Recently Donald Trump caused yet another controversy by, essentially, ridiculing Senator John McCain for having been captured during the Vietnam conflict, serving 6 years as a POW. This has caused quite a controversy during the current Presidential campaign. As a Democrat, I do not feel bad that this hurts the Republican Party, and I would be tickled pink if Trump does a Perot on the Republicans. I have respect for McCain but not all of his political actions. But let it be clear, I am a veteran, My father was a highly decorated veteran (Silver star, two bronze stars, two purple hearts, and would be an ace except for the number of kills that were highly classified, no comment on that). During the Vietnam conflict my ex-wife taught school and had students whose fathers were POWs. I also knew some people who were. I was able to avoid conflict because I was in college and then was able to get into a reserve medical unit. I was not able to pay for a fake medical waiver. I am sure that the same sort of issue could be raised in any country, so non-Americans are welcomed to join in the discussion, this is an issue for all of us.
Donald Trump found out the hard way that you don't disrespect someone for suffering circumstances beyond their control. Sen. McCain willingly put his life in jeopardy to defend the ideals of this country, I do not always agree with Sen. McCain, yet in my eyes he is a war hero and is deserving of the respect and consideration that was earned by his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for the U.S. I consider Donald Trump a clown and deserving of all the ridicule that he has and will receive for his thoughtless words. Trump should apologize, yet he is too proud to accept that he was wrong. A clear demonstration that he does not have the necessary qualities for the office that he seeks.
During WWII John Wayne (movie star) regularly made "special appearances" related to the war effort. It may have been common for him to visit military posts and naval bases in order to help keep up morale. Often he went in cowboy costume, as he did one time visiting a hospital. When in costume he visited a ward filled with wounded Marines he was BOOed so severly he had to leave. These leathernecks felt that Hollywood and Wanye had lied to them about war. Many war-hawks in Congress never served. Few served in combat. A few have. The way Max Cleveland (spelling?) and John McCain have been treated seems very unpatriotic, almost treasonous.
Thank you inviting me to the discussion Thomas; I'm British, however I've lived in Canada for many years. First off we give Trump more attention than he deserves by even discussing him and his views. I doubt he's seriously interested in the presidency. Being a POW and the taking of POW's is part of every civilized nations military culture and tradition. Besides; the holding of POW's consumes resources that could be used elsewhere. TRUMP! Forget him he's a clown, all-be-it a rich one but a clown never-the-less.
I seem to remember that Russia/USSR did not sign the Geneva convention and, in fact, considered POWs to be deserters. Perhaps Trump is affected by the Soviet view. I believe that there are other examples of nations having this view and not tolerating those who do not fight to the death. Was this a Spartan concept?
Hollywood has followed an ancient tradition (ever hear of Homer?) of glamorizing war. Joseph Goebbels was one of the most powerful members of the NAZI party. I can well understand that wounded vets may have booed the Duke during the WWII period. I was at Ft. Sam when the movie The Green Berets was being shown at a local theater. I went to see it, and there were about 20 beanies in the theater, seated together. Whenever the theme song came on, they all stood and saluted. My favorite movie of the time was Alice's restaurant.
A brief internet search indicates you're right about USSR/Russia not signing, but they did sign the Hauge convention on POW's. But I didn't explore the content of that convention; that's an entire area of study on it's own. I believe Stalin sent his returning WWII POW's to Siberia, as he was afraid they may have been polluted with anti Soviat propaganda. Dictators always suffer from paranoia. The Japanese military code of WWII would not countenance being taken prisoner, to be taken was a complete dishonor. Which explains.....to an extent......their brutal treatment of out POW's in 1942 they did however agree to abide by the convention...but they didn't. Perhaps Trump is an odd mix of Japanese Russian.
Ugh. Trump. While a successful businessman by any measure, he sure knows how to stick both feet in his mouth at every turn. What he said about Sen. McCain's experience in Vietnam was simply indefensible.
Russian POWs were imprisoned for being captured instead of fighting to the death, as far as I remember from studying Russian Literature and history. I majored in physics and math, with a minor in Russian language and literature. Solzhenitsin, at least, seemed to think so. I doubt that the later soviet government would ever admit that, and post-soviet governments would be hesitant to take on the debt.
Beware of the TRUMP. Fools and clowns do get elected: please recall Junior Bush, POTUS 43. The Geniva and Hague Conventions regarding POWs is binding on signatories, even if the enemy is not a signatory power. In the case of WWII, Japan was not bound because she was not a signatory. However, USA was, as well as most (all?) Allied (United Nations powers), were.
Trump has never been to war, and he shouldn't be commenting on anything that he has no idea about. Of course the American people are going to stand behind McCain after a dumb statement like that. I am so surprised that there are still people who are behind him. You would think they would be over him and his celebrity by now.
Senator McCain is one of the few republicans that I like, he is honorable, stands up for his fellow vets and is for campaign reform. Also I respect the fact that he went to fight for his country.
I just realized that the way I wrote that came off wrong. I was talking about Trump. I'm surprised people are still standing behind Trump, and they should be over his celebrity.
"I like people who weren't captured" said Trump. This statement totally crossed the line of decency. John McCain is a hero. Period. Read "What John McCain Went Through as a POW", (warning, this is very descriptive) by ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/john-mccain-pow/story?id=32574863
