Nobody that I'm aware of has disparaged the fact that John McCain is a bona-fide war hero. But, here's something to consider for those of you who think that qualifies him to be President.

Did you know that Captain Kangaroo and Mister Rodgers were also war heroes? Do you think that qualified them to be President of the United States?

Bob Keeshan (Capt. Kangaroo) was a Marine sergeant in the first wave ashore at Iwo Jima. He stood on the beach drawing enemy fire so his men could get off the beach. He did this on many occasions, proving the lives of his men were the most importanc consideration to him. For his actions, he was awarded the Navy Cross (the second highest award a Marine can be given).

Mister Rodgers was a Navy Seal in Viet Nam, having made 25 confirmed kills of the enemy. After his service in Viet Nam, he became a Presbyterian minister, and dedicated the remainder of his life to helping children to find the right path. He wore his famous sweaters to hide his tatoos on his forearm and biceps.

Many Americans, (unaware of how much these two guys had given to their country) made fun of them and disparaged them in public. Yet, a lot of people seem to believe that McCain's own service somehow makes him a qualified candidate.

Why?

You know what's really funny about all of this?

Look at all three of these men and their service - and then take a look at George W. Bush, who went AWOL from a Texas Air National Guard squadron that wa never going anywhere near any combat operations. He partied it up in New Orleans instead of serving his military commitment. (And, decades later, he turned his back on New Orleans when the city was lashed by hurricane Katrina. It seems the least he could do for his war-time haven is help a little when they neededd it most.)

So, were Keeshan and Rodgers qualified to be President based on their heroism? If not, then why is McCain?

(All three were probably far more qualified than George W. Bush! Of course, nearly everyone in the country is better qualified than the moron commander in chimp who has screwed the pooch over and over again for the past eight years.)

Thanks - well said.

Only a moron could dispute your facts . . . chirp, chirp

Doctor Tom,

They gotcha. Those two were about as big of war hero's as George Bush but at least they didn't avoid real servce. On the other hand Lee Marvin WAS a war hero. Think he would have been a good president?

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i have questioned mccain's heroism. i developed that after reading his book. regarding the code of honor: name, rank, serial number. mccain describes a civilian contractor who obeyed the code, he didn't have to, and was tortured to death. mccain on the other hand was broken by the cong. he confessed to war crimes, tape recorded the confession, it was broadcast on the radio, and he also signed a hard copy of the confession. which was the hero?

mccain is a simple pow who was broken and suffered.

there is a difference that makes a hero a hero.

Mr. Green Jeans could've been Sec. of Ag, Mr. Rabbit could've been Sec. of Def., and Mr. Moose would've made a right fine Sec. of State.

Seriously though....my biggest issue with "War hero" McCain has less do do with what he may or may not have done in terms of the military, or how all that qualifies or disqualifies him. What blows my mind....in this modern era, is the extent to which his P.O.W. status seems to serve as some sort of ideological and critical force field. As complicated as our world is today, it's a little silly for us to prohibit to the extend we have, such wide swaths of potential inquiry; or to for us to assume for instance, that his profound ignorance on subjects like say...the economy, is irellevant 'cuz well......McCain was a P.O.W. dontcha know!

guess who senator.....................

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Very nice story about Mr. Rodgers and and Capt. Kangaroo but not true. Capt. Kangaroo was in the marine reserves having joined just before the end of WW2 and never served overseas. Mr. Rodgers was never in the military.

war heorism was even a consideration regarding qualifying for the WH.

if anyone was saying that McCain's service was what qualified him for being president.

It's kind of like the Saddam responsible for 911 BS the libbies were trying to pass. The papers were all happy that it was proven Saddam was not responsible for 911.

The problem with that argument was that no one ever said he was.

They, and you now, are trying to create a debate where none exists as a means of deflecting from the issues.

There are hundreds of thousands of men and women in this country who have served their country in combat with honor, integrity and selflessness. Many more didn't survive their service.

Are they all qualified to be President? Probably not!

Are they all better qualified than George W. Bush? Yep!

Hello DoctorTom, I was hesitant to post a response, because I don't want to be shot as the messanger. However, these stories about Captain Kangaroo and Mister Rogers float around in e-mails from time-to-time.

I was taken-in several years ago also. There is no truth to it!

Keeshan enlisted, in the Corps, just before the war's end and didn't get overseas. Lee Marvin supposedly was said to have served with him on Iwo, which wouldn't have been possible due to Marvin having been in the hospital recovering from wounds received on Saipan. Marvin also debunked this before his death.

Mr. Rogers, Fred McFeely, was born in 1928, and would have been too old to have served in the Navy's SpecWarfare branch, and in fact, didn't serve in uniform.

Sorry DocTom, it's still a wonderful day in the neighborhood!And your point is still valid, but you'll have to find a differant parallel. : - }

Sorry DocTom, it's still a wonderful day in the neighborhood!And your point is still valid, but you'll have to find a differant parallel. : - }

Audie Murphy ????

Terror-Tard...

Your double standards are as evident as prevalent as the those you criticize!

Uhh...it was GWB and his criminal gang that linked Saddam with 911 - that is why 70% of US thought it was the case. Up until 2007, Cheney was still giving it the verbal linkage...

You were the same guy saying John Kerry was not qualified.

At least admit your hypocrisies!

Let's have fun with this itspattee. I nominate Johnathan Winters, who served in the Marine Corps, in the South Pacific, during World War II.

And his buddy Robin Williams, would be his VP pick.

I'm positive Jonathan Winters was a general and wasn't Williams in Vietnam? I saw the movie. He did radio just like the Gipper.