War Hero my Ass

[TWiley]

I am so sick of the "war hero" argument cited as proof of Mc Cain's leadership skill.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that becoming a POW is something that happens to you, and not necessarily something you do. Pretty crass to single out an individual for glory while stepping on everyone else who shared the same experience.

Is someone a hero just because a car accident happens to them?

[bryant69]

1. I don't know - accounts of his actions while a POW seem pretty heroic

But whether those accounts are accurate I can't say.

I don't support him obviously, but more for what he's done since getting out of the POW camp than what he did there.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[MarkInCA]

2. I agree...

I posted the following a few days ago:

Let me start off by stating that I do not intend to diminish in any way the torture that John McCain went through for five plus years of captivity in Vietnam. However, I can’t see how that makes him qualified to lead our country.

As I follow the election I often hear about John McCain being a hero because he spent 5 plus years in a POW camp. It seems to be the answer to every uncomfortable question that McCain is faced with. As I try to understand why he is a hero I keep coming back to the question “What is a hero?”

The primary definition of a hero according to Merriam-Webster is:
a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability
b: an illustrious warrior
c: a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities
d: one that shows great courage

I think we can eliminate “a”, we can all agree that John McCain is not mythological or legendary.
Definition “b” uses the word “illustrious” which is defined as notably or brilliantly outstanding because of dignity or achievements or actions. OK, I had to think about this one. Was John McCain’s time in prison notable or brilliantly outstanding? There were many POWs who endured exactly what John McCain did, but don’t seek the national spotlight and use it to try and advance their career. If he was still alive, ask Floyd James Thompson who spent 10 days short of 10 years as a POW in Vietnam. I do not intend to diminish in any way the hell that John McCain went through for five plus year (I would have caved on day one) but I can’t see it as “notably or brilliantly outstanding.” Often it is mentioned that he heroically refused to be released because others had been there longer than him. This isn’t heroic, it is following the United States Military Code of Conduct. This code also states in section 6.V.d: “Actions every POW should resist include making oral or written confessions and apologies.” Oops John.

Regarding “c”, first what did he achieve? He got shot down while on a mission. Then he was captured. He survived his detention. Maybe the guy who didn’t get shot down deserves some admiration? Secondly, is this noble? If that is the case, there are a lot of vets who should be president.

I will give him part “d”. Then again how many others showed great courage in this war? I agree he has courage, and I admire him for that. I do not think that he has so much more than the thousands of others who served in this war and the courage he showed does not automatically qualify him to be president.

John McCain certainly served an admirable career in the military and went through terrible treatment while a POW, but I don’t think that makes him especially qualified to serve as President of the United States of America.

Does being a hero make you more qualified to be President? If that was the case there would be many people in this country more qualified than John McCain to be President.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Nice argument. n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

9. Admirable career in the service? He crashed planes and bombed people in yet another immoral war

that we had no right to be in.

I find those who went to prison as conscientious objectors or came back like John Kerry speaking out against the war, admirable.

[mitchum]

3. Yes, his"heroism" was entirely passive...

he is a "hero" because of what was (allegedly) done TO him
rather than what he DID
And he knows this. And it eats at him. That is why he so desperately tries to control the narrative about his "heroic service"

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[norepubsin08]

8. I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE

[fascisthunter]

6. no... but they were heroes for getting into that car

I know... the analogy becomes silly, but the source of the hero claim comes from the fact that folks who enlist make a sacrife.... in that sense, every man and woman who enlists is automatically a hero. That didn't seem to work for Kerry according to Republicans......

Frankly, I think the word "hero" is misused and abused by those who aren't heroic for political reasons.

[norepubsin08]

7. Actually McLame got a 5 and half year vacation on the

tax payers dime in addition to wrecking several multi million dollar planes!

[lynnertic]

10. It's like saying I'm qualified to be police chief because i was raped. n/t