Got Beer...??
"The company has
opposed such groups as Mothers Against Drunk Driving in fighting
proposed federal rules requiring alcohol content information on every
package of beer, wine and liquor."
.................................................
John and Cindy Lou Hensley McCain's beer problem
* From: trudogg <independent@xxxxxxxxx>
* Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:11:46 -0400
Cindy Lou Hensley McMealticket, it seems you're not helping Husband
Sidney's cause. But, judging from your past escapades, it's clear that
you never have. Aw, who cares, as long as the big bucks are rolling
in, right?
Hensley & Co., one of the nation's major beer wholesalers, has
brought the family of Cindy McCain wealth, prestige and influence in
Phoenix, but it could also create conflicts for her husband, Sen. John
McCain, if he is elected president in November.
Hensley, founded by Cindy McCain's late father, holds federal and
state licenses to distribute beer and lobbies regulatory agencies on
alcohol issues that involve public health and safety. The company has
opposed such groups as Mothers Against Drunk Driving in fighting
proposed federal rules requiring alcohol content information on every
package of beer, wine and liquor.
Its executives, including John McCain's son Andrew, have written
at least 10 letters in recent years to the Treasury Department, have
contributed tens of thousands of dollars to a beer industry political
action committee, and hold a seat on the board of the politically
powerful National Beer Wholesalers Assn.
Good p.r., Cindy Lou. It's always a plus to face off with the mothers
of children killed by beer-drinkers. Speaking of children and beer,
how's your son?
[...]Andrew McCain is chief financial officer at Hensley and owns
6.8% of the stock, according to Arizona records. [...]
Hensley has run afoul of health advocacy groups that have tried to
rein in appeals to young drinkers.
What a good boy! Mom and Dad must be proud. In fact, the whole family
is one big bag of Special Interests R Us:
The involvement of McCain's family in federal regulatory issues
could create a conflict of interest for a future McCain
administration, according to advocacy groups and political analysts.
McCain has recused himself for many years on alcohol issues in the
Senate. As president, however, McCain would face far more difficulty
distancing himself from an issue with such broad scope.
But that won't stop Cindy Lou Hensley McCorporate. Why should she give
up all that foamy Big Beer Biz fun just because of some silly little
First Lady conflict? This is now, and, gosh darn it my friends, Cindy
Lou's not one to look toward the future. That would indicate, gulp!
change! Hmmm, change you can drink to! The beer you deserve?
If her husband is elected president and she retains her role at
Hensley, she will set a precedent for outside corporate activity by a
first lady.
The McCain campaign issued a statement Friday about the issue,
saying that "any decisions going forward will be made when John McCain
wins the election and takes office, and not before." Hensley
executives declined to comment.
I'm astounded that McWealthyWife hasn't already addressed the issue!
Political analysts said they were astounded that the presumptive
Republican nominee had not already addressed the issue.
Like I said. What, he thinks he can run a beer company out of the
White House?
"You can't run a beer company out of the White House," said Samuel
L. Popkin, a political science professor at UC San Diego. "You can't
run any company from the White House. McCain is leaving a live hand
grenade on the table, a major embarrassment."
Stop repeating everything I say! Anyway, I've covered moments of his
humiliation previously...like embarrassment ever stopped J Sid before.
Psh! As if! But wait! What will the abstinence-only set say?
Indeed, apart from its potential to create a conflict of interest,
the mere ownership of the beer distributor could turn off some social
conservatives and those who object to alcohol use. [...] For some,
abstinence -- and a disdain for the industry -- is religion-based.
That's Trouble. With a capital T, that rhymes with B, and that stands
for BEER! Bruce Lee Livingston, executive director of the Marin
Institute, a nonprofit alcohol industry watchdog group in San Rafael:
"The big question is how much access the beer industry is going to
have to the White House. You would expect the president and first lady
to be concerned about alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The first lady and
the president need to have a bright line between the White House and
the alcohol industry."
Not if the McBeer family can help it. Here's an idea: Start looking
out for the American People... with a capital P which rhymes with V,
and that stands for Votes.
Robin Elliot
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