Thursday, July 31, 2008

No Regard For Truth or Integrity

Last week John McCain ventured into Rochester, N.H. for a Town Hall Meeting and before a crowd estimated at 700 people managed to embarrass himself, his party, and his country by accusing his opponent of being a traitor while pretending that his own unremarkable record qualifies him to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of our military and as the Chief Executive Officer of our government.

Senator McCain has earned the respect of a grateful nation for his having endured 5 ½ years of imprisonment and torture in a Vietnamese prison camp. Aside from that, however, he’s done little to deserve the esteem being heaped upon him by a compliant press, although one cannot fail to appreciate how he’s managed to parlay that life-changing experience into a life-long career on the public payroll.

Not quite as flattering is that his military career included the loss of five naval aircraft – one in combat, three during training exercises, and one in an explosion on the deck of the USS Forrestal; or his having graduated 894th out of 899 mates in his 1958 class at the Naval Academy. Nor especially distinguishable was his retirement at the rank of captain after having served over 25 years in the U.S. Navy, a departure prompted by his dim future prospects for promotion.

Although McCain is among the wealthiest members serving in the U.S. Senate, his accumulation of a vast fortune hasn’t been through the dint of hard work, nor derived from the wise investment of his $58,000+ in annual military disability payments and $161,700 annual salary as a U.S. Senator. Rather, he married a wealthy heiress after dumping his first wife, a one-time beauty queen whose physical allure had waned as a consequence of physical injuries sustained in an automobile crash.

As a U.S. Senator, McCain earned attention early in his tenure as the heir to the Arizona seat long held by Barry Goldwater who retired in 1987. By 1989 McCain was embroiled in the Keating Five corruption controversy and admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for having accepted $112,000 in contributions from Charles Keating, Jr. and his associates. Keating ultimately served five years in prison for his role in the collapse of Lincoln Savings, one of the major institutional failures that led to the $125 billion taxpayer bailout of the Savings and Loan industry, and McCain had twice met with federal regulators to discuss the government’s investigation of Keating and his company.

While McCain today admits an error in judgment in the Keating affair, and earned enmity among fellow Republicans and a reputation as a “maverick” for his support of campaign finance reform, he seems to have learned little from the experience. His presidential campaign is run largely by lobbyists and financed by special interest money. According to the Washington Post, over $1.1 million was contributed to his campaign last month by oil and gas industry executives and employees, a propitious windfall that he claims had nothing to do with his recent high-profile split with environmentalists and reversal of his position on the federal ban on offshore drilling.

In an editorial published on Monday, The Citizen was effusive in its praise for Senator McCain’s leadership and “straight talk”. It lauded the senator for his support for the “surge”, neglecting to mention that the senator supported the blockheaded invasion of Iraq and was unwavering in his endorsement of the Bush administration’s execution of the failed occupation of the country.

The editorial offensively repeated some of McCain’s most insidious remarks, showing neither a regard for truth nor integrity. Its purpose was consistent with that of Sunday’s editorial in Foster’s Daily Democrat which attempted to portray Obama as arrogant and imperial. “Obama's grand tour of Europe and the Middle East was the most presumptuous and pompous act in the modern history of American politics,” it claimed.

What appears to be troubling to The Citizen and its sister publication Foster’s Daily Democrat is that Barack Obama emerged from his week abroad looking presidential, while McCain managed only to look pathetic when left alone on the domestic stage. From cruising around in a golf cart with former President Bush to looking befuddled in a grocery checkout line, McCain’s image was hardly senatorial, much less commanding.

One understands The Citizen’s fear that an Obama administration might actually require an increase in taxes to cover the costs of eight years of Bush’s perfidy. With over a half-trillion dollars added to the nation’s credit card to support the failed Bush war policies, an untoward and unconscionable shift of hundreds of billions of dollars of the nation’s wealth to Middle-Eastern nations who are purveyors of terrorism, a crumbling infrastructure too long neglected, a housing crisis that’s wiped out hundreds of billions of dollars of family wealth, and a financial crisis that may end up costing taxpayers a half-trillion dollars, higher taxes do seem inevitable.

The Citizen has no one to blame but itself for having relentlessly supported the Bush administration and the Republican controlled Congress which conspired to create this mess. Now it whines because the Democrats, in their less than two years of having a majority in Congress constrained by the President’s veto pen and Republicans in the U.S. Senate, have not been able to repair the damage.

Contrary to The Citizen’s conclusion, John McCain is not “the kind of leader who can restore the trust and confidence of the American people.” Quite frankly, he’s been a major part of destroying that trust.

Update:

Contrary to what the anonymous commenter asserts, I greatly respect John McCain's service to his country. However, he was not a stellar leader, he did not exhibit even an average intellect, his record suggests that he was reckless with aircraft - each of which cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and nothing in his military record recommends him for promotion to commander-in-chief.

Anonymous is entitled to his opinion regarding Senator McCain. However, he is outside his realm when he attempts to impugn the character or integrity of people about whom he knows nothing.

I've never been one to tout my military experience. Indeed, I was quite happy when it was comfortably behind me. As were my two brothers who served along with me, both of whom suffered serious injuries in Vietnam, and one of whom in spite of being severely wounded twice on the battlefield in Vietnam, returned to the country for two additional tours.

My father and grandfather, along with numerous uncles and cousins were/are veterans, so believe me, I have tremendous regard for those who don the uniform of their country. I don't, however, have much respect for those who attempt to parlay a marginal military record along with sympathy for wounds and indignities suffered into an entitlement for promotion to the highest office in the land.

Most veterans I know, and I know many, served their country proudly and humbly, quite aware of their sacrifice, yet also cognizant of the millions of others who've shared their burden. They really don't talk much about their combat experiences, realizing that their stories are not all that unique. Okay, I admit that I love regaling people with the tale of the woeful indignity I suffered being treated for a piece of shrapnel lodged in my ass. But that only occurs on the rare occasion when someone presses me on my military experience.

Anonymous, for you I'm posting a couple of photos. One is of quite good quality because it's scanned from one of those portrait photos taken during basic training. The other is of poor quality because it's scanned from a well-worn, not well-preserved snapshot.

You may not share my views. But you certainly cannot tell me that I know nothing about serving my country.






15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised the Citizen published this.

Anonymous said...

It's about time someone pointed out that being tortured as a prisoner of war does not magically ascribe to the victim leadership skills or judgment.

McCain should be respected for his war service, but in choosing a president it's the totality of his record that must be weighed. You've done that effectively - now, if only people will listen!

Anonymous said...

I think you could have done a better job explaining that Obama's tax increases would be targeted at the top two percent while he'd provide tax cuts for middle class families.

Anonymous said...

It is about time people were made aware of McCain's past. I don't understand why he was ever considered a straight shooter. When he speaks it turns his white hair blond.

Anonymous said...

I can imagine Republicans aren't too happy about this. All the bullshit about how qualified McCain is to lead. You kind of destroyed that.

Anonymous said...

I feel that this piece is borderline irresponsible. As a fellow Democrat I agree that there are major reasons to not vote for Senator McCain. However, as an active duty officer who has deployed to Iraq, I cannot in good conscience accept the tarnishing of his military record, no matter how unworthy (you as a bystander who probably sat home peacefully for the 5.5 years that he was imprisoned) might assess his service to be.

I will have you know that there are thousands if not the vast majority of senior naval officers that would sacrifice quite a lot to retire at the rank of CAPTAIN (0-6) after 25, 30 or whatever the time frame may be.

While his politics may not inspire me as that of Senator Obama, his military record certainly does.

I would encourage you to read this quote from President Theodore Roosevelt. I would hope that you would learn something from him (a military hero as well and all of us who have served and do not wish for a monday morning quarterback to tell us in what capacity we did).

"Far greater it is to dare mighty things, even though sometime checkered by failure,
than it is to rank with those poor souls who neither enjoy much, nor suffer much, because they live in that grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat!"

Anonymous said...

Responding to Comment 6, I didn't read anything in the column that wasn't the truth so I don't see how that's tarnishing McCain's military record. It is what it is.

Anonymous said...

Your right, I guess I am mistaken. I should have differed to you since you obviously have the experience of flying attack aircraft in the 60s and 70s and also must be an ace who knows precisely how to manueaver around surface to air missiles. I also did not graduate from the Academy so I guess you have some kind of perspective there and must have graduated at the top of your class. And finally, of course I'm just assuming you too are a professional military officer who retired as an Admiral vice the so demeaning rank of 0-6.

Bottom line: Unless you have spent time in a prison camp or have served your nation with honor as Senator McCain has, don't you dare mock his service...because by doing so (as someone who has no qualifications to judge anyone in the military) insults mine.

Anonymous said...

About a quarter of all homeless men on the streets of American cities are veterans of Vietnam, or the first Gulf War, probably even some left over from the Korean War, and other conflicts. They are damaged people who had little or no help or comfort when they were no longer useful as military fodder. While the US media and many US citizens go on and on about the honor, sacrifice, integrity, etc. etc. of veterans, hundreds of thousands are just left to fend for themselves beset by trauma and stress. And god knows how many more will emerge from the Iraq War, especially considering how inadequate Veterans' hospitals are nowadays - plenty of money for bombs and fighter planes, woefully insufficient funds for soldiers' protection, decent clothing, rations, and finally post-combat medical care. Until I hear McCain reach out, and promise money and commitment, to these dispossessed heroes, then I don't care how long he was in a prison camp - he's disassociated himself from his fellow soldiers, and if questioned about the homeless and welfare-scrounging ex-military, would say they needed to take responsibility for their own lives, unlike himself, who married a millionaire.

Anonymous said...

According to this above post, 1/4 of all homeless people are Veterans. By that estimate, 3/4 of them should be non Veterans. My question therefore is to the person who insists Senator McCain owes something to the homeless. My questions is "as a non-Veteran," what have YOU done to help the 75% of homeless people. Are you turning your back against society and the people who are like you or do you insist on bringing up McCain's military record which should be a non-issue, particurly when he is being attacked by people who have never raised their hand to service. I just don't understand how you think your qualified to even discuss a POWs past.

Continuing this attack on McCain's military record is equivalent to the swift boat attacks on John Kerry's record that had many Democrats livid...see the hypocracy yet?

Here's a word to the Democrats...you wonder why the Republicans think that we are so arrogant and out of touch and unfit to lead men who have sworn to defend their country. Well, just look at the comments you have made about a man who for all intensive purposes is a war hero, at least in the eyes of the vast majority of servicemembers...myself included. Get back to issues, focus on the issues, go after him on ISSUES...but for the last time leave his military record alone or I'll continue to bring up yours...and maybe even Obamas!

Ron Tunning said...

Anonymous, I suggest you read my update before you decide that you can impugn my record or the record of other commenters about whom you know nothing.

Anonymous said...

McCain is truly scary.

'Nuff said.

Anonymous said...

Fair enough Ron,

First off, I appreciate your service and regret having had jumped to the conclusion that you were a mere spectator in Vietnam. I wrongfully assumed by your bashing of McCain that you were not a vet yourself, since many who have gone after his service record have never worn a uniform themselves.

My intention was never to demean your service to your country nor was it to insult your family and their sacrifices. I did however want to bring to light how inappropriate I think it is to judge Senator McCain's record when he is by many accounts a war hero. Perhaps just maybe in these brief exchanges, you have felt how hurtful a strangers comments (like me who knows you no more than a hole in the wall)can be when they go after your military service. Think about how he feels? And now think why Obama himself refuses to touch this subject.

Senator McCain is a decent man and a fine American. I have no problem that his study habbits were sub par or that he liked to drink with his pilot buddies after work. I question his judgement today and that is where my points of contention reside.

If we want we can all put eachother's service under the scrutiny of a lens, every drill we ever did, performance report that was written, right down to demerits in boot camp. The fact is that I consider myself to be a very proud American who raised my hand to serve post-9/11 and therefore am fully aware of what the young men and women have sacrificed. What it boils down to is that when I compare myself to that of Senator McCain's...well there isn't much to compare. I look up to him as a patriot and I'll leave that title of hero to him, the POWs and those KIA. Personally, I don't much care what he did prior to being in that prison camp for 5.5 years. I know by all accounts of those who served with him in Hanoi that he conducted himself with honor, courage and integrity. What else can we ask of him? So he married a millionaire, is that a crime? Is that seriously supposed to be a point when you decide to argue against his military record?

For the record, I was not the one who started an attack on anyone's past. I simply replied to several posts on your blog that criticized McCain as if they too had been in the same POW camp.

This Presidential race is not about the past, nor was it in 2004 when Republicans went after John Kerry and his swift boat record. This is about the future, it's about the safety of our children, energy efficiency, a stronger economy and the social justice for all Americans. If you want to get knit picky and get into the nuances of these candidates then I'm sure I can round up some people to talk about Obama's dope smoking and cocaine sniffing in Hawaii at Columbia and elsewhere. Those are not the issues of today, nor do they matter to the American people. All I'm suggesting to you Ron is to continue your fight for Obama and the issues and people he represents...everything else is tabloid crap.

What Democrats need to do is to come to the realization that Iraq is getting better and that the new strategy is improving conditions on the ground. Democrats are too reluctant to accept success because it flies in the face of everything that they have been opposed to. I'm not going to justify this war, because in my opinion I agree that it was wrongly prosecuted and managed from the beginning. I will say that I get an uneasy feeling everything a Democrat mentions the death count though...as if by it going up, it increases the party position.

Again, I speculate, but I think Democrats need to hear that there is some truth to the position that Secretary Gates and President Bush make when they say that things are improving in Iraq. To suggest otherwise without any knowledge beyond the reports that you read in the press (bias and otherwise) is ignorant. I have many close friends serving over there now and by their FIRST HAND accounts, we're doing better...

Maybe Democrats need to re-adjust their strategy.

Here's to productive discussions...

Thanks for this platform to discuss these matters.

Ron Tunning said...

Anonymous,

I never felt that you demeaned my service. That would be ludicrous given that you had no idea that I'd served.

I did, however, take offense at your having jumped to conclusions without adequate knowledge. Moreover, I resent your implication that I'm demeaning Sen. McCain's service. I respect him for it and believe the country owes him a great deal for all that he endured as a prisoner. That debt, however, does not include the presidency.

I'd be delighted to continue this conversation via e-mail. You can reach me by clicking on the contact icon on the Laconia Democratic Party's website.

Anonymous said...

Excellent, insightful post. While we respect Senator McCain's honorable military service that by no means should give him a pass to the White House.

McCain's policies, if God forbid he's elected president, will only be more of the same. How we as a nation can continue with failed policies and expect a different outcome is beyond the realm of rational thinking.