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Last Updated: Aug 21, 2008 - 12:16:39 PM |
John was a wild man. He was funny, with a quick wit and he was
intelligent. But he was intent on breaking every USNA regulation in our
4 inch thick USNA Regulations book. And I believe he must have come as
close to his goal as any midshipman who ever attended the Academy. John
had me "coming around" to his room frequently during my plebe year. And
on one occasion he took me with him to escape "over the wall" in the
dead of night. He had a taxi cab waiting for us that took us to a bar
some 7 miles away. John had a few beers, but forbid me to drink
(watching out for me I guess) and made me drink cokes. I could tell
many other midshipman stories about John that year and he unbelievably
managed to graduate though he spent the majority of his first class
year on restriction for the stuff he did get caught doing. In fact he
barely managed to graduate, standing 5th from the bottom of his 800 man
graduating class. I and many others have speculated that the main
reason he did graduate was because his father was an Admiral, and also
his grandfather, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates
[...]
John was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for heroism and
wounds in combat. This heroism has been played up in the press and in
his various political campaigns. But it should be known that there were
approximately 600 military POW's in Vietnam. Among all of us,
decorations awarded have recently been totaled to the following: Medals
of Honor - 8, Service Crosses - 42, Silver Stars - 590, Bronze Stars -
958 and Purple Hearts - 1,249. John certainly performed courageously
and well. But it must be remembered that he was one hero among many -
not uniquely so as his campaigns would have people believe.
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.
Most of us who survived that experience are now in our late 60's
and 70's. Sadly, we have died and are dying off at a greater rate than
our non-POW contemporaries. We experienced injuries and malnutrition
that are coming home to roost. So I believe John's age (73) and
survival expectation are not good for being elected to serve as our
President for 4 or more years.
I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot
head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced
first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to
that red button.
It is also disappointing to see him take on and support Bush's war
in Iraq, even stating we might be there for another 100 years. For me
John represents the entrenched and bankrupt policies of
Washington-as-usual. The past 7 years have proven to be disastrous for
our country. And I believe John's views on war, foreign policy,
economics, environment, health care, education, national infrastructure
and other important areas are much the same as those of the Bush
administration.
Wow. It's stunning to see someone who knows McCain lay this all out so
specifically. And he hits everything -- the age, the temper, the flyboy
antics, the policies right in line with Bush. It's all there.
He should have some fun with his newfound not-stardom, with all the
not-appearing on news programs and not-being cited in the print media.
Source:Ocnus.net 2008
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