McCain's Age and Past Health Problems Could Be An Issue in the Presidential Race
A hard life has taken its toll, but is it an issue that matters?
Reader Comments
McCain's Health and age
We all consider McCain a hero for what he has endured in Vietnam. My husband is a Vietnam Veteran and he is my hero too just for going to that war.
But as far as McCain running for President and the possibility of Sarah Palin being necessary to step in, scares the heck out of me.
After watching the debates, McCain looks very sickly to me. I believe there is more going on then what has been led on to the public. He does not look well.
Sarah Palin
I truly want to vote for this man, but it is the first time in my 69 years,,,I am worried about health. I didn't worry when I was young becuase it didn't matter, but it does today, and I am not sure I want a woman who insults my intellengency by calling me a "Joe Six Pack" as President. That may have gone over with with Friday Six Packer who get drunk on Friday night, but it didn't me. I am a lady 69 almost 70 years of age and I will vote one way or the other but I don't appreciate her calling Americans "Six Packers". Maybe someone should tell her that.
The debate
I am just three years younger than John. I truly love him. I served in the same war (not by choice, drafted. No saint here)and I was not the hero he was, I worked as nurse and never got so much as a needle stick injury. I am 69 yo.now I wanted to support him. Last night I could see he he was having mobility issues, much as I am these days. Mine due to arthritis and hip problem. And he got tired and weak as I do sometimes. He has more reason than me because of the abuse his body suffered from mistreatment/torture. I have to say I want the best for my children and grandchildren and I need to vote for somebody with the stamina and health to do the job. I can't in good conscience vote for him. I can see it is not right to do that. God be with him.
McCain's age
I fully believe McCain is capable to lead this country, however, he should have considered his age and health issues when choosing a running mate.
In affect, McCain has demonstrated his shortsightedness in regards to America's long-term future by nominating Palin.
Palin is not fit to serve as President if, God forbid, McCain's health fails when he is in office. Assuming McCain is an intelligent individual, his choice for Palin was not in the best interest of America but his personal political interest.
pro "The One" propaganda
According to this story, McCain is old and not fluent on the economy. Well, it's my opinion that the writer is not fluent with objective reporting, observable truth, or the strengths that McCain brings to this nation and the world.
McCain's age, and military history
I do find it amusing that the "War Hawk" Republican Party has chosen McCain, who collaborated in an anti-American video with the Vietnamese, as well as President George W. Bush, who would not go on active duty to serve his country in Vietnam. He instead served in the Nat'l Guard thanks to his family's silver spoon influence, and learned to pilot an aircraft that was known to have zero chance of seeing use in that war At least in the Civil War, wealthy draft dodgers had to openly pay outright a man to risk his life in his stead. Somehow that seems more honest, in my opinion.
Even funnier is President Bush's choosing to use the National Guard for foreign wars with repeated terms of duty....against all intents and purposes of the National Guard for providing just that...a NATIONAL, not INTERNATIONAL Guard. Perhaps I am mistaken. I mean, just think how much physical and moral courage it required for him to serve as a male cheerleader for his collegiate "sports career."
Growing old in the Whitehouse
Age is a whimsical fact of life, it makes young people dumb and old people wise.
McCain - Fit To Serve?
While I respect Mr. McCain's service and what he went through as a POW, I have grave concerns about his actions upon his return. He, with the advantage of having an admiral for a father, was not prosecuted as other returning POW for collaborating with the enemy. Later, Mr. McCain headed the effort the shut down all investigation into remaining POW/MIA in order to open up trade with Vietnam. His father-in-law immediately opened up a multi-billion dollar beer industry there.
http://www.aiipowmia.com/sea/schanberg_mccain.html
I also have concerns about his mental fitness as well, specially since he will not release his old medical records even though the term PSTD was not in use as an official diagnosis when he first returned. The one time he did release these records to a journalist, much was blacked out. He later released them in 1999 to a physician who wrote him a clean bill of health without the benefit of a personal examination but rather on whatever records he was provided.
“Among U.S. servicemen taken captive during the Korean War, as many as nine out of 10 survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental disorders more than 35 years after their release, psychologist Patricia B. Sutker of the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center and her colleagues report in the January AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY.”
'Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can result from wartime trauma such as suffering wounds or witnessing others being hurt. Symptoms include irritability or outbursts of anger, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, extreme vigilance and an exaggerated startle response.'
http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN17282413
I do not say any of this lightly as I have worked with vets for over thirty years to help them get their benefits for PTSD. My father served in the Army for 33 yrs as as CWO4. All three of my brothers also served, two in Vietnam.
But I have even more concerns about his current voting record towards our young veterans of today. His lack of support for their medical care is appalling.
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559
On a final note, it is worth reading what Col. Hackworth, the most respected officer to ever serve in Vietnam had to say about John McCain:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_hacker_2.htm
"David H. Hackworth died in June 2005, he was a much-decorated and highly unconventional former career Army officer who became a combat legend in Vietnam. Col. Hackworth received 78 combat awards — including a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and eight Purple Hearts — during his 25-year military career which spanned the Korean and Vietnam wars.."
McCain - Fit To Serve?
While I respect Mr. McCain's service and what he went through as a POW, I have grave concerns about his actions upon his return. He, with the advantage of having an admiral for a father, was not prosecuted as other returning POW for collaborating with the enemy. Later, Mr. McCain headed the effort the shut down all investigation into remaining POW/MIA in order to open up trade with Vietnam. His father-in-law immediately opened up a multi-billion dollar beer industry there.
http://www.aiipowmia.com/sea/schanberg_mccain.html
I also have concerns about his mental fitness as well, specially since he will not release his old medical records even though the term PSTD was not in use as an official diagnosis when he first returned. The one time he did release these records to a journalist, much was blacked out. He later released them in 1999 to a physician who wrote him a clean bill of health without the benefit of a personal examination but rather on whatever records he was provided.
“Among U.S. servicemen taken captive during the Korean War, as many as nine out of 10 survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental disorders more than 35 years after their release, psychologist Patricia B. Sutker of the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center and her colleagues report in the January AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY.”
'Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can result from wartime trauma such as suffering wounds or witnessing others being hurt. Symptoms include irritability or outbursts of anger, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, extreme vigilance and an exaggerated startle response.'
http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN17282413
I do not say any of this lightly as I have worked with vets for over thirty years to help them get their benefits for PTSD. My father served in the Army for 33 yrs as as CWO4. All three of my brothers also served, two in Vietnam.
But I have even more concerns about his current voting record towards our young veterans of today. His lack of support for their medical care is appalling.
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559
On a final note, it is worth reading what Col. Hackworth, the most respected officer to ever serve in Vietnam had to say about John McCain:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_hacker_2.htm
"David H. Hackworth died in June 2005, he was a much-decorated and highly unconventional former career Army officer who became a combat legend in Vietnam. Col. Hackworth received 78 combat awards — including a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and eight Purple Hearts — during his 25-year military career which spanned the Korean and Vietnam wars.."
McCain's age doesn't matter to me.
His war record does. As evidenced in the interview posted on this very site, and from McCain's autobiography FAITH OF MY FATHERS, he makes it very clear that he not only offered to give, but actually gave, valid, valuable, pertinent and current military intelligence data to the Vietnamese so that he could get his leg treated just days after he was captured. He wasn't forced or coerced to do that -- he did it all at his own volition, for his own personal gain. In doing that he didn't just violate the Military Code of Conduct . . .he totally fractured it. If he did that once, he'll do it again. We really don't need that.
