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Anti-Defamation League Weighs In on McCain/World Anti-Communist League Controversy

October 09, 2008 9:32 PM

Because of the Ayers story, lots of folks for all sorts of reasons are looking for other "guilt by association" stories about Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

The ADL has weighed in one -- the McCain/World Anti-Communist League controversy.

It doesn't seem to me as though the ADL thinks there's a whole lot of "there" there.

Says the ADL:

"In discussions in the media regarding Sen. John McCain and his supposed 1980’s connection to World Anti-Communist League (WACL), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is cited as having labeled the group as a forum for extremists, racists, and anti-Semites.

" * In its 1981 report, Terrorism’s Targets: Democracy, Israel and Jews, ADL described the WACL as 'a gathering place, a forum, and a point of contact for extremists, racists, and anti-Semites.'  (Page 23 of the report -- page 25 of the pdf.)

" * In the 1980’s, then-Congressman John McCain served as a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Council for World Freedom (USCWF), an affiliate of the World Anti-Communist League (WACL). 

" * At the time, the Chair of the USCWF organization was John K. Singlaub, a retired Major General, who also served as the Chair of the WACL. 

" *  In a 1985 'Letter to the Editor' of The Village Voice, ADL stated that General Singlaub had made a concerted effort to rid WACL of anti-Semitism and that, 'While ADL doesn’t possess enough information to be able to give WACL a totally clean bill of health, we [were] satisfied that substantial progress has been made since 1981 in ridding the organization of racists and anti-Semites whose presence led us to publicly express our concern at that time.'

" * ADL has no information that at that time John McCain was aware of or had any connections with the WACL."

- jpt

October 9, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (73)

User Comments

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Oh well we will use it anyway. McCain is not telling us all he knows, he is keeping it secret, is he one of us? I think we need to clear the air. The people have questions. He was born in a foreign country, what do we really know about his allegiance? I suspect something.

Posted by: Thinking | Oct 10, 2008 2:14:40 AM

America needs to be asking...

What do we really know about McCain?

and

What do we really know about Palin?


Vote Obama-Biden '08

Posted by: Leah | Oct 10, 2008 2:01:21 AM

McCain's smear campaign is really showing everyone that he really has no plan for this country. Why don't they present a coherent economic plan so people will listen. My 401 and 457 plans lost 50 percent of their value. So why would I listen to this nonsense campaign he is running.

Posted by: redgirl | Oct 10, 2008 1:29:14 AM

Maybe this cr issis is only a massive psychological test on how normal persons react to group financial problems? Easier ma mipolated..

Posted by: Man | Oct 10, 2008 1:09:10 AM

Dave in IV : Did you really write that part of the problem is people that are "overeducated"? That's what's wrong with the populist movement. I don't want a president that I can "picture myself having a beer with" - I want my president to be smarter than me, better spoken, too busy to barbecue because they're, I don't know, leading the free world? That's why the G.O.P. is dying. Everyone except them knows that presidents should be exceptional. Everyone but them wants an exceptional leader.

Posted by: james | Oct 10, 2008 12:52:02 AM

Good Christian Values? Not McCain/Palin. Can not win on policy, so bring in the smear tactics. Guilty by association= McCain/Palin! Dump 1st wife for rich trophy wife=McCain! Fire Staff member because would not fire ex brother in law=Palin!

Posted by: Sherry H. | Oct 10, 2008 12:48:39 AM

The nime e1ev3n was perhaps planned as a way of ensuring a 2nd term? Governemnt l1st ening on everyone was perhaps because knowing of these obscene stock market lowerings?

By automatically throwing money into the markets per standard, the govrnmnt is just teaching the markets to continue selling off to obtain more powers.

If one where to require health care via companies only, then one could decrease funds to government employees and amplify all mistakes they make as a reason to pr vatis e everything. A true leader is the person who can implement the work processes for the organisation which works in a reasonably safe and cheap way. Talk to both people who work in pr vate and pub 1ic sect or (wage, how much extra redicoulous work, office environment) - and see if it is exactly the same - if not, someone prefers to create the mu lti-bil lionaires, instead of having well functioning p ub 1ic se ct 0r serv ices.

So, think about it. Where has the de mocracy gone, truly? And why? If v oter turn-out numbers is easy to mani pulate in the systems - then why not have everyone who v oted on one candidate going to stadiums afterwards, to see which cand idate gets the most people there.

Posted by: Steve | Oct 10, 2008 12:47:06 AM

The U.S. Council for World Freedom became controversial when it became the public cover for the White House's covert operation to fund the Contras without congressional approval, with Singlaub working in secret with Oliver North to raise money from foreign governments.

McCain sat on the advisory board of this group, which subverted US laws by covertly funding the contras. This is not a tenuous guilt-by-association fallacy, but direct involvement which makes any 'ayers' connection pale in comparison.

Posted by: sammy | Oct 10, 2008 12:47:02 AM

We all need to remember, The John McCain & most Republicans moto: By any means necessary! Lie, cheat If that does not work, Lie & cheat some more.
Shady associations = McCain/Palin, Dump sick wife for new trophy rich wife = McCain. Fire Staff memeber for not firing Ex Brother in law = Palin! Christain Morals. Not! They can not win on policy so here come's smear tactics gain. The world is watching this.

Posted by: Sherry H | Oct 10, 2008 12:43:53 AM

Did you know James B. Fowler, McCain's friend who was busted for smuggling heroin out of Thailand, is the same guy who shot Jimmie Johnson, an unarmed black man, and set off a movement that led to The Voting Rights Act? Ironic that McCain knows the guy whose killing of an unarmed black man led to the Voting Rights Act. Very Ironic.

Posted by: kravitz | Oct 10, 2008 12:19:57 AM

I feel badly for McCain. I believe he is a good, honorable, decent man. Political campaigns are about who can spin the best story with the public. His campaign is not good at that. Obama's campaign, has either been really lucky or they are more skilled. The campaign has nothing to do with how the person will govern. We don't really know that in Obama's case. We have some idea in McCain's case. Unfortunately, McCain would probably have been a great President if he had been elected eight years ago. His time has run out. He is an American hero, though.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Oct 10, 2008 12:10:48 AM

PALIN-You are an idiot, you should be letting your daughter see a variety of women in power and let her make her own decisions, she will encounter many different types in her life time, knowledge is power.

Posted by: Kim | Oct 10, 2008 12:02:36 AM

Hey Sarah-Why not crawl out from under your rock and answer questions about your and the First Dud's involvement in the AIP successionist movement. Seems a little Unamerican to me.Got something to hide?

Posted by: Pa Girl | Oct 9, 2008 11:57:33 PM

McCain is stuck in the past. He is all about war and thinks war is the solution to any disagreement. Are we not tired of this? Have we not lost enough of our precious and brave soldiers? Enough is enough. This must stop now.

Posted by: Al Jones | Oct 9, 2008 11:56:03 PM

the starlit sedona night.. chicken and steak fed you by the hero himself... homemade ice cream... the warmth of the hero's beneficent smile at you and the lover... do his bidding now.. who knows... press secretary... and the lover back... his smile even warmer because on the side is even better... just like him... all yours... for the marching orders....

Posted by: matt | Oct 9, 2008 11:50:35 PM

The McCain / Palin rallies are frightening. Of course people have the right to free speech: that's a fundamental right in the Constitution. But shouts of "Kill him" etc., etc.? No. The fact that both of these candidates refuse to take responsibility for the increasing fervor in rallies that are starting to look as if they were being held in Germany in 1933 is an insult to democracy.


----------------------------------------

The only thing missing from a McCain/Palin rally are people actually wearing their hoods and sheets.

Posted by: McCain/Palin = Corporations First | Oct 9, 2008 11:50:29 PM

Anti-Defamation L. Should look at the comments and harassment of the democrats when Gov. Palin was select to be V.P nominee to the republican party. Why Obama campaign send 30 lawyer to Alaska to try to come out with dirt about Gov. Palin.
ABC is worse than the national inquirer when it comes to defame people.

Posted by: Real_Thinker | Oct 9, 2008 11:45:05 PM

IT'S ALWAYS THE CORRUPT REPUBLICANS WHO SCREW OVER THIS GREAT NATION WITH THEIR GREED AND LACK OF LEADERSHIP..

Posted by: dvine | Oct 9, 2008 11:15:30 PM

However, Fannie and Freddie were making major payoffs, "contributions" to Dodd, Dem, Obama, Dem, and a large number of other Dems.

The top guys who ran and looted Freddie and Fannie were also Dems.

Frank became a lover to a senior executive of Fannie Mae and states his consistent support for anything Fannie requested was not influenced by his personal relationship.

For the last 2 years Dems controlled the committees overseeing Fannie and Freddie. They actively blocked proposed reforms to reduce risk.

Many experts believe the current economic problem was largely due to Fannie and Freddie actions.

It appears the facts don't support you.

Posted by: Dave in lv | Oct 9, 2008 11:42:14 PM

Let's see Ayers, Wright, Mohammad. oh yeah and Farrakan, the one that called obama the Messiah today while giving a speech in front of a large group of Muslim Clerics. Nice. He is now the Messiah!!

Posted by: Kim | Oct 9, 2008 11:40:30 PM

Those supporting Barack Obama knows he is so dirty that his opponents needs to be brought down to the level of the sewer where Obama presides with his anti-Americans associations. Senator Obama does not tell the truth about himself, his policies for tomorrow, or his opponents. Those supporting Obama are waiting for his free hand-outs, not changes good for the average American families or society. His changes are nothing more than socialists ideas. Take from the responsibles and give to the irresponsibles. SOCIALISM IS NOT AN AMERICAN IDEAL. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IS AN AMERICAN IDEAL.

Posted by: Marla | Oct 9, 2008 11:32:51 PM

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