Moral courage is far more important and fragile than physical courage. Most of us show some bravery when facing immediate danger but waver in the face of ethical decisions when we have something to lose by doing the right thing.
When it comes to the question of John McCain’s experience during the Vietnam War, I would be far more impressed if he had concluded that our country had no business meddling in a civil war on the other side of the planet. The tens of thousands of American deaths in that conflict were tragic but modest when compared with the several hundred thousand Vietnamese who died because of our intervention.
And the relentless use of sophisticated weaponry, particularly our unparalleled air power, against an impoverished agrarian society is a permanent stain on American history.
John McCain showed admirable defiance and fortitude as a prisoner of war. But he did not show moral courage when he took part in an immoral war that brought devastation to both Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia.
David HaydenWilton, Conn., July 3, 2008
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