In Wednesday's Letters to the editor
On Wednesday's Letters page, readers register displeasure with a Times story about John McCain's early career as a (perhaps impulsive) fighter pilot. Writes Howard Hambrecht, of Toluca Lake:
It takes a special breed of individual to be a fighter pilot--they are cocky, bright, risk-taking and extremely coordinated individuals. And thank God for them!
...No mention is made of his turning down the opportunity to be released from captivity early...saying he was not leaving unless all his men were released.
McCain then spend more than four years being tortured in prison. To me and to thousands of veterans and other Americans this demonstrates the character of this man.
Thoughts on Patt Morrison's column on the Bradley effect, old trucks and port pollution, and pirates, too.
*Photo by Mary Altaffer/AP Photo.
John McCain's Navy career exemplifies the kind of affirmative action that's rarely discussed but far more detrimental than race or gender based preferences. Without his family connections, John McCain's poor grades and records never would have gained him admittance to the Navy Academy. As a legacy, he was also able to leapfrog ahead of more qualified applicants to train as a pilot. Then we see McCain go on to destroy a number of planes and create mayhem-a career ender for anyone else. McCain's impulsive bad decisions have continued to plague us ever since. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Posted by: sandra m | October 08, 2008 at 11:13 AM