I often thought one of the biggest signs that Bush did not take the war on terrorism was the fact that he ran with Vice President Cheney during his successful attempt at a second term. Imagine the nightmare that would follow if Bush was killed by terrorist and Cheney suffered yet another heart attack or stroke. Would the members of the President's cabinet allow Pelosi to ascend to the presidency or would they to direct the reaction to the Presidents assassination without a functioning Commander in Chief?
Look at the picture above. It is of President Lyndon being administered the oath of office on the plane that carrying the body of John F. Kennedy. In Washington D. C. movers where already moving Kennedy's desk out of the oval office. This tableaux was not like the similar procedures that attend the transfer of powers of British Prime Ministers a editorial on the transitory nature of power. Rather it was a practical ceremony to convince the world that Lyndon Johnson's was empowered to launch the world destroying arsenal of nuclear weapons at the countries disposal and to assure those who would be asked to carry out those orders that they were legal.
Only three people on earth have or will soon have the power to end all human life on earth. They are the president of the United States, the leader of Russia, and the leader of China. When we chose a president, the first question must be is a candidate physically and emotionally competent to hold such a an awesome responsibility.
I would argue that there are serious reasons to believe that McCain is not such a person. McCain was shot down by the enemy and tortured for years. I am not saying that he is some sort of Manchurian Candidate. But the purpose of torture is not to find the ticking bomb before the commercial break. It is to weaken a person mental health so that they will be manipulable to do things like sign false confessions. McCain did sign such a confession.
The stresses of war are often permanent. It is easy to support the troops as they march by in their smart uniforms beautiful specimens of youth. It is quite another to support the troops when they drenched in beer and their own urine and babbling incoherently in the street.
War breaks men and makes men heroes. Often it does a little of both. McCain has presented quite well and has obviously been functioning exceptionally well. He is powerful and respected Senator and won a very challenging presidential primary. All these point to man who has overcome his demons and has been hardened not weakened by battle.
There are, however reasons to worry. He is known for his exceptional temper. But more importantly military training can help a person who is in a significant amount of distress to present well. This means that McCain's mental health may be significantly worse than we are able to perceive.
I used to work in a residential hotel for seniors. I have no medical training but I saw the residents frequently and many of WWII veterans presented remarkably well considering hteir age. Yet when the first bombs fell in Iraq a number of these men had mental breakdowns significant enough that they were permanently institutionalized.
If 9-11 has done anything, it has reminded us of the possibility that the next president would have to address a major disaster such as a nuclear explosion in the United States or Israel. The dire consequences of inaction or overreaction can not be overstated. The fact McCain has suffered such an systimatic attack on his mental health and has not released his mental health information makes the prospect of his ascension to the Presidency just too risky.
Read Why L’etendard Sanglant gives John McCain
Our Gratitude, but Not our Endorsement
