Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

Let me preface this by saying that it is NOT intended to be a McCain bashing thread of any kind.

He is very dedicated to the military and as someone with many close family members in service, I really appreciate politicians that go on record as being supportive.

I am just wondering though, when he says things about coming home heroes or victors, how much of that stems from the shame that We the american people foisted on the Vietnam vets when they came home from a "lost" war. being as how unpopular it was.

and how closely public sentiment about Vietnam parallels with that of Iraq.

I wonder if in some way, he is trying to "right" the wrongs...the negatively that Vietman placed on our armed forces...and between our bravest souls and those of us that get to sit back home.

Just based on what he went through being there, and then saw when he came home...I wonder about this. and as someone who could lose a family, I wonder if it is worth the cost. just to say we "won."

and I do not envy his position or experience.

I hope no matter when our troops come home, they come home to a country that loves and appreciates them. they deserve no less, and so much more.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

Hmmm, maybe. I never thought about it that way. I always kinda took it as "I've been there, I know the hell you are going through" thing with him. KWIM?

I think even though the public didn't/doesn't support the wars, the big difference between Vietnam & Iraq is that from what I've seen soldiers are being treated with respect when they get home.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

I don't think that is the case. I think Vietnam is something he's come to terms with a long time ago. Do I know for sure? Nope.

Per wikipedia, in the 1990s he worked at restoring relations with Vietnam.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

It would be stupid, I think to say that oh, no, different country, different decade, one has nothing to do with the other. Of course his experience has shaped his military views, but I don't think it is as cut & dry as, "we must win."

I thnk he just wants to restore respect to the military, and part of that is making sure that our military efforts or purposeful & effective. People respect soldiers more than they did immediately post Vietnam, but many people don't respect the military's effectiveness & priorities, based on the Iraq situation.

I think he honestly believes we can still be of use in Iraq.

Message edited 10/8/2008 5:01:19 PM.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

I think it has more to do with that than any of us can know. He is different than any other Senator currently serving b/c he is the only Vietnam-era POW in the chamber now. However, he is one of the few with a service background that actually frame it in those terms. The other notable one is Sen. Lindsay Graham from SC who is a Reservist.

Hagel, Kerry, Reed, and others do not frame it in this way.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

I personally feel he relate to the struggles of our military and I do not believe he would expect any soldier to serve longer in combat than nessecary just so we can win. I believe he will encourage respect & honor for our soldiers regardless of the outcome of this or any other war if he were president.

Somehow, someway I will get flamed for this.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

IMO, he says that b/c all the effort and lives lost would have been for ... what? if we don't win.

Message edited 10/8/2008 6:09:53 PM.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

The positive that I see in McCain winning is the hope that he treats the soldiers better then their current treatment.

Protective gear for all over there
A better personal financial exit stradegy for those who are finished serving
Improving conditions for family members who are in limbo as their husbands/fathers/wives are in hospitals

I did notice he is into "winning"
I am hoping that is just his soldier spirit

My family members who are serving are pretty much split down the middle. McCain is a hero to them, they think he will get them out safely...they fear Obama will be too quick to withdraw troops instead of sending more.
Where the rest of them feel Obama will finally get them out of there.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

I see the connections you're making, but I don't think his desire to stay the course in Iraq is necessarily tied to his experience with Vietnam (it COULD be, but I don't think it DEF is).

For one thing, there are many politicians, citizens, current service members, etc. who also continue to push for "victory" in Iraq and have not had the same experience in the Vietnam war, if any war experience at all. If there was a noticeable difference between McCain (and/or others who'd had similar experiences) wanting our troops to stay in Iraq until "victory" was achieved, and everyone else who hadn't wanting to pull them out, I'd say you're on to something. But I view his commitment to keeping the military there having more to do with him reflecting the sentiment of his political party, than him wanting to personally right the wrongs of the Vietnam era.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.

Re: Iraq v. Vietnam and John McCain.