McCain Plagiarizes Wikipedia — More Foreign Policy Gaffes

CQ reports that Mr. Foreign Policy, John McCain, just plagiarized Wikipedia in his recent comments on Georgia.

Remember, this is the man who confused Sunnis and Shiites and had to be corrected on his third attempt by Joe Lieberman. Also, the one who brags about his foreign travel but seems to think that there is an “Iraqi-Pakistan Border,” referring on "Good Morning America” to the “hard struggle” on the non-existent border.

The editor complained to CQ that McCain lifted lines without attribution, as required by their terms of use. Here are two instances, according to CQ:

First instance

one of the first countries in the world to adopt Christianity as an official religion (Wikipedia)

vs.

one of the world's first nations to adopt Christianity as an official religion (McCain)

Second instance

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Georgia had a brief period of independence as a Democratic Republic (1918-1921), which was terminated by the Red Army invasion of Georgia. Georgia became part of the Soviet Union in 1922 and regained its independence in 1991. Early post-Soviet years was marked [sic] by a civil unrest and economic crisis. (Wikipedia)

vs.

After a brief period of independence following the Russian revolution, the Red Army forced Georgia to join the Soviet Union in 1922. As the Soviet Union crumbled at the end of the Cold War, Georgia regained its independence in 1991, but its early years were marked by instability, corruption, and economic crises. (McCain)

Strange that McCain would crib Wikipedia for his speeches — stranger still that he would need these Cliff’s Notes, if he is such a “foreign policy expert.”

Is it time we question his competence and experience — and, of course, his judgment?

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