John McCain gets tax-free disability pension

[rich_t]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-pension22apr22,1,6562984.story

I am a veteran and I am all for veterans that were injured in the line of duty getting their due.  But a 100% disability pay for a person that is obviously NOT 100% disabled?

McCain spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. After he was released in 1973, he returned home on crutches and began a painful physical rehabilitation. He later regained flight status and commanded a Navy squadron before retiring from the service in 1981.

He was deemed fit to fly again after his release.  So why the 100% disability pay?

[Wretched Excess]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-pension22apr22,1,6562984.story

I am a veteran and I am all for veterans that were injured in the line of duty getting their due.  But a 100% disability pay for a person that is obviously NOT 100% disabled?

McCain spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. After he was released in 1973, he returned home on crutches and began a painful physical rehabilitation. He later regained flight status and commanded a Navy squadron before retiring from the service in 1981.

He was deemed fit to fly again after his release.  So why the 100% disability pay?

you really shouldn't believe everything you read, especially in the LA Times.

A better article to read.

[formerlurker]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-pension22apr22,1,6562984.story

I am a veteran and I am all for veterans that were injured in the line of duty getting their due.  But a 100% disability pay for a person that is obviously NOT 100% disabled?

McCain spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. After he was released in 1973, he returned home on crutches and began a painful physical rehabilitation. He later regained flight status and commanded a Navy squadron before retiring from the service in 1981.

He was deemed fit to fly again after his release.  So why the 100% disability pay?

He isn't getting 100% disability pay.  His tax exemption is 100%.

Over 5 years as a POW who was tortured on a regular basis?   You do a month and see how you are fairing when you get out.   He can have this and more as far as I am concerned.

I am not a McCain fan, but I am a fan of our military.   All of their pay should be tax exempt.

[Uhhuh35]

He isn't getting 100% disability pay.  His tax exemption is 100%.

That's what really pisses off the Liberals I'll bet.

[DixieBelle]

I'm not seeing any problem. I can see why the DUmmies are pissed though.

[rich_t]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-pension22apr22,1,6562984.story

I am a veteran and I am all for veterans that were injured in the line of duty getting their due.  But a 100% disability pay for a person that is obviously NOT 100% disabled?

McCain spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. After he was released in 1973, he returned home on crutches and began a painful physical rehabilitation. He later regained flight status and commanded a Navy squadron before retiring from the service in 1981.

He was deemed fit to fly again after his release.  So why the 100% disability pay?

you really shouldn't believe everything you read, especially in the LA Times.

A better article to read.

I don't believe everything I read from any source.  I simply found the article to be of some interest.

[rich_t]

I am not a McCain fan, but I am a fan of our military.   All of their pay should be tax exempt.

I certainly agree with you on this part.

[Wretched Excess]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-pension22apr22,1,6562984.story

I am a veteran and I am all for veterans that were injured in the line of duty getting their due.  But a 100% disability pay for a person that is obviously NOT 100% disabled?

McCain spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. After he was released in 1973, he returned home on crutches and began a painful physical rehabilitation. He later regained flight status and commanded a Navy squadron before retiring from the service in 1981.

He was deemed fit to fly again after his release.  So why the 100% disability pay?

you really shouldn't believe everything you read, especially in the LA Times.

A better article to read.

I don't believe everything I read from any source.  I simply found the article to be of some interest.

I thought it was a cheap shot, and my first instinct was that it was more than likely totally untrue in some
fundamental way.  I have more than my fair share of disagreements with mccain's politics, but the attempt
to somehow cast a cloud over his service, or the disability he suffered from torture he endured as a prisoner
of war, I found deeply offensive.

(no, I am not implying that you felt any differently )

[rich_t]

It was certainly not my intent to come off as if I were trying to cast a cloud over his service.  Sorry if it sounded as if I were.

I can't speak for the intent of the LATimes.

[RightCoast]

John McCain's capture and imprisonment began on October 26, 1967. He was flying his 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam, when his A-4E Skyhawk was shot down by a missile over Hanoi.  McCain fractured both arms and a leg, and then nearly drowned when he parachuted into Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi. After he regained consciousness, a mob attacked him, crushed his shoulder with a rifle butt, and bayoneted him; he was then transported to Hanoi's main Hoa Loa Prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton".
Although McCain was badly wounded, his captors refused to treat his injuries, instead beating and interrogating him to get information.  Only when the North Vietnamese discovered that his father was a top admiral did they give him medical care and announce his capture. His status as a prisoner of war (POW) made the front pages of The New York Times and The Washington Post.
McCain spent six weeks in the Hoa Loa hospital, receiving marginal care.  Now having lost 50 pounds (23 kg), in a chest cast, and with his hair turned white, McCain was sent to a different camp on the outskirts of Hanoi in December 1967, into a cell with two other Americans who did not expect him to live a week. In March 1968, McCain was put into solitary confinement, where he would remain for two years.
In July 1968, McCain's father was named commander of all U.S. forces in the Vietnam theater. McCain was immediately offered early release. The North Vietnamese wanted a worldwide propaganda coup by appearing merciful, and also wanted to show other POWs that elites like McCain were willing to be treated preferentially. McCain turned down the offer of repatriation; he would only accept the offer if every man taken in before him was released as well.
In August of 1968, a program of severe torture began on McCain, at the same time as he was suffering from dysentery, and McCain made an anti-American propaganda "confession". He has always felt that his statement was dishonorable, but as he would later write, "I had learned what we all learned over there: Every man has his breaking point. I had reached mine." His injuries left him permanently incapable of raising his arms above his head. He subsequently received two to three beatings per week because of his continued refusal to sign additional statements.
McCain refused to meet with various anti-war groups seeking peace in Hanoi, not wanting to give either them or the North Vietnamese a propaganda victory.

from wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain#Military_service_and_marriages


The man is entitled to whatever he can get.