McCain in ‘08.
Dec 6th, 2007 by Curt Schilling
Ok this is political opinion. If you aren’t interested or don’t care what I think, don’t read any further.
I had the honor of participating in a Town Hall with Senator McCain last night in Nashua, N.H.
He started the night by saying something that resonated with me. This town hall event, this forum, was Democracy at it’s most basic level. The ability for citizens of this country to question their candidates on issues that matter to them, and get responses, it doesn’t get any better than that.
I got to kick the evening off by introducing this man and talking a bit about why I was there. I had to laugh at the thought that his staff might not have realized the nightmare potential of me standing in front of American citizens with no script. The cool part is that this was easy. When you believe in someone, or something, so much, talking about your passion and respect for them is simple.
We are coming upon an election that I believe is absolutely essential to the future of this country. The American people have made it very clear how unhappy they are with where we are as a nation today. The approval ratings for our government are horribly low. We need someone who feels the way we all do about big government.
The true beauty of Senator McCain, in my opinion, lies in his accountability. Many questions were asked of him last night that elicited an initial answer of “I’m sorry I’m not going to be able to tell you what you want to hear, but the solution to that problem is more complex than a yes/no vote on a single piece of legislation.”
He doesn’t pander to the voters, he makes you understand, if you listen to him, that his goal is the rebuilding and restoration of national pride in the greatest country on earth.
The focus of this election, or at least the primary focus outside of any domestic issues, is the war in the Middle East. It will be, and should be, an incredibly hot topic with extreme amounts of passion for both sides.
My problem is in the people, politicians and media alike who make the ignorant comment “John McCain is war monger” “John McCain is for the war” and other idiotic comments like that. I would promise you this. Ask any human being who’s ever served in an active theater of war, whether they are for or against it. Anyone of sane mind will be the latter. No one that’s ever seen the horrible events that take place during a military conflict could ever in their right mind ‘be for war’.
John McCain is as against war as anyone that walks the earth. But you’re lying to yourself if you think that being ‘against the war’ makes someone more or less suited to be our next President. Simply being against the war is NOT going to solve the problem. It’s not going to end the war. We are all against the war, no one wants it.
We have to accept the fact that if we elect someone who PROMISES us to begin troop pull outs the minute they are elected, we are casting a vote to lose the war and dishonor the men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I want us out of the middle east now, today, immediately. But I also realize that if we do pull out before allowing the Iraqi people to solidify a system of self government that allows their people to live and breathe as free human beings with every right you and I have; if we pull out before the Iraqi people have been able to learn and train a security force devoid of corruption and focused on the safety of it’s citizens, we’ve failed, we’ve lost. Not only that but do you honestly believe we won’t find ourselves amidst another 9/11 event and then back in the middle east in force sometime in the near future?
There is absolutely no simple answer here. I don’t have it, nor do you. But for me the answer lies in the person we elect as our next president. My vote is going to a man that bravely served this nation and extolled virtues and character throughout his lifetime that make me believe in him, and his ideals.
Senator McCain is the first person in the room to tell you we’ve made mistakes, we’ve screwed up epically on many occasions. He’ll also tell you that pulling out now would erase any and everything good that’s been done since the war began.
This is not Vietnam. The citizens of Iraq WANT to be free and they’ve shown that they’ll turn out at polls to elect a government to make that happen, anyone with both eyes open can see that on a daily basis through the news being reported by unbiased and untainted media outlets.
I guess what I am saying, or asking, is that if you are undecided about who to cast your vote for, don’t vote for someone a celebrity tells you to vote for, that’s lame, lazy and disrespectful of the rights you’ve been given. Take the time to listen and see these people. I don’t doubt for a second that if you listen to these men and women, if you hear what they are saying, if you look at what kind of people they are, I don’t think you can come to any other conclusion than John McCain is far and away the best human being alive to be the next President of the United States of America. He’s the person to rebuild this country, reform this Government into one that serves the people. I think people are tired of feeling like they work for the governement or that their voice doesn’t matter, isn’t it the other way around? Isn’t it supposed to be?
If you don’t believe that, cool, cast your vote for whomever you choose to, but at the end of the day please make sure to cast your vote.
McCain/Huckaby in ‘08?
i respect that opinion curt. take a look at fred t. he brings a real breath of fresh air! i do like the sen. from arizona but i think he hasnt shown he can lead a campaign never mind our great country!! merry christmas to you and your family!!!!
Curt
You have an easy way of expressing things and getting the right points accross. John McCain was an easy choice for me, Im so sick of slick politicians and all their rhetoric and I dont care about “splitting the vote”. Im voting for the man that is genuine, accountable with integrity that is real. Its crazy how many people dont see that you cant just “pull out” of he war!! Im hoping for the best, McCain/Huckaby would be awesome. May the Good Lord be with them
Curt, I don’t know who to vote for & don’t have the luxury of getting to konw the candidates as you have. Do you know any of the others personally? Just curious.
Also, its funny that you are a celebrity giving a shout out to mccain & yet telling us not to listen to you at the same time. I think thats cool and honest. You are really trying to get people to think for themselves.
Thats a tough thing to do…for some reason, its not cool to do that. That is probably why you rub certain people the wrong way.
finally, and this is totally off topic. I know that you are a follower of Christ, as am I, and I was wondering if you have an arena where you discuss your spirituality in much detail. I am curious about who disciples you, how you are growing, what you are learning…Its too often that you guys in the limelight lose creditibility b/c when you mess up, its magnified…so, I wonder who checks on you.
Oh, those freedom-hating Vietnamese.
I’m surprised, Curt, given your involvement in the creation of 38 Studios, that you’d support a candidate who has in the past so strongly supported censorship of video game content. That is not to say McCain is all bad. He was my choice in the last election, but since then he has come out strongly in support of government intervention in the gaming market, and that turned me away from him pretty quick. There is no public policy problem to which the best solution is greater government intervention in the market.
I’ve tried to also make it very clear that just because someone I support disagrees or is on the oppposite side of an issue I might believe in that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t or shouldn’t support them. I am against the sale of automatic weapons as well, Senator Mccain believes in much tougher policy there but is NOT against the sale of automatic weapons. The candidate doesn’t have to follow MY agenda or interests to the letter, that’s just not going to happen, but at the end of the day, for me anyway, their overall approach needs to be aligned with making this country great again. That’s Senator McCain to me.
I read the story in the Herald. As the son of a Vietnam Vet and someone who spent his time serving in the Army during wartime myself I have a great deal of respect for Senator McCain.
While I’m still undecided which way my vote will go this year (I’m pretty middle of the road, though I tend to lean a little toward the conservative side) I think you make some pretty good points. The biggest of which is to actually get out there, educate yourself and vote accordingly.
Curt,
I wish your politics were as good as your splitter.
Josh
I like McCain as well, even though I disagree with portions of the McCain Feingold bill…
I see that you think McCain/Huckabee would make a decent ticket for President/Vice Presiden - what do you like about Mike Huckabee?
Thanks!
So you don’t think, as your friends (The D of D) at WEEI said about a women who lost a son in Iraq and has come out for the war to end, to be against the war makes you a “traitor” to this country.
Or that his recent comments above global warming make Senator McCain a “whack job” as they (The D of D) also say about anyone who says there is a problem.
Curt,
How can you try to peddle McCain not being a warmonger when he joked about bombing Iran despite the fact that were not trying to make a bomb the entire time? War mongers like him would be dropping bombs for our freedom if they could.
Huckabee still thinks Iran is making bombs despite the NIE report!
If you want real middle east knowledge try reading http://www.juancole.com/ on a daily basis.
“Huckabee as Deer in the Headlights
Trusts hearsay over NIE
Gov. Mike Huckabee did not know about the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran when asked about it on Wednesday. It had caused a furor in Washington because it concluded that Iran had halted any weapons-related experiments in 2003.
It is not such a big scandal that Huckabee hadn’t heard the news. When you are traveling and out among people, often you don’t, until you get back to the hotel that night. I can testify to that myself.
What is the scandal is that Huckabee had been briefed by someone to opposite conclusions from those of the NIE and had swallowed it hook line and sinker.
He told a reporter for Politico.com:
‘ I don’t know where the intelligence is coming from that says they have suspended the program or how credible that is versus the view that they actually are expanding it. … And I’ve heard, the last two weeks, supposed reports that they are accelerating it and it could be having a reactor in a much shorter period of time than originally been thought.
‘
So here’s what is troubling. Huckabee puts what he’s “heard” above the findings of the 16 US intelligence agencies. And, he seems to be confused that the problem with Iran is that it is building nuclear reactors. Reactors can be used for peaceful energy generation. It is if they were building a bomb that anyone should be concerned. The reactors at Bushehr cannot easily be put to bomb making purposes.
So yes, he could get behind on the news. But he doesn’t a) show good judgment in valuing right wing political gossip over an extensively vetted professional intelligence report (which is corroborated by the International Atomic Energy Agency). And b) he doesn’t seem very well informed about the nuclear issue.
Not ready for prime time. “
republicans and democrats do nothing for this country.
nothing. think of baseball with only the yankees and red sox.
horrible toture even for a Sox fan. that’s our government.
Yeah me and two friends from SNHU next door tryed to come see but by the time we got there, the fire marshal wasn’t allowing anyone else in. We watched on the TV in the lobby, I thought you did well, but then my friends got bored, so we left. Good opening, it sounded really good… Come back and visit our area again sometime haha.
Geoff
The top two recipients of donations from the four branches of the military and the Guard are Ron Paul and Barack Obama, who opposed the invasion of Iraq from the beginning.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3601542
So it’s false to say that candidates who oppose an indefinite occupation of Iraq are in favor of “dishonor” for the military.
Instead of throwing about those insults, I think that you should, as a supporter of indefinite occupation, argue that the costs will be outweighed by the benefits. Part of this will include an assessment of what success would look like, and how likely that outcome is.
Also, there were elections in South Vietnam, too.
Source: http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/vietnam.asp
So it’s false to say that the difference between Iraq and Vietnam is that Vietnamese people hate freedom whereas Iraqis love it.
As to the issue of whether or not it’s good for celebrities to talk about politics, I think it’s a-OK. Why wouldn’t it be? You have your right to say what you like; I have my right to disagree with it. We both owe that to the Constitution, and to those who have fought to defend it. Thanks for saying what you have to say, and allowing comments from people who agree and disagree with you.
Unfortunately, we are now bogged down in an occupation of a country whose inhabitants want us to leave, with few benefits accruing to ourselves, Iraqis, or the Constitution. Because Sen. McCain was wrong about the costs and benefits of the invasion of Iraq, because he casts those who disagree with him as advocating “surrender” (to whom?), and because he caved into the Bush administration on the issue of torture, I won’t vote for him. I would have in 2000, had he won the GOP nomination. But I supported the Iraq invasion, and was proven wrong. As was he. Things are different now.
Points taken, and thanks! The toughest part of communicating online is the loss of tone and meaning in many cases. I certainly didn’t mean to imply the Vietnamese people were against Freedom but I can see how it appears I did. I would disagree that the inhabitants of Iraq want us to leave right now, but we can agree to disagree there. Thanks for the feedback and discussion.
Hi Curt- not sure where to post this but thought you may appreciate. My son is a freshman at Northeastern University.
Matt Posternak
11/18/07
Intro to Writing
Essay #3
A Nation’s Nation
I’m a member of Red Sox Nation, it’s a kind of a family
Wherever I roam, my Fenway home, that’s where I long to be
I’m a member of Red Sox Nation, it’s a kind of insanity
Yeah, I’ll live and die, with Red Sox pride, for eternity
My mama told me bedtime tales ’bout number nine
My daddy taught me how Yastrzemski tracked down flies
Dirty Water, Tessie, and Sweet Caroline.
–Rob Crawford
When I enter that historically marvelous ballpark, I am overwhelmed by the surplus of tradition and culture. Within the American culture of today, there is a subculture that entails a certain way of life for a group of people. Mainly, but not restricted to the Boston area, a constantly growing subculture exists. A culture that is a certain way of life for the people which it engulfs. Red sox Nation is a culture that, for seven months a year, takes over and controls the lives of its population. Every morning between the rain and humidity of April through, hopefully, the bitter cold of October, members of this culture wake up engulfed in the traditions which this society holds. Traditions such as Sweet Caroline, the Green Monster, and hating those Yankees from New York are all part of this subculture. Red Sox Nation is, within itself, a culture among not only Bostonians, but is spreading across the world. The people intertwined with this rich, passionate culture have lived through a life of curse, defeat, and victory. This culture has one of the richest histories and an overwhelming lifestyle of tradition that follows.
The members of the Red Sox Nation have a certain culture and language that outsiders may not understand. They do not feel the same passion, nor are they overwhelmed by the immense emotion and tradition that is entailed with the Red Sox Nation. There is a certain language within this nation that cannot really be interpreted in the way it was meant. Language is this common connection that the members of this society share. These citizens of Red Sox Nation know what one another is saying when they are talking about Tessie, Dirty Water, and Cowboy Up.
A Nation’s Heritage
In the greatest ballpark in the world, Fenway Park, there are many experiences that a true member of Red Sox Nation will not live without. The Fenway Faithful know what it is really like to be a part of the Red Sox culture, and the atmosphere at Fenway is like nothing else. The passion and emotion throughout Landsdowne Street and Yawkey Way is part of the great culture of Red Sox Nation. The streets are flooded with red, white, and green. These colors resemble the flags of the heritage that generally makes up Boston; Ireland and Italy.
Boston, like some other cities, is mostly an Irish and Italian community. But Red Sox Nation is different. For example, New York City is mostly Irish and Italian as well, but there isn’t that sense of camaraderie and community as there is in Boston. Boston is known for its overwhelming amount of competition and the desire to succeed. The citizens of Red Sox Nation will not accept anything less than perfection for its team and for themselves. There is just an amazing sense of support, competitiveness, and culture behind the Red Sox in the city of Boston. Why does a sport like baseball, or, more importantly, a team like the Red Sox yield insurmountable amounts of support and competition from its fans?
Maybe it dates back to the early Roman times, through Boston’s somewhat Italian heritage, where the gladiators who fought at the Coliseum had such a major following like the Red Sox do now. In those ancient Roman times, everybody went to the Coliseum to witness the intense battles that were held there. The members of Red Sox Nation are those fans, Fenway Park is our Coliseum, and those damn Yankees are that gladiator across from us ready to battle. Maybe it is just in our blood to be competitive and to follow our teams, our gladiators, with such passion.
Fenway Faithful, the experiences of Fenway Park
I always loved going to that great American ballpark with my dad or my friends. I remember the atmosphere that overwhelmed me as I entered Fenway. It was amazing. It felt that everybody that was there shared a common bond with one another. I felt like I knew everyone and what they were experiencing. I was one of the lucky ones because I was able to go to many Red Sox games growing up just outside of Boston, which shaped who I am today. Going to Red Sox games were, and still are, the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much about competition, teamwork, passion, and life in general by sitting in Fenway Park for four hours to watch my team.
I can remember one game in particular, not only because it was just this past summer, but also because of all the realizations I had that day in August. My Red Sox were playing the Angels, a preview of the ALDS, in a very exciting game. The Red Sox fell behind early in the game, but going into the seventh inning, like always, “Sweet Caroline” came over the radio and all of Red Sox Nation joined together and sang along to our “National Anthem.” Just then, the momentum changed and the Red Sox took the lead. Unfortunately, Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable so Eric “GagMe” Gagne came into the game and lost it. But even in a loss the citizens of Red Sox Nation show emotion and competitiveness. It is just our way of life and is shown through all aspects of the games.
There are many great traditions entailed with going to see my team play at a history-rich ballpark like Fenway. Traditions that are key components to the Red Sox nation culture and lifestyle.
.
1. The passion and energy of Red Sox Nation.
2. Watching the game on a hot summer afternoon in Boston . . . there is nothing like it.
3. Going out for dinner/drinks in Kenmore Square before AND after the game.
4. The amazing history and beauty of Fenway Park.
5. Peanuts, Hot Dogs, and cold beer!
6. Singing Sweet Caroline.
7. Witnessing the Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry.
8. It’s the perfect place to introduce anyone new to the sport. I never followed baseball when I was younger, but ever since my father took me to my first Red Sox game, I have been hooked!
9. To get all kinds of cool gear in the Red Sox Souvenir Shop.
10. To tell all your fellow Sox fans that you have been to a game!
11. Green monster seats!
–Anonymous author
I Love That Dirty Water!
Yeah, down by the river.
Down by the banks of the river Charles,
That’s where you’ll find me,
Along with lovers, fuggers, and thieves
Well, I love that dirty water.
Oh, Boston, you’re my home!
That dirty water is used to describe the dirty water of the notoriously polluted Charles River in Boston, and is one of the most influential and popular songs of the Red Sox Nation. This hits the deep roots of the pure-blooded Red Sox fans, and is always played after victories and has been for years. Dirty Water has become one of the greatest traditions of Red Sox Nation, and is a key component of the Fenway Faithful that people of other cultures may not understand. True members of the society know the meaning and words as if it were the “National Anthem” of the sub-nation that is Red Sox Nation.
After every victorious trip to the “White House” of Red Sox Nation, I am overwhelmed by the tradition of that Dirty Water that everybody loves so much. Being a part of Red Sox Nation is one of the greatest feelings in the world and people on the outside of its culture probably don’t understand. They probably don’t understand the tradition and emotion that takes over our lives when our Red Sox are in action. Outsiders feel that it is just a little name for Red Sox fans without knowing the history, tradition, and lifestyle that is entailed with Red Sox Nation. Dirty Water is one of our richest traditions and is an essential aspect of the culture of Red Sox Nation.
Bambino’s Curse
The Curse is one of the most historical superstitions in all of sports, particularly in Red Sox Nation. The Curse had lasted for 86 years, until it was recently broken in 2004. The Curse was believed to begin after the Red Sox traded Babe “The Great Bambino” Ruth to the Yankees in 1918. The Red Sox went through the entire 20th century without winning a championship since the trade in 1918. It’s not like the Red Sox had bad teams either. The 1986 World Series was one of the most memorable moments for the Red Sox that led them, along with Red Sox Nation, to believe that there actually was a curse. The Red Sox were on the verge of winning their first World Series since 1918 until Bambino’s Curse haunted the field when a routine ground ball went through Bill Buckner’s legs to give the Mets the win and the eventual World Series Championship. After this memorable turn of events, some believed that the Red Sox would never win a World Series Championship again.
Throughout the years, there have always been instances where it seems as if Bambino’s ghost was haunting the field to seek revenge on the team that traded him back in 1918. Up until the 2004 World Series, the Red Sox did, in fact, seem to be cursed. But after they won the Series in 2004 and again in 2007, the Curse seems to be more of a history than a myth. The Curse is one of the most integral aspects of the history behind the Boston Red Sox. The different generations have different feelings and experiences about the curse:
Early Generation—Experienced the original success of the Red Sox in the early 20th century and witnessed the trade that started it all in 1918. Most of them would never live to see the day that the Red Sox carried the World Series trophy again. To them, maybe it didn’t really seem like a curse yet because the drought has not gone on long enough for any speculation of a curse.
Middle Generation—These guys had it the worst. This generation heard about the curse from the early generation, and has gone through most of their lives without their team winning that coveted World Series title. They witnessed the Buckner error and all the instances where Bambino’s cursed ghost had a presence. However, the lucky ones were able to see Pedro and Manny win that World Series in ’04 for the first time in 86 years after a life full of cursed failures and “unfortunate” miscues.
Modern Generation—This is me. I obviously heard about the curse and lived some of my life with a championship drought. But I never really experienced it. I missed the curse that haunted the Sox in ’86 and all instances of the curse prior to that. Throughout my life I have already witnessed the Sox bring home the trophy twice and the curse just seems like ancient history to me and nobody talks about it anymore.
However, no matter what generation you come from, the Curse of the Bambino is a major part of the history of Red Sox Nation, and one of the greatest stories in all of sports.
Wicked Good Team at Fenway Pahk
Everybody knows about how people in the Boston area “pahk theh cahs in hahvid yahd,” but it’s not all about accent. It is not just about dropping the “ahs (r’s)” in words, it is also about the words we use and how we use them. Nobody outside of the Boston area uses “wicked” as if it meant “very” or “extremely.” People from outside this area just look at me in awe when I saw “he is wicked fast” or “that house is wicked big” because people don’t even know what I am talking about. My roommate is from California, and used wicked the first time when I said “these rooms are wicked small,” he just stared at me as if to say, “what the hell did you just say?” Us local members of Red Sox Nation have a language
Although I do not have a harsh accent because I grew up a little north of Boston, I still use the same words in the same way. This is the language of Red Sox Nation, and only the local members can understand one another. Sure, Red Sox Nation has spread across the world with Japan’s interest in Dice-K and Okee-Dokee, the Dominican’s interest in Manny and Papi, and just the whole world’s interest in the Sox, but only the true locals speak the primary language of Red Sox Nation. Very few people outside of the locals of Red Sox Nation can even understand what most of us are saying, and that’s what makes us special. Red Sox Nation has its own vocabulary—What other city has that? I feel like I can understand everybody else from outside the Boston area, but they can’t always understand me. That’s what makes us a Nation, our language, rather than just the “faithful” like they have in New York for the Yankees. It is an entire NATION versus a few “faithful fans.”
Language is one of the more key components that make up a society, and Red Sox Nation definitely has that. Although there might be a few other cities that have a seemingly undecipherable language, Boston is as dominant in that “depahment” than its wicked good baseball team.
So Much Moah Than Just the Ahs
(so much more than just the R’s)
There is a lot more to the Boston language than just dropping the R’s in pronunciation.
• For example, those lost R’s often end up at the end of some words that don’t belong—
Our idea is…= Ouah idear is….
• Also, “ture’s” at the end of a word usually turn into “sha’s.”
Capture the flag= Capsha tha flag
• Sometimes D’s at the end of words turn into T’s following a vowel.
Wicked= Wicket
There are many different ways to tell a local to the Boston area, and we can always tell. Outsiders cannot always understand us and that is what makes us a Nation. People look at us as if we spoke a completely different language. Our language is the key component that sets us apart as a Nation within a nation. When our culture, history, and language come together, we make one of the best nations in the entire world; Red Sox Nation.
Curt, I appreciate your comments and I too have always had a great deal of respect for Senator McCain. I wish he had won in 2000! At this point in our countries politics though I believe Senator Obama is the candidate we need as I believe he represents a generational change. So much of the acrimony, the red state vs. blue state, the “culture wars” stem from the politics of the baby boomers and the 1960’s. No offense to the boomers out there, but Obama is a move away from the boomers and towards the future. Just my two cents. Thanks!
Hi Curt,
Ron Paul.
Yep, he’s a name I have heard a lot about and am in the midst of checking out his platform. Haven’t heard anything bad about the guy yet!
Mr. Schilling,
When Senator McCain comes to his home state of Arizona to campaign, will you come down and introduce him?? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the gala is successful tonight. Enjoy the weather.
Tucson, AZ
I am definitely in for McCain ‘08. A big point for me has always been, we are in the midst of this war and you have a canidate who served in the Navy for almost 30 years (5 1/2 of which he was a POW) as an officer. He has a long history of leadership and knows what it is like to be in hostile territory. He has two sons in the military, one in the Naval Academy and one serving a tour in Iraq as a marine. This war has a personal touch to the Senator from Arizona but yet he still understands what needs to be done there. That is more than the word admirable can describe. He has the experience as a leader and almost 30 years from a military standpoint. He has courage and integrity AND wants to cut out the BS in politics. He understands what it means to stay in Iraq and get the job done. This guy has my full fledged support.
I’m a secular liberal Democrat, so I don’t agree with Mr. Shilling much. But I love that he formulates such sophisticated political opinions & shares them with the world. We need more of that. And I agree with his take on Senator McCain–a noble man who deserves the Republican nomination. Keep up the great work, on and off the mound, Mr. Shilling!
Curt,
While I disagree with your opinions on the Iraq war, I am not going to be like a lot of the knuckleheads and tell you that your “politics suck”. This is your blog, you can state your opinions any way you want, and I enjoy reading them, whether I agree or not.
Either way, while I plan to most likely vote on the Dem. side of the ballot, I really hope Senator McCain can win the Republican nomination. I feel like McCain, more so than any of the other Republican candidates, will be the best way for us as Americans to gauge who we want as a President. Too many other Republicans have (in the eyes of every-day American) too much baggage that can sway people away from them. While I don’t believe people should think this way (”Romney’s religion is an issue!”; “Guiliani can’t keep a marriage together!”), it’s the unfortunate truth that something that small can keep people away from voting for one of these candidates.
McCain allows America to vote in terms of the REAL issues, rather than something so ignorant as “I don’t like that guy…” Hope to see you supporting McCain next fall after another World Series win!
Thanks for everything,
Chris
Win the war? If you honestly think “winning” is an option I’d love to hear how that scenario plays out. McCain will say and do anything to get the presidency, even use your celebrity status because he has nothing left and started as a lemon to begin with. In 2004 you shamelessly supported Bush which is your right but don’t you ever learn. You know what, you don’t and that is why you should apply for a job with this administration. A perfect fit. I respect you for at least having the guts to say what you believe but that still doesn’t negate the fact you are a tug.
Thanks very much for the reply, Curt.
My “Vietnamese hate freedom” was an admittedly glib characterization of what you had to say. But I think my point, that the relevant distinction between Iraq and Vietnam is not the amount the people want democracy, is a fair one.
And let’s not agree to disagree as to what Iraqis think– let’s ask the Internet if it knows!
Source:
http://globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/pollindex.htm
As of August, according to a poll of Iraqis, a near-majority (47%) wanted us to leave, but a sizable minority (34%) wanted us to stay until security improves.
Anyway, thanks for the back and forth!
Curt, I’m a Democrat — or, should I say, I usually vote Democratic. But I’m with you on this one, in this sense: When I watch the Republican debates, I cannot understand how a voter could vote for anyone but McCain (or maybe Huckabee, or Ron Paul). He’s a real person, not someone pandering for votes. A lot of what I think about McCain is pulled from Michael Lewis’s (of Moneyball fame) book on the 1996 election, Losers: The Road to Anyplace But The White House, where McCain comes off as singularly human and embraceable in a field full of people who were, well, less so. I recommend it highly.
Hey Curt - I tried to respond last night, but your post in regards to McCain was not up. So I posted under the Schilling Clause, I have cut and reposted in the proper forum here. Thanks again for being part of a great night in Manchester.
Curt -
My wife and I and our new baby (the one who waited only nine weeks for her Red Sox to become champions) attended the forum in Manchester tonight at Derryfield. I wanted to comment on how impressed I was with your attentiveness and sincere interest in all of the Senators responses to our questions. I often looked up to see you totally entrenched in whatever subject Senator McCain was discussing. It was very refreshing.
The Senator has a rough road ahead to a presidency, but tonight he further convinced me that he wholeheartedly is the right man for the job. When speaking with another voter behind me we admired a quality about the Senator that is also shared by yourself, and myself. That quality is that no matter the circumstance the Senator would speak candidly and honestly about his belief whether or not the voting public backed him or not. The gentleman behind me said that the Senator would not be afraid to speak at a NRA convention about tougher gun laws. With a group of candidates around him often flip-flopping speeches to meet the needs of the groups or financial backers they are addressing, the Senator is very refreshing because he is so good at standing by his original answer.
It was nice to see you in a non-sport forum and to quietly stand by the side of a man you have so much respect for. I actually gained a ton of respect for you and the way you so smoothly kept everything about the Senator. And kudos to helping that young man on the student council with the auction by signing that ball.
My wife was also very impressed with both you and the Senator. As I have stated in previous posts her lupus is very trying on our relationship and finances since she cannot work. We love what you do for the community and the event in Medfield for the holidays sounds amazing. I unfortunately am not able to offer assistance there, but would like to offer my help to any future events involving the military you participate in. I am a mobile DJ and marketing specialist by trade and am more than willing to donate sound systems, and music or even MC talents for any event to aid in military appreciation. I served for years in the Army and my dad, like the Senator graduated from the Naval Academy. So consider a full offer to give whatever I can help with to you in the future.
Thank you for your support of fans, voters and John McCain and I will also be voting for the Senator in the upcoming election.
Thanks again for being part of what was a very nice evening in Manchester……..although the Senator really needs to see more snowmen…..A CHICKEN????
Brian & Sarah (and little Teagan) Sparhawk
Thank You Curt for your continued support of Sen. John McCain. McCain is a man of honor, something we desparately need at this time for our country.
My readers love to hear about you and what you are doing. We all miss you out here in Arizona. Continued success to you & may you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season!
I added the story on yesterday’s campaign rally with Sen. McCain to my Blog:
http://politicomafioso.blogspot.com/2007/12/world-series-hero-curt-schilling-on.html
Jeff Vath
Phoenix, AZ
Washington High School
Class of 1979′
Using Bill Clinton as an example, what I hope this country realizes in the 2008 election is gone are the days when we should scutinize a person’s past, a person’s lifestyle, or the color of one’s skin.
I don’t care if a person has been divorced, commited adultery, or illegally stole cable and admitted it … if that person has matured and is right for the office of President of the USA, so be it.
I am a Republican and now regret voting for GWB in 2003. What I don’t want to do is automatically think Guliani is the man because he did a great job for NYC post 9-11, nor do I want to automatically vote Hillary because her husband did a decent job as President.
War, heathcare costs, gas prices … oy …
Curt, thanks for you opinion. I’m actually amazed there are still Republicans left in the state of Massachusetts. I was born into a very Republican family so I have always been one, and yes I grew up in Massachusetts. I just used to feel like a fish out of water there. Now I am in Florida, and it is different here, much different. I still haven’t made a decision yet on who I am going to vote for. You did make some good points about McCain. He is actually one of the few who hasn’t changed his mind every day.
And to the person who is going to vote for Fred T, hopefully he knows what Fred believes in, because I don’t, and most of the world doesn’t. He is one of the ones who changes his mind daily, or even every minute of the day. Don’t get me wrong I liked him as an actor, but not every actor should be President.
Every one has a right to their own opinion, their own vote. I read everyone’s beliefs, and opinions and will make my decision.
I’m a Mccain supporter, but my biggest concern is his age and the creation of Mccain-Feingold, which I think is a terrible piece of legislation. My libertarian sense makes me fret about a Mccain presidency. My foreign affairs worries, however, make me yearn for him to win. I guess it’s give and take.
I’ve seen him campaign with his mother, and while that brings a smile to my mouth, I’m curious if someone in their mid 70s is the right person to lead us into the technological and IT age of America.
I supported Mccain in 2000 and he was my choice, then. However, as of today I think Huckabee brings more to the table in regards to being able to work with Democrats, as well as having an outside DC mindset which seems to result in better bipartisanship for at least a little while.
I’m glad you are pushing for debate and discourse in regards to politics, and I hope the Bush Deranged Folks, as well as those with partisan axes to grind don’t give you too much abuse, Curt. Especially since your position is one of the few well thought out and in depth ones given by a celebrity, yet, without just being a rubber stamp.
My final point is Mccain is generally a voice of sanity and reason in a Senate that is full of very partisan bickering and rhetoric. Can we afford to lose him there with the departure of so many moderate and conservative Senators this year?
Hey Curt, I met you down in Ft. Myers last year I was trying out for the farm team at a free agent tryout. Anyway, I completely respect your opinion and right now i am torn between McCain and Giulliani. Both of them would be the leader that we need for this country. The two things that I am worried about is that McCain will not reform healthcare because something has to be done. But with Giulliani, I don’t think he has enough foreign affairs experience. What are your opinions? which is more important?
This from the guy who wanted to Go Big and Go Bush.
How’s that working out for ya. Yeah, mission accomplished.
Curt you know nothing about the real world.
Heck of a job, Brownie.
Curt,
If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool, small government conservative, I’m not sure how you can be so wildly enthusiastic about John McCain. About a U.S. Senator who has his name on the first bill in the history of the United States that puts curbs on political speech - in direct contravention to the First Ammendment of the Bill Of Rights, both in text and spirit.
Coincidentally, John McCain’s various campaigns have always receive pretty serious contribution dollars from Arizona’s Native American interests, who are, SURPRISE! exempt from the McCain-Fenigold Campaign Finance Reform Law.
He’s also a product of our dysfunctional political class, who is a proponent of our butchered mess of a taxation system - a system which only exists, at this point, to be tortured into submission by Congressmen in order to generate loopholes and line the pockets of wealthy corporate interests in order to maximize contributions from them at campaign time.
As far as Huckaby goes, his campaign website espouses principles and ideas of government which I was wildly enthusiastic about, until I started hearing that they contravened nealry his entire record as Governor of Arkansas, where he was pro-illegal immigration, pro-tax and pro-criminal, apparently. Very, very disturbing. A stat out on the wire today: Huckaby pardoned and commuted more sentences as Governor that all six of the states that border Arkansas combined.
This is what you want in the Vice President’s office?
Elvis Elvisberg
Yes because poltical polls are NEVER worded or slanted to create a desired result. And the internet only contains opinions that are black and white.
Is there a peaceful part of the Iraqi population that wants the US out? Yes. Is there a peaceful part of the Iraqi population that wants us to stay until the situation is more stable? Yes. Is there a part of the Iraqi population that will massacre the 2 afforementioned segments of the Iraqi population should we choose to exit? Definitely.
And for this reason, announcing exits and exiting without adequate security for the peaceful people of Iraq creates a problem that the US is accountable for regardless if you were for or against entering Iraq in the first place. The problem is real and it’s too late to point fingers unless you’re only interested in politics and not solutions. Since most of the other nations of the world are unwilling to provide this security, it would be reprehensible for us to exit and leave people either to die or live in virtual slavery.
Addendum: Mike Huckabee’s proposed Immigration Reform plan is up on townhall.com. On the face, it looks like a terriffic, comprehensive plan to bring immigration back under U.S. control. I just don’t know if I can believe he’s sincere anymore, or just pandering to conservative voters who he’ll later cast aside when they’re no longer useful.
Stay in the Commonwealth, and we’ll turn you into a liberal Democrat …
I’m voting either for Obama or Edwards, but I’d definitely pick McCain if I was voting Republican: straight shooter, able to work with Democrats, and a man of integrity. However, I have to say, as the father of an Army officer who was wounded in Iraq (see you on the 22nd!), I can’t share your optimism about the war, nor the decision to go their in the first place.
BTW: given your technological bent, I think the best way for us — no matter what our political perspectives — to win back control of government is to use Web 2.0 tools, especially Google mashups, to make obscure information comprehensible: what I call “transparent government” . It can improve the political debate by making it fact-based, make officials accountable, and improve governmental efficiency and creativity.
Mr. Schilling,
My wife says the one thing about Sen. McCain is that he is in bed with Mexico and is soft on illegal immigration law enforcement. Where do you stand on this touchy subject? Thanks.
The fact that he concedes that any good was accomplished is testament to how thick headed he is. 3,000+ AMERICAN lives were lost, 30+ thousand injured, and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi’s were killed. We destableized the most stable country in the region, angered our friends and emboldened our enemies. Please for god sakes, tell me where the good was. We can’t even say we did it for the oil since we are paying more for oil than ever before!
Remember, this is the same guy who stumped for George Bush. Idiot!
Curt,
I made the trip up to Manchester with my 11 year old son. Though I have my political disagreements with Sentaor McCain, I greatly admire his personal and political courage and his adherence to principle over pandering. It was an educational, entertaining and inspiring evening for both of us!
A quick question for you… You mentioned that this venture into politics is relatively new to you. Did it primarily come from your personal relationship to Senator McCain? A natural extension of your public service to causes such as ALS, S.H.A.D.E.? Or, did it come from an entirely different place?
Thanks in advance for your reply. I hope your engagement in this vitally important process inspires others to increase their own civic and political engagement.
P.S. Just keep in mind that the last time a “celebrity” became the chair of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, they ended up becoming Governor of California!
Wow we were shocked to hear that you were going to support another candidate today. After your last pick we thought you’d be hiding under a bush. How do you sleep at night knowing you could have put that clown in office? And all those dead soldiers. Since that last pick of yours every time you pitch we hope you’ll go down in flames even though we love the rest of the Red Sox. Please just shut up and pitch. Do the country a favor.
HI Curt. I want to thank you so much for coming to NH for Senator McCain. I’m his chairman here in Strafford County NH and your presence added a lot of energy to the supporters and staff. Senator McCain is a great guy so please consider joining him in Washington as the next US Senator from Massachusetts.
I also wanted to thank you for autographing a baseball for me after the event. I was your second autograph after the little girl. Thank you for taking the time to do that. My best friend is a Red Sox freak (he was there with me) so I gave the ball to him…which he will treasure it because he was a pitcher in college. Thank you for your time and we would love to have you here in NH again for John McCain.
Curt… im a die hard Red Sox Fan and also a McCain supporter… so u are quite alright in my book… u got us a world series and hopefully u take on Sen. Kerry and beat him to become even more special to us in new england!! I wish you the best in all of your endeavors.
“Not only that but do you honestly believe we won’t find ourselves amidst another 9/11 event and then back in the middle east in force sometime in the near future?”
This presumes that the correct response/reaction to another 9/11 event would be intervention in the Middle East. Not necessarily so.
Curt,
I have a name for you….
G-I-U-L-I-A-N-I . Giuliani is the type of get the job done leader that we need in the drivers seat. It is not just based upon 9/11, but the work he did in cleaning up a city that was long gone and restoring it to the safest big city in the world. He did it by not acknowledging obstacles, but hurdling over them as if they were not there. He gave the authority to the police where it belonged. also, prior to that, as a federal prosecutor, he struck the mob a near fatal blow. I know he’s had some issues that his opponents love to exploit, like his ugly divorce, and the Bernard Kerik/Homeland Security situation. But you cannot disregard the man’s track record for talking the bull by the horns and getting the job done. and finally….HE’S A YANKEE FAN!!
Okay, here’s the concern I have about McCain — and it isn’t a concern of conflict of views, but more of a concern as to why I think he is going to struggle with winning votes.
While I agreed with alot of what he said during the debate - most esp. the Iraq issue — I felt his delivery was not going to be recieved well. I’m all for someone being straightforward, honest - and pretty much direct and to the point. However….
Not everyone will. And while I don’t agree with always being “savvy”, at the same time, at this juncture he needs to appeal to the masses. And I was concerned that he was coming across as too harsh, too…almost angry.
I would almost say I’d rather see a Huckabee/McCain bill in ‘08. Huckabee has the polish and finesse — and McCain has the grit. What a combination!
Just my humble opinion…
Hey Curt,
Agree with you 100% on McCain… I went to a fundraiser he was at a few months back.. in an age where sports starts are idolized its a shame true American heros such as McCain are overlooked.
read this on si.com … though you might enjoy it:
“Epstein also re-signed World Series MVP Mike Lowell and right-hander Curt Schilling before the winter meetings. Both players might have gotten more money if they waited for a market to develop.
“I’m thrilled,” Francona said. “I think that’s the first time Schilling ever left anything on the table.”
Also an idea for a future post… I know alot of fans are very excited to see this Mitchell report. As a player who is a strong advocate against steriods what are your feelings towards the report?
Thanks and God bless
Hi Curt, First let me say great season for you and the Sox. I am a retired MSgt of the USAF, having served 20 years. In those 20 years everytime I reenlisted I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of these United States. I took that oath seriously, as I still do. I have also been known to get a little misty-eyed when the National Anthem plays. There is only one candidate that has stood with the Constitution on every vote he has ever taken, without an exception. That candidate is Congressman and Doctor Ron Paul. I know you are a very smart man and all I ask that you do is check him out. You might want to start with this article that tells you who this man Ron Paul is better than any other article I’ve ever read on him (and believe me I’ve read 100’s).
http://www.newsli.com/2007/12/06/presidential-candidate-ron-paul-bears-an-empty-pot-for-americans/
I have never given a penny to any other candidate, but I have already made a large contribution to Dr. Paul and plan on giving him more. Please check him out and let me know what you think. If you want to have a beer and talk politics, send me an e-mail, it would be an honor. Finally, get some rest. We need you back at your best next season for another fun ride
i loved the ending curt! cast your vote!!!! we as americans need to cast our votes!! i am a vet and know we need more people to speak up,take part in our great country!!! thanks curt for being you!!!!!!
Sorry Curt, I’m a Ron Paul guy.
Be interested to get your opinion on him though
Hey Curt,
First off, congrats on another WS and another nice new contract.
While I don’t agree with many of Sen. McCain’s ideas, I certainly respect the man and wish him well in the primary. With voter turnout rates where they are in this country, placing any vote is certainly better than not voting.
That being said, as a Ron Paul supporter I took exception to Sen. McCain receiving a question at the YouTube/CNN debate last week regarding the FAIR tax and using that opportunity to attack Ron Paul’s stance on the war in Iraq, and more importantly, U.S. foreign policy as a whole. Keep in mind that despite a passionate group of supporters, Ron Paul is currently polling at about 3% in most national polls, so I found it curious that he would attack him in the first place.
If National Security is the issue most important to you in the coming election, then I think the guy listed below seems like a pretty good source, quite possibly the best, on whether we’re making our country more vulnerable or less vulnerable to an attack with our current foreign policy. This information was taken from Wikipedia, so feel free to fact check it if you want:
Michael F. Scheuer is a former CIA employee. In his 22-year career, he served as the Chief of the Bin Laden Issue Station (aka “Alec Station”), from 1996 to 1999, the Osama bin Laden tracking unit at the Counterterrorist Center. He then worked again as Special Advisor to the Chief of the bin Laden unit from September 2001 to November 2004.
Scheuer resigned in 2004. He is currently a news analyst for CBS News and a terrorism analyst for the Jamestown Foundation’s online publication Global Terrorism Analysis.[1] He also makes radio and television appearances and teaches a graduate-level course on Al-Qaeda at Georgetown University. He also participates in conferences on terrorism and national security issues, such as the New America Foundation’s December 2004 conference, “Al Qaeda 2.0: Transnational Terrorism After 9/11.” [3]
Scheuer is now known to be the anonymous author of both Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror and the earlier anonymous work, Through Our Enemies’ Eyes: Osama bin Laden, Radical Islam, and the Future of America.[2]
Osama bin Laden stated in his September 7, 2007 message:
“If you want to understand what’s going on and if you would like to get to know some of the reasons for your losing the war against us, then read the book of Michael Scheuer.” [4][5]
His next book, planned for publication in 2008, is Marching Towards Hell: America and Islam After Iraq.
Not much is known about his personal history, though Scheuer was an analyst at the CIA and not a covert field operations officer. During a recent C-SPAN interview, he mentioned that he is a graduate of Canisius College. He also received a Ph.D. in British Empire-U.S.-Canada-U.K. relations from the University of Manitoba.[3]
In the 9/11 Commission Report, Scheuer is featured in Chapter 4, where his name is given only as “Mike”. He is portrayed as being occasionally frustrated with his superiors’ failure to aggressively target bin Laden.
In the Republican Presidential Debate on May 15, 2007, presidential candidate Ron Paul stated that American foreign policy was a “contributing factor” in anti-Americanism in the Middle East. Rudy Giuliani denounced this as “absurd” and that he’d never heard such a thing before. In an interview on May 18, Michael Scheuer defended Paul, stating: “I thought Mr. Paul captured it the other night exactly correctly. This war is dangerous to America because it’s based, not on gender equality, as Mr. Giuliani suggested, or any other kind of freedom, but simply because of what we do in the Islamic World – because “we’re over there,” basically, as Mr. Paul said in the debate.”[8]
On May 24, 2007, Ron Paul and Scheuer held a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington DC about the causes that led up to 9/11, American foreign policy and its implications on terrorism, security and Iraq.[9] Paul and Scheuer argued that Rudy Giuliani is wrong on security and foreign policy and provided documentation about the unintended consequences of interventionism - known to many in the intelligence world as blowback - and assigned Giuliani a reading list of foreign policy books, including Dying to Win, Blowback, Imperial Hubris and the 9/11 Commission Report.[10]
On Larry King Live, September 7, 2007, Scheuer alluded to the Fox News Republican Debate of Sept 5, 2007, where a Fox News moderator accused Ron Paul of taking “marching orders” from Al Qaeda. Scheuer said, “The truth of the matter is that it is all of the Democrats and the Republicans, except perhaps for Mr. Paul and Mr. Kucinich, who are marching to Osama Bin Laden’s drum.”
I can only hope you can help McCain win and give me something to cheer about instead of the heartbreak you’ve caused this life long Yankee fan.
Curt - appreciate all you do both on and off the field…you support a lot of great charities and do a lot for the community.
With regards to this post today….one thing that i would want you to clarify is saying:
“Not only that but do you honestly believe we won’t find ourselves amidst another 9/11 event and then back in the middle east in force sometime in the near future?”
First and foremost, if we dont want another 9/11 type event happening, don’t you think we should have concentrated on the ones who ACTUALLY attacked us on 9/11?!? Not one person involved with 9/11 was from Iraq…even though it was with false information/lies that we went into Iraq, we obviously cant automatically pull out of Iraq at this point, but we DEFINITELY need to shift our focus to more Afghanistan and chasing down Osama and those who actually did something to us, not Iraq.
Why does everybody kiss up to this guy as far as his political intelligence goes? All he knows how to do is throw a baseball. He isn’t always good at that. Maybe you should all watch Oprah and vote for her guy! Shilling has made his choice for the war and this is his new guy to continue the same path the Bush took. This was a bad decision from the start and thank the lord my kids aren’t old enough to participate in it. If Shilling has his way maybe they will be going to war… in Iran. Easy for Curt , he just has to throw the ball. If his kids were older maybe he would think this through a little more.
Hey Curt I am located on Cape Cod and I have a player friend of mine located in Virginia who’s Dad is dying from ALS. He is going to be raising money for his family because the cost og medical is sky rocketing does or can your organization help out people like this.
His name is Casey bowling and I can email you some articles that were written about his dad he wants to let people know about ALS in his area and raise awareness.
Please contact me if you feel you would like to help a fellow baseball player and his dad.
Thanks,
Frank Zaino
email zman@teamasm.com
cell 774-836-7173
I’d like to see a McCain vs. Obama campaign. We might finally have a campaign where issues are debated honestly, and might (only a Red Sox fan could be this optimistic having endured 86 years without a World Series victory) result in the victor being able to build some bridges with the opposite side of the aisle. I think our next president needs to be extraordinary, not average to get something done on the problems that have been facing our nation for too long. I believe only bold and honest initiatives can truly move us off the tired solutions and old arguments. How many votes are taken in Congress for the sole purpose of seeking political advantage or to make a symbolic statement. If we end up with a Clinton/Guliani campaign I expect nothing more than sniping and dirty politics, with the victor left to govern over a divided and tired electorate.
I was at the YouTube debate last week. In fact, my video (the song) opened up the debate. I like McCain a lot, though right now I am pulling for Fred Thompson. I’d glady take either one.
I am not as big a fan of Huckabee, but I like him. I sat right behind his wife and Chuck Norris at the debate (Chuck shook my hand … or rather, he grabbed my hand and the room shook around him!). I like a lot of what he says, but he’s a big big-government for me. Not so with Thompson and McCain.
And even though I am pulling for Thompson right now, I have to agree, John McCain would be more effective than any candidate, including Thompson, at actually implementing his agenda of effective and strong foreign policy, and smaller government, because he knows those two topics, and how to get them accomplished, as well as anyone.
Maybe McCain/Thompson?
Curt,
I’m with you brother, not only as a veteran myself but i think people don’t realize that McCain was a POW. War freak…no I don’t think so, good man who thanks god everyday for where he is and how fortunate he is to be there…absolutely. Being a Vermont born and raised guy but living in Orioles country and 50 miles south of the dreaded DC, politics are becoming a joke and it’s more like watching a telethon to see who can bring in the most donations and actor’s. I want the guy who is just down to earth, knows what war is all about, has great ideas on how to get our nation back to where we belong, and will wear jeans and drink a beer with our troops. I want the REAL-AMERICAN just like you, and wasn’t your brother part of the Black-Hawk down campaign in Somolia???
McCain 08,
1st Desert Storm vet.
Curt,
Love McCain as a person, war hero and United States Senator. But given his age and the complete lack of understanding of the threat we are facing by the vast majority of the citizenry, I am afraid he doesn’t stand a chance in a single primary. Though Rudy certainly has his character flaws, he is as strong as McCain in his ability to be commander-in-chief. On a side note, you need to check on the spelling of Huckaby for VP. It is Huckabee. And I agree, he would make a great VP choice for whomever wins the nomination.
Hey Curt,
I’ve been a registered Republican since 1972. I spent over 20 years in the Military retiring in 1992. I grew up in CT and have been a diehard Red Sox fan for over 40 years. I presently live in WA State and attended my first Republican Caucus 8 years ago when George W. Bush & John McCain were running for President. I was so full of enthusiam as I walked into the Caucus and wanted to discuss the issues. I was for John McCain. I became disallusioned when I sat down at a table with 7 other people. I was told at the time that because 2 of us at the table were for John McCain and 6 were for George Bush, that the majority ruled and that we had to come up with ideas for a platform for George Bush. I got up and left.
I hope people can see what a great Leader and visionary John McCain is and select him this time to Represent the Republican Party. The Best Ticket would be a McCain/Huckaby ticket.
P.S. I glad to have you back for another year with the SOX
Thanks
Patrick Koether
email: pekoether@aol.com
Anyone who cares….please vote in the PRIMARIES to get your party’s best candidates into the main event! Voter turnout is pretty pathetic anyway, but much more so in the primary. This is when you get to pick who is actually going to run in the main election. It’s equally important to the main election in November and so many people skip it. Your vote counts! Listen to the candidates, make your decision, and put the best of both parties into November’s election.
Oh what the Hell . . .
Mike Huckabee: Has a serious difficulty accepting the existence of reality. This is not a good trait for a world leader.
Ron Paul: Enough with this hypocritical moonbat. Let us review the catechism:
While I find citing the Daily Kos up there with quoting Mein Kampf at birthday parties, they do have useful links to his own words:
It seems, that back in the glory days of militia, Ron Paul ran a The Ron Paul Survivor Report. One exists online from the wonderful Nizkor Project, a site that, among other things, debunks anti-semitic Holocaust Deniers and their racist ilk:
Regarding the Rodney King riots:
The criminals who terrorize our cities–in riots and on every
non-riot day–are not exclusively young black males, but they largely are.
As children, they are trained to hate whites, to believe that white
oppression is responsible for all black ills, to “fight the power,” and to
steal and loot as much money from the white enemy as possible. Anything is
justified against “The Man.” And “The Woman.’ A lady I know recently saw a
black couple in the supermarket with a cute little girl, three years old or
so. My friend waved to the tiny child, who scowled, stuck out her tongue,
and said (somewhat tautologically): “I hate you, white honkey.” And the
parents were indulgent. Is any white child taught to hate in this way? I’ve
never heard of it. If a white child made such a remark to a black woman,
the parents would stop it with a reprimand or a spank.
But this is normal, and in fact benign, compared to much of the
anti-white ideology in the thoroughly racist black community. The black
leadership indoctrinates its followers with phony history and phony theory
to bolster its claims of victimology. Like the communists who renounced all
that was bourgeois, the blacks reject all that is “Eurocentric.” They
demand their own kind of thinking, and deny the possibility of non-blacks
understanding it.
. . . .
Order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to
pick up their welfare checks three days after rioting began. The “poor”
lined up at the post office to get their handouts (since there were no
deliveries)–and then complained about slow service. What if the checks
had never arrived? No doubt the blacks would have fully privatized the
welfare state through continued looting. But they were paid off and the
violence subsided.
Charming!
Of course Ron is now trying to claim a “staffer” wrote his newsletter under his name and–Heavens to Betsy!–he had no idea! So who other than Ron penned the glowingly “libertarian” appeal to knuckle under a religious minority:
If anything, the marriage amendment would have given the secular left an excuse to impose gay marriage on all of us in future years, as the issue would have been irrefutably federalized.
. . . .
The political left increasingly uses the federal judiciary to do in court what it cannot do at the ballot box: advance an activist, secular, multicultural political agenda of which most Americans disapprove. As a society we should reconsider the wisdom of lifetime tenure for federal judges, and pay closer attention to the judicial nomination procedure. It’s time for the executive and legislative branches to show some backbone, appoint judges who follow the Constitution, and remove those who do not. It’s also time for Congress to start establishing clear limits on federal judicial power.
In other words, it is time to force everyone to believe as he does.
I wonder which “Ron Paul” wrote glowing endorsement of the mental midget Michael Badnarik’s Good to be King. Badnarik is the clown who “thinks” the IRS is illegal. Last Presidential election he tried to run as the Libertarian candidate and made an utter fool out of himself. Regarding the legality of the IRS, his response to close questioning was to note that would it not be interesting if it were illegal.
Gee. Wizz. Would it not be interesting if the Twins traded Santana for Danny Ainge and the rights to talk to Freddie Mitchell!
Badnarik’s work is one long ignorant screed of “Big Rock Candy Mountain” legal theory–that somehow, in those big books the lawyers have, it actually says you do not have to pay your taxes, answer that summons, register that car, and you probably DO have the right to a pony!
From their own website:
Badnarik believes that the federal income tax has no legal authority and that people are justified in refusing to file a tax return until such time as the IRS provides them with an explanation of its authority to collect the tax. He hadn’t filed income tax returns for several years. He moved from California to Texas because of Texas’ more liberal gun laws, but he refused to obtain a Texas driver’s license because the state requires drivers to provide their fingerprints and Social Security numbers. He has been ticketed several times for driving without a license; sometimes he has gotten off for various technical legal reasons, but on three occasions he has been convicted and paid a fine. He also refused to use postal ZIP codes, seeing them as “federal territories.”
Yet, Ron Paul considers him to possess: “. . . the true meaning of major constitutional provisions and amendments.”
John McCain: shame he is not doing better in the polls.
Right . . . baseball!
–J.D.
Curt…….my oh my……..a little over your head, kind of like the high hard one you used to throw…..past tense…..John McCain???…….I am trying to figure out why you are a Republican….taxes?……how do you feel about Social Security?…….should we have socialized medicine?……..what did you think of Sicko……I have a feeling you voted for Bush, tell the truth…..did you believe the “Swift boat” ads?…….I could see you being an Independent….I am very proud to be a Liberal…….Adali Stevens, Hubert Humphery……and yes Wayne Morse…the only Senator to vote against the Viet Nam war…..I am 64, played Babe Ruth with Micky Lolich and high school ball with Rick Wise…..ps……I was dreading your last few starts, but somehow you came through with some great pitching when it counted……find some off speed stuff Curt…as in “wicked”…..work with Timlin….he has it……Terry
While I may not support your choice (I am still undecided) I will defend your right to your opinion. I wish that voting were as simple as war no and peace yes. However it doesn’t work that way. Being a resident of MA, at the moment I am concerned about the state mandated health insurance. Since when does health insurance equal health care? Think about it people. All that law does is either cheat you out of your tax refund or force you to pay a bill for a service which you may never use (and here’s hoping!). I have watched bits and pieces of the political things on TV and I am really trying to get past McCain’s WaRshington thing. Okay, it’s a midwest thing and I get it but it does grate. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with voicing your opinion and using the station you have achieved through hard work, to get your message out. But if you actually talk with this guy, please do ask him why the government seems to want to make every decision when some should be personal. And what’s the bottom line in the mid-East. Are we really trying to “give” them democracy or is there a large money issue (oil) involved? Is there such a thing as a politician who can tell the truth even if people don’t like hearing it? And is there one who can respect other people’s beliefs without infriging upon them and realize that his way might not be the best way for everyone? And maybe, just maybe, realize that enacting all the laws in the world will never keep everyone safe. It’s simply impossible. My personal safety is my personal responsibility. And maybe I should be allowed choices. After all, if there weren’t choices, everyone might have to be a Yankees fan. And wouldn’t that stink!
I like McCain, but he lost my support.
Yes, McCain!! Do you think he has a legitimate chance at the nomination?
Hi Curt when you retire have you thought about running for Senator against Senator John Kerry. I was also wondering have you thought about running for President Of the United States. That would be cool President Curt Schilling. I hope you answer this question Curt.
Jeff
lukeb3: well, at least we know that you aren’t willing to attack someone personally just because they disagree with you.
Oh wait. Never mind.
Sweet entry, Curt. My only advice would be: Stop writing altogether. You’re brutal. I would literally think you were in 4th-grade if I didn’t know you 200 pounds too heavy to be that young. Clean up the entries, or leave the writing to the professionals like Bill Conlin. Yes, he writes in complete sentences.
Back to school for Curt. We can only hope.
Mr. Schilling,
I’ve done two tours in Iraq so far, and leaving would be the worst mistake we’d ever make.
The problem with our nation (I believe anyway) is that everyone is liberal or conservative or a capitalist or a communist. No one is just…well, normal.
No one wants to think rationally. You see it in the replies to your post. It’s insane. What do these people think would happen if we left too early? Not only would our nation be in great danger, but hundreds of thousand…maybe millions…of good Iraqi people would lose their life. The rest would be subject to slavery and everything that I, and my comrades both dead or alive worked for would be lost.
I’d like everyone to think about this for a second. Let’s say we’re the third world nation that has never known freedom…and someone comes in to free us, then leaves before we are actually free. What would you think? What would you trust in?
I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for. It’s a mix between Romney and McCain right now.
I’m a Rhode Islander (though I’m currently stationed in California), so I guess either way…it doesn’t matter.
To dishonor somebody is to somehow remove honor from them. There are men and women who volunteered to be ready to give their lives when the elected commander-in-chief needed them to do so. They volunteered to be ready to serve their country. Regardless of who is the commander-in-chief now or who becomes the next president. He or she will never posess the honor that these men and women have earned by making the ultimate sacrifice, nor will he or she be somehow able to remove this honor/dishonor them. Soldiers don’t get a chance to decide when they were born and who they fight, any soldier who died for the USA because he or she pledged to be ready to do so, deserves the same amount of honor and respect.
While some people do join the military with the hope of getting to Afghanistan or Iraq, the fact is that we ask them to swear to protect us against ALL enemies, foreign or domestic. We also ask them to let our civilian leadership in the executive and legislative (yes, they ARE supposed to have a hand in declaring war) determine who that enemy is. Regardless of whether you like Bush or Hillary or Barack or McCain, it doesn’t matter what any of them do, they cannot remove the honor from our falles heroes.
After all, would McCain deserve more honor for his heroics in Vietnam if we’d never left or our reasons/morals for being there were perfect? Victory or defeat, he deserves the same amount of honor for the great things he did.
Similarly, if Barack or somebody else wins and pulls out the troops, those dead American will not lose their honor.
Go with Ron Paul and Huckabee.
Family is everything in life and McCain is no friend of divorced fathers:
….Shared parenting activist Tony Taylor asked McCain if he “would be bold enough to address the issue of equal access to children for fathers that have gone through divorce.” McCain testily replied:
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, I am not going to overturn divorce court decisions. That’s why we have courts and that’s why people go to court and get a divorce. If I as President of the United States said this decision has to be overturned without the proper appeals process then I would be disturbing our entire system of government… But for me to stand here before all these people and say that I’m going declare divorces invalid because someone feels that they weren’t treated fairly in court, we are getting into a, uh, uh, tar baby of enormous proportions.”
In other words, McCain is saying, “the family court issue is a mess. Given the power of the women’s groups and the lack of power of fathers’ groups, there’s nothing for me to gain and much for me to lose in tackling the issue.”
You were actually in Manchester, NH not Nashua.
Curt,
Well, I guess your not knowing that you were in fact in Manchester, NH with Senator McCain on Tuesday night and not Nashua as you stated, explains why you arrived 15 minutes late. Great Job Curt. Did not impress me that you were that late in arriving.
I myself was there, and saw you come in the door at the Derryfield school 15 minutes late.
I fully Support Senator John McCain as our next President for the Untied States in 2008.
Would of bee nice however, had you arrived on time.
That’s actually incorrect. I was taping a commercial and radio spot for the campaign prior to arriving on stage with the Senator.
I am surprised that such an astute man as yourself is perpetuating the notion that 9/11 and the war in Iraq are linked….THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. This was your guy Bushes vendetta.
Curt, Love you man, love your commitment to the game (the way it ought to be played), life, excellence, willingness to hang it out there….. even politically. Especially in the commie digs of Beantown! BUT, John McCain is a panderer. He loves the left wing press! Three issues come to mind immediately which should preclude him from consideration to become President of these United States. 1. The Keating 5! 2. Campaign finance reform (a specious attempt to silence the masses). 3. Sadly the third is the very subject that most people, including myself, respect him for……..but 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton should prohibit him from consideration. No man who has gone through an experience like that should ever be in such a position of power! Torture cannot help to change his thinking on issues that he would need a clear head about as President of the US, and dissalow him to make tough decisions when necessary as all presidents must do. His stand on waterboarding underlines my point. Water boarding is not torture! Our own troops are put through this exercise during their training! We are dealing with people who kidnap innocent civilians, threaten to cut off their heads for days, months and sometimes years, and in the end in many cases, actually saw off their heads while being recorded. And he thinks we should not waterboard????? They send out their own children with bombs strapped to their bodies to commit suicide! General “Blackjack” Pershing had it right when dealing with Muslim extremists. Curt, I love you man, but on this one you need to really give this some more thought. Keep up the great work for my beloved sox and thanks for not jumping ship for a few extra million. Respectfully, Graniteman GO SOX!
@bryanpalu:
Thank you so much for your service.
–J.D.
“Similarly, if Barack or somebody else wins and pulls out the troops, those dead American will not lose their honor.”
And if you’re a GI being pulled out of Iraq precipitously, watching the country descend into a giant replay of Saigon six months later, you have to wonder what all of your buddy’s got blown up by IED’s for. You know?
If we commit our armed forces to war, we owe it to them to have the political will to let them come home as victors.
The ‘honor’ question comes into play not for the dead, but for the living, imo. Many career Rangers still seethe over being pulled out of Somalia more than a decade later; the feeling is that the Ranger corps was forced to surrender by politicians when the Rangers sought retribution and decisive victory. Thus, many feel that their honor as a corps was tarnished by the way the world saw them “tucking tail and fleeing”, even though it was never their decision to make.
“The problem with our nation (I believe anyway) is that everyone is liberal or conservative or a capitalist or a communist. No one is just…well, normal.
No one wants to think rationally. You see it in the replies to your post. It’s insane.”
This guy knows what is up.
Curt, I just have to give you some props here. A lot of really ignorant and nasty people are posting comments to you, and you let them through.
Many people would not have the nads to do that.
Kudos.
To those who question why anyone would vote Republican: I am glad you don’t know. You cannot defeat an adversary you don’t understand, so please, keep lacking in understanding about why people vote Republican.
Curt, curious, do you have time to read all these comments as well as blog? I agree with your point that it’s important to go out and vote. If you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the government’s policies.
Curt, Love you man, love your commitment to the game (the way it ought to be played), life, excellence, willingness to hang it out there….. even politically. Especially in the “progressive” digs of Beantown! BUT, John McCain is a panderer. He loves the left wing press! Three issues come to mind immediately which should preclude him from consideration to become President of these United States. 1. The Keating 5! 2. Campaign finance reform (a specious attempt to silence the masses). 3. Sadly the third is the very subject that most people, including myself, respect him for……..but 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton should prohibit him from consideration. No man who has gone through an experience like that should ever be in such a position of power! Torture cannot help to change his thinking on issues that he would need a clear head about as President of the US, and dissalow him to make tough decisions when necessary as all presidents must do. His stand on waterboarding underlines my point. Water boarding is not torture! Our own troops are put through this exercise during their training! We are dealing with people who kidnap innocent civilians, threaten to cut off their heads for days, months and sometimes years, and in the end in many cases, actually saw off their heads while being recorded. And he thinks we should not waterboard????? They send out their own children with bombs strapped to their bodies to commit suicide! General “Blackjack” Pershing had it right when dealing with Muslim extremists. Curt, I love you man, but on this one you need to really give this some more thought. Keep up the great work for my beloved sox and thanks for not jumping ship for a few extra million. Respectfully, Graniteman GO SOX!
Curt, This is a test. Wrote a long response and it is “awaiting moderation” HELLO! I simply repeated information that has been on the evening news for years and it is “awaiting moderation”. Respectfully, Graniteman