[BIGLOOK]

SERE

Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape

McCain was shot down and suffered broken arms in the crash.

Escape.
When the Zips discovered he was Admiral McCain's (CINCLANT) son he was offered repatriation, which he declined for some misguided nobility of his own. Having been in the prison camp and in contact, visual and through whatever conversation with other POWs he could muster, repatriation would have provided valuable information about the POWs held there. (Look up the Smith List).

Resistance.
The injured McCain 'talked', getting medical assistance from the enemy in return.

OK.....The Code of Conduct for POWs is unofficial and no legal action can be taken against those held captive under duress during war time but it is an obligation to abide by the SERE principles as best one can.

No one knows what will happen in such situations or how an individual will react but the Code is a guide, the only guide left in our mental inventory to survive honorably.

(Never heard the Bayonet in the crotch story.)

[Dumb_Ox]

I read the bayonet-to-the-crotch story in David Foster Wallace's essay on the 2000 campaign, "Up, Simba!"

I know there are nasty whispering campaigns against every candidate, so I don't know whether you've picked up something true or something inspired by a manipulator. But I think we're going off on a tangent.

Confession or collaboration under torture or abuse doubtless produces dishonor in the man whose will has been bent or broken. Maybe McCain speaks out of dishonor?

But is there anything honorable in a torturer's profession? Is a country that tortures honorable?