“And I believe that the success will be fairly easy” and “There’s no doubt in my mind that… we will be welcomed as liberators.” [3/24/03]

“I think we could go in with much smaller numbers than we had to do in the past… I don’t believe it’s going to be nearly the size and scope that it was in 1991.” [9/15/02]

“There’s not a history of clashes that are violent between Sunnis and Shias. So I think they can probably get along.” [4/23/03]

“Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.” [12/8/05 (Exactly one year before violence in Iraq peaked)]

“By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and -women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom.” [05/115/08]

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..”

CLINICAL TRIALS HAVE SHOWN:

The new and improved Republican Platform Prescription XR for
America produces side effects including but not limited to generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, nervousness, yawning, and/or sweating.
Studies have shown a propensity for abnormal vision, impotence,
nausea (31%) and constipation (10%). Flatulence tends to be a problem as well.
Also revealed were increased instances of depression, decreased
libido, agitation, nightmares, delirium, blurred vision and difficulty
focusing.
Known to cause loss of appetite, cold feet, postural hypotension and hemorrhoids. Less common side effects include acne, pustular rash, taste perversion, prostate irritability and vaginitis.
Not a controlled substance and has not been studied in clinical trials regarding potential for abuse.

We have similar republicans in this state. In public, they talk the talk…in private, the NEVER walk the walk.

I have been laughed at for a year because I think the GOP will have significant defeats in SC…and I give Graham a 50/50 shot in the primary (go ahead and laugh). But the people are pissed…and our leaders have no idea. The GOP primary voter knows what Graham has done to help McCain and those of his ilk….

great article ;)