What's McCain's Iran-Contra Connection?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
What's McCain's Iran-Contra Connection?
4
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 11:50am

McCain linked to private group in Iran-Contra case


WASHINGTON (AP) — GOP presidential nominee John McCain has past connections to a private group that supplied aid to guerrillas seeking to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua in the Iran-Contra affair.


McCain's ties are facing renewed scrutiny after his campaign criticized Barack Obama for his link to a former radical who engaged in violent acts 40 years ago.


The U.S. Council for World Freedom was part of an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. The group was dedicated to stamping out communism around the globe.


The council's founder, retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub, said McCain became associated with the organization in the early 1980s as McCain was launching his political career in Arizona. Singlaub said McCain was a supporter but not an active member in the group.


"McCain was a new guy on the block learning the ropes," Singlaub told The Associated Press in an interview. "I don't recall talking to McCain at all on the work of the group."


The Associated Press


More detail/background at the following link........


http://www.kpho.com/presidential-race/17652501/detail.html


>"Fourteen administration officials were charged with crimes in the Iran-Contra affair. Of those, 11 were convicted, including Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. Former President George H. W. Bush pardoned them all in the waning days of his presidency. In 1987, the Internal Revenue Service withdrew tax-exempt status from the group because of its activities on behalf of the Contras.



In two interviews with The Associated Press in August and September, Singlaub said McCain became associated with the organization in the early 1980s as McCain launched his political career. McCain was elected to the U.S. House in 1982.



Singlaub said McCain was a supporter but not an active member. McCain has said he resigned from the council in 1984 and asked in 1986 to have his name removed from the group's letterhead. Singlaub does not recall any McCain resignation in 1984 or in May 1986.



McCain was a House member and a board member of Singlaub's council when the new congressman voted for military assistance to the Contras. In 1984, Congress cut off military assistance to the rebels after investigations into allegations about the group acting as death squads.



In 1983 and 1984, columnist Jack Anderson linked the league's Latin American affiliate to death squad political assassinations. The Latin American affiliate was kicked out of the league.



At the time, Singlaub told the columnist the Latin American affiliate had "knowingly promoted pro-Nazi groups" and was "virulently anti-Semitic." "<

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Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2008
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 11:59am
Sopal posted something similar.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 12:32pm

Support to the Contras does not have translate into participation in "Iran-Contra."

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 2:00pm

"The problem with McCain's association with this group is not so much its support for the contras, but its broader philosophy, which contains a striking thread of anti-semitism, along with its anti-communism."


It's hypocritical of McCain, a member of

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2008
Thu, 10-09-2008 - 3:34am

((It wasn't that he knew someone, talked to someone, ate dinner with someone, had a meet-the-candidate coffee - he did it himself. ))

Exactly. McCain's actions speak louder than lies from him and Palin. McCain has shown awful judgment over his 70+ years. He doesn't seem to be able to learn from mistakes. POTUS have to be flexible, not rigid and quick on their feet. That angry attitude of McCain's is the most dangerous for America. Building alliances is key. Obama has a better temperament and personality than McCain.