...and what's the point? I'm proud of him and his service. I just don't want him and his ideas as my president.
Joseph Diggs Sr.'s letter ("What's the story on McCain as a POW?" July 11) called on John McCain to set his POW record straight about preferential treatment.
For the record, when McCain and the other POWS were released they provided extensive detail of their captivity in North Vietnam. In McCain's books, talks and interviews, he has given a full account of his own 1967-72 captivity. It has been consistent, detailed and completely corroborated by POWs who were there with him and who witnessed his treatment and behavior firsthand.
These are men who shared his cell and nursed him as he recovered from broken bones and numerous torture sessions. They were fellow pilots and senior camp officers such as Bud Day, Jeremiah Denton and Jim Stockdale. The many ex-POWs who were imprisoned with McCain have indicated nothing but respect for the man who never asked for or accepted any preferential treatment as a POW, and who steadfastly refused release until all of those with more POW time had been freed.
Mr. Diggs insinuates that McCain received better treatment in the last year of captivity. This was during the peace negotiations when all POWs received marginally better treatment -- something thoroughly documented by many POWs, including those closely confined with McCain at the time. Camp conditions and POW clandestine communications were such that any preferential treatment would have been widely known by the other POWs.
Much research has been done on McCain over the years by both his friends and opponents. Matt Welch's 2007 book, McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, exposed every negative detail that could possibly be found about him from boyhood to present, but Welch's in-depth research found nothing reflecting adversely on McCain's behavior as a POW. Mr. Diggs' unfounded speculation and innuendo represents the lowest form of politics.
Donald L. Davis, Evans
Comments
...and what's the point? I'm proud of him and his service. I just don't want him and his ideas as my president.
People often compare the attacks on McCain with those against Kerry. Just a couple of differences: 1. McCain did not return to the US spouting North Vietnemese talking points. 2. McCain has been very open about his experiences in Vietnam and has not seen the need to embellish them.
The point...DrGunby68? The point is John McCain has proven himself to be a selfless servant of this country for over 40 years, even suffering physical torture for us. Put aside his military service, how can you not note his years of service in the senate?
Barack, on the other hand, has no such record, and hasn't even finished one term in the senate. Yet, you and others actually think he has the experience to be president? Put aside your obvious prejudice against Republicans, and view the men's records. Name me just one accomplishment that Obama has made, besides writing 2 books and getting elected.
This isn't the position for on the job training. The stakes are too high!
One thing for sure...we know what McCain's ideas are. While once elected Senator Obama seems to change his beliefs to accommodate the questions. We do however know he stands for change and hope. While he is a great orator with written speeches, without them he seems to become a stuttering fool who has such long gaps in his response, I'm not sure he stays on point. Without writers, he seems to demonstrate early signs of alzheimer's.
And John Kerry was going to release all his records in 2004.
CH put aside your obvious prejudice against Democrats. Besides being a Veteran, of which I am one, what are John McCain's accomplishment. Being a Conservative like you are and I know in favor of term limits, 40 years in the Senate should not be one.
Why do you assume that conservatives are in favor of term limits? I am not...there are some true conservatives I would like to see continue to serve for as long as they keep fighting for limited gov't and free and open society, rather than selling out like Lindsay Graham. Hell, the voters can term limit anyone they want...nobody is "guaranteed" more than 6 years...
I don't care what his political affiliation is. I'm not really a John Mccain fan. I will say this though. Anybody that served their country with dignity and honor desrves respect. Anyone who had the unenviable experience of being a POW should get our respect 10fold. Debate the man's politics all you want but whatever his actions were during his 5 years of captivity are a non-issue. He did whatever he did and tried to survive to come back home to his family. The military only suggests you take as much punishment as you can. Even if he divulged top secrets in captivity it doesn't matter. He is still a hero along with anyone else who was a POW and does not owe anyone any explanation.
Wyldsfam, I agree with your analogy. We should not question John McCain's service to his country. Let's not stoop to level the Republicans did on John Kerry and Max Cleland. John McCain deserves our respect, but because of his political stances, he want get my vote. OBAMA 08 & 12 !!!!!!
Gummy, I sure as hell prefer McCain and his experience to a know nothing, empty suit like Osama.
Although I won't vote for McCain, I stand in awe at his consistantly heroic behavior during his POW incarceration. How many people do you know, if given the chance, would refuse to leave a situation where they knew mistreatment and torture were ahead. There's plenty of flaws to point out about McCain without bringing up this undisputably heroic part of his past.
Justus4, just how much time have you spent as a POW in Vietnam (or any where else). Your remarks today are the most despicable yet. His records are sealed as I believe all ex POWs are. You aren't fit to shine Mccain's shoes.
Gummy, I sure as hell prefer McCain and his experience to a know nothing, empty suit like Osama.
Firefighter, I am a veteran also, and proud of it. But, I don't just use that as a reason to vote for a candidate, case in point, George Bush and Ronald Reagan. However, when I see the incredible arrogance this man, Obama, has shown to so many traditional values I have, lower taxes, less government intrusion, and a national defense that is second to none, I cannot support this puppet of the liberals. If he is elected, our economy will suffer tremendously. Then, we will all suffer!
Funny, when people pointed to McCain's military service previously most republicans backed Bush and said the same thing Dr. Gumby is saying. Funny how now that McCain is THE man for the republican party they change their tune. The AC does not want to print the more intelligent letters from those who write in regarding actual issues when it pertains to McCain.
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