McCain’s weird free pass on national security
One of the most underexamined assumptions of the Republican primary to date is the notion that John McCain is somehow THE guy to take on national security and the war on terror. How did it get to be fait accompli in the public mind that Little John is so equipped for such a big responsibility? Is it because he used to pilot a Navy jet? Because he got smacked around (note: I do not underestimate his courage here) by the VC for a few years? Or is it because of his tired posturing about following OBL to “the gates of hell”?
So let’s dispense with the McCain war hero mythology on the grounds that it has absolutely nothing to do with the concrete policy choices he will make as Commander in Chief. And let’s focus on what we know that should concern anyone that rates national security or the war against Islamic extremism as their top concerns:
- John McCain favors a relatively free flow of people across our southern borders - one of the primary vulnerabilities in our security architecture
- McCain has bought into the ultra-simplified rhetoric of torture pushed by the far left - in other words he has joined the far left in interpreting the Geneva Conventions beyond what they clearly state, denounced enhanced interrogation techniques as “torture” and thereby promised to give up one of the most effective tools for gathering information from terrorists and Islamic extremists and protecting America and the West from the threats they pose.
So tell me again - how is this dude our best option for winning the global struggle against Islamic extremism and protecting our borders?
Kurt adds: To say nothing of the fact that McCain’s emphasis on his former top-gun status has the effect of poisoning, from the start, relationships that he might want to foster among leaders of other nations, especially those in Latin America. Touting his presence on the bridge of the USS Enterprise during the Cuban Missile Crisis last week brought up all kinds of bad memories and showed horrendously poor judgment.
4 comments
Voters might want to be aware of McCain having ditched his navy jet into Corpus Christi Bay while in training. According to report, it was not the result of a pilot error (of the usual sort) or mechanical failure. It was, allegedly, due to his being out drinking the night before and falling asleep at the controls. It was not long after that that he flew so low in Spain that he damaged power lines and blacked out a region in that country. He was continually being disciplined for temper tantrums while at Annapolis. The only logical explanation for his not being ejected from that institution was his being the son and grandson of two admirals.
McCain has, throughout his career, failed to learn from past mistakes. We do not need, now or ever, a president who is asleep at the switch, losing his temper or taking reckless chances.
Frankly, I agree that his true military past should be exposed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain
OTOH, even though I’m all for sarcasm, I’m still call verbiage that equates over 5 years as a POW with being “smacked around” goes way beyond truth telling and into utter propaganda.
His military past is a mixed bag; heroic mixed with irrresponsibility. His hero status may justify his being a U. S. Senator, in spite of his poor judgment. But being the president of the United States and leader of the free world requires a cool head, someone in control of his emotions at critical times. Under these criteria, John McCain does not meet the necessary requirements.
From his history on Wikipedia: “One classmate said that ‘being on liberty with John McCain was like being in a train wreck.” Ah, yes, vote for John. Just what we need in the White House.
Leave a Comment