As the reports filter in about John McCain's days as a fighter pilot, the reminisces start to sound a lot like a page or two out of the feature film script - "Top Gun" - which starred Cruise and Kilmer a couple of years back.
There's a lot of talk that Johnny was a real cocky son-of-a-bit**.
Like the character Maverick - in the film - McCain was inclined to push the envelope, fly by the seat of his pants, and take uncalculated risks.
Oftentimes, just like Cruise's character, McCain went down in flames.
And, that is the subject of some debate, now.
In his biography, McCain would prefer to look back - not in anger - but through rose-colored glasses.
But, frankly - to some - his recall of events is shameless.
Or, is he just having a Senior moment?
For instance, the presidential candidate's recollection of events surrounding one hairy airplane mishap, was way out-of-whack.
"The engine quit while I was practising landings," he noted matter-of-fact, on the written parchment.
At least O.J. Simpson was clever enough to try to determine if there were any witnesses to the events before he opened his mouth in defense when his latest fiasco with the law went down in Las Vegas.
In this instant case - an investigator who witnessed the events - is quite adamant there wasn't any inexplicable engine failure as alleged by the wrinkly old dude.
In fact, investigators came to the conclusion that McCain wasn't on the ball.
In the opinion of the experts, the accident occurred because the power setting on the instrument panel was too low to maintain level flight in a turn.
Well, every Maverick is capable of running some interference, now and then.
But three times, you say?
According to informed sources in the Navy, that number is accurate.
In each instance, investigative teams faulted McCain for error in judgment.
It has taken wild horses to drag the facts out of him, though.
In one stinky incident - silly clowning around while operating expensive Government equipment - resulted in a near calamity.
Should American voters give him a crack at Air Force 1?
In a Skyraider aircraft in Southern Spain, for instance, he flew into electrical wires which caused a black-out.
A miscalculation caused a T-2 trainer jet in Virginia to crash, in another incident he downplayed, too.
By Naval standards - the three nail-biting incidents were cause for concern - according to a former air force pilot, Michael L. Barr.
Mr. Barr is an Internationally-known aviation safety expert who teaches at the USC Aviation and Safety Security Program today with 137 combat missions in Vietnam under his belt.
In the case of any pilot - three troubling mishaps - would definitely signal sloppy flying skills and a lack of sound judgement, for sure.
In large part - the problem stemmed from a tendency on the part of McCain - to be overconfident, cocky, and a fearless risk-taker at the Government's expense.
In the final analysis, the ballsy flyer over-estimated his limited skills.
Yup, a swinging di** got in the way.
But, high connections in the right places, prevented McCain from getting the axe.
Because McCain fell under a long line of Admirals in a family way, inestimable privileges were bestowed upon the handsome young buck.
The facts support the contention, today.
On occasion, for instance, McCain savored dalliances at the Captain's table, while fellow officers languished in cramped quarters below deck.
In another glorious Kodak moment, McCain was handed the prestigious task of maneuvering a commemorative landing on the deck of the Enterprise.
Fortunately, he didn't have to bail out last minute.
According to Maurice Rishel - who commanded McCain's VA-64 Squadron in early 1961 when it was deployed in the Mediterranean - the unit nick-named the kid "Ace McCain".
Although he was a spoiled brat (born with a silver spoon in his mouth) he did his job, Rishel confessed without any qualms.
Just like John Kerry before him, foes are getting out the hatchets to bury one in McCain's back, after-the-fact.
Uh-huh.
Where Eagles dare, heroes fall.
For McCain, though, ignorance is bliss.
He'll ride through it all unscathed, I just betcha.
After all, that soldier boys's got missiles up his a**.
Just like in the movies, John always got the girl..
No comments:
Post a Comment