McCain's judgment is fatally flawed
Ms. Gustafson (Fence Post, May 2) seems to be a McCain supporter and takes exception to the concept that Iraq was at best a deception.
Yes. it is true that other countries also thought that Iraq had banned weapons.
What everyone seems to overlook is that they believed that because of the so called irrefutable "intelligence" provided by the U.S. and Britain. epitomized by the famous little vial held up by Colin Powell at the U.N.
No one can deny McCain sacrificed more than most (other than the families of the 58,000 dead in Vietnam and the 4,000 dead so far in Iraq).
No one can deny that he has endured more pain and suffering than most of the so-called patriots since they have spent most of their lives avoiding any chance of personal exposure to the responsibilities of the freedoms they so blissfully enjoy.
However, while we do owe McCain the utmost respect, we do not owe him the prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack box: the presidency of the United States.
Just because a man is a good soldier does not make him a good politician.
My problem with the so-far stated positions of McCain is that they continue the well-established positions of the Republican Party.
Forget the poor, forget the disadvantaged, forget children, forget minorities, forget the Constitution, pander to the groups who espouse intolerance, support greed regardless of who gets run over in the process, and above all, play follow-the-leader and march straight into the sea when ordered to do so.
McCain properly recognizes Iraq as the most ill-executed military and political adventure ever, but he still thinks the invasion was the right thing to do.
That is a fatal flaw in judgment that would disqualify him for president in my view.
Every once in a while, I must admit that I sit in my chair and remember the '60s and '70s that my wife and children suffered and sacrificed while I was gallivanting around the world earning my Vietnam, Korea and Cuba service medals.
Tell me, Ms. Gustafson, am I one of those "armchair warriors and politicians" you write off with such disdain?
James Prescott
Schaumburg