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Liberals Wrong About Cindy McCain's POW Experience and PTSD

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It's obvious Sam you don't suffer from PTSD or even know someone that suffers from PTSD. Cindy McCains statement is an afront to all veterans and speaks to the lack of knowledge and compassion to those that are afflicted by the Republican party in general. McCain has voted against veterans programs, with Bush, while claiming great affection for the troops to the public to bolister is public image.As a Vietnam vet that has endured decades of nightmares, cold sweats, trust issues and so on as well as my physical injuries I take this issue very seriously. McCain is so out of touch with real people and real combat veterans it's hard to beleive he has garnered any support.It's only the dirty tactics of the Republician Party that were used by Bush that have kept him in the race this far. America is tired of these tactics and he will lose because he has discarded his honor to win at any cost.

Richard Purdy of UT 2:13PM October 20, 2008

Did anyone notice Obama's response when Bob Scheffer asked him last night about his negative ads? He was SMUG! Smug grin, smirk even, then 'well, this is politics after all..'
Then when John McCain said that his feelings were hurt that he was compared to Geo. Wallace, Obama derided him as the bully that he is about his 'hurt feelings.'
Why, oh why, would Mrs. McCain admit to one tiny thing about her husband's private mental health? So the liberal media would/could find some way to better belittle him?
Double standards being so accepted at this time, Mrs. McCain did what any wife would do; she protected her husband.

Abby14 of MI 5:41PM October 16, 2008

My husband is a Viet Nam Vet and has PTSD. I believe from reading I have done about Sen McCain that he had issues long before he went to Viet Nam. Anger management issues. Now I believe he has PTSD as well. My husband has it, I know the signs and if Cindy would like to deny it in her husband that is her choice. Being in denial isn't going to make this go away. Maybe that is why Cindy did drugs. Who knows?? But I do know that hiding from it, or doing drugs doesn't change the facts.

Robbin of UT 10:05AM October 16, 2008

AP reported that Johnny Boy crashed his airplane THREE times as a trainee. Once he blacked out the city below when he caught the power wires. Now, what factor allowed McCain to even stay in the military with his record (plus his almost-last-in-his-class education)? Answer: Admiral Daddy McCain. Otherwise, McCain's nickname would have been "Washout", or perhaps "Blackout" would be more appropriate. Leads me to think our war hero wouldn't have been shot down if he wasn't so incompetent.
Now, Cindy's comments were not made to be insulting, but they are revealing. Those, like John, who had leverage got into military class & became officers. The poor & middle class got drafted & became grunts usually. So, yeah, who was better prepared, who got cushy assignments, etc. etc. The McCains will never, ever get what it is like not to have $$$ or power.

kathy of IL 5:41PM October 15, 2008

The idea is to introduce doubt into the voters' decision process . Just as any slick defense attorney trying to get their rape supect,domestic terrorist or drunk driver client to walk would do .The smoke -screen (some percieved slight against fellow POWs) is a non starter but it is useful to back up the first assertion.All this BS from a man who didn't even bother to serve his country in any capacity during peacetime.

William Leslie of TX 1:17PM October 15, 2008

My husband is a LTC in the Army serving 21 years. He is on his third tour in five years this time in Afghanistan. He is a trained US Army quartermaster officer and suffers from severe PTSD. So severe that he has severe depression, is withdrawn from his family, he can't sleep, he has trouble doing his daily job he is irritable and doesn't want to exsist.
PTSD has absolutely nothing to do with training or weakness. It is an illness. A horrible mental illness that can really never be cured but dealt with on a daily basis with medication, therapy and understanding and support from family.
Unless you are living with someone or close to someone with PTSD you have no right to speak of who can or can't get it. The disease doesn't discriminate and only touch those who are not trained. It is that ignorance that is creating the hardship of our current soldiers. They and their families cannot get the proper treatment for their PTSD and families are having severe trouble getting proper mental health help in dealing with the situation. I have a $3000 bill that the Army is not paying for my son's mental hospitalization because he was suicidal during his father's deployment to Iraq.
We need someone in the White House who will make it easier for soldiers and their families to get help with PTSD. I am living with the horror of having my husband suffer with so much pain. It is an awful disease...caused by the trama of this war...no one is immune. NO ONE!

S Hays of IN 1:08PM October 15, 2008

Why anyone would be the least bit interested in R.L. Schaefer of CA's opinion is a mystery to me. He is rabidly partisan to the point of being deceitful, hateful, unreasoning and totally illogical.
His only audience is made up of far right wackos who, like Schaefer, have absolutely no common sense or logical means to discern the truth...Mindless blather is all that flows from his mouth....Are we clear?
R.L.,
Being an jerk is easy. Having read your posts for the last couple of weeks I have come to the conclusion that you have nothing to say. Just spew your hate elsewhere - I'm sure people are just skipping over your comments because they do not enlighten. All heat and no light.

Milton of MD 12:30PM October 15, 2008

While McCain may have had "training" that the ordinary grunt might not have had, that training does not exclude him from the trauma of combat or captivity.
I've recently had conversations with two retired colonels who were platoon leaders in Vietnam and each shared their past and current issues with PTSD. No one escapes the beast...no one.
Denial is not part of the healing process. John McCain's reluctance to talk about his PTSD is tethered to the belief that such an admittance would severely damage his political career. He would not be mistaken.
For a career military man or politician, counseling with a mental health specialist could be the end of that career. remember Tom Eagleton? So,his silence is understandable. We as a nation have not matured very much when it comes to PTSD.
PTSD may be why he consistently voted against veteran's benefits, or why he seems so erratic and indecisive recently.
There are a number of triggers that will wake the beast. Stress is the strongest. It will wake the beast and put your entire being on alert and ready for action.
His stay at the Hanoi Hilton is a daily reminder for him...to think or say otherwise is untruthful.

Doc Rich R of 11:04AM October 15, 2008

I think there is element of machoism at work here. Look, McCain is 70 years old. There are some people who think he shouldn't be President because of his age. There are probaly people out there who are worry that McCain is a little nuts because of his POW experience. By trying to deflect the issue, all Cindy McCain is trying to do is present a picture of John McCain of a heroic fighter, fit and health.

Mark of CT 10:34AM October 15, 2008

Of course McCain dwells on his pow experience incessantly, its his infamous crutch, even used ptsd as an excuse to dump his first family.
Unlike current ptsd soldiers get dumped from the military, McCain got the admiral's son treatment with a plush military job escorting celebrities and politicians. Then McCain has the nerve to vote against veteran rights, and has one of the lowest rating for support of veterans in the Senate.
So Cindy Mccain's pandering comes off as a low blow, if you need context. Kinda like Cruela d'Ville complimenting those cute dalmation puppies.

Paul of WA 2:58AM October 15, 2008