They finally dropped the Manchurian Candidate in a hole. Here’s hoping that is the end of the love fest. Yeah, I know, once upon a time he was a Navy aviator. He got shot down and was a POW subjected to horrible conditions for over four years. I honor him for that. As far as I am concerned it was a long down hill slide from that point.
The funeral got me to thinking about Benedict Arnold. Here’s what Wikipedia, the lazy man’s reference has to say about him.
Benedict Arnold (January 14, 1741 [O.S. January 3, 1740][1][2] – June 14, 1801) was an American military officer who served as a general during the American Revolutionary War, fighting for the American Continental Army before betraying them to the British in 1780… His name quickly became a byword in the United States for treason and betrayal because he betrayed his countrymen by leading the British army in battle against the very men whom he had once commanded.[3]
His actions included the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, defensive and delaying tactics at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776 which allowed American forces time to prepare New York’s defenses, the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut (after which he was promoted to major general), operations in relief of the Siege of Fort Stanwix, and key actions during the pivotal Battles of Saratogain 1777, in which he suffered leg injuries that halted his combat career for several years.
It occurred to me there is a more recent example of the point I want to make. Here he is.
I can hear the sputtering outrage, talking in tongues and exploding heads. How dare you compare Saint McCain, Benedict Arnold and Adolph Hitler. I didn’t make a comparison. I said they provided similar examples.
Benedict Arnold was a successful American General during the Revolutionary war. He led troops in several vital campaigns. He was wounded in action.
Adolph Hitler was an enlisted man in the German Army. He was awarded the Iron Cross Second class and Iron Cross First class. The Iron Cross First Class was rarely awarded to enlisted men. He was a soldier, did a soldier’s duty, and was awarded a high military honor.
John McCain was injured and imprisoned while fighting for his country. He passed up a chance for an early release. The injuries he sustained affected him for the rest of his life.
All three men did an honorable thing at some point in their lives. But that honor did not follow them. Benedict Arnold cut a deal with the British and tried to give away West Point, an important fortification.
Adolph Hitler started the Second World War and murdered millions before it was over.
McCain didn’t have a fort to give away. He did have influence and he used it on behalf of Charles Keating. Before there was the “Gang of Eight” there was the Keating Five. Four democrats and McCain, even in corruption McCain was reaching across the aisle. McCain skated on the charges after paying a six figure sum to the US Treasury.
The moral of the story is a good deed done in the past does not excuse future actions.