Fifty things you didn't know about John McCain

[preciousjeni]

McCain is 72 years old????????????????????? I knew he was old, but I didn't realize he was that old.

Anyway, three of those fifty things stuck out to me:

22. His captors continued beating McCain in the hospital, coercing his ship and squadron name, and their intended bombing target. When pushed to give the names of his squadron members, he gave the names of the National Football League's Green Bay Packer's offensive line.

30. To this day, McCain cannot lift his arms over his head from the injuries sustained during this period.

32. On one of these occasions, a sympathetic prison guard secretly loosened McCain's rope bindings for the night. Months later, on Christmas Day, this same guard secretly drew a cross in the dirt next to McCain. McCain often relates this story as a testimony to his faith and humanity.

All of that is pretty awesome.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I don't think anyone is saying military service is a prerequisite - just that, as part of the job, it is potentially useful due to the many and varied (and sometimes contentious) interactions between government (and specifically the Executive Branch) and the military (if not the military/industrial "complex"). It's another piece to consider, for many people, when examining the potential pros of a candidate - and certainly more specific and universal than claiming that "a good President also has humility," which is certainly arguable and 100% unprovable as an assertion.

Agreed that it's potentially useful, which is why I said I appreciated McCain's knowledge through experience. But it's just a piece of the puzzle.

And in my mind a good president would have humility. I'm not sure why you think that military experience is more universal than humility, which really every human being should apply to everyday living, imho.

[DSTCHAOS]

I had a Vietnam vet teacher in high school who would have relapses like he was in combat. My fav teacher of all time, though, and extremely challenging.

What if McCain does a State of the Union and jumps on the podium because he's escaping capture?

Kidding.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

And there's your bias.

I'm sure you'd be all over a list of Obama's top Baskin Robbins flavors. Not like every human doesn't have top ice cream flavors, so what's the big deal.

If there was a list like that about Obama, there would be about 100000 threads in this forum talking about it. I'm by no means a McCain fan, but the fanatical following behind Obama is unreal.

Some people will find this information useful when they vote - some won't. I really don't see what the big problem is with this list. It's a qualification on the resume, like anything else.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

the fanatical following behind Obama is unreal.

Exactly.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I had a Vietnam vet teacher in high school who would have relapses like he was in combat. My fav teacher of all time, though, and extremely challenging.

What if McCain does a State of the Union and jumps on the podium because he's escaping capture?

Kidding.

So did I. You didn't dare complain in his class, or he'd launch into his stories of having to sleep on the hillsides in the jungle, where they'd have to tie themselves to trees to keep themselves from rolling down the hill at night. "THAT'S SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!" he'd yell.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

And in my mind a good president would have humility. I'm not sure why you think that military experience is more universal than humility, which really every human being should apply to everyday living, imho.

I don't want to continue too much of a derailment here, but my point is merely that there are concrete and well-defined aspects of the job where military history would be an advantage.

Humility is a nice attribute that most people respect, but we can't really give the same concrete and well-defined aspects of the Presidency that would always benefit from humility - only areas where, in our opinion, this would happen. Whether or not I agree with that opinion (I agree on a pretty limited basis), it seems clear - it's almost quantitative versus qualitative. No offense intended, just pointing out the differing nature.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I had a Vietnam vet teacher in high school who would have relapses like he was in combat. My fav teacher of all time, though, and extremely challenging.

What if McCain does a State of the Union and jumps on the podium because he's escaping capture?

Kidding.

Seriously something to consider

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

Daemon......it's a trivial blog about facts you may not know about John McCain. Nothing more. Nothing less. This isn't a campaign piece sent out by the GOP to sway voters. Obviously, this wasn't intended FOR YOU. You're acting like he sent this out himself.

Stop being such a Debbie Downer.....you and your boy Obama should pack a stiff bowl and mellow out!!!!

Exalt

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Seriously something to consider

No.

Physical and mental health evals have cleared him for all we know.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I don't want to continue too much of a derailment here, but my point is merely that there are concrete and well-defined aspects of the job where military history would be an advantage.

Humility is a nice attribute that most people respect, but we can't really give the same concrete and well-defined aspects of the Presidency that would always benefit from humility - only areas where, in our opinion, this would happen. Whether or not I agree with that opinion (I agree on a pretty limited basis), it seems clear - it's almost quantitative versus qualitative. No offense intended, just pointing out the differing nature.

I do not mean to pick on you at all in any way KSig RC just your posting was a good place for me to ask you and others the following question:
How many of our past Presidents have been professional military?
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Six (6):Washington, Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Taylor, Grant, and Eisenhower.
From http://fs6.depauw.edu:50080/~jkochan...ident/all.html

As for the rest,check out List of United States Presidents by military service http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...litary_service
By Rank:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._military_rank

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by jon1856

I do not mean to pick on you at all in any way KSig RC just your posting was a good place for me to ask you and others the following question:
How many of our past Presidents have been professional military?

31.

Additionally:
Taft Sec War under Theodore Roosevelt.
FDR - Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Non uniformed military serving as POTUS during war time,
Wilson WWI
FDR WWII

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._military_rank

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by nate2512

31.

Additionally:
Taft Sec War under Theodore Roosevelt.
FDR - Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Non uniformed military serving as POTUS during war time,
Wilson WWI
FDR WWII

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._military_rank

6 not 31.
Was not a trick question-Professional. As in career.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by jon1856

6 not 31.
Was not a trick question-Professional.

Thats just ridiculous, the arguments here had nothing to do with professional military or not. It was military service, of which is 31. That makes roughly 72% of past presidents with military service prior to holding the Presidency.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by nate2512

Thats just ridiculous, the arguments here had nothing to do with professional military or not. It was military service, of which is 31. That makes roughly 72% of past presidents with military service prior to holding the Presidency.

And as pointed out, only 6 were career. The rest were time of war. And look at the time frames covered by most of those and the type of war.
In current day pool of candidates, one will more likely see a MBA than a career military, let alone extended service time.
And just being in a military branch, does not of and by itself give nor provide great enlightenment to all knowledge.
My Uncle more of less agrees with General Sherman-told me awhile ago that all war does is waste good men.

Me,if one was going to use only one rule, I would much rather see a very smart, sharp business person. And have them rely on Professional Military for advise.

And out of your 31, how many did you know served?
And how many where in combat?
How many said anything in great detail about it?
Did you know that Ford saved his carrier?
LBJ was a staff officer who Johnson's biographer, Robert Caro, stated, "The most you can say about Lyndon Johnson and his Silver Star is that it is surely one of the most undeserved Silver Stars in history. Because if you accept everything that he said, he was still in action for no more than 13 minutes and only as an observer. Men who flew many missions, brave men, never got a Silver Star."[15]