Why such a scandal over conservative republican John McCain's use of the term "wasted" ?

Question

When republican presidential hopeful John McCain said on David Lettermen regarding the state of war in Iraq, "We've wasted a lot of our most precious treasure, which is American lives," he was bombarded with criticism for having used the word "wasted." He later said the term "sacrificed" would have been what he preferred, but of course that's after the fact. Politically correct or not, "wasted" is more the unpolished raw truth of the matter when you consider what a military plan of action in Iraq is actually doing. Truth over the matter is frequently what Americans can no longer expect from politicians in Washington. Whether republican or democrat, we can't seem to find politicians who will speak honest words that don't hide reality in a patriotic blur. Instead, it seems too many Americans want to believe the "sacrifice" of 3100+ American lives and thousands of Iraqi civilians is acceptable but call it a "waste" of American lives and they're ready to label you the enemy. (more below)

This a game of semantics, and one that McCain seems ready and willing to play as the next president. Aren't Americans sick of dishonesty for the sake of ultra-patriotism? We can't "waste" lives but we can "sacrifice" them?

News article is here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/03/01/politics/p102328S24.DTL&type=politics

Answer 1

wasted was the right word...so why did he so eagerly vote for that waste?
Remember how John McCain acted so tough with Dick Cheney a little while back. Well, it turns out, like the plastic sycophant he is, he ran up to Little Dickie to apologize for saying mean things when he saw him. Pretending to dislike Cheney for public consumption, that is so unlike McCain the straight-talker!

* In a new poll, McCain is falling among those on the Christian Right, the very group he has recently traded in everything in which he believed to try and desperately connect with. It appears, much like the CPAC folks, they know a flip-flopper when they see one. I still would say he's the odds on favorite to get the nomination though, as Rudy the crossdresser cannot hold their support.

* "Obviously, I have to talk to you about the war in Iraq," he says somberly as the crowd quiets. "All of us — all of us — are frustrated. All of us are angry because of the mishandling of the war. All of us are saddened by the loss of our most precious asset, and that's American blood."

That was McCain at a campaign stop. I guess we are all saddened, just some of us, like the good senator, not enough to stay consistent on our foreign policy beliefs and not agitate for more American kids to be sent into harm's way in a failed, trumped up war.

Answer 2

Let me preface my comments by stating that I'm a registerd Democrat, and I've voted in every election in which I was eligible to vote.

That being said, McCain was very much on my radar as a potentila candidate in the run up to the 04 election. I appreciate a man who speaks his mind and speaks from his conscience.

Although I'm a little disappointed that he stepped back from his assessment, I think I understand why.

First, we have the neocons, who are outraged that this is a criticism of their agenda. This is not a valid objection, butprobably the most noisy.
Second, we have the families of those who have lost their lives. No doubt, some of those folks would agree with his original assessment. Others, who support the war would find it hurtful that their loved ones lives were wasted. So I choose to believe at this point htat this second group is the ones McCain is appeasing.. It amy , instead be his political handlers who have asked for this semantic change to appease the neocons, and that would sit less well with me.

In any event, I'll still consider him as a potential choice for president, and follow along with his, and the other candidates campaigns so I can make an intelligent and informed choice.

Answer 3

If the job isn't finished they will be wasted. Their sacrifice will be in-vain just as the 5 column (US Press & the Left) of the terrorist wish.

In fact both the US & the Middle East maybe worst off than before Bush attempted to force the UN to be relevent. Since they chose to be irrelevant, the coalition have to go in or the US would also become irrelevant.

Answer 4

A Damn TOTAL waste of life, and they aren't even supported by the Republicans or Bush! Anyone want to go to Walter Reed, or how about the VA who is getting it's 2nd Major budget cut, but the tax cut for the rich is still in the budget!

Wasted is a military slang for being "lit up" or DEAD!

John McCain should have known better than to follow the liar in the white house! He was a POW!

Actually, 3,423 came home in body bags and 32, 544 have been wounded!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tQeBNjjFbQ&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCeUhLkGto&mode=related&search=

Answer 5

Ultra patriotism has gotten us in alot of trouble. After 9/11, everyone was afraid to speak out. Even the press. Now it seems that what we really thought all along is seeping out, finally.
Because the republicans jumped all over the comments made by Kerry, and others, jumping on McCains comment was just tit for tat.
And after the disgrace of the Walter Reed Hospital news I find it appalling that "wasted" is an offensive word. Abusive is worse.
I am sick and tired of being accused of un-patriotism and not backing our troops because I want this war to end. And I am tired of this administration using that excuse against me as well.

Answer 6

The term "wasted" is a term that is very hard for the families of those lost in Iraq to except. During the Vietnam war we, the grunts, used to use that term frequently to describe being killed in action. I know that we didn't tell the families in that manner but between us we did use that term. We also used terms such as "blown away", and "zapped".

Answer 7

you have to put the term wasted into context, those people up in congress(i refer to them as those people, because they are high on themselves and really don't understand the people of this country) think that we all should be kept in the dark and that they need to sugar coat every little thing that comes out of there mouths. take what stupid John Kerry said, he had a point, you don't see many highly educated people in the military, but I'm not saying that all members of the armed services are stupid. it just disproportionate to society itself, most educate people go on to higher paying jobs, no the lower paying military jobs. So when John Mc Cain says we have wasted American lives he has a point, but to attack him is ridiculous. He is saying how it is, and not sugar coating it, and I'd like him to say it more like this so that the common person could understand it better. But other people will attack him because they think that they have all the answers and that they are better than him. this is how America runs and this is how it will always be.

Answer 8

All the criticism is coming from the right-wingers who throw a hissy fit every time the truth about Bush's lies and incompetence get mentioned.

Answer 9

Because it is payback for when Senator Obama said nearly the same thing and was harassed for weeks by the right-wingers.

The right needs to learn to stop being hypocrites. If they can't take the criticism, they should stop dishing it out.

Answer 10

The uproar is based on the reason the men and women are there in the first place. You see, for the most part they strongly believe in the cause of the war they are involved in.

People have allowed themselves to be led into a warped view of our presence in Iraq by those who oppose President Bush.

The sacrifices of the men and women who have poured out that last great measure of devotion for their comrades and countrymen should not be characterized as "wasted" for any reason.