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Donald Trump should think again about prisoners of war
This weekend the big story was billionaire and GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump (his net worth “is in excess of TEN BILLION DOLLARS“) going after John McCain. Miffed that McCain had referred to Trump’s supporters as ‘crazies’:
Trump has tapped into “some anger” in the state over the conditions at the border, McCain told The New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza in an article published Thursday.
“It’s very bad,” the Republican senator said. “This performance with our friend out in Phoenix is very hurtful to me,” McCain said. “Because what he did was he fired up the crazies.”
One can understand McCain’s pique. Trump went onto McCain’s home turf and called him out as an immigration wuss (which he is) on a stage with Jamiel Shaw (the ‘our friend’ in McCain’s statement), a black man whose teenage son was gunned down in the street by an illegal immigrant.
Trump wasn’t content with a win of epic proportions, he had to take the fight to McCain. But he did so in one of the most ham-handed ways imaginable:
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took an ongoing feud with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 64% to a new level today, mocking the former GOP nominee for having been a prisoner of war and calling him a “loser” for failing to win the White House in 2008.
“He was a war hero because he was captured,” Trump said at the 2015 Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa.
“I like people who weren’t captured,” the current Republican front-runner told political consultant Frank Luntz, who hosted the event.
I’m not a McCain fan. I wasn’t a fan of his in 2000. I thought he ran a horrible campaign in 2008; a campaign that was so lackluster, bungling, and inept that I could easily imagine he was on Obama’s payroll. He has made a career of of attacking conservatives. Him attacking conservatives, particular immigration-control advocates, as crazy is nothing new and Trump more likely than not knew he would do this and was counting on it. McCain is a petty, mean spirited Captain Queeg-style politician, a boil on the ass of the GOP, and the nation will be much better off when he retires from public life and takes his nitwit daughter with him.
But John McCain is not running for president. Donald Trump is.
Trump didn’t attack McCain on his indefensible record. In fact, he didn’t even directly attack McCain. Instead he attacked McCain because he had the misfortune to be shot down while flying a strike mission over North Vietnam. That might have been defensible if he was going after McCain’s service record. There is plenty of criticism of his performance floating around on the internet. Some have even directly blamed him for the disastrous fire on the USS Forrestal. But Trump didn’t do that, he made a very broad brush attack on all prisoners of war: “I like people who weren’t captured.”
Very few people set out to be captured. Sometimes you have a choice. Often you don’t. Even if you do have a choice between death and surrender, being alive has a lot to recommend it. So “liking people who weren’t captured” is pretty analogous to saying “I like lucky people, like those who were born to billionaire parents.”
But to the point, John McCain and a lot of folks like him were heroes in spite of being captured not because they were captured. Had McCain not been captured he would probably have finished a successful career in the Navy and went to work for a defense contractor. Let’s look at a few.
STOCKDALE, JAMES B.
Medal of Honor
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior naval officer in the Prisoner of War camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader in the Prisoners’ of War resistance to interrogation and in their refusal to participate in propaganda exploitation, Rear Adm. Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and attendant torture after he was detected in a covert communications attempt. Sensing the start of another purge, and aware that his earlier efforts at self-disfiguration to dissuade his captors from exploiting him for propaganda purposes had resulted in cruel and agonizing punishment, Rear Adm. Stockdale resolved to make himself a symbol of resistance regardless of personal sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted a near-mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. He was subsequently discovered and revived by the North Vietnamese who, convinced of his indomitable spirit, abated in their employment of excessive harassment and torture toward all of the Prisoners of War. By his heroic action, at great peril to himself, he earned the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoners and of his country. Rear Adm. Stockdale’s valiant leadership and extraordinary courage in a hostile environment sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
RISNER, JAMES ROBINSON (ROBBIE)
Air Force Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel James Robinson Risner, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 31 October 1965 to 15 December 1965. During that period the Vietnamese intercepted a series of prisoner messages which clearly indicated the danger of General Risner’s leadership to their exploitation methods. He was extensively tortured for information but successfully resisted their demands and established a standard of honorable conduct and resistance which was followed by hundreds of Americans after him. The extremely harsh treatment inflicted upon him was to become a way of life for him in the subsequent years. Through his extraordinary heroism, leadership, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, General Risner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Robbie Risner was a Korean War ace who was shot down twice before it finally took. James Stockdale was a Skyhawk pilot. The became the senior officers in captivity and used their authority to maintain discipline among the prisoners even to the extent of torture.
ALVAREZ, EVERETT, JR.
Silver Star
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. (0-4733517), Commander, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. On 10 August 1966, Commander Alvarez’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme cruelty in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. By his heroic stand against his captors, he effectively resisted the efforts of the North Vietnamese in spite of the hostile environment; eventually compelling them to abandon their employment of harsh treatment. Using determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
I only mention Ev Alvarez because I know him and have worked with him on projects. Trust me, captured or not you’d not only ‘like’ him but admire him. This leads us to:
MCCAIN, JOHN SIDNEY, III
Silver Star
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John Sidney McCain, III, Commander, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 27 October to 8 December 1967. His captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected Commander McCain to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
Not all PWs conducted themselves well. At least one Air Force officer, a highly touted fighter pilot from the Korean War, took favors from the enemy. At least four US soldiers made propaganda broadcasts for the NVA. At least one US Marine deserted to the Viet Cong and led patrols against American troops. But by all disinterested accounts not only did McCain do his duty, he put himself at unnecessary risk to do his duty.
When Trump, himself, made the decision to not serve in Vietnam, his criticizing McCain for having the misfortune of having been shot down and losing five years of his life and sustaining severe injuries seems a little on the low rent side. Not something one would expect of a man of Trump’s accomplishment.
The post Donald Trump should think again about prisoners of war appeared first on RedState.
Source: http://www.redstate.com/2015/07/19/donald-trump-think-prisoners-war/
You forgot to mention that by day4-5 McCain gave classified material to the enemy! FACT
You forgot to mention that McCain made 30+ propaganda videos for the Communist enemy! FACT
I’m a veteran and I will outright say Trump was 100% correct that McCain was no war hero! Fact is, he was a TRAITOR to America and many service members lost their lives due to his cowardice. There is numerous documentation to prove that his awards: Silver Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, two Commendation medals plus two Purple Hearts are all as fraudulent as McCain himself!
Lets start with the fact that one must ask how on a medal count basis that McCain outweighs Murphy and Glenn, who both for years repeatedly performed extraordinary deeds on the ground or in the air against an armed enemy.
McCain’s valor awards are based on speculation as to what happened in 1967 during his 23d mission, when over Vietnam he was shot down and injured. He was then captured and then spent the next 5.5 years selling out America!
Is it no wonder that his own Senate office refuses to provide copies of the narratives for each medal. None of the awards, less the DFC, were for heroism! His awards were in-fact “boilerplate” meaning they were given no questions asked for all prisoners at the time period for that camp.
McCain’s Silver Star narrative for the period 27 October 1967 the day after he was shot down to 8 December 1968 reads: “His captors… subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly towards the eventual abandonment…” of such harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese.
However, in McCain’s own words just four days after being captured, he admitted that he violated the U.S. Code of Conduct by telling his captors “O.K, I’ll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital.”
Thus, in truth “He received the nation’s third highest award, the Silver Star, for treason as he provided aid and comfort to the enemy!”
The rest of his valor awards issued automatically every year while he was a POW read much like the Silver Star. More boilerplate often repeating the exact same words. An example: “By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.” As we can see no specific of any valor was entailed!
The truth is that by the fourth day of his capture he signed a confession and declared himself a “black criminal who performed deeds of an air pirate.” This statement and other interviews he gave to the Communist press were then used as propaganda to fan the flames of the antiwar movement. In total McCain made over 30 of these propaganda videos for the Communist Press.
According to McCain he tells of horror he endured: relentlessly beatings, torture, broken limbs. All inflicted during savage interrogations. Yet no other POW was a witness to these accounts. JUST NOT BELIEVABLE, unless we are to believe that McCain was kept in an isolated prison cell away from all other prisoners!
A former POW stated “No man witnessed another man during interrogations… We relied on each other to tell the truth when a man was returned to his cell.” However, if the torture was as bad as McCain stated his physical state would have clearly been noted!
Let us not also mention the fact that according to those issuing the awards, two eyewitnesses are required for any award of heroism. However, NONE of the valor awards McCain received have or had any eyewitnesses, less himself and his captors.
Could it be that his awards were issued on the fact that his father and grandfather both held 4 star admiral positions with the Navy? One can only assume that this is the truth, as from day 4 on of his captivity he behaved as a COLLABORATOR and propaganda tool for his North Vietnamese captors. McCain had engaged in no less than 30, and likely as many as 38 anti-American propaganda broadcasts for Radio Hanoi during the period of his captivity. Does any of this speak to being an image of an American WAR HERO?
An example of his cowardice and TREASON against America can be found in the US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, where he personally admitted in the article that during the time he was in prison (in fact It was by the fourth day) he asked the [North] Vietnamese to take him to the hospital and that in exchange he promised he would provide them with classified military information.
This military information consisted of highly classified information, the most important of which was the “package route” the military was using for the bombing of North Vietnam. He provided in detail the altitudes, directions, and the primary targets of interest for the United States.
The result was that the North Vietnamese moved their anti-aircraft defenses into those areas and built them up and strengthened them. They also moved the rockets, aircraft weapons, into the “package route” of where the airplanes were flying. This ended in many lost lives, as supported by intelligence reports! This information provided by this traitor ended with a 60% increase of lost aircraft and military personnel (Yes, lives were lost because of this coward!) After about a month, the situation deteriorated to the point that they finally called off the bombing of North Vietnam, all due to the information that McCain had given to the enemy!
It is said that McCain refused an early release. An act of valor?
This has clearly been disputed by three former POWs who stated that McCain was ordered to turn it down by his U.S. POW commander and he “just followed orders.”
McCain’s actions in Vietnam dishonor the many POWs who stood tall and refused to break their honor code.
U.S. MILITARY CODE OF CONDUCT
I. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
II. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
III. If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
IV. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
V. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to only give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
VI. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
So should Trump not have stated the truth?
I say Trump was right on point and that maybe we should have a poll by Americans as who is the biggest liar in government? McCain, Pelosi, Hillary, Boehner, McConnell, Reid, and let us not forget Obama or is it Barry ,,,, no one will ever know because the News Media refused to Vett him! News media vetting means pointing by the Media to the birth certificate on the government website, despite this proven a fake/forgery and even Barry’s own lawyer calling it such a bad fake (in a court of law).
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF LIARS IN THE CONGRESS AND SENATE! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES REFUSING TO TAKE A STAND AND SHOW BOTH INTEGRITY AND MORALS IN THEIR DECISIONS, INSTEAD OF MAKING DECISIONS ON BY THE FACT OF WHO WILL GIVE THEM THE MOST MONEY!
SOLUTION: NO MONEY ALLOWED IN POLITICS OR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN RECEIVE NO PAY FROM TAX PAYERS AS THEY REFUSE TO REPRESENT TAX PAYERS! THESE CRIMINALS WHO HAVE NO INTEGRITY CAN ACCEPT THE MONEY FROM THE LOBBYISTS OR THEIR BASE (TAX PAYERS) BUT NOT BOTH AS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DOUBLE DIPPING!