Comments on: Half-sister of Cindy McCain says she feels excluded, angry

By: lee smith

lee smith — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:02:49 +0000

Recently a friend of mine parent died and was estranged from some of the children by previous marriages. One son received all of the inheritance, but he chose to share it equally with the other siblings that was left out. This takes guts, class and morals.

By: eliana

eliana — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:56:26 +0000

Clearly Cindy and Kathleen have a whole lot more in common than James Hensley’s bloodline. What better way to work out family disputes than through an IM? http://www.236.com/news/2008/08/21/if_th ey_imd_cindy_hensley_mcca_8350.php

By: bluemoonalto

bluemoonalto — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:58:09 +0000

I understand that Cindy McCain’s claim that she is an only child had been reversed by some reporters who said that she was the only child of Jim Hensley. It’s a subtle difference, but one is arguably true while the other is patently false. Given that Hensley was estranged from his ex-wife and oldest daughter, I can understand and sympathize with Ms. McCain’s view that she was an only child. However, I can also understand and sympatize with Ms. Portalski’s offense at hearing that Jim Hensley only had one child.

It’s bad enough that Hensley all but wrote his firstborn out of his will, and that she and her family were cut off from what financial support they had been receiving upon his death. But to grow up fatherless while knowing that your father’s other daughter lives in the lap of luxury with all his love and attention must leave deep emotional scars.

By: OhioDem4Life

OhioDem4Life — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:34:22 +0000

Cindy McCain has a half sister with BOTH her MOTHER and her FATHER. Clearly she is not an ONLY child. She could have stated “I was raised as an only child” which is clearly different from stating “I am an ONLY child”. Regardless of how she feels about this woman she has no right to take away her birth right. After all, Ms. Portalski is 11 years older than Cindy which means Jim Hensley was her father FIRST.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:57:35 +0000

Maybe part of Kathleen’s pain stems from being forgotten by her father and having a half sister who even if they weren’t close doesn’t acknowledge her existance. Death of a parent can bring out the competitive nature of siblings and their relationships. I believe the one who looks bad in my eyes is Cindy. She doesn’t have to be close to have empathy for that fact that her father’s other daughter was left out. Why not share in the abundance that was left her? Why is she considered such a caring sort if she can’t start at home with an estranged sister.

The whole sorid history of the Hensley’s and the McCain’s and lack of empathy for a forgotten daughter shows me that Cindy is pretty cold hearted and she’s standing beside this candidate?

By: ToKnow

ToKnow — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:44:25 +0000

Kim - are you as narrow minded, ignorant and selfish in person as you are in print? Put yourself in this lady’s place. Imagine you share a father with someone, and that other person does not acknowledge you whatsoever, choosing rather to mislead the public by calling herself an only child.

Chemically, biologically, morally, Cindy McCain is clearly not an only child. Get over your partisan self.

By: pmacdee

pmacdee — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:48:51 +0000

Hey karlthomas …What do you know of “her lack of ambition in life”? It is alot easier to be chair of a big company when Daddy gives it to you than to create it yourself. What has she done with her life to help others? So is you position based on fact or your sensitivity to your mother having feelings for someone who, in your opinion only, isn’t your sister?

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:07:16 +0000

Okay, so her father had a previous marriage. He married Cindy’s mom 9 years BEFORE Cindy was born and this woman wants to be considered a sister? Did she make any attempts to interact with Cindy as a sister? Doesn’t sound like it.

So, yeah, she’s her half sister, but Cindy still grew up as an only child. Some lady who’s at least ten years older and was never a part of her life isn’t someone she’d be likely to mention. It sounds like this woman is just trying to get her 15 minutes of fame.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:04:03 +0000

Oh MY God! I can’t believe that!! Like mother, like daughter- absolutely! Maybe Meghan McCain will break the streak and will have an opportunity to see what’s it like to be the first wife- maybe her future children will be the ones left behind some day. Some karma is definitely in order for this family!

By: selwyse

selwyse — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:23:32 +0000

“You mom having sex with another girl’s father doesn’t make you sisters.” Biologically, it does.

It is ironic. I always had a problem with John McCain dumping his first wife and kinds for Cindy and wondered how her parents could let their daughter be with a man like that. Now we know why: Cindy’s father left his first wife and kids for Cindy’s mom. Like mother like daughter, like father. . .now husband! sick!!