Conduct Unbecoming: John McCain's Dishonorable Endgame

Conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman is a punishable offense of the U.S. military defined by Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice as:

• "Action or behavior in an official capacity which, in dishonoring or disgracing the person as an officer, seriously compromises the officer's character as a gentleman."

• "Behavior in an unofficial or private capacity which, in dishonoring or disgracing the officer personally, seriously compromises the person's standing as an officer."

• "Knowingly making a false official statement;"

• "Using insulting or defamatory language to another officer in that officer's presence or about that officer to other military persons;"

John Sidney McCain's compelling life narrative is dominated by his 40-year-old military credentials and his fabled "grace under pressure" while confined and tortured as a POW during the Vietnam War.

He supposedly emerged from his long personal nightmare as a "changed man" who claimed the title of "maverick" to signify his unwillingness to pander to political expediency, speak truth to power and fight injustice wherever he witnessed it as an avowed "reformer." I long for such a politician. John McCain, however, is not this man.

Now that his electoral chances grow more remote every day, John McCain is facing the prospect of coping yet again with his own serially dashed ambitions to occupy the highest office in the land. Crushed by Bush in 2000 after seamy Rovian smears and daunted in 2004 by a "War President" with unprecedented powers, McCain has been about as frustrated a Presidential wannabe and as angry as a career politician with his innate temperament can get.

As Rolling Stone author Tim Dickinson writes in the October 16, 2008 issue, the true story of the "make-believe maverick...reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty." There were hints of these troubling character flaws in his youthful pre-war years. Dickinson notes that even as a young man, McCain wasn't particularly popular. "His friends seemed to dislike him, with one recalling him as "a mean little fucker." That "mean little fucker" is still quite alive and well in McCain's shrinking, 72-year-old, 5' 9" frame.

In military parlance, Mr. McCain -- the candidate -- is now behaving in a manner "unbecoming an officer" -- notably the highest-ranking officer, as Commander-in-Chief of the United States military and as the President of the United States.

His campaign is guilty of inciting crowds to hatred against a political opponent by intentionally spewing racist lies and fabricated vitriol, questioning our next President's patriotism in a time of war, tacitly approving his own campaign's spokespeople and advertisements' specific statements that his political opponent is "palling around with terrorists," Mr. McCain indelibly stains the "honor" he has been accorded from years of public and military service.

He has now earned the ignominious fate of a public "court martial" in polling places all across America on November 4th.

Article 133 stipulates that the maximum punishment for violations of this code of conduct is:

• "Dismissal,"

• "Forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and"

• "Confinement for a period...for which a punishment is prescribed in this Manual, or, if none is prescribed, for one year."

Just how many of these infractions has the esteemed former Navy flyboy committed? According to the U.S. Military Code's complete list of punishable "conduct unbecoming" offenses: 10 out of 10.

John McCain has run a dispirited, dishonorable, duplicitous, wedge-issue driven and erratic campaign during a time when his country is at war and faces the gravest economic crisis since the 1930's. His political stunts -- the most egregious of which is named "Sarah Palin" -- are more than cagey electoral strategy. They are hazardous to the health and welfare of this nation.

The conduct of his 2008 campaign should alert the nation as to what kind of White House he would champion and this should disqualify him for the highest office in the land.

However, by appealing to the most divisive and blatantly ignorant instincts of his Republican base, McCain assumes that he will gain electoral traction in a campaign that has been spinning its wheels for months. He and Mrs. Palin seem to have succeeded in molding their gullible "Joe Sixpack" cohorts into fearful lynch mobs.

Outrageous as this would be in any context, it is amplified by the fact that his opponent is the first African-American candidate in U.S. history to be the likely occupant of the Oval Office in a nation that has a shameful saga of racial hatred, lynching and, yes (gulp), political assassinations.

This nation hungers for domestic and international peace, intelligent leadership, true bipartisanship, grace, truthfulness and dignity. We -- as Americans first and Republicans, Independents and Democrats last -- need an "Officer and a Gentleman" in the White House. We must send a message that we will hold John McCain to the same standards that his beloved military has so eloquently set forth in Article 133 of the Military Code.

Thankfully, opinion leaders, lawmakers and average citizens from both sides of the aisle have taken note and are equally appalled. They have publicly scolded McCain-Palin in recent days for their "lynch-mob tactics." calling their behavior "unconscionable" and desperate." I join with them in calling for the Republican Presidential campaign to repudiate forcefully and publicly these hate-filled comments and to engage in some "leaderly" crowd control in the days ahead.

I sincerely hope that on November 4th the public throws the book at this empty shell of a former "officer and a gentleman," elects Senator Obama in a landslide to deliver us from the long national nightmare of corrupt Republican rule and sends Mr. McCain and his ilk a clear message that, in the 21st century, Americans will no longer tolerate from its politicians "conduct unbecoming."

Comments

[USA1776]

The Hate Talk Express is certainly unbecoming.

[chronic]

McCain is a republican.


NUFF SAID!

[joesnuffy]

I'm relieved and, frankly, a bit suprised that the American people seem to be turned off by McCain's latest stunts. Going back to 2000 and 2004 , every dirty trick by the Republicans seemed to work, even as absurd as a National Guard no-show smearing a decorated Vietname war hero. I'm hoping Obama's recent rise in the polls are an indication that people have finally come to their senses and want a new, positive, hopeful direction for this country and are wise to these transparent gimicks and stunts. There is still 3 weeks left, however. It seems there is no limit to what the Republicans, the alleged party of morals and values, may do, especially when faced with the prospects of losing power. Is this the last gasp of the McCain/Palin campaign or do they have another yet even more sinister trick up their sleeves? I will not rest easy until all the votes are tallied next month.

[SilverFoxUna]

The statute pertains to an officer in a uniform. So I guess since McCain took the uniform off (except when it serves his purposes and aims) we can now ascribe his civilian conduct to "all's fair in love and war?" Which makes the chicanery all the more obvious.

[PurplePhase]

This great article introspects McCain's uses and abuses of his military fame to exaggerate his image. But the deception extends to his running mate Ms. Palin, his campaign team, and supporters.

I am still amazed that being a former POW and executive experience are prerequisites for the White House. We were told that executive experience is essential and Ms. Palin has it. However nothing was mentioned about Rudy Guiliani's superior executive experience that failed to get him the nomination.

John McCain was a POW but has no executive experience, so why should I vote for him? Ms. Palin has executive experience but was never a POW, so why should I vote for her? The McCain campaign team proved themselves truly amateurish by placing themselves in a labyrinth of failed logic.

Dubya and Rove duped many into believing candidates without preachers and a strong faith are unworthy. How much is Dubya worth now with his strong faith and preacher? Dubya hasn't built a legacy, he constructed his infamy.

The court of public opinion already started rendering its justice. Polls reflect McCain's and Palin's dwindling popularity. The final verdict will be on November 4 when he will have the option of finishing the remaining two years of his Senatorial term for Arizona or retire. Ms. Palin will have the option of resuming her governance of Alaska and addressing charges of illegal use of power and tax evasion.

Victory and the White House are not among McCain's options.

[Kindheart]

He is an embarrassment to all that he allegedly stands for.

[feyangel]

Great point!

McCain certainly has been engaging in--"Conduct unbecoming a gentleman and an officer" and "knowingly making false statements." PLUS-- he has been allowing his running mate, who he should have some kind of control over-- bring the level of his campaign down to the level of "Joe Six-Pack" mouthing off and brawling in the bar cos their TESTOSTERONE is running him/her.

[Annieke]

Hear hear!

I have grown very tired about all the 'hurray'-stories about McCains exemplary military record: his aircrafts made deeper and steeper nosedives than the US economy.
And his honor has been out of the door for a long time.

Obama will be the true officer and gentleman, as he has shown during the last two debates and this entire election.

[bogues]

You hit the nail right on the head with this article. I find it impossible to believe that John McCain does not see how dishonorable he is being and I wonder why on earth he would go so far down this dark and dangerous road of lies and distortion. I am trying to stay prepared for anything but I cannot not at this moment bear the thought of having to know that John McCain is our President.

[SilverFoxUna]

These are critical times, America. Please vote. Don't let the gainsayers have the last word. We MUST have a president who knows what he's doing. We MUST have a vice president who knows what he's doing. We can't elect people who throw caution to the wind and display such a reckless disregard for everything that is honorable, correct and true. Let's look at the John McCain who is running a dirty, low-down, desperate campaign. Let's look at the McCain who sold out his integrity, who thinks nothing of using chameleon-like tactics, half-truths, and lies in an attempt to prop up his standing. It isn't working. People see it for what it is. Those who don't don't want to.

[boogiewoman]

Great article. Being married to a man that served 12 years in the Air Force I wondered when someone would call McCain on his true honor. Unbecoming of a officer to say the least.

[Glenn1441]

Mr. Cohan... I do not see other posts listed with your HuffPo bio.
This post is simply... brilliant.
Don't be a stranger, ok?
:>)

[Glenn1441]

He has yet to face the repercussions of his actions. As a senator, or by some miracle, as president, he will face a public loathing unlike any seen in recorded history.

I genuinely wonder if he has provided for the aftermath?

To retain the last thread of decency he may yet possess, McCain should concede the race now.

Really. Senator John Sidney McCain IIi: Step down. You're blocking the view.

[zanzig]

Fantastic article; it was getting very tiresome to read of the supposed honor and nobility of the erstwhile Sen McCain. That is not the character who has been on show this election.

[demfriend]

When I now read "This John McCain is not the John McCain I Know" I sit back and shake my head in wonderment. How can anyone say that? McCain has a very long history of being hateful and mean on the Senate floor. He has made statements over the years which give pause as to what his feelings really are about women in general as he obviously has little respect for the women close to him. But his talk about the love of the military and it's troops and vets I lose my lunch. He has never stood up and said the lack of medical/mental health treatment is not acceptable even now with the high suicide rate. He hasn't gone into facilities run by the pentagon and seen the filth and horrible conditions and said "not good enough for the soldiers". He has a "D" right now for his voting record all the while he touts his "love" for the very ones he votes againest. So I thank you sir for pointing out that McCain should be judged for his actions and beliefs as he has brought shame down upon us in the world.

[Manx]

By playing the race card and resorting to a poisonous campaign, John McCain has ruined his reputation forever. He was never liked in the Senate anyway, but when he returns to Washington after the election, he will be regarded with disdain, which he deserves.

[SurrealPumpkin]

At least Joe Lieberman still likes him. At least, I havent seen any repudiation from him. Then again I haven't seen him period.