Wesley Clark

First of all, I am a registered Democrat but today not a very proud one. Barack Obama has removed all doubt about being only a Chicago politician as well as an empty suit, this time sending his surrogates, stooges and sock puppets out to criticize Sen. John McCain's military record.

Along with the liberal bloggers, General Clark of all people criticized the American war hero on the Sunday talk shows. While commanding NATO troops in defense of Kosovo, hot-headed General Clark ordered British General Sir Michael Jackson to attack 200 Russian troops for entering the Pristina airport without NATO permission. Jackson told Clark, "I'm not going to start the third world war for you." For this and many other cavalier threats and deeds President Clinton was forced to act.

Many people suspect Clark, commanding the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, was responsible for engineering the assault on the Branch Davidian complex in Waco, Texas, back in 1993. He provided 17 pieces of armor and 15 active service personnel plus devised the plan that ended up a holocaust killing 82 men, women and children. Most were burned alive. All in all, Clark's military career was reasonable at best but hardly stellar.

The irony in all this is McCain, himself, rarely mentions his military career. He and his wife Cindy are also silent about their four sons, three going the military route. One being a Navy pilot, one enlisted in the Marines and completed a tour with action in Iraq and the other at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The character of John McCain and his wife encompasses much more than military service. While visiting Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh, the McCain's adopted an infant daughter dying from a host of health issues. They brought her and another little girl back to the States to provide surgeries and years of rehabilitation. Even though they had six children of their own they adopted one and a family friend adopted the other. All expenses for both children were paid for by the McCain's.

Later, during his 2000 presidential run, opponents conducted a whisper campaign disparaging the McCain's for having a "black baby." Good works, charity and service are a major part of the McCain family activities making them heroes even without a reference to the military.

Liberal bloggers criticize McCain for being tortured and forced to sign a statement claiming to be a criminal and air pirate. It makes me wonder how long they could withstand the torture McCain received.

George Moon
Lake Placid