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But the only regret I have about John McCain is that the North Vietnamese didn't execute him for being a war criminal when he was shot down in October of 1967 while bombing North Vietnam.

In John McCain's case it's kind of hard to deny that he was an American terrorist bombing and killing innocent Vietnamese people when his plane was shot down over North Vietnam.

Sadly John McCain's solution to any problem is using to military to bomb and kill people. And of course John McCain is the biggest supporter of the American military industrial complex. The American military industrial complex is a jobs program for generals and a corporate welfare program for the corporations in it.

The American military industrial complex has nothing to do with protecting Americans from bad guys, and everything to do with the evil American Empire.

My only fear is that US Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema could run for John McCain's Senate seat. US Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema has sold out everybody that has ever supported her, including the anti-war people, the people who want to legalize marijuana, atheists who believe in separation of church and state, gays and civil rights activists.

I suspect that US Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema might actually be worse then Senator John McCain if she gets elected.

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Sen. John McCain has brain tumor, doctors say

Dan Nowicki, The Republic | azcentral.com Published 5:11 p.m. MT July 19, 2017 | Updated 9:52 p.m. MT July 19, 2017

Sen. John McCain revealed Wednesday that he has a primary brain tumor. The cancer was discovered during cranial surgery last week to remove a blood clot above his left eye.

In a statement from Mayo Clinic, McCain's doctors described the tumor as a glioblastoma.

The American Brain Tumor Association describes glioblastoma tumors as typically malignant and difficult to treat because they contain many types of cells.

“It’s a very aggressive tumor,” said Dr. Joseph Zabramski, a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix not involved in McCain's treatment. “In general, it is a tumor that has relentless force. You can slow it down but not stop it.”

The median survival rate for the most common type of glioblastoma is 14.6 months, according to the association. About 30 percent of patients live two years with glioblastomas.

The 80-year-old McCain, R-Ariz., is reviewing treatment options with his family. Those could include a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, according to the Mayo statement.

“Scanning done since the procedure (a minimally invasive craniotomy with an eyebrow incision) shows that the tissue of concern was completely resected by imaging criteria," Mayo Clinic said in its statement.

A written statement from McCain's office reiterated that the six-term senator, 2008 Republican presidential nominee and former prisoner of war in Vietnam is in "good spirits" as he rests at his home in Arizona.

“He is grateful to the doctors and staff at Mayo Clinic for their outstanding care, and is confident that any future treatment will be effective," McCain's office said in the statement. "Further consultations with Senator McCain's Mayo Clinic care team will indicate when he will return to the United States Senate.”

"Thank all of you for the wonderful thoughts," Cindy McCain, the senator's wife, said on social media. "@senjohnmccain is doing well. We as a family will face the next hurdle together. One thing I do know is he is the toughest person I know. He is my hero and I love him with all my heart."

Michael Berens, deputy director of the Translational Genomics Research Institute in downtown Phoenix, said McCain is fighting a very serious, aggressive cancer.

Berens, who has studied glioblastoma for 30 years, said patients who contract the cancer and undergo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy live on average 16 to 18 months.

T-Gen annually presents the John S. McCain Leadership Award, named after the senator, to individuals who have made a significant impact in the fight against cancer.

"When I heard of the diagnosis, my heart sank,” Berens said. “Sen. McCain has been a stalwart for this institution. ... He’s a long-term survivor of cancer and then this diagnosis pops up. God bless him. He’s a man of great courage and endurance. He has a rough journey ahead of him."

As the grim news broke, McCain's colleagues and even past rivals unleashed a bipartisan outpouring of well wishes, with many acknowledging his reputation for toughness.

"Senator John McCain has always been a fighter," President Donald Trump said in a written statement. "Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. Get well soon."

Former President Barack Obama, who defeated McCain in the 2008 presidential race, called McCain "an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known" in a post to Twitter.

"Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John," Obama tweeted.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called McCain "a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country."

McConnell wrote, "The entire Senate family’s prayers are with John, Cindy and his family, his staff, and the people of Arizona he represents so well. We all look forward to seeing this American hero again soon.”

Sen. John McCain on the 2016 campaign trail On Capitol Hill, D.C., Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., was gathered with other GOP senators for a Wednesday night meeting on health care when they got the news about McCain's diagnosis.

Hoeven told reporters they asked Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., a former religious camp leader and co-chair of the Congressional Prayer Caucus to lead a prayer.

"We prayed, it was very emotional," Hoeven said.

He added that Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is a close friend of McCain's, told the group that McCain "wants to get back and wants to get back to work."

McCain, a retired naval aviator, was first elected to Congress in 1982, succeeding the retiring former U.S. House Minority Leader John Rhodes, R-Ariz. In 1986, McCain ran for and won the Senate seat vacated by the retiring U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., and was re-elected in 1992, 1998, 2004, 2010 and 2016.

He first ran for president in 2000, coming up short in the GOP primaries against then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush. In 2008, McCain secured the GOP nomination, losing to Obama in the general election.

Chuck Coughlin moved to Arizona in 1986 to work as finance director for McCain’s first Senate campaign.

“Never underestimate him,” Coughlin said of his long affiliation with the senator. “The guy has endured more (s--t) than anyone I’ve met in my life in terms of health issues.”

Coughlin, who runs a political-consulting business, said he suspected McCain would stay in the Senate as long as his condition permits. The Senate is a lot of what sustains him, he said.

He noted that both McCain’s father and grandfather died almost immediately after they retired.

McCain's father, the late Navy Adm. John S. "Jack" McCain Jr., died on March 22, 1981, at age 70. His grandfather, Navy Adm. John S. "Slew" McCain, died on Sept. 6, 1945, at age 61, shortly after the end of World War II.

"The minute they lost their mission, they gave up,” Coughlin said.

Republic reporters explain what glioblastoma is and what it means for Sen. John McCain.

In the event that McCain steps down or dies in office, Gov. Doug Ducey would appoint his replacement who, according to Arizona law, would serve "until the person elected at the next general election is qualified and assumes office."

The statute stipulates that Ducey, a Republican, would have to appoint someone of the same political party as McCain, also a Republican.

"John McCain is undoubtedly the toughest man in the United States Senate," Ducey said in a statement. "He is an American hero and has served our country like few ever will.

"‪Sen. McCain has set an example for all Americans in the toughest of fights, in the most difficult circumstances. I have no doubt he'll do it again. My prayers and my full support are with him and his family."

Ken Alltucker, Ronald J. Hansen, Craig Harris and Mary Jo Pitzl of The Arizona Republic and Eliza Collins of USA TODAY contributed to this story.

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McCain's cancer, glioblastoma, described as 'very aggressive tumor'

Ken Alltucker and Craig Harris, The Republic | azcentral.com Published 7:33 p.m. MT July 19, 2017 | Updated 9:31 p.m. MT July 19, 2017

What is glioblastoma? Unpacking Sen. McCain's cancer diagnosis

Glioblastoma, the type of brain tumor diagnosed in Sen. John McCain, is an aggressive type that is difficult to treat, experts say.

“It’s a very aggressive tumor,” said Dr. Joseph Zabramski, a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. “In general, it is a tumor that has relentless force. You can slow it down but not stop it.”

Michael Berens, deputy director of the Translational Genomics Research Institute in downtown Phoenix, said unlike other cancers, glioblastoma "begins and then spreads within the brain with finger-like projections."

“The tumor cells wander around and create guerilla warfare in the brain,” Berens said.

McCain’s office said Wednesday the tissue of concern was removed during a craniotomy. The senator and his family are reviewing further treatment options with his team at Mayo Clinic.

Berens, who has studied glioblastoma for 30 years, said patients who contract the cancer and undergo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy live on average 16 to 18 months.

Zabramski said patients generally take at least a few weeks after a tumor is surgically removed to assess other treatment options. That may include genetic testing of the tumor that can inform doctors which type of treatment may be most effective.

“There are some new (treatment) options out there that have been showing some promise,” Zabramski said.

However, glioblastoma tumors typically are malignant and difficult to treat because they contain many types of cells, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.

Glioblastoma is one of several types of tumors known as glioma that start in the glial — or gluey — cells that form the structure of the brain. Glioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor, meaning tumors that begin and generally stay in the brain.

Glioblastoma is the highest grade of glioma, and its most malignant form. Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Beau Biden, the son of former Vice President Joseph Biden, both died of glioblastoma.

"Obviously, this is a very challenging tumor to overcome," said Nader Sanai, a brain-tumor surgeon and director of neurosurgical oncology at Barrow. "But a small percentage of patients can still do well with it."

Sanai said this form of cancer has been puzzling to doctors.

"This is one of those tumors that have more questions than answers, and why they happen and how best to treat them," he said.

The median survival rate for the most common type of glioblastoma is 14.6 months, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. About 30 percent of patients live two years with glioblastomas.

Depending on the exact circumstances of McCain’s diagnosis and how soon he chooses to begin treatment, Zabramski said McCain might be able to resume his duties in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. John McCain on the 2016 campaign trail “It depends on when he starts his therapy and whether he wants to (return),” Zabramski said.

Sanai said most patients return to work within two to six weeks of surgery. But he said immediately after surgery, patients typically have difficulty in concentrating.

Coincidentally, TGen annually presents the John S. McCain Leadership Award, named after the senator, to individuals who have made a significant impact in the fight against cancer.

“When I heard of the diagnosis, my heart sank,” Berens said. “Sen. McCain has been a stalwart for this institution. ... He’s a long-term survivor of cancer, and then this diagnosis pops up. God bless him. He’s a man of great courage and endurance. He has a rough journey ahead of him.”