You think the journalist from LATimes is making up a non-existent friend that is searching through boxes?
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John McCain has Brain Cancer
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Ninja Scooter
Member
Not having sympathy for him doesn't mean you wished cancer on him. Nobody here wished or willed cancer on him. It's not possible. People immediately jump straight to that strawman to reinforce their argument and it's weak. Nobody has to feel sorry for John McCain. Considering his actions, it's perfectly fine to not feel sorry for John McCain. I do not feel sorry for John McCain.
The difference is that McCain has the power, and is exercising it, to determine if many sick/poor people are going to get sicker and/or possibly die. Nobody here who is indifferent to McCain's sickness has the power to make him better and is simply refusing to use it.
People's issue with McCain isn't that he simply lacks empathy. He is complicit in attempting to send people to their deaths, and for the sole reason of sticking it to the black guy who used to be President.
Ninja Scooter
Member
double post
Maybe so. He didn't seem all there.
"Wishing cancer" and "not giving a shit about evil pieces of shit" is not the same thing, so why the fuck do people keep trying to say those are the same? Are people that desperate to try to appear morally superior?
Explain to us all why people should respect those who have the means and the power to influence lives for the better but willingly choose not to.
Vincent Alexander
Member
Yeah. I am in a weird spot, because my brain is telling me I should feel terrible about this...but emotionally, I just don't care or feel sorry. And realizing that makes me feel guilty like I am a piece of shit myself. I dunno.
Yes. A million times this.
I think I agree, I say this as somebody that can't help but feel at least some sympathy for the man and his family.
We're just posters on a forum, we do not effect McCain in anyway. He however is actively trying to take healthcare away from millions, including myself. We're not gods. Whatever we think will cause no effect. The same cannot be said of John McCain.I don't think there is anything wrong with not feeling sympathy for the man. I think it's wrong to celebrate it, but I don't think I have seen anybody do that and I read through most of the thread.
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
To be fair, we have the president of the United States making up non-existent friends that tell him Paris is not what it used to be.
reaganator
Banned
Yeah. I don't care how respectable an organization any human being is employed in. As a human being, they are liable to make the most incredulous of mistakes and lies.
Giving them immunity of lying because they are in such a reputable employment and that it would be irrational for them to not lie is something I don't follow.
I mean, it should be an issue for McCain that people even believe he would write something like this. After all, this is the man who has voted multiple times to cut funding for the Veterans' Administration, which oversees medical care for vulnerable veterans.
He's a downright terrible man with a downright terrible voting record. No, its not cool he has cancer. But I legitimately don't have any sympathy for the man, especially when a former POW permanently injured from torture can't even give America's own war veterans some help when they need it most from a man who should, in theory, understand their suffering. Its the highest form of "got mine, fuck you" imaginable and that's been mostly his agenda as a Republican.
Your thoughts and prayers are worthless. McCain's votes affected actual lives.
When you suggest being the person you want him to be, you should mean become a liberal senator who acts on behalf of his constituents, because McCain was garbage at his job. And he still receives the tax payer funded medical care he tried to strip away from Americans in spite of being a cowardly piece of shit.
Kadin
Member
Just curious, what was your initial reaction like when you first found out he has brain cancer?
The hard-right/alt-right wing of the party hates him and has for some time. He's not a Trump supporter, he's been willing to work with Democrats, etc. He and Lindsay Graham are the top RINOs the far right are angry with. They hope he bails and is replaced with someone further right from AZ.
There is way too much demonizing going on in here--c'mon, GAF, I thought you were better than this.
Yeah, we disagreed with the guy on a lot of issues, but it's more than a little concerning to witness how easy it is for some of you to casually disregard (and, for some, relish in the demise of) the life of someone you disagree with.
I honestly can't tell if this is how some of you genuinely feel, or whether it might be some subconscious banner-waving for your ideology. Either way, cut it out
Do you not realize that the actions of his political party are not just a matter of opinion, but actively killing people?
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I was in the middle of writing this whole thing about how Republicans don't give a fuck about us (Arabs) and have historically played a very active role in killing our people and destroying our countries, but fuck it. Everybody already knows that.
Forgive me for not shedding tears over the illness of someone who pushed for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which murdered millions of innocents and used American soldiers like tools in fucking meaningless conflict. It has personally affected people that are very close to me.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Indifference. I didn't feel happy or jump for joy if that's what you are getting at. And the more I think about it, the less I can get myself to feel any sort of sympathy. I feel for his family, as they will have to deal with the loss of a loved one. But I feel nothing for him.
PatThePassive
Member
I like to think feeling some empathy for him puts me on the moral high ground that and the need for me to respect peoples service was beaten into me makes me want to argue we should still have empathy for him but I see your point.
I have to ask, would you apply the same standard to warhawks in the Democratic party like Clinton and Kerry?
wolfhowwl
Banned
Bush tax cuts
Cap and trade plan
McCain Feingold
Immigration reform
Admittedly this was the 2000s and GAF's political memory doesn't seem to go back beyond Obama's second term.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I'm in the exact opposite place.
I feel bad for him as I'd feel bad for anyone. Because fuck cancer.
But them my brain reminds me that he's about to try to cast a vote to most assuredly send some cross-section of Americans to an early grave. People that would have lived long(er) lives if they had access to the same health care he gladly and gratefully treats himself to. Health Care that the congress made sure to have for themselves. My brain reminds me of this and I then find myself compelled say, "...if he dies, he dies."
There is way too much demonizing going on in here--c'mon, GAF, I thought you were better than this.
Yeah, we disagreed with the guy on a lot of issues, but it's more than a little concerning to witness how easy it is for some of you to casually disregard (and, for some, relish in the demise of) the life of someone you disagree with.
I honestly can't tell if this is how some of you genuinely feel, or whether it might be some subconscious banner-waving for your ideology. Either way, cut it out
Disagree with. You make it sound like it's just a simple disagreement like, which city has the best baseball team or something. It's real life policy that effects millions of lives. It has nothing to do with banner waving or Democrats good Republicans bad. If the Republicans were not right at this moment engaged at taking away the healthcare of some of the very people in this thread, you might actually have a point. If McCain just disagreed that they should have healthcare and that was as far as it ever went, I doubt many would have much negative thoughts about the man.
reaganator
Banned
That's understandable. However, what doesn't make sense is having so much hate to actually gloat in their serious medical condition; anti-healthcare republican or not.
Edit: not you btw. I'm sorry man but just even picturing someone else wishing another ill will is disgusting. Especially from a leftist platform and perspective. Hatred is the antithesis of the left's agenda. Irony.
Kadin
Member
The bolded part is interesting as that's not at all what I was getting at, but you seem to wonder if I did. Is that how your original quote came off to you after you posted it? I find it hard though that you were indifferent after reading that, sounds like you had a definite reaction of some type.
Ninja Scooter
Member
There is way too much demonizing going on in here--c'mon, GAF, I thought you were better than this.
Yeah, we disagreed with the guy on a lot of issues, but it's more than a little concerning to witness how easy it is for some of you to casually disregard (and, for some, relish in the demise of) the life of someone you disagree with.
I honestly can't tell if this is how some of you genuinely feel, or whether it might be some subconscious banner-waving for your ideology. Either way, cut it out
People and their family members rely on the ACA to live. McCain is voting to take that away all over a political dick measuring contest. He and the rest of the GOP are horrible human beings. Yes, people genuinely feel angry and passionate about this "disagreement" of "issues".
"I've heard this particular story and I'm working on verifying it" seems like a really weird thing to lie about.
Do you jump on every journalist that says they are investigating something and start accusing them of lying about investigating something?
Ninja Scooter
Member
I assumed you were trying to find out if I was happy when I read/heard the news. I was not. Not sure what the rest of your post is getting at. I feel indifferent at McCain's sickness. I absolutely feel anger at McCain the person. His sickness doesn't change that for me.
It's almost as if voting to condemn people to avoidable deaths makes you unsympathetic or something.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
Hope he recovers fully but definitely in the "not sad for McCain" camp.
I know people give him a pass because occasionally he says intellectually honest, rational things, stands up to bullshit and is sympathetic. But that makes it even more upsetting when he does the opposite on issues that affect so many people in such profound ways. I'm not expecting him to be a perfect person but this isn't that; just expecting more consistent decency from a man who has experienced so much and is at that age.
Yeah, they sure are. Why wouldn't they be? That's normal. Or are you sympathetic for absolutely everyone just because they become ill?
I know people give him a pass because occasionally he says intellectually honest, rational things, stands up to bullshit and is sympathetic. But that makes it even more upsetting when he does the opposite on issues that affect so many people in such profound ways. I'm not expecting him to be a perfect person but this isn't that; just expecting more consistent decency from a man who has experienced so much and is at that age.
Yeah, they sure are. Why wouldn't they be? That's normal. Or are you sympathetic for absolutely everyone just because they become ill?
reaganator
Banned
I understand what you're trying to say but like I said, human beings are capable of doing really weird things. I'm sure you can agree with me there.
It's alot easier when you or your love ones are impacted when you lack the money to get treated.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Yes. People are selective with all of their emotions. That's kind of how it works.
Ryzaki009
Member
Well yeah not many people will waste sympathy on a mass murderer/child abuser for instance.
Gordon Shumway
Banned
Not surprising in the slightest..
WrenchNinja
Member
What benefit would there be for an LA Times editor and writer to shoot their credibility out the window in a period where the American Government is actively trying to discredit the media?
Epsilon-delta
Banned
I feel indifferent, but I do understand why a lot of people are feeling no sympathy for the man.
Screwing around with someone's healthcare will most likely trigger such a response.
Screwing around with someone's healthcare will most likely trigger such a response.
It's also weird to assume every single reporter that says they are investigating something are actually lying.
Yep, this.
reaganator
Banned
What's wrong with wanting a credible source? I can't particularly say that her friend searching for said letter in a box "somewhere" is exactly weird? You're exaggerating my logic.
eBay Huckster
Member
what part of "friend said this, trying to verify" is somehow not credible
Wait you want a independent source to verify if that journalist is verifying a story? You sound insane.
Joe T.
Member
I've seen this sentiment posted numerous times. Do you lack empathy and compassion for every politician ever? What about their voters? I mean, you live in a democracy and the state of the country doesn't fall on one man or woman, it falls on everyone, past and present. There have been plenty of bills passed and decisions made by politicians on both sides of the aisle that many people in this thread would likely find reprehensible, so where does that leave us? Screw everyone else, "you do you"?
I wouldn't wish cancer on my worst enemy, so I hope the best for John McCain.
reaganator
Banned
So you'll just believe everything she tweets? Because she's employed by the LA Times? I'm the insane one?
She's a professional so she ought to act like one. Every professional has to back up their claim and especially so when it's targeted at any individual.
I believe that she is verifying if the story is true or not.
Yes, you are the insane one. Do you know how nuts you sound? You want sources to verify that a journalist is doing a investigation? Where does it end? Do you need someone to verify if someone else is verifying if she is actually verifying the story?
How do you suggest she "backs up" her statement that she is investigating it? Does she need to be followed by a independent investigator that investigates on wether she is investigating or not?
Again, do you realize how insane you sound?
Sweeney Tom
Banned
I mentioned earlier (briefly) about Scalia's passing, but I'll go in depth about it here because it really does tie into your "and we're supposed to feel sorry for him?" point.
I vividly remember being asked by a friend a couple years ago how I felt about the man who, in a SCOTUS dissent, once compared gays to "reprehensible" individuals like murderers, polygamists, and animal abusers. (Was that merely a "disagreement of issues" on his part? I'm sure some here would be optimistic and say so.) I responded by saying I wouldn't throw a party when he finally croaked.
I'd throw two.
When he died on my birthday, I kept that promise, and I'll keep it every birthday I have.
I never wished him, John, or anybody cancer. That man passed in his sleep, of natural causes, at 79. I didn't and don't feel sorry for him, or his family, because it was honestly a more peaceful exit than his cold cruel heart deserved. I'm glad for his family, not him, that he got it. I sleep comfortably daily knowing that he was almost certainly miserable having to live with people like me, who he legitimately was on the record as considering less than human and worthy of death, being able to legally marry for a full year because of his court before he went. I'm glad he suffered.
Sympathy, like respect, should be earned. I think I'll save mine for someone who isn't cheating on a recently-handicapped wife and planning on stripping health care from people, or comparing gays to child molesters and deciding they should only see their dying loved one in a hospital if said loved one was of the opposite sex.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Not having sympathy for him is not wishing cancer on him. Wishing cancer on him, just like "hoping for the best" for him, are worthless platitudes. Neither really amounts to or means anything.
And yes, we could parse out the specific voting records of politicians, but the current attempts at ACA repeal are particularly disgraceful and disgusting, especially when you consider the political motivations behind them. The current members of the GOP are attempting to take away people's insurance, and in many cases, many people's abilities to carry on healthy lives, and in many cases, LIVE, all in the name of their party. All because they hate the last President so fucking much. They are perfectly fine with doing so, with no adequate replacement in sight. They are despicable wastes of human beings. You'd be hard pressed to find a more plainly evil political maneuver in recent history.
Aaronology
Member
Obliterator
Member
Pure fucking class. The world is a better place that this man got a chance to lead the US, if only we could have elected him 4 more times.
Amazing man.
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