The newest outrage in the race for the presidency revolves around the unspeakable violence that John McCain is apparently capable of…

John McCain cupped a fist and began pumping it, up and down, along the side of his body. It was a gesture familiar to a participant in the closed-door meeting of the Senate committee who hoped that it merely signaled, as it sometimes had in the past, McCain's mounting frustration with one of his colleagues.

But when McCain leaned toward Charles E. Grassley and slowly said, "My friend…" it seemed clear that ugliness was looming…

Oh no. I can see where this is going.

Grassley, an Iowa Republican with a reputation as an unwavering legislator, calmly held his ground. McCain became angrier, his fist pumping even faster.

Just like the Incredible Hulk.

It was early 1992, and the occasion was an informal gathering of a select committee investigating lingering issues about Vietnam War prisoners and those missing in action, most notably whether any American servicemen were still being held by the Vietnamese. It is unclear precisely what issue set off McCain that day. But at some point, he mocked Grassley to his face and used a profanity to describe him. Grassley stood and, according to two participants at the meeting, told McCain, "I don't have to take this. I think you should apologize."

McCain refused and stood to face Grassley. "There was some shouting and shoving between them, but no punches," recalls a spectator, who said that Nebraska Democrat Bob Kerrey helped break up the altercation.

Clearly, this John McCain fellow is completely unhinged and capable of any sort of horrific violence at any time whatsoever.

Seriously, any former P.O.W. who sixteen years ago "shoved" and "shouted" with another man over an issue as trivial as the possibility of American citizens being held in Vietnam nearly two decades after the war ended should only be president of a mental institution.

Former senator Bob Smith, a New Hampshire Republican, expresses worries about McCain: "His temper would place this country at risk in international affairs, and the world perhaps in danger. In my mind, it should disqualify him."

Totally, totally disqualify him. I mean, what's to stop him from repeatedly slamming a car door on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's head should he suspect the Iranian president was looking at his wife Cindy the wrong way?

Nothing at all.