That's a heavy charge. McCain's POW record is the one shining moment of great courage in his record. It's what put him in the national spotlight in the first place. And the ordeal he went through was so horrific that you can't question his valor. But now, he has gone and done something that was so unnecessary -- apparently embellishing a story during his stay at the POW camps.
There was absolutely no need for this. His perseverance through five and half years of the prison camp was plenty heroic. He didn't need to add anything to it. But it looks like he did:
Here is the original ad McCain ran about this story. Here is a post with more details on this story, where you can see the whole Solzhenitsyn quote (and the possible Chuck Colson quote where it actually originated from) and get all of the background on how McCain came up with this story in 1999 and in fact might have even changed it in 2000 from it happening to another soldier to it happening to him. This is beyond the pale. You want to talk about a character issue. This is about character.
I know some of you won't believe me, but I am actually disappointed in McCain. I didn't think he would do something like this. Remember I voted for him in the 2000 primaries when I was still a Republican. He was a guy I believed in. To see him make up things about something so important and personal, it makes you lose faith in all politicians to some degree. Is there anything they won't stoop to?
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Is McCain Lying About His POW Experience?
Posted Aug 19th 2008 11:16AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Young Turks, John McCain, Christianity, Video
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Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 13)
61. How many jet fighter's did McCain crash?
Three lost to mechanical failures.
Then:
#4
He lost one (A-4 Skyhawk) blown up by a 4" Zuni rocket from an F-4 Phantom that accidently fired ( Accident is on video tape, believe ship involved was USS Forestall, aprox 100 men killed in explosion when his plane's ordinance "cooked off", entire accident, subsequent explosions and aftermath of accident is viewable"
#5
One (A-4 Skyhawk) struck by Surface to Air Missle(SAM) while on bombing mission over Hanoi with wingman from squadron known as "The Saints"
If a pilot "loses" an aircraft there is an investigation. If he is found to be a fault even once it could seriously effect his ability to keep on flying. So there were only three(3) incidences where pilot error could have been a possible reason but the investigations proved cause was mechanical. Just the opposite of commercial airlines where they always try to blame the pilot first.
So you see he did not crash five(5) aircraft.
But then again this site is not noted for its accuracy in certain matters.
The only reason he was in the Academy is because of his grandfather, father's pull
May be some, however being the son/grandson of two former Annapolis graduates does count for something. He would have to be recommended by a congressman or senator to go there.
Sort of like getting into Yale, if you father or grandfather graduated from Yale, it helps a little.
M2D5 at 3:31PM on Aug 20th 2008
62. Vote for the HERO=McCain, not the ZERO=obama
frankr4century21 at 3:38PM on Aug 20th 2008
63. I think its funny that every article you do is badmouthing mccain, and it's funny that you claim Fox has bias.
Talk about typical left wing trash, loud, fat and annoying.
Jon Kauffman at 4:53PM on Aug 20th 2008
64. How low can you go? Desperate times for Dems. Obama is really starting to wear thin on most people.This brings out the panic in Obama lovers, especially when they see the polls and they start to spout nonsense about their opposition because they have shot their wads too soon.The out come is that Obama will get even less popular the more the Hard left comes up with ridiculous attacks on McCain. I am beginning to believe that we will all be spared having to watch Obama stutter through purple lips for 4 years. Hallelujah
audrey hobbs at 5:15PM on Aug 20th 2008
65. I think bottom line, if you weren't there, YOU DON'T KNOW. Nor do I. Lets leave it at that. I really could give a hoot if he smoked pot in the death camp or lined up cocaine, you get the message. Fact is, he WAS there and he DID give his all for this country. Something alot of us, inc his compettion cant say ! You people check word for word, rely on jealous informants, whatever it takes to create contraversy. Thats the only way to sell news ! If it was all good, no one would listen would they ? There is ALWAYS an alternative goal by those that involve themselves with hairsplitting like this story. Always.
Al Sue at 5:19PM on Aug 20th 2008
66. "I think its funny that every article you do is badmouthing mccain, and it's funny that you claim Fox has bias.
Talk about typical left wing trash, loud, fat and annoying."
Jon,
In case you didn't realize it, this is a liberal blog. I think they would be biased. What do you think?
You can't compare it to Fox. Fox news is a media outlet that claims "Fair and Unbiased", which is a crock. That's a different comparison altogether.
Botts at 5:26PM on Aug 20th 2008
67. 55. How many jet fighter's did McCain crash? The only reason he was in the Academy is because of his grandfather, father's pull. He didn't qualify on his own. Much like Bush in an Ivy League College. His grandfather, father's pull. So please give answers to my questions...
Carolyn Bond at 1:57PM on Aug 20th 2008
Carolyn - Have YOU ever flown a Jet ? DID you fight in Vietnam ? Have you ever stayed at the Hanoi Hilton? STOP SHOWING YOUR BACK SIDE ! CRAWL BACK INTO THE CLOSET! JEEZ! Hey Stupid - Had he had "PULL" he wouldnt have BEEN THERE in the first place ! The idiotic and outright ignorant comments about this mans service to his country is ridiculous ! You sorry Libs need to buy some mirrors. Just remember, Poor People have been voting Democrat for Years, and guess what, their still poor ! Get it? Blame game is over my friend.
Al Sue at 5:30PM on Aug 20th 2008
68. '53. I thought the DInesh blogs were bad, but this one really attracts the christofascist neocon liar scumbag fuckwads! "
Nice to see you again, too, Brian.
Stop back anytime.
bob at 5:30PM on Aug 20th 2008
69. Aww, it's ok folks. Captain Negative is just showing how open minded he is toward all people...except all of the ones he is biggoted toward. McCain is a documented, substatiated American hero and servant of the people. When are the Obama folks going to find something that the man has actually done so we all can know it? Platitudes are cheap and eloquence is not the basis of a presidency.
sdmac61 at 5:40PM on Aug 20th 2008
70. '53. I thought the DInesh blogs were bad, but this one really attracts the christofascist neocon liar scumbag fuckwads! "
Nice to see you again, too, Brian.
Stop back anytime.
bob at 5:30PM on Aug 20th 2008
xxxxx
LOL he is a mad little fella. Sounds like he has more issues than a magazine rack. I guess cursing makes him feel better.
Becky at 5:40PM on Aug 20th 2008
71. "LOL he is a mad little fella. Sounds like he has more issues than a magazine rack. I guess cursing makes him feel better."
Yeah, he did seem a little mad, but nevertheless he was completely accurate in his assessment.
Botts at 5:41PM on Aug 20th 2008
72. The British are mocking our "president." They seem to think he is a drunken buffoon. And they have nine pictures to make their case.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/aug/12/bushlol?picture=336501045
Captain Negative at 5:44PM on Aug 20th 2008
73. Yo,
I didn't make McCain lie.
I refer anyone to republican Andrew Sullivan's blog,linked in the story above.
If you idiots have a problem with it, maybe you should direct your ignorant posts to Sullivan.
Captain Negative at 5:45PM on Aug 20th 2008
74. sdmac61
Captain is like a little tornado full of Prozac and lithium,I seriously think he writes from a mental health care facility. He whirl winds in here from time to time cussing and yelling about 9/11 bush terriosts and republicans destroying the universe. Then he throws some copy and pasted "evidence" and tells everyone they are to stupid to understand him.
Becky at 5:51PM on Aug 20th 2008
75. 68. "LOL he is a mad little fella. Sounds like he has more issues than a magazine rack. I guess cursing makes him feel better."
Yeah, he did seem a little mad, but nevertheless he was completely accurate in his assessment.
Botts at 5:41PM on Aug 20th 2008
xxxxx
Sorry you feel that way Bott and exactly why are you here conversing with the christofascists?
Becky at 5:53PM on Aug 20th 2008