Much has been said recently about McCain's admitted lack of tech savvy, not sending emails, etcetera, but in each instance McCain's staff plays the POW injury card.  This is not new.  Even back in 2000 when McCain first ran for president, his team was using POW card. In March of that year the Boston Globe reported, ' but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.'

In April of this year, the LA Times blog wrote, 'He was released in 1973, arrived home on crutches to begin a long painful rehabilitation and eventually returned to duty as a squadron commander before retiring in 1981.'  They went on to say, 'And he cannot raise either arm above his shoulder.'  This is reportedly the reason for his 100% tax free disability.

Fast forward to the 2008 Republican National Convention, in St. Paul, Minnesota.  In his speech to teary eyed faithfuls,  Fred Thompson said, 'John McCain cannot raise his arms above his shoulders. He can’t salute the flag of the country for which he sacrificed so much … We salute him.'

A few days later and 4200 miles away in Stockholm, Sweden, a former reporter named Erik Eriksson, discovered archived video footage, of the release of John McCain in 1973.  The video shows John McCain with a noticeable limp, but it also appears to be no problem for him to raise his arms.  You can view that video here.

After viewing the video, ask yourself this.  If John McCain cannot salute the U S flag, because of his POW injuries, how was it he could salute so freely when he was released in March 1973, as screen shot images show here?  And what about his meeting with Nixon six months later?  Were the crutches McCain used nothing but a photo prop?   Finally take a look at this photo taken at the GOP Convention by the Washington Post. 

Do you still believe McCain can't raise his arms over his shoulders?

Even if his own anemic economic abilities suck, John McCain today boldly stated he would 'fire' Christopher Cox, the head of the SEC.   McCain pretty much blamed Cox for following the regulations the McCain help foster in to the SEC, under the guise of reform.

 Yes, the same Christopher Cox who was a former Republican congressman, who was appointed three years ago by Republican president George W Bush and who was confirmed by a Republican controlled senate, by unanimous consent.  Unanimous consent, of course, would include Republican John McCain. 

If the was not enough Republican muck flowing out of Alaska, here is more.

Republican State Senator Lesil McGuire cause a stir earlier this month on a flight from Juneau to Anchorage.  According to reports, before the flight left, McGuire continued to use her Blackberry (that telecommunications invention by John McCain) even though she was told to turn it off.  Eventually the pilot had to stop the planes taxi because of the fracas that McGuire created.

After the plane landed the police were summoned.  Although no charges were filed, a police report was completed. The report does say, that after she was refused alcohol, McGuire tossed a glass of water in the isle.  Some of the witnesses say she was rude, contemptuous, and bad mouthed the pilot and crew.

You can read all about it here.

Government announces $85 billion loan to save AIG
WASHINGTON - In a bid to save financial markets and economy from further turmoil, the U.S. government agreed Tuesday to provide an $85 billion emergency loan to rescue the huge insurer AIG. The Federal Reserve said in a statement it determined that a disorderly failure of AIG could hurt the already delicate financial markets and the economy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_bi_ge/aig

This is what McCain meant when he said the fundamentals of the economy are strong.

That quote is from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and was printed in the Anchorage Daily News on June 9, 2008. 

Many people incorrectly believe the "Bridge to Nowhere" refers only to one bridge, the access to Gravina Island.  The reality is there were two spans that Don Young earmarked for federal pork.  The other was the Knik Arm. Because the Knik Arm would not attach directly to an island of 50 people like the Gravina span would, it received and continues to receive my less attention.  But let's be clear.  The Bridge to Nowhere is really about two bridges. 

Palin continues to spread the lie claiming, I told Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere. Did she really?  Impossible.

The actual earmark, that designated federal funds for the two bridges above, was removed by a law and signed by Bush on Nov. 30, 2005. That, as it turns out, to be days after Sarah Palin first announced her candidacy for Governor of Alaska. So could she say no to congress as she claimed? No way.  She was only a canidate when congress stripped the earmark part. 

But congress did not remove the funding.  So Alaska was free to use the federal pork anyhow.  Congress did make one effort to block the funding on the 'Bridge[s] to Nowhere' in 2006 but ultimately allowed the usage, due to the $41 million already spent on the projects.

In June 2008, yes, this year, Sarah Palin and other Alaskan politicans were asked about the Knik Arm project.  You can see all their responses here; but one question in particular was asked to Palin.  Do you in general support the idea of building a Knik Arm bridge?

Her answer:

You know in general I always have, growing up out there in the Valley. I've always had that, shared that vision with others, that we would have that physical linkage with the municipality of Anchorage and I am such a proponent of muscled up infrastructure in Alaska in general and you know, beefing up our infrastructure.

She goes on to explain how good and needed this project is for Alaska and then admits how she expected it would be paid. You know, Palin said, it was assumed that the feds would be paying for the project. 

Next Palin goes on to pose a query herself.  Well things have changed there on the federal front, haven't they?If I may answer on behalf of the Anchorage Daily News and the rest of America, yes Sarah.  Things have really changed on the federal front but apparently that doesn't hold true for Alaska and you.  At least of June 2008, that is. 

Yes, Sarah, you assumed the feds would be paying the tab, and now have audacity to claim you are a maverick?  Try pork queen instead.