"Owen Hiller" wrote in message
...

Here's the bottom line. McCain was a POW. He gave many years of his
life
in service of his country. To attempt to diminish or devalue that for
political leverage is absolutely beneath contempt. That's the way it is.
Semper Fi.

To attempt to use one's past service and sacrifices for today's political
leverage does great disservice to EVERYONE who has had sacrifice.

To attempt to diminish one's past service and sacrifices for today's
political leverage does great disservice to everyone who has had to
sacrifice.

Here's an example:

"A man with a couple of years of active duty and the rest of his 37 year
career spent in the Marine Corps Reserve. [Is that somehow a discredit to
his character?] A man with one year in Vietnam as a staff intelligence
offer. A man who's no more been in combat or is a war hero than I am. Even
John Kerry has more combat experience than Jack Murtha."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fnews/1655125/posts

For perspective:

"In 1959, Murtha, then a captain, took command of the 34th Special Infantry
Company, Marine Corps Reserves, in Johnstown. He remained in the Reserves
after his discharge from active duty until he volunteered for service in the
Vietnam War, serving from 1966 to 1967, serving as a battalion staff officer
(S-2 Intelligence Section), receiving the Bronze Star with Valor device, two
Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired from the
Reserves as a colonel in 1990, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service
Medal."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murtha#...litary_service