John McCain's brother's angry 911 call: a short family fuse

Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s brother, Joe McCain, called 911 in Alexandria, Va., to complain about traffic earlier this week. And when they told him that 911 was only for emergencies, he used an expletive to the operator and hung up.

Wow. And they say John McCain is a hot head. Maybe short fuses run in the McCain family.

Here's a snippet of the transcript:

Operator: Alexandria 911, state your emergency

Caller: Well, it's not an emergency but do you know why on one side at the damn drawbridge of 95 traffic is stopped for 15 minutes and yet traffic's coming the other way across the drawbridge?

Operator: Sir, are you calling 911 to complain about traffic? (pause)

Caller: "[Expletive]" (caller hangs up)

The operator called the caller back and received this message: "Hi this is Joe McCain I can't take this message now because I'm involved in a very (inaudible) important political project... I hope on Nov. 4th we have elected John."

The operator then called the number back and left a message for Joe about how it is illegal to use a 911 number for anything other than emergencies.

Here's the best part: An outraged Joe called the operator back to complain about being read the riot act about calling 911 and got read the riot act again.

Anyway, it's priceless. Watch the video call and see if you don't think that Joe even sounds a lot like John.

Scary!

Comments

[vegasgirl]

I'm no McCain fan, but who cares about this? The guy just sounds like a typical grumpy person; it's no reflection on McCain, however.

[chris]

So is he going to be arrested or fined as any one else would be, or will the authorities let this one go? How will the McCain Camp react to this one---I for one don't think anyone should ask them, but keep a good eye out for any help on behalf of the campaign (meetings with the authorities or contributions to campaigns)

[tomk]

It is John McCain's own fault if this blows up in this face because he ended the last debate by extolling the McCain family's virtues and dedication to service. What is evident, however, is the McCain family's sense of entitlement and common volatile tempers.

[Sue Deaunym]

Vegas Girl: of COURSE it's a reflection on John McCain! The same kind of impulsive gutter talk has spewed from John's mouth, too - even calling his wife a part of the female reproductive anatomy. If Obama's brother was recorded making such a call, consider: what would Rush and Sean and Bill O say about it?

[Marcel Leroy]

When you're the Admiral's son, you're quite used to getting your way it would seem.

[Carol of Tennessee]

Palin is already shooting McCain in the foot, Guess his brother wanted to help. I hope he gets fined or how about some nice community service.. suggestion : traffic controller on the road project.

[John Q Public]

We can't say anything about Obama's wife when she goes on the campaign trail saying that America is a downright mean country and she has never been proud of being an American, but this makes the news. Typical communist press!

[obama]

This is news?

[clearsky54]

Usually Ms. Snead reports on pointless things like whether "Lilo" is going to have a career anymore... but this time, I like her spunk for reporting on this pathetically stupid man who wasted the valuable time of 911 operators with his mentally-challenged rant about traffic. Let's talk losers, shall we Joe?

[liberty lady]

seems both of the McCain brothers suffer from "angry old man" syndrome

[Marianne]

John should be proud of his brother. Sounds something like John himself would do! Go Obama!

[Lucas]

Talk about Elitism..

[NinaK]

Uncontrolled anger seems to run in the McCain clan. Also, both John and Joe McCain are big whiners----no wonder their friend, Gramm, tells us America has become a nation of whiners. Thing is we are not a nation of whiners, just a few people like John and Joe McCain. I hope this guy gets fined or is made to do some community work. Taking up valuable 9-1-1 time for his being disgrunted about traffic is careless and thoughtless.

[Jennifer]

I think he sounds like an elitist!! And that reflects very much on John and his value system. Like we cant tell the difference between him in 2000 and now. HUGE DIFFERENCE!! He is the next GWBush if he manages to steal this election.

[Bob]

It understandable he is under pressure. Time is not on their side.

[Deb]

I have an idiot for a brother as well... What can you do...

[Karen]

Good grief!! You report such insignificant stuff as Joe McCain calling 911 for traffic, yet Obama and the Democratic party has played a significant roll in the downfall of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac leading to our economic crisis, Obama has been linked to a terrorist like Bill Ayers, Obama has taken private funding when he promised not to, and now we see Obama visiting his grandmother in Hawaii and it looks like she is living in a trailer home (shameful) and the liberal media, such as yourself, will hardly touch the issues. We wonder why Obama has such a lead in the polls. What is even more shameful is my 50-year-old husband is over in Afhganistan fighting hard for your 1st Amendment right! You must be so proud......

[donnakay]

Elizabeth-this is so great! Thanks for making us aware-To me John McCain is as big a jerk as his brother-the self-entitlement and the out of touch character in both of them is so evident.

[Seaquin]

Hey Karen this is for you..

PRO-CON: Is Sarah Palin's $150,000 campaign wardrobe out of line? YES

Al Behrman
Sarah Palin The $150,000 wardrobe for Sarah Palin and her family is an incredible waste of money. The spending just reinforces the notion that Palin is more about image than substance. After all, Palin is the one jetting around the country painting Barack Obama and others in Washington as elite.

Palin is the one trying to link herself and running mate John McCain to regular folk like Joe the Plumber.

Guess what?

People like Joe the Plumber are savvy enough to know that lavishing $150,000 on a wardrobe — even one for a vice presidential candidate — is absurd.

Why didn’t Palin and her supporters spend their private funds more frugally, you know, to set an example for a nation in financial distress?

Sure, they spent campaign funds, not public money, and probably didn’t think anyone would notice.

This is the kind of free-spending mindset Washington does not need right now. In fact, it’s the kind of free-spending mindset that Palin supposedly opposes.

[shelly]

@ karen

i don't think obama's gram lives in a trailer home. and if she does, so what?

[Raphlin7]

Dear Deb,

If you really feel that Obama and the Democratic party are responsible for the down fall of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and also have the loins to call William Ayers a Terrorist, you should not only review the proper definition of terrorist, but then follow that up by getting a mental health review. You cannot honestly be a functioning member of society with such ignorant views. I respective conservatives, more specifically I am a conservative, but I am very unappreciative of this form of ignorance. To note, using your friend or relatives participation in the armed forces as a defense for your claims is a severe crime in my eyes. Also we are at absolutely no risk of losing our freedom of speech to the Iraqi's or Afghans. I also believe he would more specifically be there to preserve ALL of our rights, not just the first one.

[Tit For Tat]

Why did this story make the news? Well, if Barack Obama is a terrorist because he's on the same committee as Bill Ayers, John McCain is going to be accused of the same guilt by association with Joe McCain and Ashley Todd. It's only fair.

[Person Who Thinks Deb is a Dolt]

Deb;

What the...???

"and now we see Obama visiting his grandmother in Hawaii and it looks like she is living in a trailer home (shameful)"

This sort of insular thinking is scary.

[mj cramer]

Wow, what journalism! I thought highly of the LAT years ago but no more.

Your newspaper was respected years ago. Now it is simply liberal propoganda. How are your profits and circulation doing these days compared to 5 or 10 years ago?

What is your count of pro Obama to McCain stories? I bet it is nowhere close to the same amount.

Every page shouldn't be an op-ed story. That's why I won't read the Times (LA or NY). Your paper is a joke.

Try being objective and unbiased and maybe you will get readers back.

Note to Elizabeth Snead: The really scary thing is your employer's lack of objectivity.

[Republicrat]

So, John McCain is responsible for his Brother. Would that be like Jimmy Carter was responsible for Billy Carter?