this^also, i'm still a little confused that it seems to matter an awful lot if a US politician fought in a war that the yanks lost or at least didn't win much, all i ever hear is war vet this war vet that, or maybe it's about saving animals and i'm missing the point.
(
god save the queen making another unremarkable comeback,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:46,
archived)
I'd be more likely to vote for an ACTUAL vet.
grey kid is breakdancing to save a community centre,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:48,
archived)
i also like what you said up therewe live in hope that if he does get in american politics really won't have much of an impact on us, at least negatively.i think that's something i picked up from his campaign.
( god save the queen making another unremarkable comeback,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:53,
archived)
I don't get the military service thingI appreciate people feel better if the person giving the orders has some insight into service life, but why doesn't this reach to other walks of life? Why is a candidate not talked down on education for not having been a teacher, or their healthcare ideas rubbished for not having worked in a hospital? Is the military really the single most important thing?
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Cadmus has teh uplikn coeds at,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:50,
archived)
It's pathetic, isn't it?Having willingly done, or been forced/pressured into doing, a dangerous job for a few years doesn't make you smarter or a stronger leader. In fact, I'd argue potentially quite the opposite.
( grey kid is breakdancing to save a community centre,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:52,
archived)
Though weirdly enough I find it reassuringwhen the royals do the military thing. I can't really put my finger on why. Maybe it's because they don't have anything to prove or earn by it?
( Cadmus has teh uplikn coeds at,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:59,
archived)
Commander in ChiefThe President of the United States also carries that title and responsibility. As someone who has been fired at (and shackled by UN rule of engagement), led troops in combat and had to endure the crucible of the military, it means quite a bit to me.
However, it goes beyond simply 'character.' It drills down into the true patriotism of the candidate. Having felt called to serve my Nation since I was a little guy, I served this Nation, in, I feel (as do many others) the most intimate way possible: I offered to expose myself to possible death in order to protect and serve this Nation.
I am incredibly proud of my Service to this Nation. And when I see a man who has Served, been under fire AND emerged with the respect and admiration of his fellow soldiers/sailors/airmen and Marines, I know a great deal more about him, strictly by that similar shared experience.
THAT is what is important about McCain having served our Nation. Well, I say "Our" when in actuality I mean "My" because most of you dont live in this country.
Cheers.
Citadel
(However, it goes beyond simply 'character.' It drills down into the true patriotism of the candidate. Having felt called to serve my Nation since I was a little guy, I served this Nation, in, I feel (as do many others) the most intimate way possible: I offered to expose myself to possible death in order to protect and serve this Nation.
I am incredibly proud of my Service to this Nation. And when I see a man who has Served, been under fire AND emerged with the respect and admiration of his fellow soldiers/sailors/airmen and Marines, I know a great deal more about him, strictly by that similar shared experience.
THAT is what is important about McCain having served our Nation. Well, I say "Our" when in actuality I mean "My" because most of you dont live in this country.
Cheers.
Citadel
Citadel Because the world needs less morons,
Wed 5 Nov 2008, 3:27,
archived)
Well, it might be to distinguish him from Bush, whose war record is not stellarAlso the POTUS is the Commander-In-Chief, so psychologically to voters he (or she :) is in charge of the armed forces. Maybe.
(
The Alchemist king of the needlessly complicated,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:53,
archived)
were ok then, the queen drove an army lorry in the warand i believe prince charles marched up and down a bit in a uniform.
( god save the queen making another unremarkable comeback,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 22:59,
archived)
I think they try to give you non-frontline stuffIf you're in the direct line to the throne.
( Cadmus has teh uplikn coeds at,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 23:08,
archived)
That's wrong-headed thinking!Next time we go to war, I want Harry at the very front, on a horse waving a sword. Maybe he'll die, but that's what Princes are for.
( The Alchemist king of the needlessly complicated,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 23:15,
archived)
He was a pretty bad pilot, crashed several timeshe graduated near the bottom of his class at Annapolis (and if his father and grandfather weren't both admirals he would have been booted out for cause,) he was not a good officer in the Navy - known as a "hot-head troublemaker." He went on an unauthorized mission over Hanoi and was shot down. So he got lucky by being pulled out of the wreck and not drowned and became a POW. He soon was telling important details about his ship, his mission, etc. without even being tortured - his nickname was "Songbird." Because he was the son and grandson of famous admirals he was treated better than other POWs at the time. Other POWs who were there with him have said he is not qualified to be president just because he was a POW.
(
tubaman,
Tue 4 Nov 2008, 23:40,
archived)