U. S. Representative Sam Johnson of Texas Seven Years as a POW in the Hanoi. North Vietnam

American Forces Press Service ^ | 02/14/07 | Rudi Williams

[ContraryMary]

I see you dodged my question again. So let me try to explain something you have so much trouble understanding. First of all, I'm sorry for your loss and I honor all those men and women who lie in national cemeteries -- including my father and two of my uncles.

However, given that, and given that you have such a difficult time understanding that no one -- including you -- can honestly grasp the horrors of captivity in North Vietnam unless you've experienced it, let me attempt to set the record straight here.

Giving out ship positions that are days old just doesn't rise to the level of high treason. It is quite likely that the North Vietnamese had more up-to-date information than what McCain gave them.

Now McCain did eventually break and sign a meaningless "confession", as did others who were trying to survive. But this occurred, I think, year(s) after his capture. It certainly was not right away.

If you really want to know what happened I suggest you read his book, "Faith of my Fathers". I believe this book will give you an insight into who John McCain really is. It will also show you how McCain and his fellow prisoners tried to trip up the North Vietnamese in whatever ways they could humanly do.

So unless you been a "guest" of the Hanoi Hilton, you really have no right to criticize.