I will vote for him.

McCain is a true hero.

Obama is a true zero.

I disagree with him on some issues, but I too, will be voting for him.

You might want to read his biography.

Why are we talking about this. Obama was only 12 years old then.

/

I've never been a fan of John McCain, but I have always had the utmost respect for his service to our country. God bless you, Sir.

Anyone who survives a POW experience is a hero in my eyes. McCain deserves the respect, period. He's earned that, and more. I don't agree with much of what he is about, as far as the Presidential campaign goes, but he has earned the respect and thanks of a seemingly not-so-grateful Nation.

Thank you, Senator McCain!

re: #1 newsjunkie_ky

I will vote for him.

One thing that I am sure of, I will be voting for a true real life American hero on voting day.

This election is about an American Hero vs a complete Zero

re: #2 zombie

McCain is a true hero.

Obama is a true zero.

Holy crap.

GMTA

re: #10 Shug

Holy crap.

GMTA

GMDA (drink!)

But will the far-leftist Democrats have respect for the man? I'm thinking no.

re: #2 zombie

McCain is a true hero.

Obama is a true zero.

Upding for that zombie! Excellent!

Thanks for the tip o the hat Charles.

re: #8 VegasRick
That is so true. We have as our candidates one man that would give his life for his Country and another that would give the Country up for his ideology.

Speaking of which...

Folks, I will need help with this:

McCain volunteered for duty in Vietnam and we all know his amazing story of unparalleled heroism.

Nixon ended the draft in 1973. But in 1980 Carter re-instituted the "Selective Service" system whereby all males in the US who turn 18 had to register with the government in case there was a ever a future draft. Any men here born after Jan 1 1960 may well remember what I'm talking about.

There is a rumor going around that Obama FAILED to register with the selective service, as he was required to in 1980, since he had just turned 18 and was among the first wave of young men legally required to register.

If so, he is in violation of the law to this day and in fact may be legally disqualified from serving as president.

Now, I realize there will be no proof of this rumor anywher online, but ANY help you can provide with links will be much appreciated for my "Obama Rumor, Obama Fact" page.

Hat tips will be provided. Thanks!

The Left doesn't believe military service is honorable.
They sure like Idolotry though, given the right Golden Calf.

re: #12 Kaitian868

But will the far-leftist Democrats have respect for the man? I'm thinking no.

They will focus on whatever negatives they can dig out of the story, like the nicknames for the guards...they will think McCain deserved beatings. Heck, the leftists would beat all of us if they got the chance.

re: #5 JammieWearingFool

Why are we talking about this. Obama was only 12 years old then.

/

See my comment #16!

When they had most of my clothes off, I felt a twinge in my right knee. I sat up and looked at it, and my right foot was resting next to my left knee, just in a 90-degree position. I said, "My God--my leg!" That seemed to enrage them —I don't know why. One of them slammed a rifle butt down on my shoulder, and smashed it pretty badly. Another stuck a bayonet in my foot. The mob was really getting up-tight.

The honor and character Cmdr. McCain showed in not taking his captors up on their offer to send him home before his fellow prisoners make him worthy of America's nod to the White House.

Contrast and compare to Barack Obama's lack of both, as evidenced by his associations and relationships throughout the years with William Ayers and Bernadette Dorne, Tony Rezko, Rashid Khalidi, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Fr. Michael Pfleger, et al.

I posted this some weeks ago but I think it bears repeating. It's from an article written by P.J. O'Rourke in the Weekly Standard.

Some say John McCain's character was formed in a North Vietnamese prison. I say those people should take a gander at what John chose to do--voluntarily. Being a carrier pilot requires aptitude, intelligence, skill, knowledge, discernment, and courage of a kind rarely found anywhere but in a poem of Homer's or a half gallon of Dewar's. I look from John McCain to what the opposition has to offer. There's Ms. Smarty-Pantsuit, the Bosnia-Under-Sniper-Fire poster gal, former prominent Washington hostess, and now the JV senator from the state that brought you Eliot Spitzer and Bear Stearns. And there's the happy-talk boy wonder, the plaster Balthazar in the Cook County political crèche, whose policy pronouncements sound like a walk through Greenwich Village in 1968: "Change, man? Got any spare change? Change?"

Some people say John McCain isn't conservative enough. But there's more to conservatism than low taxes, Jesus, and waterboarding at Gitmo. Conservatism is also a matter of honor, duty, valor, patriotism, self-discipline, responsibility, good order, respect for our national institutions, reverence for the traditions of civilization, and adherence to the political honesty upon which all principles of democracy are based. Given what screw-ups we humans are in these respects, conservatism is also a matter of sense of humor. Heard any good quips lately from Hillary or Barack?

...

This is an enlightening article into John McCain's caracter.

I'll reprint some of the things that stood out to me.

I really didn't know what to think, because I had been having these other interrogations in which I had refused to co-operate. It was not hard because they were not torturing me at this time. They just told me I'd never go home and I was going to be tried as a war criminal. That was their constant theme for many months.

Suddenly "The Cat" said to me, "Do you want to go home?"

I was astonished, and I tell you frankly that I said that I would have to think about it. I went back to my room, and I thought about it for a long time. At this time I did not have communication with the camp senior ranking officer, so I could get no advice. I was worried whether I could stay alive or not, because I was in rather bad condition. I had been hit with a severe case of dysentery, which kept on for about a year and a half. I was losing weight again.

But I knew that the Code of Conduct says, "You will not accept parole or amnesty," and that "you will not accept special favors." For somebody to go home earlier is a special favor. There's no other way you can cut it.

I went back to him three nights later. He asked again, "Do you want to go home?" I told him "No." He wanted to know why, and I told him the reason. I said that Alvarez [first American captured] should go first, then enlisted men and that kind of stuff.

"The Cat" told me that President Lyndon Johnson had ordered me home. He handed me a letter from my wife, in which she had said, "I wished that you had been one of those three who got to come home." Of course, she had no way to understand the ramifications of this. "The Cat" said that the doctors had told him that I could not live unless I got medical treatment in the United States.

We went through this routine and still I told him "No." Three nights later we went through it all over again. On the morning of the Fourth of July, 1968, which happened to be the same day that my father took over as commander in chief of U. S. Forces in the Pacific, I was led into another quiz room.

"The Rabbit" and "The Cat" were sitting there. I walked in and sat down, and "The Rabbit" said, "Our senior wants to know your final answer."

"My final answer is the same. It's 'No.' "

"That is your final answer?"

"That is my final answer."

What these men went through is simply unbelievable. I had the chance to do a five day survival class in the Philipine jungle. That was a walk in the park compared to what these men dealt with.

I can't read this now. I just woke up and it is too disturbing.

re: #2 zombie

McCain the Hero
vs
Obama the Zero.

re: #22 SpartanWoman

Why did my comment turn to dots?

What I wrote was that if Obama failed to register for the draft that he would get a pass and commendation from the left for his "dissent"

Unfortunately this heroism doesn't always translate into a win.

I remember George HW Bush in that debate with Draft dodger Clinton and Clinton saying " are you questioning my patriotism"

Now here is a man who flew planes off carriers, was shot down in Japo infested waters, picked up by a sub which was almost sunk, and he is on the same stage as Bill Clinton and Clinton is lecturing him on patriotism.

That image still makes me sick.

and Obama is just as slick as Slick WIlly

Serving my country is not in line with my moral belief system, but you may serve my waffles.

/sweety

re: #16 zombie

Speaking of which...

Folks, I will need help with this:

McCain volunteered for duty in Vietnam and we all know his amazing story of unparalleled heroism.

Nixon ended the draft in 1973. But in 1980 Carter re-instituted the "Selective Service" system whereby all males in the US who turn 18 had to register with the government in case there was a ever a future draft. Any men here born after Jan 1 1960 may well remember what I'm talking about.

There is a rumor going around that Obama FAILED to register with the selective service, as he was required to in 1980, since he had just turned 18 and was among the first wave of young men legally required to register.

If so, he is in violation of the law to this day and in fact may be legally disqualified from serving as president.

Now, I realize there will be no proof of this rumor anywher online, but ANY help you can provide with links will be much appreciated for my "Obama Rumor, Obama Fact" page.

Hat tips will be provided. Thanks!

I remember that very well, I am the same age as obama and registered in 1980. I will try to help look.

re: #16 zombie

I thought I read something on this many months ago and Barry's proof of registration was provided. I think it was here.

re: #21 dahveed
Thanks for posting that.

Like him or not McCain is a man who proved himself when tested under circumstances not all of us can be certain we would survive with honor and dignity.

Obama is an ink blot resulting from affirmative action where hopes and dreams and fantasies are projected upon superficial attributes and oratory.

How does this help Michelles Children?

re: #16 zombie

This may or not may be true, but it would give you a person to contact to confirm that they did indeed have contact with the Selective Service:

Selective Service just replied that he did in fact register in 1980. So the rumor is FALSE!

[Link: forums.military.com...]

re: #34 Truck Monkey

How does this help Michelles Children?

Well it might show them that there are real heroes in the world and men who have faced true adversity and survived, instead of just whiners who are not proud of their country like their parents.

In March of 1971 the senior officers decided that we would have a showdown over church. This was an important issue for us. It also was a good one to fight them on. We went ahead and held church. The men that were conducting the service were taken out of the room immediately. We began to sing hymns in loud voices and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The "gooks" thought it was a riot situation. They brought in the ropes and were practicing judo holds and that kind of stuff. After about a week or two they started taking the senior officers out of our room and putting them over in another building.

Well, zombie, if you have Nobama's social security number you can find out here. His birth date was August 4, 1961.

re: #31 unrealizedviewpoint

I thought I read something on this many months ago and Barry's proof of registration was provided. I think it was here.

Really? I have never seen any such evidence, ever.

A link would be extremely appreciated.

In fact, I've never found ANY infomation that he ever registered.

This may be a complete non-issue, but it would be mighty devastating for Obama's campaign if in fact he did fail to register.

I don't think a reporter has ever asked him. All it would take is one question, and Obama would have to provide the proof (that he registered) or shut up.

John McCain: Courageous Service

re: #38 Irene NYC

Well, zombie, if you have Nobama's social security number you can find out here. His birth date was August 4, 1961.

I know that, but his Social Security number is top secret, I already investigated that angle and link.

The guy is tough. Mentally very strong and probably inflexible. These characteristics served him well as a POW and I hope they will serve us well when he is POTUS. McCain 08 because the alternative is unthinkable.

re: #39 zombie

Nah, he would get away with it. It would be seen as a badge of honor

All through this period, the "gooks" were bombarding us with antiwar quotes from people in high places back in Washington. This was the most effective propaganda they had to use against us—speeches and statements by men who were generally respected in the United States.

They used Senator Fulbright a great deal, and Senator Brooke. Ted Kennedy was quoted again and again, as was Averell Harriman. Clark Clifford was another favorite, right after he had been Secretary of Defense under President Johnson.

When Ramsey Clark came over they thought that was a great coup for their cause.

I respect any man or woman that has served this country. Obama on the other hand? Community organizer (?) and Harvard lawyer. Not so much.

McCain all the way, damn the imminent riots!

re: #35 seekeroftruth

re: #16 zombie

This may or not may be true, but it would give you a person to contact to confirm that they did indeed have contact with the Selective Service:

Selective Service just replied that he did in fact register in 1980. So the rumor is FALSE!

[Link: forums.military.com...]

Hmmm, interesting. Give me five minutes on that...

For those who have their panties wadded about current events, perhaps you might ponder this--our country, throughout it's history, has had a knack for having the right person for the time, in any given situation.

Even the most cursory glance will prove this out. The stumbles we make (Carter's Presidency as an example) just point out the path we must or must not take. I remain confident in spite that we'll choose properly, as we always seem to do.

Makes the "progressives" who make fun of his teeth look pretty damn small.

In a time of war, what would be more appropriate than a warrior. We don't have the luxury peace provides to gripe about his conservative bona fides.

One might say he was heaven sent. (Wouldn't have been my first choice either but there is a wisdom greater than mine operating in the universe.)

He bucked up when the chips were down. Let's see if the American people can do the same.

re: #47 irongrampa

from your mouth to GOD'S ear.

Right after the Communist Tet offensive in 1968, the North Vietnamese were riding high. They knew President Johnson was going to stop the bombing before the 1968 elections. "The Soft-Soap Fairy" told me a month before those elections that Johnson was going to stop the bombings.

In May of 1968 I was interviewed by two North Vietnamese generals at separate times. Both of them said to me, in almost these words:

"After we liberate South Vietnam were going to liberate Cambodia. And after Cambodia we're going to Laos, and after we liberate Laos we're going to liberate Thailand. And after we liberate Thailand we're going to liberate Malaysia, and then Burma. We're going to liberate all of Southeast Asia."

"North Vietnamese Believe 'Domino Theory'"

They left no doubt in my mind that it was not a question of South Vietnam alone. Some people's favorite game is to refute the "domino theory," but the North Vietnamese themselves never tried to refute it. They believe it. Ho Chi Minh said many, many times, "We are proud to be in the front line of armed struggle between the socialist camp and the U. S. imperialist aggressors." Now, this doesn't mean fighting for nationalism. It doesn't mean fighting for an independent South Vietnam. It means what he said. This is what Communism is all about—armed struggle to overthrow capitalist countries.

re: #35 seekeroftruth

re: #16 zombie

This may or not may be true, but it would give you a person to contact to confirm that they did indeed have contact with the Selective Service:

Selective Service just replied that he did in fact register in 1980. So the rumor is FALSE!

[Link: forums.military.com...]

Hmmm, interesting. Give me five minutes on that...

Ah, OK, now I remember -- I've seen that link before.

All it is, is a random commenter on a blog stating the rumor is false. Absolutely no evidence or link of any kind is provided. For all we know it was posted by an Obama defender.

I'm looking for actual evidence, not an untraceable claim in a blog comment.

I'd like to hear Obama comment on McCain's ordeal.

re: #39 zombie

Now that I think about it. I believe it was merely a link here to a KOS posting early in the campaign. I believe it was settled at KOS with evidence provided. Hillary's campaign probably would have exhausted this I would think. But of course I have no link, and sad to say i probably will not be able to provide as my ability to navigate KOS is quite limited. I only go there under Charles direction.

As far as this business of solitary confinement goes—the most important thing for survival is communication with someone, even if it's only a wave or a wink, a tap on the wall, or to have a guy put his thumb up. It makes all the difference.

It's vital to keep your mind occupied, and we all worked on that. Some guys were interested in mathematics, so they worked out complex formulas in their heads—we were never allowed to have writing materials. Others would build a whole house, from basement on up. I have more of a philosophical bent. I had read a lot of history. I spent days on end going back over those history books in my mind, figuring out where this country or that country went wrong, what the U. S. should do in the area of foreign affairs.

An Arab friend was laughing at the dumb Americans for thinking of voting for President a man who is mis-shapen and has really short arms. I told him that was the result of him being tortured by the North Vietnamese -- real torture over a period of years and not the panties on the head kind of torture that Arabs find so devastating.

I also added that no American would ever point and giggle at McCain's arms because they are a badge of honor and not something freakish. Although I do note that the Kos Kids think it's alright to laugh about McCain's teeth now, which are replacements for the ones that were knocked out during those same torture sessions.

My Arab friend was impressed by McCain's fortitude, though, even if the Kosniks are not.

#54

Well then the Republicans will have to rally and spread the word. Or cede our country to the Comrades.

re: #52 zombie

Ah, ok thanks Zombie. You probably right about it being an Obama's supporter.
There's been other questions as well: has anyone seen his birth certificate? And has anyone seen any of Obama's transcript from any of the schools he attended?

re: #16 zombie

I couldn't tell you, one way or the other. My gut feeling is that it's another one of those "gotcha" rumors. I don't recall, however, that there was ever a lapse in the requirement to register with Selective Service.

I never registered with them, but I think I can claim extenuating circumstances: I spent my 18th birthday at Ft. Devens, MA.

This outpouring on behalf of us who were prisoners of war is staggering, and a little embarrassing because basically we feel that we are just average American Navy, Marine and Air Force pilots who got shot down. Anybody else in our place would have performed just as well.

My own plans for the future are to remain in the Navy, if I am able to return to flying status. That depends upon whether the corrective surgery on my arms and my leg is successful. If I have to leave the Navy, I hope to serve the Government in some capacity, preferably in Foreign Service for the State Department.

I had a lot of time to think over there, and came to the conclusion that one of the most important things in life—along with a man's family—is to make some contribution to his country.

Someone here reported last week that Chrissy Matthews (IIRC) mumbled something about McCain "not knowing what it means to sweat".

I beg to differ, Chrissy.

re: #55 unrealizedviewpoint

Now that I think about it. I believe it was merely a link here to a KOS posting early in the campaign. I believe it was settled at KOS with evidence provided. Hillary's campaign probably would have exhausted this I would think. But of course I have no link, and sad to say i probably will not be able to provide as my ability to navigate KOS is quite limited. I only go there under Charles direction.

I've just searched all of Daily Kos, both stories and comments, back for two years, and I found nothing about Obama and Selective Service.

re: #61 Geepers

Compare and contrast this with the blank slate that is The Obamessiah. Is there really a choice to make this coming November?

I might not be crazy about McCain the politician but I am coming to admire McCain the man more as I hear about what he endured.

re: #16 zombie

Good Morning Zombie

If you have time you could go to [Link: www.sss.gov...] and I think you can do a FOI request for BHO to see if he was registered.

Hope this helps

re: #63 zombie

I've just searched all of Daily Kos, both stories and comments, back for two years, and I found nothing about Obama and Selective Service.

I'm sorry I have no answer. I will think on it today and do some searching later when I return. You're right I bet. It probably was an Obama supporter. I just remember getting all excited, then let down when I saw evidence.

Good questions asked by:

re: #59 seekeroftruth

There's been other questions as well: has anyone seen his birth certificate? And has anyone seen any of Obama's transcript from any of the schools he attended?

On CNN last night someone compared Kerry & Webb to McCain, how they were in the war & had soured on it, but because McCain was a POW his experience was worth less due to the fact he missed alot.

Strange.

This could apply to the blogosphere:

From the article:

"Communication with your fellow prisoners was of the utmost value—the difference between being able to resist and not being able to resist."

The stories of American POWs always destroy me. Contrasting them with the way the US treats it's prisoners and gets excoriated around the world for it, I am moved to both fury and anguish.

It's like boxing a sandstorm trying to fight the false propaganda that US haters, including our own media, spread.

Bless McCain for surviving. I wish he had a better understanding of what this country needs because he's got some terrible ideas. And I'm in the uncomfortable position of praying with all my might that he wins in November.

Obama has frequently mentioned his student loans, which would have been substantial given the tuition at Harvard Law. Almost certainly, those loans were government loans or federally insured, and he'd have had to be registered w/ Selective Service to receive them. That's somewhat speculative, but points in the direction of him being registered.

re: #56 Geepers

I have more of a philosophical bent. I had read a lot of history. I spent days on end going back over those history books in my mind, figuring out where this country or that country went wrong, what the U. S. should do in the area of foreign affairs.

I noticed that too. McCain has been actively thinking about and evaluating world issues for a very very long time. This is what will make a strong commander-in-chief, even if I do not agree with him on all things.

One other thing about this article - McCain made ethical and moral choices, not the choices that would benefit him personally. This goes back to a brief discussion on a thread last night, about how true self-esteem comes from accomplishment, not being told "you are wonderful, and we'll give you a good grade even if you don't do anything". This ability to make the ethical and moral choices is supported by having an appropriate level of humility, not egotistical self-esteem.

I'm so glad Charles posted this article. It has made it easier for me to vote McCain this year with a clearer mind about it.

re: #65 Viking6

Good Morning Zombie

If you have time you could go to [Link: www.sss.gov...] and I think you can do a FOI request for BHO to see if he was registered.

Hope this helps

I don't think an individual could get away with an FOI request for this. One would have to be a full media organization or a legal team.

The info is supposed to be private.

reine.de.tout (#71),

My thoughts as well.

re: #67 akak

Its unfortunate that someone would mention Kerry in the same breath as Webb and McCain. Webb served this country as a Marine Infantry Officer and saw considerable combat in Vietnam. Kerry on the other hand saw the Cambodian border during a "mind searing" moment during his 4 month tour of duty. McCain saw the worst of it all. Read the "Nightingales Song".

re: #72 zombie

No, actually if you can find his ssn and dob you can get the info right on the site

re: #67 akak

On CNN last night someone compared Kerry & Webb to McCain, how they were in the war & had soured on it, but because McCain was a POW his experience was worth less due to the fact he missed alot.

Strange.

I don't think the idea was that McCain's experience was worth less, but that they developed different perspectives because of their different experiences. Kerry, Webb, and McCain have to distance themselves from each other now because of partisan politics, but, in fact, they have known each other and been friends for a long time, as Webb said on Face the Nation this AM.

People need to ask themselves about the candidates, John McCain and Barack Hussein Obama.

Based on their life stories, and current actions, who do you want to be the leader of the Free World?

Who loves their country?

Who was willing to die for the freedoms that we have?

Who wasn't willing to sell America out, through torture and the threat of death?

The choice for me is very clear and very simple, John McCain truly has always loved his country and been proud of her.

Barack Hussein Obama has been nothing more than a self serving politician since he's been in politics, and he cares more about creating an America that doesn't even resemble the U.S. Constitution, but some kind of socialist experiment, which anyone with even half a brain knows, has always failed, in all of the history of mankind.

Socialism can never succeed, because it is run by self serving people who have no real interest for the well being of those they claim to want to help.

John McCain is a true hero, deserving of the Presidency, Barack Hussein Obama has no qualifications to be POTUS, none at all.

Compared to McCain, Obama looks like a young child with no real life experience, just a lot of fluff, and spin, and talk, and of course, embellishments and outright lies.

Who would you rather have in charge of the Free World?

re: #70 JustMyView

Obama has frequently mentioned his student loans, which would have been substantial given the tuition at Harvard Law. Almost certainly, those loans were government loans or federally insured, and he'd have had to be registered w/ Selective Service to receive them. That's somewhat speculative, but points in the direction of him being registered.

Interesting theory. But I know many people who did not register and got student loans anyway. Lefty school administrators facilitated it. And if they weren't federal loans, then it wouldn't matter. Harvard has/had private funding available, doesn't it?

re: #78 zombie

Interesting theory. But I know many people who did not register and got student loans anyway. Lefty school administrators facilitated it. And if they weren't federal loans, then it wouldn't matter. Harvard has/had private funding available, doesn't it?

As I said, I was being speculative. Someone who's been to law school would know more, but my impression is that universities do not fund professional school students.

re: #75 Viking6

No, actually if you can find his ssn and dob you can get the info right on the site

That's an insurmoutably huge IF.

His social security number is unfindable and top secret. I've already tried that route.

Even on his public tax returns it's been blotted out.

I invite you to try and post the info here, or email me.

re: #77 republic

I couldn't agree more. BHO reminds me of a young person who came up to our booth at a job fair and asked what executive management positions were available. He was pretty upset when I asked him what actual work experience he had.

He whined, "Well I just got my degree(BA) in management, that should qualify me for any job you have." I told him to come see me in about 10 years and we would talk.

I was a 'MaCainiac' when he ran against Bush....
remember?.....
Bush opps. accused John's wife of drug use.....
& when Jonny MaC answered that.....
the MSM ran 'who want to be a millionaire!' show on TV....so....
no one watched or cared...
that was the same time that the Boston Globe reported that there were pre-written ballots for Bush @ the primaries! in that area.

John McCain's book is amazing!....so America needs to ask itself..
WHO DO YOU TRUST!
a man who throws his own Grandmother/Mother & Pastor under the bus...
or a MAN who endured 5 years of torture at the hands of very evil ppl to remain w/ his troops!
easy....RIGHT!
GO JOHN MCCAIN!

I have been waiting for libs to try to get someone with McCain to denigrate his conduct. They want revenge for the Swifties.

It is telling that no one can be found.

That won't stop them from making up something.

re: #80 zombie

I will give it a try. If successful I will let you know.

re: #83 jones

timing's not right; wait for the 'october surprise.'

john mccain will protect our country. he is a patriotic american.
barack obama will sell us out. he hasn't said one good thing abt. america.

Some quotations from McCain's memoir, with my comments:

1. As you may know, back in 1954, the North Vietnamese had a big hand in toppling the French Government in Paris because the French voters had no more stomach for the Vietnam war their Government was waging at the time. That was the way the North Vietnamese won in 1954—they didn't win in Vietnam... The French agreed to pull out of Indo-China with no questions asked when they signed the agreement. As a result, they got back just one third of their POW's.

Comment: We are seeing something similar today with the Arab/Islamic attempt to topple our government and install a government to their liking, abetted by many Americans the loss backbone.

2. It was obvious to us that negotiation was not going to settle the problem.

Comment: The prisoners knew this then, and it is true today with the new enemies of America.

3. Some people's favorite game is to refute the "domino theory," but the North Vietnamese themselves never tried to refute it. They believe it... This doesn't mean fighting for nationalism. It doesn't mean fighting for an independent South Vietnam. It means what he said. This is what Communism is all about—armed struggle to overthrow capitalist countries.

Comment: Ditto for jihad.

4. I read a lot of their history. They gave us propaganda books. I learned that Ho Chi Minh was a Stalinist. When Khrushchev denounced Stalin in the late 1950s, Minh did not go along with it. He was not a "peaceful coexistence" Communist.

Comment: Ditto for the president of Iran, for Hizb Allah, for Hamas, etc.

5. America will have other wars to fight until the Communists give up their doctrine of violent overthrow of our way of life. These men (turncoat prisoners) should bear some censure so that in future wars there won't be a precedent for conduct that hurts this country.

Comment: The parallel with expansionist Islam is clear.

6. I think America is a better country now (written 6 years after his capture) because we have been through a sort of purging process, a re-evaluation of ourselves. Now I see more of an appreciation of our way of life.

Comments: True of many Americans, and as it has been a theme of McCain's life, I hope he will make this a theme of his campaign.

re: #60 Steffan

I couldn't tell you, one way or the other. My gut feeling is that it's another one of those "gotcha" rumors. I don't recall, however, that there was ever a lapse in the requirement to register with Selective Service.

I never registered with them, but I think I can claim extenuating circumstances: I spent my 18th birthday at Ft. Devens, MA.

Right in plain sight! How clever!

re: #77 republic

Socialism can never succeed, because it is run by self serving people who have no real interest for the well being of those they claim to want to help.

I needed to log back in (highlight and bold) when I read this. How does one define a democrat? See above.

The Hanoi Hilton experience has affected McCain in subtle ways, such as affecting his judgement.

"Climate change" as environmentalist hoax and support for American oil should be a no-brainer.

re: #2 zombie

McCain is a true hero.

Obama is a true zero.

You not only have an EYE, but an EAR for the perfect bon mot.

Given this corroborated testimony of the life of a prisoner of war, in the hands of a totalitarian state, I have only this to say to the anti-war appeasers:

Fuck you.

john mccain never said anything bad abt. his country for 5 1/2 years. (under horrible circumstances.)

all b.o. does is criticize and demean america. his preacher, the vulgar grating wife and all his co-horts do the same. stomping on the flag of a 'down right mean country, and on and on.
these people are dangerous, delusional and must be defeated.

re: #28 Shug

Unfortunately this heroism doesn't always translate into a win.

I remember George HW Bush in that debate with Draft dodger Clinton and Clinton saying " are you questioning my patriotism"

Now here is a man who flew planes off carriers, was shot down in Japo infested waters, picked up by a sub which was almost sunk, and he is on the same stage as Bill Clinton and Clinton is lecturing him on patriotism.

That image still makes me sick.

and Obama is just as slick as Slick WIlly

The reason Clinton won was because of Ross Perot. If it had been Bush vs. Clinton, Bush would have been re-elected.

So convinced are they of the benevolence of people they allow to board their planes, first class passengers are given steak knives with their meals.

And that's why Clinton got only about 42 or 43 percent of the vote - a plurality, never a majority.

All thanks to Ross Perot. (Not!)

Wait a sec! The quote that I had copied isn't the one that got pasted!

Sheesh! Let me fix that! Help, Charles!

The reason Clinton won was because of Ross Perot. If it had been Bush vs. Clinton, Bush would have been re-elected.

And that's why Clinton got only about 42 or 43 percent of the vote - a plurality, never a majority.

All thanks to Ross Perot. (Not!)

I'm sorry guys. It was a comment I saw in another thread! :-

re: #23 Geepers

Required reading before going to MEPS:

I want to say this to anybody in the military: If you don't know what your country is doing, find out. And if you find you don't like what your country is doing, get out before the chips are down.

Please read the book "Return With Honor" by George E "Bud" Day, Colonel, USAF, retired. Colonel Day spent over 5 years as a POW with Senator McCain. He received the Medal Of Honor for his actions in Vietnam.

Forrestal Disaster (Aircraft Carrier Explosion) - 1/5

Before McCain's stay at the Hanoi Hilton.

/ What? McCain sat out the war in a hotel? -- moonbat

re: #87 Montaigne's Cat

Some quotations from McCain's memoir, with my comments:

1. As you may know, back in 1954, the North Vietnamese had a big hand in toppling the French Government in Paris because the French voters had no more stomach for the Vietnam war their Government was waging at the time. That was the way the North Vietnamese won in 1954—they didn't win in Vietnam... The French agreed to pull out of Indo-China with no questions asked when they signed the agreement. As a result, they got back just one third of their POW's.

Actually, they did.

Senator McCain is a true hero and a great American. His politics suck but his patriotism can not be questioned.

Hussein Obama is probably the most anti-American candidate ever run for the highest office of the US in history

Vote McCain 2008

Great article. As others have mentioned, regardless of how you feel about his politics you at least have to respect McCain for his service.

re: #72 zombie

I don't think an individual could get away with an FOI request for this. One would have to be a full media organization or a legal team.

The info is supposed to be private.

Zombie,

FOI is the only way that will really offer proof. Income tax refunds are supposed to be private also, but that changes once a person runs for POTUS.

They don't have to release his BO's SSN (block it out or whatever), but the public has every right to know whether or not he registered.

Since I've never filed a FOI request, I don't know if it makes a difference if it's an individual or organization doing the asking.

re: #2 zombie

McCain is a true hero.

Obama is a true zero.

I used your new motto on my blog
[Link: thespiritofman.blogspot.com...]

re: #104 Genosaurer

Great article. As others have mentioned, regardless of how you feel about his politics you at least have to respect McCain for his service.

I find very little to like about John McCain's politics, but he is a genuine war hero: everything John Kerry only pretended to be.

One of the most appalling parts is that you know that the liberals will read the entire thing, and all they'll get out of it is that McCain used the word "gook", and write him off as a racist.

Amazing.

I will vote for him--he understands that sometimes force is necessary to win negotiations, and that's a rarity in politics these days.

Amazing, to read his very even first hand account is incredible. I will be voting for him, even though we disagree on some of the issues. We as a country have not had the opportunity to elect a true Hero as Commander in Chief for a long, long time.

Several things struck me when I was reading this. One is the part where McCain states that out of the North Vietnamese captors, only one prison guard behaved like an empathetic human being. They were not motivated by compassion, but all of them understood and respected force. McCain was especially tuned into their techniques for manipulating popular sentiment in America, and points to the outstanding success of this manipulation in controlling politics in France.

Another comment that I think is interesting is near the end where McCain states his belief in the ability of the people of this nation to pursue honorable goals. He mentions environmentalism as one of them. What McCain has failed to see - and this puzzles me - is that the current global warming hysteria is not well-intentioned concern for the planet we live on but a well-done propaganda assault by socialists to undermine capitalism. As such, McCain should be hostile to this movement, not supportive of it. Has he addressed this view of AGW somewhere? I would like to read his response.

No one would want to avoid war more than McCain. If he takes our nation to war, it would be necessary. He knows the horror of war, but he also is strong enough to make the tough call in necessary. That being said, I think Israel will deal with Iran's nukes this summer (if what I have read is accurate).

Thank you for posting this, Charles.

I was aware of what happened to McCain but not all the details, and have gained an enormous respect for him after reading this article.

But he's still a shitty Republican...

re: #53 itellu3times

I'd like to hear Obama comment on McCain's ordeal.

Just imagine the most condescending, patronizing, vacuous claptrap of banalities and cliches that you can and that should be a good approximation.

After reading the whole article with all the details, this man is a true hero. He is head and shoulders above the socialist who wants to drag our country into Third World status or worse. Anybody agree?

The North Vietnamese gave us very little except bad news about the U. S. We didn't find out about the first successful moon shot [in 1969] until it was mentioned in a speech by George McGovern saying that Nixon could put a man on the moon, but he couldn't put an end to the Vietnam war.

They bombarded us with the news of Martin Luther King's death and the riots that followed. Information like that poured continuously out of the loud-speakers.

Sounds just like the present-day DNC and their MSM mouthpieces.

Can you imagine....there is a group out there trying to use his service against him!

It's pretty iron clad, in military circles, John McCain is solid...

The Vietnamese tried letting him go early to paint him as a collaborator (Son and Grandson of Admirals) and he refused....great big solid brass cahjones....

I have some big issues with his conservative creds...... But not how he will treat my brothers and sister in arms. I feel pretty comfy with McCain there, and that's enough.......

I have no respect for socialists who want to be President of our great nation.

re: #108 McJeff

One of the most appalling parts is that you know that the liberals will read the entire thing, and all they'll get out of it is that McCain used the word "gook", and write him off as a racist.

Reading this article I notice the repeated use of "gook" and "gooks" and what it leads me to wonder is this: Did the original article published in 1973 use quotation marks around the words gook and gooks?

Somehow I can't believe that it did. Seeing them in quotes in such an account makes me think some more recent editor just couldn't stomach those words and had to add the quotation marks.

If you look back at pieces written about WW2 from that era you'll see the use of: Krauts, jerries, japs (none of which would be in quotes.) I'd expect a modern piece about WW2 to have those in quotes, just as I'd expect a recent piece on Vietnam to quote "gooks."

But for this article about the mistreatment of an American POW originally published in 1973? It just doesn't strike me as authentic. Until I see a picture or a scan of the original 1973 article I'm going to believe that some editor put in the quotes prior to publication to the web.

Okay, I respect his service, but not as a presidential candidate. A mCCain victory will be devastating to the party, and thus the future of our country. Jimmy Carter brought about 12 years of Republican administrations. Think about it.

re: #120 drogheda

I just noticed this yesterday at the Printer's Row Book Fair in Chicago. I was paging through some old (1940's) magazine ads and came across a photo of the Japanese signing the Instrument of Surrender on the USS Missouri (pic). The magazine article included with the picture had "Jap" right in the headline. I thought to myself, "Wow, this wouldn't fly in today's media", and "the MSM of the day was really supportive of the war efforts of our brave men and women". Heh, wish that was the case now-a-days.

Reading John McCain's personal account of the horrors of the Hanoi Hilton should be required reading for anyone voting in this election. We may not agree on issues such as "Climate Change", but he definitely has my vote this election.

I am just back after a good long 100 plus mile ride
can't believe this post is the least commented on today

I know, I know, Obama is worthy of plenty of ridicule and bad ink
but McCain has some bonafide good points that should be prominently displayed

thanks for presenting this Chief

re: #121 Salem

Okay, I respect his service, but not as a presidential candidate. A mCCain victory will be devastating to the party, and thus the future of our country. Jimmy Carter brought about 12 years of Republican administrations. Think about it.

no, an Obama win will being 20-40 years at least of Socialist to even totalitarian rule
not to mention a standard of living "lowerage" that would shock you

re: #124 Adrenalyn

no, an Obama win will being 20-40 years at least of Socialist to even totalitarian rule
not to mention a standard of living "lowerage" that would shock you

As I've said before , it's Jimmy Carter all the way around. Whichever party gets their candidate in will regret it immensely.

re: #112 Independent Voter123

No one would want to avoid war more than McCain. If he takes our nation to war, it would be necessary. He knows the horror of war, but he also is strong enough to make the tough call in necessary. That being said, I think Israel will deal with Iran's nukes this summer (if what I have read is accurate).

indeed it will happen
and Iran may lose some ability to sell oil for a time too
shocking the world oil markets
and putting a giant dent in their revenue
and ability to govern
especially if the joos hit their only refinery
as an extra "incentive" to not counterattack

going to be an interesting 12 months coming up

re: #122 Beller0ph1

Reading John McCain's personal account of the horrors of the Hanoi Hilton should be required reading for anyone voting in this election. We may not agree on issues such as "Climate Change", but he definitely has my vote this election.

A lot of younger voters would probably benefit from reading it, as well as some of the older ones. When I read it just now everything in it was already quite familiar to me, having read "When Hell Was in Session" by Jeremiah A. Denton (who is mentioned in this McCain account) back when I was a teenager.

re: #125 Salem

As I've said before , it's Jimmy Carter all the way around. Whichever party gets their candidate in will regret it immensely.

I agree that he is not the ideal candidate
but he's what we have to work with
and we have to hope that he can be cowed
by the rational right (not to be confused by the religious right)
much like Bush has been by the demo-controlled media

but we'll get thru a McCain admin.
not an Obama

but if McCain can you some of that famous anger
to take it back to the left and the media lefties
then he can make them regret nominating Obama

he just needs to stand up to them
and not give in like Bush and Arnold (here in Calif)

re: #128 Adrenalyn

I'm of the opinion that if we can't survive 4 (or less) years of Obama, we may as well pack it in right now. If we are that close to the precipice, then we are going to fall in. Might as well have it done with.

On the other hand, an Obama presidency that we do have the fortune of surviving, I expect, would utterly annihilate the Democrat Party.

Salem (#130),

No wonder you hate McCain, unlike him you're a quiter.

In fact, I believe that's what we're witnessing right now. With the help of New Media pioneers like Charles.

re: #132 Geepers

Salem (#130),

No wonder you hate McCain, unlike him you're a quiter.

No, I believe we will survive whoever the president is. It wasn't my contention that we couldn't survive, only that if you don't believe we can, then what's the point of getting worked up about it one way or the other?

re: #131 Salem

On the other hand, an Obama presidency that we do have the fortune of surviving, I expect, would utterly annihilate the Democrat Party.

I have to politely disagree
liberalism is a mental disorder
(and I am not parroting Michael Savage)

here in my locale we have 2 folks running for county supervisor
(there were 3, now there will be a runoff in Nov)

R and D, natch....(it was 2R vs 1D)
the R is the incumbent
the L candidate is a goddam maid
with no idea what she is doing

but they selected her as their candidate
and the SF lib crowd is pouring money in
and on election day last week
in front of EVERY voting place in my area
her signs were posted out front (illegally if you ask me)
and magically taken down that night
so as no one could complain about unfair Dem tactics

no, the left is despicable
(worse than the religious right)
and will stop at nothing to gain and maintain power

Salem (#134),

Ah, gotcha.

So did you have the honor of living through the Carter presidency?

re: #134 Salem

No, I believe we will survive whoever the president is. It wasn't my contention that we couldn't survive, only that if you don't believe we can, then what's the point of getting worked up about it one way or the other?

we could "perhaps" survive a racist/socialist in the White House
but not in both houses of Congress too
plus the media

we'd be more than screwed
we'd be outlawed

I understand, but I just believe that a debacle of this magnitude will be impossible to overlook. People who don't come to their senses will be swept to the curb by those who do.

re: #136 Geepers

Salem (#134),

Ah, gotcha.

So did you have the honor of living through the Carter presidency?

I lived thru him as Guv in GA
and as Potus
and had the pleasure of voting (successfuly for Potus) against him

re: #136 Geepers

Salem (#134),

Ah, gotcha.

So did you have the honor of living through the Carter presidency?

I was eight when he was elected. My dad was always griping about him.

Anyway, the election is a ways off. Things could happen that put an entirely new spin on things. Like Israel taking out Iran's nukes, for example.

Adrenalyn, Salem,

I remember just before the election a friend of mine saying that Carter could win the election in a landslide if he boarded Air Force One and headed straight for Iran saying "I'm coming get bring the hostages home, don't even think about trying to stop me." And I thought that's very true, and not a chance in hell it's ever going to happen.

I don't think I was ever proud of Jimmy being POTUS.

And Salem, in regards to your thoughts about Obama screwing so bad we'll have to fix it afterwards, Jimmy's attempt to please all the services by giving them each a part of the so badly bungled hostage rescue started the whole inter-departmental standardization and cooperation ball rolling which resulted in a tremendous advancement of our military capabilities. So there is a germ of truth in what you say.

re: #142 Geepers

Now that I think about it, I was nine.

Of course, Carter did manage to damage us in many ways. For one thing, the fact that Iran is around to give us trouble now in the first place. But I think Obama, who probably won't win, anyway, would be severely hobbled before he was even sworn in. Carter, at least had a honeymoon and then some.

re: #4 rightwingprof

You might want to read his biography.

Have you got a link to an internet source for a good, honest biography?

My dad was in the Navy for over 30 years, and he cannot stand John McCain.

My dad is particularly annoyed by the "war hero" tag everyone gives McCain, since Dad said the guy got to be a pilot only because his dad was an Admiral.

My dad also points out that McCain wasn't a good pilot, and got shot down on only his first or second run.

I don't like McCain, as he is not conservative enough, but if I vote in the next election, I'll vote for him and not Obama.

I don't hate the guy myself, I am just disappointed that we don't have someone much more far right than he is running for the Republican party.

re: #145 gromster

P.S.- My dad also likes to remind me that McCain is not very intelligent, and that he scored something like second from last in his class at the Naval academy.

My dad says he is waiting for the Democrat nominee for President to dredge up McCain's poor academic record.

re: #146 gromster

Yeah, far better a "nuclear engineer" like Jimmah Cahrrrtah.

/oy

re: #145 gromster

Well, if we listen to your dad's personal opinion, then we'll end up with an idiot like Obama. I am not sure if America can afford listening to your dad's personal account which could very well be wrong.

Vote McCain 2008

re: #145 gromster

Btw, don't you have an opinion of yourself?

re: #146 gromster

Yer daddy is wrong. Do some research yourself. You always follow blindly everything your -daddy- tells ya? Is he jealous of the hero tag? Sounds like sour grapes to me. You obviously did not read the US News article before you commented or you would have found out another lie your "daddy-o" gave you. McCain was shot down on his 23rd mission- not his first or second run. So there ya go. Now I am extremely unhappy with his illegal alien invader stance and his BS on Gitmo and the environment global warming non-sense and no drilling in Anwar, yadda yadda- but I give the man his due- he IS a Hero!

Naturally, a very compelling story. I wonder how much leverage it will get McCain come Nov 4th. Not much is my guess.

I also wonder when someone of the Kos persuasion will pick up and try and run with the McCain comment about gay prison guards and the apparent nexus to sadism.

The pro environmentalism remark towards the end is interesting given McCain's seems to be part of the global warming hysteria.

While I didn't vote for McCain in the primaries and disagree with his liberal stands on several issues, I intend to vote for him in November. Yes, it's partly an anti-Obama vote, McCain is a patriot versus a guy I've concluded is a fundamental threat to the safety and well being of the United States, and probably a Communist as well. But at least with McCain I don't have to worry about someone who's going to cater to every anti-American organization (ACORN) and every anti-American nation (Iran, Syria, The Ummah) there is.

McCain, a true patriot I sometimes disagree with or Obama, a communist America hater with whom I disagree on just about everything. Looks like a no-brainer to me.

No, liberalism is not a mental problem: liberalism is a spiritual problem. Many are deceived, others are wicked. It sounds good, but rejects every good and solid and loving precept given by our Creator, the very Creator (as mentioned in the article) who helped John McCain when he was in pain.

re: #146 gromster

P.S.- My dad also likes to remind me that McCain is not very intelligent, and that he scored something like second from last in his class at the Naval academy.

Q: What do you call the man who graduates last in his class from med school?

A: "Doctor."

#40
Did you see some of the comments that went along with that? After just reading that article it turned my stomach. Especially the one cheering about McCain's generation "dying off" so we won't have "wars and negativity".
My blood pressure just shot up when I read that.

re: #155 Spiker

I know what you mean, sadly it's typical of what so called "progressives" are about. Their candidate is an empty suit whose limited experience has been about supporting every manner of left wing miscreant and cause. His opponent has been serving this country for decades and endured cruel torture and deprivation of a magnitude we can barely imagine, let alone imagine surviving.

I guess I'm so used to reading this moonbat swill it barely registers now. I know they will bad mouth our nation, our armed forces and our heros so I'm not allowing them to make as angry as they used to. Just one more reason to vote for the hero and not the zero.

Thank you, Charles, for posting this 1st-person account by John McCain....just finished it to the last word.....my son the computer geek who is heading off to law college this Fall, saw it here and recommended I read it. As I went through, I jotted comments to him.....thought it would be appropriate to copy them here:

The FIRST absolutely amazing thing: "I was wearing an inflatable life-preserver-type thing that looked like water wings. I reached down with my mouth and got the toggle between my teeth and inflated the preserver..."

This is the second amazing thing! He prepared, just like Reagan did, to be President....only Reagan got to fill notebook after notebook! : "I had read a lot of history. I spent days on end going back over those history books in my mind, figuring out where this country or that country went wrong, what the U. S. should do in the area of foreign affairs."

Then, this: "Our call-up sign was the old "shave and a haircut," and then the other guy would come back with the two taps, "six bits."" -- the guy who invented that little ditty, just died a couple of days ago.....

He is an honorable man: "I was determined at all times to prevent any exploitation of my father and my family."

Amen. : "I was finding that prayer helped. It wasn't a question of asking for superhuman strength or for God to strike the North Vietnamese dead. It was asking for moral and physical courage, for guidance and wisdom to do the right thing. I asked for comfort when I was in pain, and sometimes I received relief. I was sustained in many times of trial."

Lovely, strong wife: "The temptation for the wives, as the years went by, was to say, "God, I want them home under any circumstances." When Carol was pressed to take this line, her answer was, "Just to get him home is not enough for me, and it's not enough for John—I want him to come home standing up.""

I am so glad for his praise of Nixon. I have heard nothing good on him ever since Watergate.

Love this comment: "Now that I'm back, I find a lot of hand-wringing about this country. I don't buy that. I think America today is a better country than the one I left nearly six years ago."

Hmmm.... --he wasn't thinking President, back then.... :) : "If I have to leave the Navy, I hope to serve the Government in some capacity, preferably in Foreign Service for the State Department."