Senator John McCain

"It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it." General Robert E. Lee.

Senator John McCain III, United States Senator, is the son of a four star Admiral, and the grandson of a four star admiral. Senator McCain is a very anguished man.

Senator McCain grew up with ideas and a culture of U. S. Navy history. He learned from his father and grandfather to love his country. His father and grandfather fought gallantly in WW II. Senator McCain grew up with this legacy.
The senator attended the U. S. Naval Academy, like his father and grandfather. Like his father, Senator McCain finished in the lower part of his class. Like his father and grandfather, Senator McCain was often in trouble.

Senator McCain survived an aviation training accident and two accidents aboard his aircraft carriers. Senator McCain was shot down over North Vietnam during the Vietnam war. He spent over 5 years as a prisoner of war. He endured torture and hardships. He was an honorable man by refusing preferential treatment because his father was an admiral in the enemy's navy.

Senator McCain's son, John McCain IV, is attending the U. S. Naval Academy. Another son enlisted in the Marine Corp in 2006. The family warrior tradition continues.

Senator McCain supported the invasion of Iraq. He supports Mr. Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq. When asked in a recent interview if he thought his support of the war would hurt his chances to become president in 2008 he responded in a solemn voice, "It is better to lose an election than to lose the war." Senator McCain thinks we should stay in Iraq as long as it takes, "to make up for Vietnam."

I think the response is an indication of the inner turmoil Senator McCain is going through. As a child he heard about the warrior culture of his father and grandfather. He saw the glories of his country in the heroic WW II movies. He wants to prove he can be the warrior his forefathers were. (Despite his difficulties, he later wrote that he never wavered in his desire to show his father and family that he was of the same mettle as his naval forbears). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain In a speech on Mar 31, 2008, McCain said, "They were my first heroes, and their respect for me has been one of the most lasting ambitions of my life-". The warrior child is still fighting for the respect of his fathers.

Like all warriors throughout history he has his opinions formed for him, that his country was undefeatable and always right. His illusion that his country could not lose was tested throughout his adult life. Destroy a person's illusions and you destroy their happiness.

Since his country won WW II during Senator McCain's childhood, it has not won a victory against a major opponent. His country fought to a draw against North Korea and lost to a small poor country, North Vietnam. His country has had some minor successes against some small countries that are insignificant.

Now Senator McCain is desperate for his country to regain its glory and claim victory. He was a warrior and now he is one of the tribal elders. He cannot imagine living such a dedicated life as a warrior and tribal elder and never having his tribe win a victory.

Update, September 15, 2007 - I just saw Senator John McCain's 95 year old mother on TV. She said her son John did not have to make a second tour to Vietnam where he was shot down and captured. He went because, in her words, he had a duty to God and country. I never thought I would hear someone in the modern west speak of fighting for God. I guess Muslim mothers are telling their sons to fight for Allah and Islam. Senator McCain was the son and grandson of WW II admirals. One can see how sons are brainwashed into fighting in unnecessary wars.

Update, March 31, 2007-
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent Mon Mar 31,

Republican Sen. John McCain is opening a new chapter in his presidential campaign, casting himself as an "imperfect servant of my country" who was born into a family of American warriors devoted to honor, courage and duty.
"I am the son and grandson of admirals," McCain said in excerpts of a speech prepared for delivery Monday. "They were my first heroes, and their respect for me has been one of the most lasting ambitions of my life. ... They showed me how to love my country, and that has made all the difference for me."

I suspect Senator McCain has earned the respect of his family of American warriors. It is Senator McCain who feels he has not measured up to the great and glorious victory of a great war, and he is correct. There has not been one for America since Senator McCain became an adult.

Bilbo Baggins