Americans are supposed to rally around Sen. John McCain because he is
a war hero — a refreshing change after eight years of spin-doctoring
from a draft dodger.
There’s a big problem with that assumption on the part of McCain
supporters. The senator himself is doing more than a little spinning
with regard to his service and experiences as a Vietnam prisoner of war.
Now let me begin by saying McCain no doubt suffered greatly during
his five years in the “Hanoi Hilton.” I’m sure it was no cakewalk, no
picnic. He was badly injured during his ejection from his plane,
captured by the enemy and imprisoned.
But none of that entitles him to become president of the United
States — even after Clinton. More importantly, his horrific experiences
do not entitle him to stretch the truth about his captivity at the hands
of North Vietnamese Communists, nor to deceive Americans about his
bravery and heroism.
First of all, when the Navy pilot was shot down over a lake near
Hanoi, his captors did not know who he was — John McCain, son of the
admiral in charge of the Pacific fleet. McCain was seriously injured in
his ejection and in need of medical attention. In exchange for what
passes as first-class care in Vietnam, McCain talked. He told the North
Vietnamese about his father. He told them about the chain of command. He
described himself as one of the “very best pilots” in the Navy.
Such behavior by a POW is strictly frowned upon in the Uniform Code
of Military Justice and the military code of conduct.
“OK,” you say, “McCain should be given a pass for this because he was
badly hurt. Wasn’t his behavior at the Hanoi Hilton honorable after he
recovered from his wounds?”
No, not exactly. While serving as a POW, McCain was one of the
captives who agreed to be used for propaganda purposes by the enemy. In
fact, some argue that an interview he gave to a Communist publication —
detailing an accident aboard his ship, problems with low morale among
U.S. servicemen, the chain of command in the U.S. Navy and other
pertinent information — went far beyond mere propaganda and crossed the
line into disclosing military intelligence secrets.
Now, who am I to pass judgment on McCain’s behavior while imprisoned?
Nobody. My behavior during the Vietnam War was no more exemplary than
Clinton’s — though I didn’t go so far as to dodge the draft. I
protested the war in a way that may have given aid and comfort to the
enemy, prolonged the misery of POWs and betrayed America’s friends in
South Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia. For that, I am truly sorry
and repentant. But I’m not running for president as a war hero, either.
The fact is that not all the true war heroes are lining up behind
McCain. Many are raising the same questions I am raising here — though
they seldom if ever get the attention of the establishment press, which
seems to have fallen head over heels for the senator from Arizona.
Mark A. Smith, a retired U.S. Army major and former Vietnam War POW,
is speaking out against McCain. He also questions whether McCain has the
intestinal fortitude to be president — given admissions he twice tried
to commit suicide while captive.
“The pressure of the presidency outstrips any Sen. McCain endured in
Hanoi,” says Maj. Smith.
Well, if McCain cannot be believed on his war record, on what matters
can we believe him?
The sad fact is that McCain’s war record — as tarnished as it is —
is perhaps his best qualification for office. His flip-flopping views on
important issues of the day, his pro-establishment policies on trade and
campaign financing and his smug, self-righteous attacks on others are
even bigger reasons to avoid this candidate as a serious alternative to
the major front-runners — as pathetic a lot as they might be.
And that’s why, under no circumstances, will I vote for John McCain
for president.
