However satisfying it may be to think McCain did it, however much the Sandinista deserved it, it's not a really a good idea for a member of one government to physically assault a member of another government. For one thing, it can't help but make still other governmental figures (not just the deserving, but the non-deserving as well) adjust their behavior to deal with the mad man.

In olden times, when a king defeated another king, he generally did not kill that king as the killing of kings is not something any king should encourage.

"McCain grabbing an Ortega associate by his shirt collar and lifting him out of his chair."

I'd like to see it too, but I thought McCain was partially crippled such that he can't raise his arms very high.

It's really not appropriate to deal with representatives from other countries that way.

Particularly, if one is representing the U.S., it's really not necessary to use personal physical force: It's the power of the country that should be the point, not the physical strength of the individual confronting them.

I'm with Bruce. I thought the North Vietnamese did enough to McCain to hurt his ability to do that. But maybe it was McCain standing above the man and grabbing down to his collar. But that too is denied by McCain. Oh, well. He blew his chance at his John Wayne moment.

I wonder why one day we hear about McCain not being able to lift his arms up due to torture in Hanoi, and then we hear him "roughing up" Sandanistia? What to believe?? Personally, I think McCain probably "grinned" the guy into submission & didn't lay a hand on him!

"Senator McCain, is it true you roughed up a Sandanista official?"

"And I kicked him in the groin. Shut up or I might do you, too."

"Senator, are you prepared to meet with the leaders of Iran?"

"Yes, I look forward to that." (Evil grin).

Darn, there goes the Frank J endorsement!

Maybe Senator McCain has roughed up so many Communists that he has forgotten this one incident.

For once, we could use a hothead as President, someone who knows the value of a well-aimed Cruise missile and the damage it can do to a uranium enrichment facility. But this annecdote is obviously hot air. McCain's wartime infirmities would make it very difficult to lift a fat, ugly Sandinista out of his chair.

Funny . . . I thought one reason we were supposed to want McCain over Obama was superior foreign policy experience. If the guy is so off his rocker that he could not keep from assaulting a foreign diplomat in a meeting, it does not bode well for his abilities as president.

But what is more interesting is the "bully boy" cheering from you people here. You really think that is the way to win friends and influence people? Insane . . . .

BRob:

I guess "you people here" could give a s**t about friendship with communist Sandinista thugs. That's why we backed the Contras.

And as for influencing people like the Sandinistas, the best policy, as put forth in the recent "Ironman" movie, is Peace Through Superior Firepower.

Given the physical limitations McCain suffers as a result of his time as a POW, is it even possible for him to lift a man out of a chair?

There are some--myself included--that would like to see a President tower over someone like one of the Sandinistas, reach his hand out in a clenching motion, and intone darkly "I find your lack of faith in the United States... disturbing."

Bring back pistols at dawn, that's what I say.. You'd probably save a lot more lives if we elected a crack shot and he got to duel totalitarians in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza...

btw, http://www.contracafe.com ftw..