Documentary Reveals What Kind of Man John McCain Was… and Is
No matter what any of us thinks about John McCain’s politics, here’s a fact that tells us what kind of a man he was and is.
During the late Sixties and early Seventies, he was a North Vietnamese prisoner of war. He suffered multiple broken bones and a bayonet wound to the groin.
McCain was beaten several times a week. He wasted away for 5½ years in that hellhole, all for the “crime” of faithfully serving his country.
Both his father and grandfather were four-star admirals. That’s how someone was able to pull enough strings to finally get him released in a bargaining arrangement.
McCain wanted nothing more than to go home and finally receive the medical treatment he desperately needed. But he refused to be released. He chose to stay until other American prisoners who had been there longer than he were set free.
His Life Is Winding Down
McCain has been a U.S. Senator from Arizona since 1986. But no one knows how much longer he will hold that position.
He has had Stage 4 brain cancer for about a year. Chances are he doesn’t have a lot of time remaining.
HBO decided to take advantage of some of the time McCain has left to produce a documentary featuring his life.
It’s titled John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls. Ernest Hemingway’s novel by that title is said to be McCain’s favorite book.
The documentary first aired in May 2018. No doubt it will air many more times. Especially following his death.
Naval Career Described
McCain is apparently satisfied with how the documentary turned out. It delves into his controversial political career and it focuses on his many years of service.
This film traces McCain’s life. Starting with his 1958 graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
It continues with his years of service in the Navy. He was an aviator who flew ground attack aircraft from aircraft carriers.
McCain was nearly killed in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. Later that year, he was shot down during a bombing mission. Then he was imprisoned in the “Hanoi Hilton.”
30-Plus Years in Politics
He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981. He then moved to Arizona and began a long political career.
That career has included the U.S. House of Representatives (1983-87) and more than 30 years as a Senator.
He also served as the Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. And the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee.
Fellow Politicians Praise Him
John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls is produced and directed by six-time Emmy Award recipient Peter Kunhardt. Along with Emmy recipients George Kunhardt and Teddy Kunhardt.
It includes interviews, commentary and speeches by McCain. Plus archival newsreel and television footage. And previously unpublished home movies and photographs.
The documentary also features interviews with a number of politicians. They express how much respect they have had for McCain. Even when they disagreed with his decisions and policies.
Those politicians include former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Also, former Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton.
McCain Earned Respect
Also interviewed were friends, family members and political colleagues. Missing from the documentary is President Donald Trump.
McCain and Trump have obviously had major differences. Filmmakers decided they did not want to “politicize” the documentary.
McCain was the Republican nominee for president in 2008. His politics have been mostly conservative throughout his career. But he is known for “crossing the aisle” to gain bipartisan support for key issues.
John McCain is liked and disliked for his political views. And he is liked and disliked for his political decisions.
But most of all, he is respected by nearly everyone. And this documentary shows why.
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POTUS Trump is a traitor. Just start to recognize it.
No one can deny the fact that no name was shot down over North Vietnam, was wounded and served years in a POW prison. However, it is well documented that he earned the pseudonym the “canary” for talking excessively to the enemy during his imprisonment. I understand, everyone man tortured broke, but his talking is reported to have been more that just a signed document, and he did it for other considerations.
It was his actions on the Forrestal that created the events and destruction and caused the lives of some 179 fellow officers and men while performing an illegal operation while at the controls of his jet. The coverup, if not done by his relation, was done for them by virtue of their rank and privilege.
His time in congress has been contentious at best. In the 1980’s, it was no name that made sure his military conduct as a POW were classifed and buried so the american public cannot see the extent of his treason.
In these final days, he was instrumental in the current plot to oust President Trump, by being a main player in the Coupdetat (sic) that is being attempted today.
His “tumor” may not even be as bad as is being reported but in fact is an attempt to mitigate future charges and prosecution for his current treasonous activities.
And all for power and privilege.
So many people think John McCain changed. Those are the same ones who live in a fictitious fantasy about what makes our country great. The truth is John McCain didn’t change but his party did. The Republican party was highjacked by an extreme point of view and the ignorant fell for it. I personally didn’t like Senetor McCain very much but one thing I respect is that he stood for what he believed in. He does not bow down to a populist rhetoric. He speaks out and votes against the horrors of what the Republican party has become. One of the last true America first and party second patriot.
Good person. Non of us are perfect, but the best of us think of our country FIRST!
John McCain is nothing more than a deep state RINO and traitor to his country and the worst pilot the Navy ever had! His death can’t come fast enough and should be hung by his neck for treason and put out of his misery!!!
ABSOLUTELY!!!!! WELL PUT!
A Hero ! A great man ! An outstanding soldier !
He has earned all Americans respect !!!
I am sorry but Senator McCain is a traitor to his nation, please listen to Field McConnell a form Annapolis Naval Academy Graduate/Pilot who has actually filed treason charges against McCain for his involvement in the Forestall Event, McCain also crashed 5 planes in his time in service and as for his time as a POW I too once believed he was a hero, but Field will fill you in on that as well. John McCain played a key role in the establishment of ISIS and is a Globalist and Deep State (probably bribed) operative. Just look at who promoted his documentary, Obama, Bush, Clinton? The Cartel of the Deep state. you may also reference the youtube channel Field McConnell hosts called AbelDanger which exposes governmental crimes worldwide. He is a true patriot and he knows of the deep states workings, his sister (he despises also) is a key player It is eye opening and a reason I am a survivalist.
I don’t belong to a specific party, but I vote for whomever my Father God gives me, the discernment & wisdom to vote for, Senator McCain his very much loved by so many people, because off his fierce battle for the poor, please don’t speak of him as if he’s dead yet, God His alive & He’s still doing miracles in His childrens life thanks..
Agree 100%.about John McCain. He’s a great man and a great patriot. All the negative comments are sad. It shows how our poor country is being ripped apart by arguing factions. Thank you for the wonderful article and the tribute to a noble warrior.
John McCain was no hero. While a POW he couldn’t handle the tortures and then collaborated with the North Vietnamese by making a propaganda broadcast in exchange for better treatment. Meanwhile his fellow POWs never agreed to collaborate with them and continued to receive harsh tortures. The broadcast goes as follows:
“To the Vietnamese people and the Government of the DRVN I’m John Sydney McCain 624787, Lieutenant Commander US Navy. Born 29 August 1936 Panama, home state (unaudible) Shot down 26 October 1967 A4 Aircraft. I as a US Airman am Guilty of Crimes against the Vietnamese country and people. I have bombed their cities, towns and villages and caused many injuries, even death to the people of Vietnam.
I was captured in the Capitol of Hanoi while attacking it. After I was captured I was (inaudible) for the hospital in Hanoi where I received very good medical treatement. I was given an operation on my leg which allowed me to walk again and a cast on my right arm which was badly broken in three places. The doctors were very good and they knew a great deal about the practice of medicine. I remained in the hospital for sometime and regained much of my health and strength.
Since I arrived in the camp of detention, I have received humane and (inaudible) treatment. I received this good treament and food, even though I came here as an aggressor and the people who I injured have much difficulty in their living standards. I wish to express my deep gratitude for my kind treatment and I will never forget this kindness extended to me.”
Here’s the audio, intercepted by the CIA and found in the National Archives:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7tkBiFZBix0
That’s not something an honorable man would do.
Have you ever endured false impriconment? For 5 days? or five years? Would you have dealt in many ways. Our POTUS only counts soldiers as heroes who never get caught! WHAT? And, was he EVER a soldier? Thankfully, for our serves…he was never in the military!
John McCain was in Skyhawk, waiting to take off, when his plane was struck by a rocket mistakenly fired from another plane. He and many others barely escaped with their lives from the flight deck of the Foreststall. A few weeks later, he was shot down and taken captive. As a warrior and a senator, McCain knows what it is to honor and defend the Constitution. He has done what is best for America !
We all thought McCain was the hero – I voted for him. But he is now letting his judgment of Trump control his emotions – he should step down now instead of not voting. He will end up killing more Americans in the long run than those he saved in Vietnam. Animosities aside – he needs to suck it up and vote in favor of the future of all Americans – even those that cannot see the direction we are being led into by the left.
I watched John McCain’s speech on TV when he concedede his defeat in his presidential election. He spoke from the heart as a great American and public servent and gave an amazing speech. Although I am a registered Democrats after observing the type of politicians on all sides of the fence I would vote for this man above the rest.
He should have just switched parties since he conducted himself as a democrat while claiming to be republican. He is a traitor to his party and has sold out key republican and patriotic values on many occasions. I had hoped his recent cancer issues would prompt him to the side of healing rather than further political division but apparently not.
You are so wrong!!! He is neither liked or respected from the people who are aware of his real “record”
Ask the families of the over 100 men he killed aboard and aircraft carrier by being reckless and how his Admiral family covered it up. Ask the men captured because of his mistakes. He stayed in Hanoi Hilton because he knew he would probably be courtmarshalled if he came home earlier! He sold those men out too. Ask about his first wife he divorced after coming home because she was severly injured and had gotten fat while he was gone. I’m sorry God is ready to take him this way but I will not miss him or his nastiness!!!
I have heard about a different John McCain. It is my understanding he was responsible fot the Firrestal fire. Whatever the case he has lost all of my respect for his conduct and swapping sides this last year. He has definitely hurt his party.
Yeah, and Benedict Arnold was, at one time, George Washington’s most reliable and favorite general under his command. What you are and do, not what you were and did, matters most. I suggest you do a lot more research on Mr. McCain and you will find he’s not the guy he’s put up to be by the MSM.
I wonder if they will tell the story of his killing of the Navy pilots on the aircraft carrier, Forestall? He put the carrier out of commission for months, not to mention killing young sailors.
As a Vet. I respect him for the suffering he has went through from the torture he endured as a prisoner in the Vietnam. Of course I voted for him for president!
I do believe the brain tumor has caused him not to think straight. Although he might have flipped after the statement by President Trump!
Being a cancer survivor, and Christian. I pray for his soul!
My family and I lived in Mesa, AZ at the time John McCain has been serving. I always thought he was a very stand-up guy. I have a lot respect for him and how he has treated people, especially his wife and family.