug addiction, but theft of narcotics from a charity on top of it. Had something even closely resembling this ever been in Michele Obama's past, it would be front and center on all the 24/7 outlets daily.
As the commnetary states: "Like most ridiculously rich people, she didn't have to go to jail for her crimes and was allowed to enter a rehab program rather than face criminal charges." I'd be always proud of a nation that allowed me to go scott free for illegal narcotics usage and theft of narcotics on top of it.
I agree. Cindy McCain's medical history is off limits. John McCain's is not. He is running for President. She is not.
Tell Cindy Lou to shut her face and lay off making comments about Michelle..
So we're to ignore Cindy McCain's not so subtle derogatory comments about Michelle Obama's patriotism because wives are off limits? Off limits to everyone but Cindy McCain?
Cindy would be well served to keep her mouth shut.
> She'd have to be high to think otherwise
Oh, wait, she may actually _be_ high! :)
Michelle has the opportunity to be among more diverse groups of people since Sen. Obama has been in the limelight. Remember, they were members of a predominantly black church in Chicago. I can understand that she might feel proud or more comfortable for the first time speaking to ALL Americans. She just misspoke. I think Cindy McCain was just trying to gain a few points for her husband and it backfired. She is suffering from the consequences of past mistakes. That is why we should all "sweep around our own back door first."
Agreeing mostly, but Michelle didn't misspeak, her words were taken out of context and purposely twisted to make her look like a scary hateful black person, much like Rev. Wright's statements were. They both got much more airplay over and over and over again in the media. Cindy McCain's comments and addictions are barely mentioned in the MSM at all. In fact, I have not heard them mentioned except on the blogs. Obama just has too much class to exploit this double standard.
Michelle Obama went to Princeton and Harvard. She has spoken to white people before.
She only did it for Rush.
**As a thought experiment, try to imagine what the reaction would be if Michelle Obama had a history with drug addiction?**
YEA, IMAGINE THAT. Believeeeee me, the republicans would have had a FIELD-DAY. Heck, HILLARY would have had a FIELD-DAY.
Nope, good ole' rich, white, 'all-american' Cindy McCain. Flys right under the radar.
'American' hypocrisy. It's no wonder she's been tight-lipped. If she knows what's good for her, she'll stay that way.
Barack could EASILY exploit this. But, he won't, and I applaud him for that.
Foereverdemocrat
"Barack could EASILY exploit this. But, he won't, and I applaud him for that."
And this is why he can best represent the American people as President of the United States. B.O. has a boat load of class and dignity, I hope he never changes that about himself.
That's what 527s are for. The hell with taking the high road. People do not become Presidents by taking the high road.
This post is terrible. First of all, painkillers don't make one hallucinate patriotism or anything else. Secondly, drug addition is an affliction that crosses ALL human "boundaries" and I don't think it should be an issue for Cindy McCain in response to her snide comments on Michelle Obama. The response is just as low and mean-spirited as the first comment, and I think it's very weak to speak out against unfair attacks with an unfair attack. Let's (Obama supporters) be better than this--better than THEM.
Drug addiction does cross all boundries. Unfortunately, those who are poor don't get the same treatment Cindy did. Most who are poor would have had a felony conviction for this. If Rush had been poor he might well have had a felony conviction on his record. I don't want this to become a campaign issue, and I don't think it will because Obama won't turn it into one. It just makes me sick that Cindy was given the benefit of the doubt when a judge showed compassion to her and allowed her to pick up the pieces of her life and now she is going after Michelle every chance she gets to score a few points for her husband. She probably knows she can do this because the Obama campaign won't sink to the level of the McCain campaign.
BTW do you know who made Cindy's drug addiction a campaign issue? George Bush in SC in 2000. He made sure that the South Carolinians knew about the addiction along with the black illegitimate child fathered by McCain (who was actually a child from Bangladesh who was adopted by the McCains). To see the picture of McCain hugging Bush after what he did to him and his family is sickening. That is what made me see McCain for what he is, an opportunist who will do anything to be president (hence the flip flopping on nearly every issue).
Drug addiction is a choice. The "disease model" is bogus, 12-step, religious booga-booga. Cindy CHOSE to get eff dup over and over again on drugs stoled from poor kids.
No sympathy is the best treatment.
Based on what? The first time you take a drug may be a choice (less clear with presciption pain killers). However, at some point the drug actually changes the brain. So, it's a bit more complicated than you it's a choice and that's too bad.
A choice?
I agree this stuff is generally off limits. However, it is idiotic to expect Obama partisans to sit on their hands while McCain's wife makes not so subtle attacks on Michele - especially when the ammunition to use in reply is so readily available.
This makes me even more convinced that the McCains are simply not very smart - and that no one close to them is pointing out the dangers of a rather obvious "when in glass houses, don't throw stones" problem.
Of course she is proud of a country that will allow her to break the law and get away with it. Then turn right around and hold her head up high and act as if she is better than others (not only Michelle). Not to mention she might (hopefully a big might) become first lady of that country. No class! (something one can't buy)
Amen. I would be proud of America too if I could break the law and get away with without comment from the media. lol
I wish Cindy'd leave well enough alone. It sounds mean-spirited and in poor taste for her
to pounce upon/and twist Michelle's words the way she has been doing. She should take her cue from
Laura Bush. I don't think acting like one of the so called Fox(just smears)No- News -Women would
help her or McCain's image.
Cindy needs to feel important.
if those vietnamese kids she's "helping" suddenly quit smiling, then she's probably still got a problem!
only fair for her to be exposed again if she keeps this nonsense up. last time he ran, I really didn't pay much attention to his wife, so it's the right thing to do to revisit her scandals. I'm sure there is more than stealing drugs and being an addict, as if that shouldn't be enough.
You think she's still on something? Legally, I mean. Because she seems a little out of it. I know she had a stroke a few years ago (not exactly sure when), so maybe she's taking something for that.
I don't have a problem with her prior drug addiction. Liberals, although not generally religious, are actually very "Christian" about forgiveness and judgement. Much more so than the nut-cases on the far right.
What I have a problem with is her hypocrisy and blatant opportunism in exploiting an opening to attack Michele.
Also ... don't you think John and Cindy are a mismatched couple? I think they can't stand each other.
It's like she's a stepford wife, she always look like she's in some type of a daze and she must put her makeup on with a shovel. She's a nice looking woman and she really don't need that much make up from a womans perspective. I only wish my skin was so flawless.
My opinion is; she needs to speak on the current issues plaguing this country and not on her opponents wife. Just because she's rich, does not give her the rigfht, when she has far worse baggage than being proud of her country. She really need to think twice, if she thinks her history won't get out somehow.
I see them as two separate entities, a marriage of convenience now; she keeps her finances separate from his and that's wierd. He's probably on an allowance. This is a woman that wants the prestige of being the first lady and nothing more.
Even though I don't like what Cindy said about Michelle, or the fact that she was stealing drugs from a charity she founded, but let us not forget that she did found the charity. That she did go to Bangledesh to help orphans when she did not have to with the money she has. Something inside her made her want to adopt a disfigured baby and bring it home with her. Something that if the racist elements in the country had succeded could have ended John McCain's career. I think if Cindy portrays that woman the American public will warm up to her too.
She comes from a very wealthy family. McCain saw a great opportunity, dumped his first wife, and went for it. She definitely had a drug problem. I don't know if she still does (she does seem to be overly thin). As far as "hypocrisy and blatant opportunism in exploiting an opening to attack Michele". When Cindy remarked that she had ALWAYS been proud of America one has to ask- doesn't that also include all the times she was under self induced sedation? If so, does that really count?
I think that rather than being 'mismatched', they are a perfect Republican couple....
This kind of speculation is not worthy of our country.
Cindy McCain has medical challenges and has mastered them. I don't care about her medical history. As far as I'm concerned, she could be struggling with the Ebola virus. SHE IS NOT RUNNING. Her husband IS. His medical history is relevant. Not hers. If John Edwards had become the nominee, Elizabeth's breast cancer would not be relevant. His medical status would be.
Let's stop attacking peripherals. Unless Cindy McCain breaks an election finance rule or something, leave the lady alone. In return, she needs to keep her mouth shut about Michelle Obama and follow Laura Bush's strategy, which has a lot more class and integrity than Cindy McCain, John McCain and George Bush put together.
John McCain is ready to be president?
Please!
Age does not give you wisdom.
The man admitted that he does not understand the economy.
He wants to fight a 100 year war fighting the wrong people in the wrong country.
I’m not saying that John McCain is not a nice man.
But I don’t want him in charge of my pocketbook.
We have had 8 years with a moron at the helm it’s time to get some new blood in the white house.
And this is from a white, 60 year old Republican, woman!
And I am supporting Barack Obama
God bless you!
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