Fellow Vietnam POW: Why I Won't Vote For McCain

Military.com:

As some of you might know, John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States.

...

John McCain served his time as a POW with great courage, loyalty and tenacity. More that 600 of us did the same. After our repatriation a census showed that 95% of us had been tortured at least once. The Vietnamese were quite democratic about it. There were many heroes in North Vietnam. I saw heroism every day there. And we motivated each other to endure and succeed far beyond what any of us thought we had in ourselves. Succeeding as a POW is a group sport, not an individual one. We all supported and encouraged each other to survive and succeed. John knows that. He was not an individual POW hero. He was a POW who surmounted the odds with the help of many comrades, as all of us did.

I furthermore believe that having been a POW is no special qualification for being President of the United States. The two jobs are not the same, and POW experience is not, in my opinion, something I would look for in a presidential candidate.

Read the whole story: Military.com

Comments

[usakaput]

did mccain set the missle off that nearly sank the uss intrepid,resulting in many lost lives and maimed sailors?

[alphax]

McCain wont release his full armed services record.
Both Kerry and Wesly Clarke did. I believe it wont happen, because the stuff it contains would sink McCain campaign!

[smith3218]

why has no one inquired why does McCainwear a plain navy cap. Most navy ret- vets that served aboard our great warhip in battle honor that ship by wear that ship id on their navy cap. He commanded a squardeon and no id of it. What is he hiding? I was in th 82nd Fighter intercepter squardron & i'd love to wear my old cap.

[MissingAmerica]

There may be many who would feel sorry for McCain, but the White House should not be given out of pity. It must be earned, and McCain has definitely not earned it.

[MyGuyO]

I believe it.

Went to HS with fellow classmate who was also a POW in prison with Senator McCain. There is talk about McCain and how he behaved inside the prison. Not good.

Obama '08!

~Senator Jim Webb the real hero of the Viet Nam war.~

[bison1]

There a is a group of Vietnam Veterans and POWs who are challenging McCain’s POW experience and accused him of blocking access to information on others who missing in action. There are a series of youtube videos that further this suspicious. For the must part, these videos were made during the Republican Primary. Is there any truth in these accusations or is McCain being Swiftboated?

[LynnDee]

Thank you Dr. Butler for your honesty and candor! No being a POW does not make you anymore prepared to be president, any more than any soldier returning home from service to his country. Your article was enlightening and refreshing because it is so logical.

[TheIndependenceParty]

Thank you Mr. Butler! I apreciate your candor and trust your conclusions.

[bob5701]

This is the real "Straight Talk Express".

[DWP]

Great to hear this. I have relatives and friends who served in various wars from WWII on. Many are decorated and at least two were also POW's. They seem to share the same opinion that while McCain's service was worthy has very little bearing on his qualification for President. Having listened to the stories of these courageous people, I wonder if it does reduce the importance of what they have given by using it as a campaign tool. I felt uncomfortable listening to McCain use it during the recent Rick Warren "debate". The ciscomfort came from the feeling that somehow using this was wrong --- the real heroes are the ones who did not come back. Does anyone else feel this way?"

[HC4BO]

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[VOTER]

The author supports ALL VETERANS while John McCain does not.

John McCain is no friend of VETERANS.

VOTE FOR OBAMA!

[mamacat]

It is encouraging to meet and/or read about servicemen who are more than knee-jerk patriots. Thank you Dr. Butler. As you point out, McCain's qualifications for president are non-existent. He shouldn't even be in the Senate, so why is he running for president? That he has flip-flopped on every single issue in order to appease big business and the reactionary wing of his party shows how unqualified to hold office he really is.

- a vet for Obama

[Wuzzup]

Reinstating the DrAFT is fundamental for the safety of our beloved country in these times of International strife and the ever increasing threat from the Soviets, then we are lucky to have a TrUE WAr HERO and EX-POW like JMc to lead our Valiant Troops unto VICTORY...

[FebM]

Which international strive when we continue to sell our ports to Dubai Sheikhs, party with the Saudis in Texas and reward the Blackwaters and war industry in Iraq while letting bin Laden off the hook because Musharraf is "our ally"? Not this time,
When Obama went to Europe he exuded confidence and power, cold, raw, human power and sent the GOP on a panic, those leaping the benefits of the war industry. No, we are not against war, we are opposed to damn wars.

[Colmore]

Surely you jest? Why has he kept his military and medical records sealed? What the HELL is he hiding???

[AmericaninProtest]

Are you willing to serve in the military? Are you willing to be drafted to the military?

[AmericaninProtest]

Hello??? I am still waiting for your response wuzz.....

[ex-pat]

You must be smoking CRACK... if you want to put either yourself, your children or your husband out there... go right ahead but perhaps you might want to remove your rose colored glasses first. This man is a war monger and nothing less... his answer to everything is WAR... if that is your belief then you go right ahead.

[findingthetruth]

The GOP has "strategically" placed McCain's POW years in a position of ------ honorable and MUST NOT question out of respect. This was done as a prerequisite to CLOSET people like the author. McCain will continue to LIE about his military AND voting record as long as he's not questioned. And even then, McCain will tangant to the most gullible because he knows that there are supporters out there who could care less about the less fortunate in this country ----- sentiments just like his.