posted on September 18, 2008 05:17:53 AM new
If it's true, I'd say it's necessary. If it's not, then I'd say you ought to begin a thorough
refutation here for us all to read. I'd like to know, one way or t'other.
We have had numerous questions about this widely circulated claim. Some say McCain "lost" five planes, others that he "crashed" five planes. All offer this alleged "fact" as evidence that he was a bad pilot. All are incorrect.
McCain did lose two Navy aircraft while piloting them, both due to engine failure. A third was destroyed on the deck of the carrier USS Forrestal when hit by a missile fired accidentally from another plane, triggering a disastrous fire that killed 134 sailors and nearly killed McCain. A fourth plane was lost when he was shot down over North Vietnam on a bombing mission over Hanoi. There's no evidence that any of the four destroyed planes were lost to pilot error. (end quote)
I am by no means a McCain fan, but I don't like seeing lies and "half-truths" spread about either side.
[ edited by cherishedclutter on Sep 18, 2008 05:42 AM ]
posted on September 18, 2008 05:42:11 AM new
I have to side with Bill on this one. To chide McCain for not having more combat hours because he was captured is sad. That doesn't excuse his voting with Bush 90% of the time.
posted on September 18, 2008 09:04:49 AM new
Ouch. Mea culpa, everybody. I'm deleting the message now. I certainly don't want to spread any stories that aren't true. Thanks for the research.
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The number of planes involved is irrelevant to McCain's exaggerated focus on his experience as a prisoner of war or on the prevailing sentiment that he is somehow a hero based on the fact that he was captured, tortured and incarcerated. How does that qualify him to lead the country.
I see him and others who have had this misfortune as victims who have managed to survive. He stayed because he was ordered to stay...not because he was a hero.
[ edited by kozersky on Sep 28, 2008 12:01 PM ]