I see your point, I really do, but there is this...
Kerry ran for president in 2004 and the Swift Boats for Truth organization let it be known wide and far what a liar and traitor he was. The media tried to Bork the Swift Boaters and I supposed for some people, that was enough. But I also contend that the Swift Boaters brought out the Truth on Kerry enough to ensure he wouldn’t win.
In McCain’s case—he really was shot down. In fact, he was on a combat mission, caught an enemy missile, blew up his plane, which messed him up bad, and after he bailed he was hurt more and then was captured. They didn’t give him the proper medical attention he required, and he still has lots of pain due to that. So, at least for that day, I’d say, Yes, McCain paid the price. For Donald to say—his words—”I like people who weren’t captured.”—was unfair.
I say this as an Airman who served for 22 years. Lots of our flyers were sent into combat over enemy territory and that really is in Harm’s Way. The enemy doesn’t want you to bomb or strafe his country so he throw everything but the kitchen sink at you to stop you. Plenty of our guys were killed, and some lived but had their plane shot out from under them. What are they supposed to do then, kill themselves like a Kamikaze pilot?
I mean, it’s not like they gave up and raised a white flag on the end of their rifle. It’s not like rising up out of your foxhole with your hands in the air. Men who have their ship sunk or plane shot down and then are captured by the enemy are different, and we owe the respect for their ordeal, that PARTICULAR ordeal, and nothing less.
To say that they are something “less” because they were captured IS unfair. And demeaning and insulting. I’m sorry—the statement was wrong and bad. And I very much like Donald Trump.
When we look at McCain, we can't give him a pass. As far as Trump apologizing? He's done two things that are better. He's defended his supporters who were insulted by McCain's garbage mouth. And more importantly, Trump's turned it to a discussion of neither McCain nor anyone else in DC keeping their promises to Vets.
I watch that ABC news show every Sunday AM. (it's bias is actually fun, if only people didn't believe them). You know who came out the winner? Jim Webb. He sounded like an adult who got stuck in a playpen, the only one who had some wisdom and experience to bring to current events.
By now we should all realize that Donald Trump is not politically correct and will shoot himself in the foot over and over again
“To say that they are something “less” because they were captured IS unfair.”
Agree with you 100%. Also THE MAVERICK is very much a Benedict Arnold. In his early years an American in his Congressional career much more of a communist apparatchik just like his buddy Linda
I agree with your comments in #97 but that is supposedly not what Trump said. His precise words are reported by Sharyl Attkisson in #89. What Trump meant/said was that he honors all veterans, including those who were or were not captured. That all veterans are heroes in his book, so that McCain is not entitled to any more special hero-hood just because he was a POW.
As a fellow veteran, I happen to believe that POWs do deserve a special hero status, and of course we honor them as such in our various veterans’ Posts. However, I’d rather salute a true hero POW like MOH awardee Gen. Bud Day, one of the Swiftboat Veterans For Truth and a POW, who scuttled Kerry, than a veteran-problems-ignoring weasel and conservative-hater like McCain.
I assume we’re on the same page.
I also doubt if The Donald will win the nomination, but he has raised the debate and will force other candidates to address the real issues.