I just finished reading about McCain's 1974 paper on Viet Nam

[Madam Mossfern]

in the NYT. I highly recommend it as it show his warped thinking. McCain shows fury for POW's that 'broke' and agreed to speak against the war. He's upset that the propaganda and lack of support for the Viet Nam war in the US helped the North Vietnamese coerce these servicemen to to that. He calls for better indoctrination of soldiers (even though he admits it may be construed as brain-washing) so they won't crack under pressure. Wouldn't it be wiser to train these men to ignore that propaganda with the understanding that it was coerced, much like the testimonies of westerners captured by radical Islamic groups who denounce the US? We all know that they are being forced to say that-we feel sympathy for these people who are made to say what they don't believe in order to save their lives. Doesn't McCain get it? These 'confessions' and 'denouncements' in a just war would give our armed forces and citizens more resolve to support the effort.

The article speaks about McCain forgiving, but only under the condition of contrition. That's very odd thinking because he, himself, after being tortured broke. The article shows, in my opinion that McCain has a very limited understanding of the dynamic of these situations and his lack of real critical thinking.

[Shipwack]

1. Not surprised...

You always feel the most anger at those who share the same flaws as yourself.

[floridablue]

2. Oh, but he did it because

His father was in command of CINCPAC, so he got offered special treatment and a release which he denied. He only committed treason to reduce the torture of other prisoners.

[pretzel4gore]

3. how can we have fallen to such a level where gormless men act

so fukkin important? the USS Forrestal incident, where 200 sailors died: why can't that be made plain- why did mccain need to be choppered away etc?
Question: an ordinary, up from the earth guy can join an army for alot of reasons, and never think about the politics of it, the right or wrong. After all, he's, or she, is just a kid, looking for a way through minefield of life- and can end up a guard at a death camp if his luck is asleep. Literature is fulla this stuff, and ...well the same cop who might beat you in an alley would also risk his life to save you from some disaster! Why would mccain, a member of the ruling elight, not see the Vietnam war within the context of history, when he was a young guy? John Kerry did, and went to the war while opposing it because, plainly, there was something very wrong there. But mccain? What a piece of work!