Fifty things you didn't know about John McCain

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

but y'all are acting like people are crazy for even considering it when placing their vote.

They are crazy if that is THE ONLY thing they consider when voting.

A person's military record should not be the ONLY thing that sells them on especially when they have more recent history serving in government that one should really be looking at to determine if they should want to vote for them.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

They are crazy if that is THE ONLY thing they consider when voting.

A person's military record should not be the ONLY thing that sells them on especially when they have more recent history serving in government that one should really be looking at to determine if they should want to vote for them.

You're right, voting based solely on military experience is stupid. Just like voting based entirely on gender, race or religion is stupid.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

You're right, voting based solely on military experience is stupid. Just like voting based entirely on gender, race or religion is stupid.

EXACTLY!

This is why in some of you guys' eyes I have been dismissive about his military record.

damn near every president that has served has one....

Don't sell me on what he has done FOR our country in the military, that's what he got signed up for .....sell me on what he has done TO the country in the government...that is what OTHER PEOPLE voted for him to do!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

damn near every president that has served has one....

I don't know the answer to this question:

How many presidents were POWs or whatever?

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Don't sell me on what he has done FOR our country in the military, that's what he got signed up for .....sell me on what he has done TO the country in the government...that is what OTHER PEOPLE voted for him to do!

Just remember this sound logic when you celebrate something Obama has done that has absolutely nothing to do with politics, his platform, and what he will or will not do if in office.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I don't know the answer to this question:

How many presidents were POWs or whatever?

John McCain isn't POTUS yet so let's not jump the gun...

Enough presidents however have seen combat.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

John McCain isn't POTUS yet so let's not jump the gun...

NO SHIT? You're the one who said "damn near every PRESIDENT that has served has one."

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Enough presidents however have seen combat.

Okay...is this your way of saying that McCain's military experience is unique as far as most presidential candidates and POTUS are concerned?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

NO SHIT? You're the one who said "damn near every PRESIDENT that has served has one."



Okay...is this your way of saying that McCain's military experience is unique as far as most presidential candidates and POTUS are concerned?

"....has one."

Military Record ...not POW.

As for McCain....

Yes and no...

Unique in that (should he become POTUS) he would be the only pres that served in Vietnam that was a POW

And no because of what I stated earlier.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Just remember this sound logic when you celebrate something Obama has done that has absolutely nothing to do with politics, his platform, and what he will or will not do if in office.

Agreed - going on that logic, Obama's law school and academic credentials should be similarly discounted.

As to past presidents being POWs; the only one I can think of who comes close is Washington, who I believe was captured during the French and Indian War. Otherwise, I don't think another President was a prisoner during wartime.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Agreed - going on that logic, Obama's law school and academic credentials should be similarly discounted.

As to past presidents being POWs; the only one I can think of who comes close is Washington, who I believe was captured during the French and Indian War. Otherwise, I don't think another President was a prisoner during wartime.

Exactly--as far as I'm concerned every political and nonpolitical feat from every candidate should be received equally. Because, as far as I'm concerned, every candidate has equal potential to be a great POTUS or a sucky POTUS. If McCain saying "g**k" can turn some voters off then McCain getting his ass whooped in war can turn some voters on.

Thanks for the info on Washington.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by jon1856

General Sherman: "
On June 19, 1879, Sherman delivered his famous "War Is Hell" speech to the graduating class of the Michigan Military Academy and to the gathered crowd of more than 10,000: "There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell."[76]"
And BTB, LBJ used another Sherman statement when he declared that he would not run for re-election.

General Sherman may I introduce you to nate2512

Originally Posted by nate2512

According to Jon it apparently is. Since war is hell we should just not go to war anymore.

Also, when Congress voted on the torture bill, who was a very big advocate against it because he had been in the situation, and drawing on his own experiences in the military voted against it. So yes, it does play a vital part in how he feels about some of military, war, and veteran policies and those are things that should not be overlooked. The military part is not all war.

This thread is going in so many directions, that it is getting hard to follow any one thread of it. And yes, Nate and I are partially responsible for some of that.

I understand many posters have said that Military Service, while important, many not be the absolute benchmark.

I am ok with that POV/HO.

I still do not understand just at what level it can make a difference.
If one spends 4 years on a DD as a seaman, what special imprint/knowledge does that provide to that one person?
If one spends a few years in ANG, and stays at home and sees no combat, what special imprint/knowledge does that provide?

A leader learns and builds their skills in many ways.
Think of a platoon leaders as business manager.

And yes, I do understand the military a little bit.
I have family and friends who served. And I spent a great deal of time on Monday with several active duty and veterans. And I thanked each and everyone of them.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

They are crazy if that is THE ONLY thing they consider when voting.

A person's military record should not be the ONLY thing that sells them on especially when they have more recent history serving in government that one should really be looking at to determine if they should want to vote for them.

Yes, like I said, it's not the only thing. But you don't get to tell other people at to base their vote on. If I want to vote for the candidate with the whitest teeth, I have every right to do so. After all, a new study shows a link between cancer and gum health, and many people would find a president with cancer to be a detriment.

And, even if we're going with congressional experience, as you say we should all do, McCain's got umpteen more years than Obama in that area of his resume as well.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

And, even if we're going with congressional experience, as you say we should all do, McCain's got umpteen more years than Obama in that area of his resume as well.

which comes down to the next question: what has he done with those umpteen years?

If it was that simple, then we all should be voting for McCain.

It kind of goes back to an earlier statement:

I will paraphrase: just because you have so much of 'something' doesn't necessarily mean that you are the most qualified.

Let me also add with that, it also doesn't mean that people will still 'like' you enough to pick you either, regardless of your job record.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

which comes down to the next question: what has he done with those umpteen years?

If it was that simple, then we all should be voting for McCain.

It kind of goes back to an earlier statement:

I will paraphrase: just because you have so much of 'something' doesn't necessarily mean that you are the most qualified.

Let me also add with that, it also doesn't mean that people will still 'like' you enough to pick you either, regardless of your job record.

It is that simple.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

It is that simple.

not hardly

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

not hardly

Of course it is. I mean, if you like America and babies and baseball and freedom, you SHOULD vote for McCain. I know you still might not, but clearly you should.