I'm not sure if it's just a rumor that's been kept rather quiet or not but I've been hearing some whispers that GOP Presidential nominee John McCain was a POW decades ago. I've also heard that McCain has stated he didn't want to use that in his campaign which is good because I think that would be an awful thing to exploit, don't you? Who would ever try to justify every mistake anyone had ever made in their life since by saying he'd been a POW? Who could ever say someone who had been a POW shouldn't be accused of something like cheating? Certainly nobody would think that having been a POW would make it acceptable to have multiple affairs and ultimately abandon one's disfigured wife, would they? How about saying that since someone had been a POW that meant he'd earned as many houses as he could get, even so many that he can't remember how many there actually are?
DEFINITELY NOBODY WOULD IMPLY THAT HAVING BEEN A POW GIVES SOMEONE THE RIGHT TO BE AUTOMATICALLY HANDED THE POSITION OF POTUS???
Would they?
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
I've known since he got into the race, actually...because my Mom was worried that it might have affected his state of mind as trauma naturally does... But no. Being a POW could only justify a few things, like if you were really messed up, if you have social problems, etc. Just because he's a POW or because he's served in the military, it doesn't automatically give him the right to lead this country, nor be treated terribly differently than anyone else. He gets respect, and that's about it, in terms of discussing who should be our next President. [xParanoiax]
Oreo, neither of us were saying this shouldn't earn him some respect. But just 'cause you're respected is not an instant qualification to lead this country -- which is what this topic is about. In fact, most sets of qualifications to be leaders aren't things we can easily determine pre-election. Most of it's not based on -what- they are, and what's happened to them...it's what they have done and will do. Unfortunately, this means that alot of this voting for a new leader thing is done on faith...which many of us seem to have a shortage of lately. I will defend anyone on any point where they should be defended, regardless who they are and how much I disagree with them, as well. I might not agree with McCain very much -- and actually I don't dislike his tactics as much as I dislike how the wounds on his campaign are mostly self-inflicted -- but that doesn't mean I feel overwhelmingly inspired by Obama. All these little things we learn about each candidate pre-election is given to each of us to try to deal with and gauge who might possibly be better for this country overall. You weigh as much of them as you can and see who comes out on the heavier end of things that would be harmful. That said, I'm not an advocate for picking the lesser of two evils. I find Annie's post here quite appreciable, even though it might offend some folks...because it's pointing something out without trying to be insulting or throwing something out there baselessly. [xParanoiax]
No more than being part black gives Obama the right to be handed the presidency. Yes, McCain was a prisoner of war. He was a POW in Hanoi North Vietnam from 1967 to 1973. It is easy to skip over facts when we don't like someone. [irishidid]
To the two above me, of course we got it, it was just dumb, lol!!! Desperate times call for desperate measures I guess!! [Tallymommy]
I am not sure about my knowledge because I learn from the news and i have not got any information about him. I think media are in the side of obama. I am not agreed with this trend . They are not telling the stories of maccain and his ability. Any way I only know is he was the hero of vietnam war. [kisanchhantyal]
Hmm. Clarus, do you happen to have the ThinkProgress link which had a similiar (though better-put, methinks, since it was barebones data) study? [xParanoiax]
Are you freakin kidding me??? I had no idea that McCain was a POW, well that changes everything, we should be kissing his A$$ and worshipping him. I mean seriously no one else has ever been a POW or MIA before so he should be put into a saintly status. LMFAO If these idiots that believe that McCain should be president, cannot lie, find it acceptable to have multiple affairs, all because he is a POW then they should also believe that Obama should be the president because he grew up with a single mother, grew up black (and God knows how bad it was being black back then, how oppressed the black population was due to racism and whatnot), and lived with his grandparents for some time during his childhood. I am honestly sick of hearing the other side claim that he is godlike. I am sick of hearing that all of McCain's "bad" things are ok because they were so long ago. They want to bring up Clinton's affair but not the Keating 5 which weren't that far apart but because he is so godly it's ok that it happened almost 15 years ago. [ZephyrSun]
Annie, I have a personal question for you. Would you have voted for John McCain if he was still the man of 2000? I would, but I am afraid that man is long gone. [ZephyrSun]
Annie, I wasn't sure how to respond to this one atfirst. A range of thoughts occurd to me and I was torn. should I chastize for being snide, just roll my eyes, simply be humorous? This is whatI came up with finaly. Yes.......He is a former POW. Does it excuse bad behavior or policy? No. Does it make him infallibale? No. Does it automaticly make him president? No. Here is what it does do for me however as a voter. As many of you also know, not only was he a POW, but when offered his freedom, he turned it down. This singular decision said a lot to me. It speaks of his character to me. Say what you will about affairs or political dealings, this singular decision spoke of a man willing to make personal sacrifice with out any reguard to his own well being and sacrifice to a level almost no one in this forum can begin to claim. This to me demonstrated a character that is so very rare in this country. Again, affairs aside political dealings aside, this one decision demonstrated this to me. It also tells me what sort of comander in chief of our military he would be. This is a man who knows what it means to commit men to battle, TRULY know what it means. not just has respect for the troups, but knows what it really means. Even unlike our current president, who though was in the guard, never saw combat. And certainly unlike the guy before G W. Remember him, military folks? And get off the damned house thing annie, it really is getting tired...REALLY tired. [xfahctor]
"Do you really think that enthusiasm means anything? Did I miss something? Do they count enthusiastic votes twice on the ballots now? A tired, grumpy old man who complains while waiting in line to cast his vote still gets counted the same way as an excited 23 year old jumping up and down with an "I love Obama" T-shirt on." I beg to differ, Taskr, I think enthusiasm can mean a lot. The grumpy old guy complaining while waiting in line will vote and his one vote will count while the excited 23 year old will also vote but in addition may pass his or her enthusiasm on to his or her friends or maybe even be a campaign volunteer helping to get out the vote. One enthusiastic voter could easily morph into a dozen or even dozens of voters with varying degrees of excitement while one grumpy voter is just that - one voter. Annie [anniepa]
I don't believe it. I don't believe anything about John McCain. [mcat19]
Yeah, I always heard that John Kerry once played Frankenstein in the 30's or something like that... [Grimreapo]
That, certainly, makes him a celebrity. We won't deny him that. Not in the manner in which he wants to follow stereotype and link Obama's success to the success of a basketball player or entertainer, indirectly suggesting that black people only succeed when they are entertainers or athletes. [ElaanR2]
"If McCain had even come close to racism the media would have crucified him." I'm sorry, but the media - McCain's base according to his own words - would NEVER criticize him let along crucify him. Annie [anniepa]
You're hearing 'whispers'? It's been general knowledge for years. And who says that being a POW is giving him a shot at POTUS? It has to do with his record, of which Obama has NONE. I don't think McCain is the perfect candidate, not by a long stretch, but I'm sure not voting for Obama just because of 'change'. Change is not always good, and Obama is definitely not the change I'd like to see. [Ldyjarhead]
Hi Ldy, how are you? Did you not see in posts above that anniepa was being facetious? She explained that. Actually, I believe her word was satirical, I'm not sure. Yeah, I don't think McCain is the perfect candidate either. Neither is Obama. BUT, and I risk saying this to you knowing that most military and retired military seem to like Bush, can we really stand another four years of someone so Bush-like? It scares me silly to think of a Rep. being in office again. I am so sick of the way we have been living for the past eight years that I could just scream! Anyway, just thought I would get in my 1/2 cent worth. [bbjwlsn]
Wow. That makes him the first presidential candidate with a prison record. Doesn't it? LOL Seriously, I think he should be able to use his prisoner of war background in the campaign. A good war record has always been considered a positive except when the swift boat guys crapped all over John Kerry. I think John McCain spoke up in Kerry's defense and as far as I'm concerned, he has every right to be proud of his own war record and every right to use it in the campaign. Especially since he will probably be the last Vietnam veteran with a shot at the presidency. [irisheyes]
I doubt he'll be the last. I mean, we had a World War 2 veteran as president from 1988 to 1992, two WWII vets running in 1992 and another running for the presidency in 1996. If we've had WWII vets that recently, I think you'll see a couple more Vietnam vets in the next few elections. [Taskr36]
If you ever read anything about what happened to those men who were held as POWs you wouldn't be so flippant. Does it excuse him for having an affair? I don't know. I do know that my father, who was a WWII vet, was finally diagnosed with PTSD as an elderly man and when we learned about his tour of duty and what impact it truly had on him, it explained so much about his life and his behavior. I also know that when I lived in Florida near the St. Pete VA Medical Center, I encountered many men who had been in Vietnam and who were stilll suffering. War changes people, especially when they were ordered to kill children. McCain, though, isn't being handed anything. He has earned his right to be in the position he's in right now. He has had an excellent career. And the fact that he doesn't know how many houses he and his wife own doesn't bother me a bit. I met a couple about 10 years ago that owned rental properties. The man never knew how many they had because it was the woman's business interest. And so it is with McCain. It also doesn't bother me that he has amassed wealth and earns an excellent income. Folks, whether you like it not, the Democrats and Republicans who are in office are all wealthy. The statistics show that the average man/woman politician has a net worth of $2.7 million. None of them can really related to Joe Average, at least not in the way we'd like them to be able. But I, for one, do not want taxes raised more on persons who earn more than those who earn less. Our country was not made that way - for the rich to pay for programs for the middle class or the poor. In days gone by, we all thought that we might also have a chance to get "rich" one day, and therefore, we didn't want the "rich" to be taxed too much because we might one day be one of them. But it went beyond that. Once upon a time, we cared because we knew and practiced the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I also do not want to see taxes raised on big business. That won't keep them from up and leaving and going to countries that are more business friendly. Over taxing them will cause them to leave faster. And there will be less jobs and less companies to tax. Over taxing the rich will make them find loopholes. And when the money isn't there for the programs promised - from either the "rich" or from companies no longer in our country - then, sure enough, the taxes will have to be raised on Joe Average. McCain believes that economic stimulus makes more sense than unfairly taxing the rich and companies. It amazes me that people are all over the oil companies for making too much profit. What is too much? If you were a stock holder, would you think there was too much profit? And what about other kinds of companies - where profits are even higher? What about telecommunications companies? Why isn't anyone complaining about them? [kenzie45230]
People are complaining about the oil companies big profit because they did not come as a result of a genuine rise in the cost of production. It was generated by a 'trick' played by hired speculators on Wall Street. Incidentally, this seems to happen immediately before elections in this country. Just asking...is somebody trying to raise funds for political attacks? [ElaanR2]
That is pretty much all I have heard about him. He's been playing that card for awhile. While it's a horrible thing, I really think that he should stick to the issues at hand without playing the military card. [skinnychick]
I would say no logically but a fresh approach to foreign policy and America in general is what this country needs. Not an old man who can't keep his train of thought or one that flips sides constantly. Has McCain even discussed this subject? [skinnychick]
Alright, was I the only one that got your sacrasm? Guess you should have copied and pasted everyone of rose's ramblings about how he walks on water because he was a POW. Goodness I guess great minds are all sacrastic. [ZephyrSun]
Actually, I'm surprised that you just recently heard that John McCain was a POW. It seems like they use this fact as a reason for "everything" about him, including why he should be president. I will be the first one to say our service people should be treated with the utmost respect and gratitude for there sacrafices. However, no matter what they have done or gone through in the service, it doesn't mean they will be a good leader. It is not the reason for choosing anyone for a governmental office, surely. And yes, I do believe someone that can't remember how many houses they own, can not relate to the normal person that is struggling to hold on to their one home, these days. How could he? [kyellis]
No, I didn't just recently hear about McCain having been a POW, I've known it for years and I was being a smart a$$ about it since it's been thrown out by him or one of his surrogates no matter what issue is being discussed. Also, for the last time, the question about how many homes McCain owns wasn't dealing with rental or investment properties but with homes, places they live now and then, houses or condos with dishes and coffee pots and pajamas. Annie [anniepa]
I burst out laughing when I read this title. For anyone who doesn't get it, the joke is that McCain has done exactly what Annie's talking about. Despite claiming he's "reluctant" to bring up his P.O.W. service, the fact is he's tried to use the "P.O.W. card" as an excuse for basically EVERY mistake and bad decision he's made since this campaign started--he also uses it as an excuse to avoid 'hard questions'. [ClarusVisum]
Oh thank goodness someone else figured it out too. In my first response I suggested that I was going down to the river and homeless shelter to find out next president (2012) when I came back to read what others had said I had to point out that it was all sacrasm and still people just posted about how she should have know this already. [ZephyrSun]
McCain was definitely a POW. You can read more about him in this article. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2008/01/28/john-mccain-prisoner-of-war-a-first-person-account.html The injuries he received is the reason his arms don't look normal. I'm sure he has other problems, but he never complains about them that I know about. And I definitely don't believe he thinks he should be President simply because he was a POW. [Barb42]
Anniepa, "How did you reach the conclusion you state in your last sentence?" That's just how I feel. I realize he mentions it. But we don't know what we would do if we were in his shoes. Thank God my husband made it out of Vietnam without a scratch. McCain and others weren't that lucky. "Someone elsewhere in this threat "character is everything" in choosing a President; (snip)I respect him for that but that doesn't give him a free pass for the rest of his life to be a liar and a philanderer among other things." I agree; character goes a long way. But I've seen nothing from ANY of the candidates for President that showed me they were perfect. And all of them have lies, in their books and in their statements to the public. So I guess he's among the best of them. [Barb42]
I did! Did you hear that Obama was making history? Did you hear that he was the first African American to be nominated by a major party? I'm not sure if it's just a rumor, but apparently he could be the first black AND multiracial president we've ever had. Not only that, his wife watches Sex and the City! I've also heard people say that it has nothing to do with his campaign and I agree, it would be a horrible thing to exploit. Who would ever try to justify having a racist spiritual mentor by saying he has done good things for his community? Certainly nobody would try to justify saying that for the first time in their adult life they were proud of this country by saying they were just glad people were voting. They certainly wouldn't do interviews talking about their favorite TV shows just to sound down to earth. How about saying that since he's had to live life as a minority it's ok that he bought a 1.6 million dollar home from a fellon? DEFINITELY NOBODY WOULD IMPLY THAT BEING YOUNG, BLACK, AND REPEATING THE WORD "CHANGE" EVERY FIVE MINUTES GIVES SOMEONE THE RIGHT TO BE AUTOMATICALLY HANDED THE POSITION OF POTUS??? Would they? [Taskr36]
The man's been in the public eye about 10 times longer than her and her husband combined. If he didn't have any gaffes it could only happen by hiding from the public eye as some senators do. Obviously women and minorities have extra obstacles in life. People have reasons to be bitter and I can understand why some people may blame their country for their problems. I just expect those that lead this country to have a higher opinion of our country than the average citizen. [Taskr36]
Yes, and I am sick and tired of hearing about him being a POW. No one cares anymore. [rogue13xmen13]
why shouldnt he get extra attention as a pow. the media treats obama like he's a freakin movie star. [sarah14130]
Fine, but how much "extra attention" is enough - or too much? It seems to me that if the media wants to talk about McCain but doesn't want to say anything that's isn't totally positive, the only thing they have left is that he was a war hero and a POW. Even has they're reporting about the millions of Hillary supporters who are allegedly planning on voting for McCain they fail to point out his dismal record on women's and children's issues which are what matters the most to Hillary and always have. Annie [anniepa]
I personally think that he would make a great president. Almost everything he has voted on I agree with him on. No just because he was in the military don't make him the absolute best choice if you were to just base it off that however being I am a military wife and my husband has gone to Iraq twice and this last time said that there has been a tremendous difference. It has calmed down so much more. The media blows it up. If they didn't they wouldn't have a story to tell. I am voting for him because I am strong in my faith in Jesus and what he has voted for falls more under my beliefs than Obama. [jmespinosa82]
That's certainly your decision if you feel McCain is the best man based on the issues. However, I have to ask, when you say, "Almost everything he has voted on I agree with him on," when you look at McCain's votes as a Senator WHICH John McCain are you looking at? He's changed his mind at least once on literally every single issue there is. John Kerry took a lot of heat for this back in 2004 but McCain has been FOR everything before he was against it and vice versa! In some cases he's changed back to his original view, I guess depending on which way the political wind is blowing and where he is on a given day. I'd really love to know what Jesus would have to say about John McCain. Annie [anniepa]
Unless a person has been living under a rock they would have to know that McCain was a POW for 5 years. I do not believe that any presidential candidate should automatically be handed anything. [whiteheather39]
This is fairly common knowledge that McCain was a POW. As per Wikipedia, "McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958 and became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he nearly lost his life in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. Later that year while on a bombing mission over North Vietnam, he was shot down, badly injured, and captured as a prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese. He was held from 1967 to 1973, experiencing episodes of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer; his war wounds would leave him with lifelong physical limitations." I have a lot of respect for this good man. Does this make him my choice for president? Well, I am at an impass at this as my choice is not running at this time, but he would also not be any worse than we have now. [nanajanet]
I agree completely with you Barbie! [ZephyrSun]
I think that it's a given that he was a POW. You don't have to do much to become one, just be in the wrong place at the right time. It does take a lot of luck to survive, does this make him a good President? Better look at his voting record. [savypat]
Yes, its true. He is not using it to exploit. In fact its not him that,s that talking about it. Its people who are proud to know some one like him. I know just by reading your letter that you have never been in the service of have ever known the horror of being tortured. You have never had to make a choice between being set free at the expense of others and having the courage to say no. As for the cheating, his first wife understood that as sad as it was it was some thing that he needed to do. The proof of her understanding is she has never said a bad word about John or Cindy and his sons are proud to follow in his foot steps. How about some one saying I knew my minister was a raciest for twenty years but I stopped going to see him when it threaten my being a POTUS? Oh and by the way, get your facts straight before you make a dumb statement. The only woman he was with was Cindy. [patms1]
You're welcome Annie, I could never let such an uneducated statement go unquestioned. I'm starting to wonder if Taskr and X are the only intelligent ones that are pro McCain. [ZephyrSun]
he most certainly was a pow in viet naam and it doesnt qualify him in any way it only shows that while he was a prisoner his wife waited for him the whole time even after having an horrendous accident and when he returned he ditched her because she was now an invalid and used a CANE OR EVEN A WHEEL CHAIR AT TIMES Now he flits around with his trophy wife is this someone you can trust????? [revdauphinee]
I know I certainly don't trust him at all! Annie [anniepa]
Most of the respondents here are very hate-filled. It IS a fact that the DEMOCRATS have been the ones playing the race card, over & OVER -- even some of them have begun to object! And McCain has, as can anyone, changed since his younger days. I seriously doubt Obama has, given the streak of lies & evasions he has put forth about his mentors & associations. As for the media being in the tank for Obama, you'd better believe it. Even some of the MEDIA are admitting this! And if you don't trust THEM (I never do), then do a Lexus-Nexus search, & SEE how many pro-Obama articles & programs etc. there are compared to pro-McCain. McCain DOES know how many houses he owns--but if you had real estate that was split between you & your wife, & needed to check the paperwork to see EXACTLY how many you own, show me what's wrong with that? He doesn't LIVE in all those places! He's just a good BUSINESSMAN, which Obama certainly isn't. I won't bother to spell out anything more to this thread, as it's too sour to read, really. You class-enviers & Kool-aid drinkers for the left can all take a flying leap. You NEVER learn. Oh, & before I go, here's a little tidbit of info for you, & you can look it up on "Black Republican" on the web: Martin Luther King Jr. was a REPUBLICAN, & for damned good reason. The DEMOCRAT party was BEGUN BY, & has ALWAYS been RUN BY RACISTS. Maggiepie, who will now go take a BATH, since she got filthy wading through this sewer of hate & ignorance. [Maggiepie]
Martin Luther King, Sr. was a republican. That's "senior," not "junior." After Bobby Kennedy helped Martin, Jr. out, Martin, Sr. supported Kennedy all the way. There is no evidence whatsoever that Martin, Jr. was a republican, and plenty to say he was not. Republicans do love their rumor and innuendo, don't they? Care to offer proof that the democratic party was "begun by and has always been run by racists?" I find that statement entirely laughable. [CherylsPearls]
Oh, Annie, I do love your sense of whimsey! lol I can't believe that so many people thought you were serious. Wow, your post really shook out the nutters! Some are new to me. I particularly loved the one proclaiming that the democratic party was started by racists. lol Delusion is really running rampant this election. I don't know why the fact that McCain was a POW should mean anything as far as being elected President. I mean, I have a certain respect for that, until I have heard him talk the story to death. When I was younger, I had a friend come back from Viet Nam telling these horrible stories. He told them constantly, in a bragging way. I told my Dad about them. My Dad, a WWII Marine, told me that NOBODY who goes through battle ever wants to talk about it. He told me that if anybody who had been in battle, or claimed to be, talked about it all the time, not to believe a word they said. I believe that. It's not something someone would want to talk about. And it does seem now that McCain is changing his story around; now I have to wonder if most of what he has said was only half-true. I'm sure I'll get a beating for that one. [CherylsPearls]
My Dad was in the Pacific, too! He was in the Marianas, in Guam for a good while. He was also in the Marshall Islands and New Caledonia. He was with the 3rd Marine Division. And always a staunch Democrat! :) [CherylsPearls]
McCain was a POW in Vietnam. It's not a secret, he talks about it constantly. [onesiobhan]
I love you, Annie. Will you marry me? Oh, wait, that's not legal... damn. [devylan]