Fit to lead?

The boy stood under the burning deck, while all around him heroes died. Icarus fell from the pale blue sky, and dined at the Hanoi Hilton. The love rat slammed his wounded love, and romanced his meal ticket in lust.

Last night I watched a nauseating political video that John McCain endorsed slamming Barack Obama, and questioning this noble gentleman's ability to lead. So, this morning I pondered this piece of grist on my way to work, and I got around to thinking about Senator McCain - just what exactly has he done to show his leadership credentials?

As a Lieutenant Commander he was involved in the most serious post-world war two incident aboard a US aircraft carrier, and there is a lot of insinuation that he was the direct cause of the tremendous loss of life. What is not supposition, though, is that he fled the scene, while brave men valiantly fought to save their ship - is this the sign of a leader? No.

As a pilot he was notorious for loosing planes, and his time spent at Ho Chi Min's pleasure was in most part his own fault. By his calculation if being a POW commends you to high office then the detainees of the a certain Cuban facility are perfect role models for their home political system. Is this a sign he is ready to lead? No.

When he returned from his stint inside his devoted and loyal wife stood by him, but how did he repay her trust? By cheating on her with a rich heiress, and if the insinuation is correct marrying this blond rich woman before he was finally divorced from his devoted ex-wife. Is this a sign of someone ready to lead? No.

Damning others for their minor indiscretions is part and parcel of politics, but accusing someone of not being ready to lead because of their youth is both callow and dishonest. President's Bush snr. and jnr., Clinton, and Reagan were all state governors, and even the wretched harpy Sarah Palin has more leadership experience in her little finger than John McCain has in his whole body. John McCain could not be less qualified even if he tried. The Republicans vainly hope that the American people will buy this idea that just because he has spent five terms in the senate he is ready for the oval office, and then accuse a junior senator that his one term means nothing - neither man is a tested leader in the sense they are aiming at. The line that separates them is that when John McCain was called upon to be a true leader he panicked, turned tail, and ran beneath the burning desk.

The sign of someone ready to lead? No.