Senator John McCain

[tarantonight]

He has made the decision to end treatment for Brain Cancer.

Such a shame.

TN.

[B2N2]

That man is a legitimate hero in my book.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/you-honored-our-deal-john-mccain-ill-honor-your-legacy

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/827x1155/dmwxjxxwaaadowj_bdb9489251d54462b26c5c924dc8e24d1a3a6306.jpg

[Davita]

Senator John McCain was the Senator for our region when I lived in Scottsdale, Az. We're Canadian but dearly wanted to get a green card and stay in Scottsdale instead of snowbirding to and fro Vancouver.
He had a book signing in Phoenix which I attended and bought his book "Worth the fighting for".
Before he started his speech, about why he wrote the book, I sat next to a young lady who would get up and whisper stuff to the Senator...I said "Do you know the Senator?" and she advised she was his Arizona secretary. I then chatted to her about my desire to get PR in the States as we owned a home in Scottsdale and wanted to permanently reside. I also added that the Senator and I were the same age, I was born in Scotland, and both had similar military aviation careers. His in the US Navy and mine in the RAF.
She whispered to him and he asked me to stay until after the book ceremony was complete.
I had a very enjoyable short conversation as he indicated to his secretary to take notes. He took an interest in my politics as I had spent many years in so many different countries prior to retirement....I more or less agreed that the government he envisaged was in tandem to my own ideals.

I still have his book signed ...to David....John McCain.
We exchanged cards and I thought no more of the event...it was just a lucky happenstance that I got to talk with him anyway.
But no...a few days later I got a call to bring all my relevant documents to his office. They were copied and the nice secretary said they will look at all the laws to see if we could become PR.
A month later another call from the secretary herself apologizing that they could not find a way to get a PR more than I already had applied for...she wished me luck and asked if there was anything else she could do for me. I said "Yes...where can I get a refund on this book?" She laughed and said she was going to tell John McCain what I said.

The Senator has just rejected all remedy for his cancer and co-incidentally so did I for the Colon Metastasis that has attached to my liver. Both our prognosis are unclear but, like John, I've had a full life and enjoyed every minute.
John McCain personifies what the American way of life was intended...he came from a long line of military, loyal to defend America, dutiful in all endeavors and sympathetic to those in need.

Edit: Sad to report that Senator John McCain has just died...RIP John.....You were an American hero.

[Tashengurt]

B2N2
Good link

[Carbon Bootprint]

RIP to a great man and an American patriot.

[Hydromet]

I know little of his politics, but he was a man of great courage throughout his life. Well done, sir.

[Airbubba]

One of Senator McCain's visitors while he was in prison in Hanoi:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/680x448/kdt37fgdgodbjf6vfy_x5qqegivnx2lgqc7u5hvypx0_7bcf73f1d7a717c0 a89e9639787afb33f5912506.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1600x960/jane_fonda_anti_aircraft_gun_637432684b430d386c7afffacfba2b3 0e992902d.jpg

I was job hunting many years ago and dropped of a resume to Colonel Joe Kittinger who was chief pilot of a corporate flight department. Like John McCain, Joe made O-6 the hard way - while in the Hanoi Hilton.

Fair winds and following seas John McCain!

[Rhino power]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/25/obituaries/john-mccain-dead.html

-RP

[Wander00]

With great respect- RIP

[sharpend]

He has earned my 100% respect. Sir, Godspeed, blue skies and tailwinds. You served you country more than most..

[glad rag]

Senator John McCain was the Senator for our region when I lived in Scottsdale, Az. We're Canadian but dearly wanted to get a green card and stay in Scottsdale instead of snowbirding to and fro Vancouver.
He had a book signing in Phoenix which I attended and bought his book "Worth the fighting for".
Before he started his speech, about why he wrote the book, I sat next to a young lady who would get up and whisper stuff to the Senator...I said "Do you know the Senator?" and she advised she was his Arizona secretary. I then chatted to her about my desire to get PR in the States as we owned a home in Scottsdale and wanted to permanently reside. I also added that the Senator and I were the same age, I was born in Scotland, and both had similar military aviation careers. His in the US Navy and mine in the RAF.
She whispered to him and he asked me to stay until after the book ceremony was complete.
I had a very enjoyable short conversation as he indicated to his secretary to take notes. He took an interest in my politics as I had spent many years in so many different countries prior to retirement....I more or less agreed that the government he envisaged was in tandem to my own ideals.

I still have his book signed ...to David....John McCain.
We exchanged cards and I thought no more of the event...it was just a lucky happenstance that I got to talk with him anyway.
But no...a few days later I got a call to bring all my relevant documents to his office. They were copied and the nice secretary said they will look at all the laws to see if we could become PR.
A month later another call from the secretary herself apologizing that they could not find a way to get a PR more than I already had applied for...she wished me luck and asked if there was anything else she could do for me. I said "Yes...where can I get a refund on this book?" She laughed and said she was going to tell John McCain what I said.

The Senator has just rejected all remedy for his cancer and co-incidentally so did I for the Colon Metastasis that has attached to my liver. Both our prognosis are unclear but, like John, I've had a full life and enjoyed every minute.
John McCain personifies what the American way of life was intended...he came from a long line of military, loyal to defend America, dutiful in all endeavors and sympathetic to those in need.

Edit: Sad to report that Senator John McCain has just died...RIP John.....You were an American hero.

A full and good life spent in the service of his country.

A fitting eulogy.

[glad rag]

With due respect Airbubba,
I understand the point your making,

but that isn't fit to grace this thread imo.

rgds

gr

[Jackonicko]

Airbubba,While echoing GladRag's point, I would add that McCain himself was someone who forgave his enemies, and who worked hard for reconciliation. He was an unusual politician, who usually managed to treat his opponents with respect and even friendliness, however much he had 'fundamental disagreements' with their politics. I suspect that he would find your contribution a bit silly, and might wonder why you hadn't got over what Hanoi Jane did or didn't do 50 years ago.An unusually decent man for a politician, with a real sense of humour, a true patriot, and a really useful Republican counterweight to Trump, McCain will be sorely missed on so many levels. RIP

[JohnDixson]

For a terse, eye opening account of what Sen. McCain faced in prison, I can recommend:

https://www.amazon.com/Code-Keep-Americas-Longest-Held-Civilian/dp/1555718523/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535284520&sr=1-1

Ernie came to work at Sikorsky eventually and all I can say is that Ernie did not have an embellishing personality or habit. Although short, I wasn’t able to digest it except in sessions. Has recommendations on the cover by Adm Stockdale and Alexander Haig.

[NWSRG]

Senator McCain's passing is a sad day for us all...he cut across party lines, stood on principles whether they were popular or not, and showed courage in all he had to face. His approach to consensus politics showed a maturity and dignity that politics across the western world would do well to emulate today. Surely a fitting tribute would be for CVN-81 to carry his name.

[Evalu8ter]

NWSRG - that would be a most elegant and permanent memorial, but the Arleigh Burke named for his father/grandfather was, IIRC, rededicated to include him earlier this year. Perhaps a posthumous promotion to Flag Rank would be apropos?

[Kerosene Kraut]

Sad news indeed.
Some great senator. I wished they had more of his calibre: Independent thinkers with some backbone.He honestly served his countries interests.

[gums]

Salute!

RIP, John McCain.

Heard the news, walked out on the deck and threw a nickel on the grass .. Gazing west, maybe I would catch a glimpse as he headed to that venue we fighter and attack pilots end up at.

His politics were one thing, but his attitude and spirit in prison cannot be equaled and are the standards expected of warriors in such circumstances. Being of his generation, I have many classmates, fellow pilots, students and bosses that spent time in those places like Heartbreak, Hilton, Plantation, The Zoo, Briarpatch, Hope. They agree that his position of refusing special treatment was an accurate depiction.

So I leave you with a great explanation of the bond that we share, regardless of the cause we fought for:
++++++++
I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories
or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be
with the men who once acted at their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were
stripped of their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the
military. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone
such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They
would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all
made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. As long as I have memory, I
will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thoughts
will be of my family and my comrades…such good men.......

Gums sends...

[BluSdUp]

Pure coincidence had it that I yesterday picked up Trygve Bratteli autobiography on his years in Nazi concentration- camps. He got arrested in july 1942 and barely survived to come home to Oslo in May of 1945. A riveting read!
He was a changed man , with a mission, and became our Prime Minister. Served the country well.

As did John McCain. A pitty he was not to run the US for a while!
I think we can all use McCain as a source of inspiration in the future.
He shall be greatly missed..

Sincerely
Cpt B
RNo Navy

[Tankertrashnav]

I know little of the minutiae of US politics and I understand from posts on another forum that his record as a senator is not without its critics. I am certainly not qualified to comment on that, all I can say is that even though he failed to achieve the highest office in the land, as a man he stood head and shoulders above the present incumbent.

RIP

[Finningley Boy]

Safe transit to the next better World Sir,

One of the real Good Guys!

FB

[tartare]

A man who didn’t hesitate for a second to defend the basic integrity of his opponent Barack Obama. That speaks volumes about John McCain. We’re poorer for his passing - we need people like him now more than ever.

[KenV]

I could not bring myself to vote for him for president, but nevertheless a great man with an exceptional history of service to his nation.

[cargosales]

A decent man who respected and looked after others ahead of himself. A man who was always polite, courteous and honourable, even whilst arguing with bitter opponents. Those in the swamp around him showed their true colours, as did he.

They will be but a footnote in history while he will be sorely missed.

CS

[Finningley Boy]

According to the Daily Mail Mr Trump as ordered the White House Flag to be hoisted back to full mast and has vetoed the publication of a tribute in his name. Other White House staff can make their own personal tributes if they wish. If there's one thing about Trump he's certainly not self conscious.

FB

[skua]

TTN, agreed.
4 important lines in the excellent obit in today's (UK) Times:
"Many Americans avoided Vietnam. McCain pressed to go there."

"He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured." POTUS, draft dodger.

[A and C]

A point so well made that I nearly choked on my beer much to the amusement of other drinkers in my Rhode Island hotel bar, it was a point very well made but I’m not sure it was appropriate to this thread.

America has lost a man of huge integrity and courage, qualities that seem to be in very short supply in the upper reaches of American political life at the moment.

[havoc]

According to the Daily Mail Mr Trump as ordered the White House Flag to be hoisted back to full mast and has vetoed the publication of a tribute in his name. Other White House staff can make their own personal tributes if they wish. If there's one thing about Trump he's certainly not self conscious.

FB
US Flag code by law has the flag at half staff on the day of death and the following day for a sitting senator

That being said “tradition” the president can proclaim the flag honors through burial.

I quess Trump has made a statement but I think it will be lost by McCains previous statement that Trump was not invited to his funeral.

RIP

[Airbubba]

I quess Trump has made a statement but I think it will be lost by McCains previous statement that Trump was not invited to his funeral.

"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Anybody know the other pilots in this widely published picture, perhaps from 1965? It looks to me like a T-2A with two instructors and two Student Naval Aviators. Kingsville, Beeville, Pensacola or Meridian?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1024x809/mccain_t_2_47aa60530385a26489cf156e9c2052042012c59d.jpg

[RAFEngO74to09]

Airbubba,

Photo above taken at Meridian in 1965 according to another caption found.

[SASless]

According to the Daily Mail Mr Trump as ordered the White House Flag to be hoisted back to full mast and has vetoed the publication of a tribute in his name. Other White House staff can make their own personal tributes if they wish. If there's one thing about Trump he's certainly not self conscious.

FB
Might want to get the correct info.

Flag at Half Staff till McCain is buried.

The Senate passed a Resolution.

Trump has made multiple mentions, offers of condolences.

But....don't let a bit of facts get in your way.

McCain planned his own Funeral and purposely omitted Trump....which is certainly his right.

I intend to skip my own.

[Airbubba]

Airbubba,

Photo above taken at Meridian in 1965 according to another caption found.

Thanks :ok:, as you probably know NAS Meridian is McCain Field, named after the Senator's Naval Aviator grandfather.

[Finningley Boy]

Might want to get the correct info.

Flag at Half Staff till McCain is buried.

The Senate passed a Resolution.

Trump has made multiple mentions, offers of condolences.

But....don't let a bit of facts get in your way.

McCain planned his own Funeral and purposely omitted Trump....which is certainly his right.

I intend to skip my own.

SASless,

I believe my facts to have been correct at the time of posting, I notice your retort was posted today, following a change in circumstances the flag over the white house is back down at half mast. There has been much played out in public regarding the animosity between the two and Trump's reportedly typical begrudging behaviour. I can only comment on what is being broadcast by the media at the time. I very much imagine that's how you come by your information. Unless of course you've been camped out on the White House Lawn over the last few days?

FB

[cavuman1]

In 1991, I was living with a friend of mine in Falls Church, Virginia, a stone's throw from the Pentagon. My friend had been the Gold Crew's XO of the SSBN-616 U.S.S. Lafayette, one of our nation's first serious "boomers". My friend had several claims to fame. One was that subsequent to a reactor SCRAM on the boat in the late 1960's, he had stuck his head INTO THE REACTOR CORE to effect repairs which involved unsticking a stuck moderator rod. (If I told you more, I'd have to kill you...) He was never the same afterward, having suffered thyroid, lung, and liver cancer as well as acute myeloid leukemia. Immensely intelligent - one did not pass muster with Admiral Hyman Rickover to be received into our nuclear Navy - my friend was a complete zero in the common sense department. His Naval nickname was "The Unguided Guided Missile". It was an appropriate moniker... :D

In 1991, The "Missile" and I had occasion to visit his friend, Senator John McCain, in the Hart Senate Office Building. The former had created an association of military firefighters and had assembled a number of members to show their wares in the Senate Caucus Room. (The one with the matching panels of perfect Carrera alabaster which patiently echoes with perfection the endless bloviation that room presents.) The Senate Sargeant-at-Arms had disallowed the presentation, for it is illegal to offer items for sale on government property. Nobody was selling anything, but rules is rules, right? :(

I had called my fiancee', a a high-level staffer for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to see if she might intervene. No dice! House and Senate do not mix! Thus we turned to Senator McCain.

I remember his firm handshake and the impenetrable gaze of his eyes as he sized me up. He hugged my friend and told him that he could not help. He poured each of us a double shot of extra-smooth bourbon. We talked briefly of his Keating Five tussle and of pretty women. (He had a good eye.) Then he had to leave for a vote before I could ask him about the nimbleness of the A-4 Skyhawk and the horror aboard the Forrestal, CV-59, known in Naval circles as the "Forest Fire". :eek:

I was left with the impression of a strong, intelligent soul who had a reasonable sense of entitlement. He and I were close in a political sense, so I was glad that he voted his conscience for many decades. I knew that I had shaken hands with an human being who had survived more than five years in a brutal prison camp while healing from horrible wounds sustained in the crash of his fighter. I knew that I had met a man who laughed easily but brooked no malfeasance nor ineptitude. One-of-a-kind. Those are humans who have my complete admiration! :ok:

As I turned to leave, I noted a black mole on the Senator's left cheek. None of us knew...

- Ed

[riff_raff]

Remember how the US liberal media mocked Admiral Stockdale when he ran as VP in the '92 election? James Stockdale's military record was one of the most impressive in US history, yet he was not treated with the respect he deserved.

[tdracer]

I saw McCain as a rare politician who had integrity. I wasn't thrilled with everything he did, but I did vote for him in 2008. Interestingly, I knew people who wouldn't vote for him for prez because of his age and doubted he'd survive a term - didn't want to see Palin as president - he managed to prove them wrong about that.

SASless,
I believe my facts to have been correct at the time of posting,

Finningley - without addressing the specific issue (I've really not paid much attention) - I have a rule of thumb regarding Trump that has proved amazingly accurate:
To wit - roughly half of what the media puts out regarding Trump is - at best - intentionally misleading. I'm not a fan of the guy, and there is plenty of legitimate things the media could use to criticize the POTUS. But media's hate for the man is so blatant and obvious that I simply disregard anything that I can't independently verify.

[SASless]

I remain mixed in my evaluation of John McCain as a Senator.

He ran on the Promise to Arizona voters that he would vote to rescind/repeal Obamacare.

Then he and Trump had their famous falling out.

Trump ran with the Promise to see Obamacare repealed.

We know how McCain voted on that....his being the Vote that prevented the repeal of Obamacare.

McCain is being eulogized for being a Man of Principle and of Integrity.

I find it hard to countenance the violating of his very critical promise to Arizona voters in what could have been a personal vendetta against Trump (and one that is quite understandable).

I do wonder about his true motivation for voting as he did and we have to admit it....Senators vote their own interests far too often and do not always do their very best to carry out the People's business.

That accusation is shared by all elected officials at ever level of government and McCain's record proves he would look after his own interests during some votes.

As most Great Men....they all have their good and bad sides and McCain was no different in that regard.

I have stood at the place where he was captured after being shot down and also visited the Hoa Lo prison where he suffered so terribly so I have a lot of respect for his service to the Nation in general.

We all have to accept there are many sides to John McCain and he is genuinely worthy of our respect if not always our admiration.




From the Politico web site, generally accepted as being a Left leaning source of political news and commentary.

Explaining why McCain took the position he did re Obamacare during his campaign for re-election.....and why Obamacare Repeal was so critical to the people of Arizona....and remains so.

The Bill being voted on in the Senate would have stricken major parts of the ACA (Obamacare) that would have led to the end of the program.

Why McCain voted as he did will remain a point of debate but the result of his voting the way he did with the two other Republicans (Murkowsky from Alaska and Collins from Maine) is not....ACA remains in place.

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/john-mccain-obamacare-arizona-224622

[Airbubba]

Remember how the US liberal media mocked Admiral Stockdale when he ran as VP in the '92 election? James Stockdale's military record was one of the most impressive in US history, yet he was not treated with the respect he deserved.

It was no different when McCain ran for President in 2008. The New York Times dutifully attempted a smear with an innuendo hit piece about McCain and an attractive younger lobbyist citing the usual 'anonymous' sources:

February 21, 2008 The Long RunFor McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own RiskBy JIM RUTENBERG, MARILYN W. THOMPSON, DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and STEPHEN LABATON WASHINGTON — Early in Senator John McCain (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/john_mccain/index.html?inline=nyt-per)’s first run for the White House eight years ago, waves of anxiety swept through his small circle of advisers.

A female lobbyist had been turning up with him at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself — instructing staff members to block the woman’s access, privately warning her away and repeatedly confronting him, several people involved in the campaign said on the condition of anonymity.

When news organizations reported that Mr. McCain had written letters to government regulators on behalf of the lobbyist’s client, the former campaign associates said, some aides feared for a time that attention would fall on her involvement.

Mr. McCain, 71, and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, both say they never had a romantic relationship. But to his advisers, even the appearance of a close bond with a lobbyist whose clients often had business before the Senate committee Mr. McCain led threatened the story of redemption and rectitude that defined his political identity.

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21mccain.html

After a $27 million lawsuit was filed by Ms. Iseman and Obama was safely elected President, the NYT printed this belated 'Note to Readers' a year later:

A Note to ReadersFEB. 19, 2009 An article published on February 21, 2008 (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21mccain.html), about Senator John McCain and his record as an ethics reformer who was at times blind to potential conflicts of interest included references to Vicki Iseman, a Washington lobbyist. The article did not state, and The Times did not intend to conclude, that Ms. Iseman had engaged in a romantic affair with Senator McCain or an unethical relationship on behalf of her clients in breach of the public trust.

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/business/media/20note-web.html

[West Coast]

Thanks bubba, have to think had Hillary been elected that the times and liberals in general wouldn’t be so heart broken over McCain’s passing. However that whole enemy of my enemy thing has them cozying up out of political necessity. The article you posted shows their pre-Trump (BC, AD, PT) colors,

[Airbubba]

John McCain IV wears his Navy Wings of Gold as his mother wears his father's sweetheart wings at the memorial service in Arizona:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1000x787/john_mccain_funeral_rex_2_afc206f68e1ce52bba17cb216c58c04f04 64299d.jpg
Picture by Ross D Franklin - Rex

[melmothtw]

I simply disregard anything that I can't independently verify.

Genuinely interested to know what you have managed to independently verify tdracer, and how you've managed to do it.

[Chris Kebab]

I think that's why the US has Fox News - to get that good independent, impartial view.

[SASless]

There is genuine concern by many about Senator McCain's votes, lobbying, and other actions re "MI-'POW" issues.

One example....because of McCain's efforts "De-Brief Transcripts" of returning POW's were kept in a "classified" status such that even the very POW's themselves were unable to view the transcript of their own De-Brief.

I know for a fact....a US SpecOps unit was deployed to a SE Asia location during the mid-1980's in preparation for a Cross Border operation designed to locate/return long held POW's.

The Mission was cancelled for un-explained reasons.

Whether there were POW's being held post 1973 is subject to debate....but the fact there was at least one Mission mounted to seek out some reported POW's by itself is demonstrative of the credibility of some information coming from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and China.

Do your research and decide for yourself what the evaluation of McCain's actions in the Senate re missing POW's should be.....it is a very interesting topic once you begin to consider all the factors that surround it.


https://www.thenation.com/article/why-has-john-mccain-blocked-info-mias/

[Airbubba]

Thanks :ok:, as you probably know NAS Meridian is McCain Field, named after the Senator's Naval Aviator grandfather.

McCain holds fond memories of NAS Meridian, ties to family

By Elton Hayes Jul 9, 2016

EDITOR'S NOTE: First published July 9, 2016.

While it has been more than 50 years since U.S. Sen. John McCain resided in Meridian, the former naval aviator hasn’t forgotten his time spent as a flight instructor in the Queen City.

Long before the once-Republican presidential nominee entered a career in politics, McCain, R-Arizona, spent a portion of the 1960s in Lauderdale County.As Naval Air Station Meridian celebrates its 55th anniversary this week, McCain reflected on his time in East Mississippi.


“The people of Meridian are the most pro-military of any who I have ever known, and I can’t tell you what wonderful memories I have there,” McCain said this week in a telephone interview. “Of course, I’m proud that the field is named in memory of my grandfather.”

McCain’s Mississippi connection spans past the 2 1/2 years he spent as a flight instructor at NAS Meridian. His grandfather, John S. McCain Sr., was born in Carroll County.

The senator said he’s honored to have served as an instructor at the airfield that bears his grandfather’s name.

“It means a lot,” McCain said. “It’s a wonderful place. So many brave young men and women go through there, and it’s a great experience for all of them. To have the privilege of teaching was really one of the enjoyable periods of my life.”



McCain holds fond memories of NAS Meridian, ties to family News meridianstar.com (http://www.meridianstar.com/news/mccain-holds-fond-memories-of-nas-meridian-ties-to-family/article_1d1088f6-4616-11e6-b268-5fe4c321bbde.html)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1603x1292/5781634de4f82_image_9396250f4a5f26937c90801455b16f31052a22f6 .jpg

[Carbon Bootprint]

I think that's why the US has Fox News - to get that good independent, impartial view.
I think they call themselves "Fair and Balanced." Sure, they all are...