Posted on 08/10/2004 12:34:37 AM PDT by goldstategop
Why McCain Defends Kerry
Joseph Farah
Why would John McCain characterize the SWIFT Boat vets commercial about John Kerry as "dishonest and dishonorable"?
Why would he ask President Bush to denounce it?
Why would he say something similar was "pulled" on him when he seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2000?
Americans are supposed to respect Sen. John McCain because he is a war hero. But is he? And why is he so determined to defend John Kerry's dishonorable activities during and after the Vietnam War?
Now let me begin by saying McCain suffered greatly during his five years of captivity in the "Hanoi Hilton." But his horrific experiences do not entitle him to stretch the truth about his captivity at the hands of North Vietnamese Communists, nor to deceive Americans about his bravery and heroism.
When the Navy pilot was shot down over a lake near Hanoi, his captors did not know who he was – John McCain, son of the admiral in charge of the Pacific fleet. McCain was seriously injured in his ejection and in need of medical attention. In exchange for what passes as first-class care in Vietnam, McCain talked. He told the North Vietnamese about his father. He told them about the chain of command. He described himself as one of the "very best pilots" in the Navy.
Such behavior by a POW is strictly frowned upon in the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the military code of conduct.
"OK," you say, "McCain should be given a pass for this because he was badly hurt. Wasn't his behavior at the Hanoi Hilton honorable after he recovered from his wounds?"
No, not exactly. While serving as a POW, McCain was one of the captives who agreed to be used for propaganda purposes by the enemy. In fact, some argue that an interview he gave to a communist publication – detailing an accident aboard his ship, problems with low morale among U.S. servicemen, the chain of command in the U.S. Navy and other pertinent information – went far beyond mere propaganda and crossed the line into disclosing military intelligence secrets.
On June 5, 1969, the Washington Post carried a story titled, "Reds Say PW Songbird is Pilot Son of Admiral." The article states that, "Hanoi has aired a broadcast in which the pilot son of United States Commander in the Pacific, Adm. John McCain, purportedly admits to having bombed civilian targets in North Vietnam and praises medical treatment he has received since being taken prisoner."
Worse yet, many years later, when both John McCain and John Kerry were serving in the U.S. Senate, they teamed up to betray the families of the POWs and MIAs in favor of sucking up to the murderous Communist Vietnamese regime.
More than any other two men in America, McCain and Kerry orchestrated the cover-up of what became of our Vietnam POWs and MIAs.
As chairman of the Select Senate Committee on POW-MIA Affairs, Kerry gave Hanoi a clean bill of health with regard to credible claims Vietnam was still holding U.S. prisoners of war. Kerry ensured the committee voted that no U.S. servicemen remained there, angering many families of missing servicemen.
McCain served along with Kerry on that committee. According to Ted Samply, writing in the January 1997 issue of U.S. Veteran Dispatch, McCain enjoyed dismal relations with many POW-MIA families and activists. McCain said some harsh words about those who accused the U.S. government of knowingly leaving POWs behind. In fact, he called such people "the most craven, most cynical and most despicable human beings to ever run a scam." McCain's presence on the committee and his willingness to go along with Kerry ensured that the final report would be politically bulletproof.
Kerry got his reward. A year later, Hanoi announced it was awarding Colliers International, a Boston-based real estate company, an exclusive deal to develop its commercial real estate potentially worth billions. Stuart Forbes, the chief executive officer of Colliers, was Kerry's cousin.
One wonders what McCain's reward might be? What was in the cover-up for him? Why has he become an apologist for John Kerry's despicable and dishonorable record in Vietnam and, worse, his actions afterward?
Maybe it's just something about the character of John McCain. Maybe birds of a feather just flock together. Maybe this is why you should take anything McCain says about Kerry with a grain of salt.
Personally, I don't like McCain much. But I have to give him a pass on a lot of what he says. I'd like to see any of his critics come out of five years of torture at the hands of the Cong with all their marbles.
This article brings to mind Senator Bob Smith. Wonder what he would have to say.
Worse yet, many years later, when both John McCain and John Kerry were serving in the U.S. Senate, they teamed up to betray the families of the POWs and MIAs in favor of sucking up to the murderous Communist Vietnamese regime.
More than any other two men in America, McCain and Kerry orchestrated the cover-up of what became of our Vietnam POWs and MIAs.
Inside story was McCain was the "King Rat"(of the Korean Conflict P.O.W. camp infamy) of the Hanoi Hilton. But that's only some of the rumors, I've heard. Don't know if any of it is true.
I heard someone say that after 5 years of "torture" at the
Hanoi Hilton,when he was released by his captors , mccains'
physical appearance gave rise to the idea that mccains "room service menu" could have been "calorically" QUITE a few "steps above" the others who "dined" there.
This should make you feel really good about McCain. LOL
Actually, I'm inclined to give him a pass on defending Kerry. It somehow makes him look better when he campaigns for Bush.
I think Farah may partially be correct. But the obvious suggestion is that McCain hates the idea of people investigating a past such as Kerry's because next time, they might get around to him. He gives the appearance of hiding dishonorable conduct, probably more than has come out, to date. But, let's be honest. WHATEVER that was, it PALES next to the dishonorable conduct he's shown with regard to the PCF vets - TODAY - in 2004! That's McCain's dishonor, and Bush's, frankly, for trying to play McCain game, McCain's way. Wasn't Campaign Finance Reform sufficient (we'll all see, won't we, in October).
yeah this is going to be a repeat of the 2000 takeover attempt by the socialists/communists/enemies of this country that was stymied previously, that's for sure. We suffered under the Commizzar's rule(Clinton) and was shown on 09/11/01 with his(Clinton's) reductions of our defenses.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1187018/posts
FReegards,
D2
I have held back from making public statements about McCain out of respect for a man who was a prisoner at the hands of the North Vietnamese for so many years, but I won't hold back any longer after I heard what McCain said about the Swifties. He knew his words of 'dishonest and dishonorable' would be a knife in the Swifties back and he chose to stab them. I honestly believe he wants to see Kerry get in. Those two have a relationship that is reciprocal. I think McCain has used his POW status as cover or a 'get outta jail free card' from the millions of Vietnam vets. He always gets a pass.
I feel the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth are really brave men who knew this was not going to be an easy thing to do, but they love their country enough to do it. I will support them politically and financially and hold them in the HIGHEST regard. They are true patriots, not in it for any political gain, just love of country.
I will work to get the President reelected, because I believe he is the right man for the job at this time in our history. He is a politican afterall.
I pray that thing on McCain's head/neck causes him to go back Arizona and spend time with his family and out of the publics business.
But I don't know if he need worry. I think the margin for Pres. Bush will be enough that rear-guard actions will be made academic.
Prayerfully so.
Very Best FReegards,
D2
"I feel the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth are really brave men who knew this was not going to be an easy thing to do, but they love their country enough to do it. I will support them politically and financially and hold them in the HIGHEST regard. They are true patriots, not in it for any political gain, just love of country."
They are indeed true patriots and are the kind of men we can thank for keeping our nation free. That a few sleazy lawyers can threaten our airways in a way that would muzzle the information these men have which America needs to know is cut straight from the Communist playbook. The double standard is also shocking. The Kerry side can spout lies all day long through Michael Moore and his appearances on TV, radio, in movie houses, etc., and that is O.K. Folks, we live in a time when corruption is out there for everyone to see and it is now coming straight from the legal community. Will America tolerate this kind of low level stuff and will we allow these Vietnam soldiers to suffer once again at the hands of John Kerry as he and his lawyers denigrate their service and their integrity? I truly hope that other Vietnam Vets will join these brave men who have placed themselves on the line for the security of their nation. They knew they would receive grief at the hands of the leftists but they chose to suffer for the common good. It is an uncommon trait among men (and women, too). We should all be marching in the streets on this one!
I agree. John McCain is considered a war hero. He was similarly attacked in 2000, and remembers what it was like. Bringing up John Kerry's war record is not a weak point for Kerry-Edwards. This is a huge mistake. The administration would be doing itself a huge favor if they condemned criticism of Kerry's 35-year-old Vietnam war record, and the attack ad, and looked to the present day. Opposing Vietnam war heroes will surely backfire on them. What's happening now is what voters are going to care about, not events of 35 years ago. They must focus on their current record, since that's what voters care about, not the opposition's lack of one in the distant past.
THEN HE'S A HERO WITHOUT HONOR! Period. A man with any heart, and any sense, doesn't say what he did about those guys saying what they are saying.
It's not complicated.
Bringing up John Kerry's war record is not a weak point for Kerry-Edwards. This is a huge mistake.
And Kerry made it, both then, and with this little troop of 'bando's that he sent after Weld, and others. I think that hand is played out. And I don't expect you to agree.
I beg to differ. Its Kerry who's running as if it were 1969. And he's running on his four months in Vietnam. If he didn't want the issue discussed he simply should not have mentioned it at the Boston Convention. And as he's finding out, when you make your record an issue, its fair game for your opponents.
It seems to me that the primary reason for McCain doing the media's dirty work is the Keating 5. In return for for repeating media soundbites they gave him a pass. And that deal continues to this day. However, it should be remembered that his voting record isn't that bad; ACU 2003 rating 75 lifetime 84
http://acuratings.com/acu.cgi?ACT=3&STATE=AZ&YEAR=2003
I loath the guy but I cannot quibble with his conduct in the Hanoi Hilton. Even if he gave away secrets, he was under extreme duress due to his injuries. I've heard he has 100% dentures due to his captivity.
His conduct after being released is worth criticism. He was one of the Keating Five, involved in the S&L scandal of the 1990's. He's ego crazed, not a team player, gives aid and comfort to the Democrats all the time. Many agree with me that his POW experience warped his mind.
<< Maybe it's just something about the "character" of John McCain.
Maybe birds of a feather just flock together.
Maybe this is why you should take anything McCain says about Kerry with a grain of salt. >>
Maybe John McCain was the very worst "aviator" to ever don Naval Aviator Wings?
[Well -- until Lt [JG] Holtgreen, maybe]
Maybe the Pope's Catholic?
And maybe Joseph Farah has hit another home run?
What's all this "maybe" cr*p, Paleface?
<< Many agree with me that his POW experience warped his mind. >>
Well there's that.
And then there is his, incipient-Korsokoff's-Syndrome-stage, chronic Alcoholism.
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