I do not write this in some Rovian effort to attack John McCain on his supposed strength, but rather because I tire of the myth that is John McCain.
When someone acts in a way that is above and beyond the call of duty in the defense of his/her country or fellow servicemen, with little or no regard for his/her personal safety, that person is a hero. One can say that anyone who has met the enemy in combat is a brave person, but a hero is a step beyond that.
That John McCain was taken prisoner is a story of personal tragedy. That he was tortured is a story of outrage. But that having been said, he is not a hero.
The fact that he did cooperate with his captors is a matter of record and, in the same position, you and I might have done the same. But the fact remains that being held prisoner in a war does not qualify one as being a hero. Making a concious, (or unconcious some would say), decision to sacrifice life and limb in an effort save the lives of others is completely different than being captured and held prisoner.
Sorry John. You're a brave man in my book. But you're not a hero.
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