Newly discovered video: McCain handed over to U.S. military in Hanoi
posted at 11:30 am on September 11, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Buried in a Swedish TV station’s vault for 35 years, now part of the historical record thanks to a quick-thinking researcher. One thing confuses me, though: What’s with the limp? Air America tells us McCain was “well treated” during his time in the cage thanks to all those propaganda videos he made for the other side. Maybe he stubbed his toe coming down the stairs of the bus? Click the image to watch.
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McCain 0-8
Obama O-NO!
joepub on September 11, 2008 at 11:33 AM
None of them look happy. :(
lodge on September 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Dear Randi Rhodes:
DIAF
Sincerely,
History
fossten on September 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I wonder how long this will stay buried, out of sight and mind of the Drive-By media.
ManlyRash on September 11, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Wow. Just wow. That video makes the whole McCain/POW experience seem to be in the not so distant past. It brings it to life and makes it real. We are fortunate to have men like him serving our country.
t.ferg on September 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Can you imagine the range of emotions?
Look at his face in the still – DAMN !!!
jake-the-goose on September 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Welcome home, Heroes. Belated, yes, but sincere.
Tony737 on September 11, 2008 at 11:37 AM
That certainly shouldn’t stay buried. He looks like a young Paul Newman.
NeighborhoodCatLady on September 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM
President John McCain’s heroism in Vietnam will be remembered by the very same future generation that will respond with a puzzled look when asked who Randi Rhodes was.
ManlyRash on September 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM
A piece of history that we’re lucky to be able to see. It’s rather difficult to put Bambi’s “struggles” as a community organizer up against this.
God bless John McCain, and all those other men we see here who kept faith with their fellow prisoners.
fiatboomer on September 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Telling that it’s only found on a Swedish news site.
Is that Die In A Fire?
amkun on September 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Superb video quality. Makes it really hit home.
alflauren on September 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
You better make a copy……that video will come down in 5-4-3-2-1…….
Starlink on September 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Next you’ll be hearing from liberals that John McCain raised his right arm in that video in salute, so it must be a big lie that he’s been telling all these years.
Bank on it.
amkun on September 11, 2008 at 11:41 AM
We should really use that Buzz Up button on this one.
AubieJon on September 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I wonder how grey his hair was before he was captured.
wise_man on September 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Air America? Isn’t that the bankrupt radio station that no one listens to?
Thought so. The content matches the success.
MadisonConservative on September 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Funny how the Yahoo link with AP posts a number of caveats about the clip, although noting to doubt the actual authenticity.
Sure don’t see this kind of ‘caveat’ about Palin or Hezbollah stringers……
Starlink on September 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Didn’t you hear?
McCain was limping because he sprained his ankle playing tennis at the Hanoi Hilton!
SPCOlympics on September 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Translation:
http://tinyurl.com/63fjac
dc84123 on September 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Who’s the actor playing a young McCain? How did they manage to recreate all this?
/moonbat off
JammieWearingFool on September 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Looking on that page, I see the ‘Olbermann special comment on 9/11′ buzzed up from HuffPo. An excellent reply to that would be this video. Too bad that can’t be buzzed up right next to it.
wise_man on September 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I’m already saying “Who is Randi Rhodes?” No. Seriously. Who is Randi Rhodes?
mjtyson on September 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
+1
fiatboomer on September 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Lodge that’s because they thought the release thing was a ruse by the NVA to further demoralize the POWs.
None of them displayed any emotion until the plane left the ground and cleared North Vietnam air space.
E9RET on September 11, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Why aren’t they wearing spa robes and slippers like you get at nice hotels?
Chuck Schick on September 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Makes a nice contrast with Barry body surfing in Hawaii while Russia gobbled up Georgia. Which of the two do you want defending American interests?
a capella on September 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
This is why I always admired McCain and all the men and women that served, are serving, and will serve. As McCain would say: They all served a cause larger than themselves. We salute you all.
jencab on September 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Maybe they went through similar ‘we’ll let you go now’ experiences to they think they will have their freedom, only to march them right back into their cells. To demoralize them and break them.
wise_man on September 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
You betcha.
fossten on September 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Former Ozzy band member…
SPCOlympics on September 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
But but but Jimmuh Cartah said he was milking his imprisonment….( sarc off)…. disgusting remnant of humanity is Carter.
MNDavenotPC on September 11, 2008 at 11:49 AM
The need to use this for a campaign ad
ConservativePartyNow on September 11, 2008 at 11:49 AM
One thing I notice is that he is able to salute but I didn’t think he can raise his arms that high now.
De he have complication afterwards later in life that caused it I wonder
kangjie on September 11, 2008 at 11:50 AM
When I was in the Air Force’s Squadron Officer School we had lectures from former POWs and they said the same thing E9RET, They were convinced that this was just another propaganda ploy. You should see when the 135 went wheels up: they knew that they were truly free and the emotions just spill out of all of the men. Not to mention they ALL lit up smokes. Just makes you shed a tear to see how happy all the POWs were to be out of that hell hole.
BTW, Randi there will be a special wing in hell reserved for you and Hanoi Jane
Agent of the Cross on September 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Let’s not forget all the others that were in this video, and all the others who have never come home. Looking at these men all I can think is, “That this is how they looked after they were cleaned up” I’m not worth enough to make any comments on this.
Tommy_G on September 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM
We’re fortunate enough to have there here in town. You never tune in?
BadgerHawk on September 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM
http://www0.c00928.cdn.qbrick.com/00928/kluster/20080911/NYH-2008-0911-MCCAINBILDER.flv
Here is the direct link to the Adobe Flash file. You can save it right to your drive, or play it in an FLV player.
alflauren on September 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
NObama.
tree hugging sister on September 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Powerful stuff. Whine, obama – whine. You aren’t fit to lick this man’s boots.
Fishoutofwater on September 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Ozzy’s guitarist. One of the best ever and died far too young!!
Oh wait, that would be Randy Rhoads. Well at least one of them will be remembered. The one with an amazing talent, not the one who falls down drunk in NY.
Jim708 on September 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
The left’s newest conspiracy theory.
Topsecretk9 on September 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Rent this film if you want to understand what went on at the Hanoi Hilton. Amazing dccumentary; and have a kleenex ready.
What these men survived you will never forget.
Shivas Irons on September 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
IIRC, some video of him prior to his captivity showed he was graying early.
Happens to a lot of us.
I can’t tell you the enormous respect I have for McCain and others who went through what they did and came back to lead exemplary lives.
Contrast that with a guy who whines at the slightest criticism of his very thin record and your choice for president should be very easy.
JammieWearingFool on September 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Featured on Andrew Sullivan’s blog.
Topsecretk9 on September 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Ok, I’ve been struck speechless for a couple of minutes to process. Not that I’m seeing this, but that this isn’t something that we’ve seen before.
I was 3 when this happened, but it is shocking to my system that this wasn’t preserved in some way by the american media. What kind of a country was this in 1973?
Thankfully it was at least preserved in Sweden.
And ditto on that question.
Marine_Bio on September 11, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Being that McCain and the other POW’s were brought off a bus, probably had been driving or parked for a while. And the known fact that they had all been tortured, in way none of us would ever want to think about. I think this Video shows more then just our Men who served and were still in pain.
Not to mention, the bewildered look of waiting for it to be all a dream. You can tell by not just Mccain, but a few of the other men in the film… they have a blank yet apprehensive look as if this is either a figment of their imagination or they are waiting to get jumped.
My Hats are off to them all. God Bless them!
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 11:54 AM
John McCain is a hero.
Obama, not so much.
carbon_footprint on September 11, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Compare that to the Brit sailors (captured by Iranian rubber boats) that were wearing Ahneedadinnerjacket suits when they were released.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 11, 2008 at 11:54 AM
I actually reserve the frequency of 92.1 for my mp3 player adapter. That way I have no risk of hearing the tripe on there. I tried listening a few times when I first got to town, and decided not to subject myself to more bouts of nausea.
MadisonConservative on September 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
To me it looks like his body moves the same as it does now, with the limp and upper body injury from the war…but add a few years. I should know what happens to the body as it ages from an old injury. When I was young I was in an accident and 30 years after that it is getting harder to move some of those old injuries.
Not to long ago, I thought that I saw him shake with his right hand?
Conagher on September 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Yes, premature greying is pretty common. For Male and Female.
Heck I have had platium white hair trails since I was 13. Needless to say, I was pretty “cool” since my mom let me dye my hair young… just so I wouldn’t be teased.
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Outstanding point.
highhopes on September 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
A wise, wise move. Stick with 1310.
BadgerHawk on September 11, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I’m sure the adrenaline rush of finally being released from years of torture and captivity gave him the strength to salute while ignoring the pain in his weakened body.
fogw on September 11, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Has the Left questioned the timing yet?
JetBoy on September 11, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Makes me wish that the Air America crew could undergo just part of the “good treatment” that those men did.
TooTall on September 11, 2008 at 12:01 PM
He was probably faking the limp in anticipation of running for president 35 years later — thought it would make him more sympathetic to voters. Probably a similar reason for why he was so skinny — a few months before his release, he went on a diet and laid off all that rich food the N. Vietnamese had been feeding him so that he could look gaunt and pitiful when the cameras were on him.
You know these shameless Republicans — they’ll do anything for a vote, and they’re cagey enough to plan their dastardly campaigns decades in advance. \sarc
AZCoyote on September 11, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Randi Rhodes just choked on her steak bomb.
kevinkristy on September 11, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Was Osama Obama already doing drugs to combat his “misery” when this film was made?
MrScribbler on September 11, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Thanks
abinitioadinfinitum on September 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Injuries to the joints, especially severe injuries, make them much more susceptible to developing arthritis later on. I don’t know if that’s what happened to McCain, but it could explain why his range of motion in his arms is more limited now.
AZCoyote on September 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
That picture is haunting. You have to wonder what they were thinking right then at that moment.
McCain/Palin ‘08
Sue on September 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Heh, another nice one carbon_f.
Maxx on September 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Oh my goodness, I just choked up.
I’m currently recording my dad’s WWII POW experience, which he is finally starting to reveal for our family and for the Library of Congress. He is 88 and this is his final duty to his bomber group (at least that’s how I had to frame it up for him), as he’s quite ill.
He says that John McCain’s whole experience as “a prisoner of someone else’s country” shows more about his character than any other single thing. He acknowleges that he has a unique perspective but he feels that John McCain’s purely devoted love and gratitude for his country resonated loudly in his convention speech. I wish he could see this.
Moxie on September 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8pwUqnif1w
Same video posted to Youtube already. Probably won’t stay up there for long.
alflauren on September 11, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I remember following it at the time, the first US military teams going into North Vietnam. They met NVA officials at Gia Lam air field. The Swedes were there as part of the UN Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. I think Poland was part of it. India, too, if I recall. No guarantees going in. After that some support personnel were allowed in. Then, from Clark AFB in the Philippines, three areomedical aircraft went to hanoi and one to Saigon. They were expecting the worst.
POW’s were put into NVA buses, camouflaged. They were given civilian clothing, matching shirts, pants, shoes. Guess the North Vietnamese wanted to make sure they looked like regular tourists, I suppose. Clean, shaved, and all that.
They were released, if I recall, severly wounded first. Then, in order of arrival/capture in North Vietnam.
Once on the aeromedical flights, and later on the C-141’s, the POW’s changed into uniforms. Had an Air Force friend later, who was part of it at the time. Was a real hustle, according to him, trying to make sure that every ribbon, skill badge, and such were up to date so when these guys got off the plane at Clark, they were in proper uniform.
This video just brought back a rush of memories. Watching it all at the time on TV. Most of it live.
So long ago.
coldwarrior on September 11, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Exactly.
Sue on September 11, 2008 at 12:09 PM
How much would you pay to listen to a debate between Vicki McKenna and Randi Retch?
MadisonConservative on September 11, 2008 at 12:11 PM
McCain vs. Obama = Hero vs. Zero
AZCoyote on September 11, 2008 at 12:12 PM
HONOR DEFINED!
Reaganite84 on September 11, 2008 at 12:13 PM
If you’ll notice, McCain’s upper arm is not raised above the horizontal. I’m pretty sure the standard salute does. All though it is shortened to “can’t raise his arms above his head” I think it it actually more that he can’t raise his upper arms above the level of his shoulders.
Count to 10 on September 11, 2008 at 12:17 PM
but…but…but….Barry was a community organizer…and…and….he’s half black….and….and….he was searching for himself……and…and….Harvard….and and and……housing projects, gazeebos, Tony Rezko, Rev Wright…William Ayers…..WHAAAAAAAA!!!!!….(gasp sob!*)…..WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
FiveWays on September 11, 2008 at 12:21 PM
I wouldn’t doubt that the beating he took, manifested itself through the years.
Injuries I had 20 years ago, are becoming arthritic now. Your body is resilient to a point…
right2bright on September 11, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Just think, 2 months later Weather Underground bombed the 103rd police precinct in New York.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 11, 2008 at 12:22 PM
The only picture I have of my dad in “his” German stalag was taken by the Swedish Red Cross. He also says that the Swedes were very helpful in enabling correspondance with their families.
Moxie on September 11, 2008 at 12:22 PM
McCain vs. Obama = Hero vs. Zero – Coyote
Ha! Best campain slogan EVAH!
Tony737 on September 11, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Was that Karl Rove behind him???
right2bright on September 11, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I watched it again after reading some comments just to watch the faces. That, to me, makes this video absolutely authentic. They were uniformly stoic, apprehensive, disbelieving and resigned.
HawaiiLwyr on September 11, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Sorry, you must be thinking of Kerry.
AverageJoe on September 11, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Yawn. Waaay overplayed. Hey, Juan let’s talk about your conservative history in the Senate. It’ll be a real short conversation. Better yet, let’s see those Communist Vietnamese normalization photos of you, Jon Kerry and Clinton again or the video of you throwing your weight around against MIA families in order to carry Clinton’s water and close the deal.
In the meantime…were you aware that McCain was a POW? Who knew?
Fletch54 on September 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
That would be awesome to see a comparative timeline of McCain and Obama running parallel from birth to now, listing their accomplishments by date. And of course to include events such as that.
wise_man on September 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Note how skeptical the “news” story is: “purportedly” showing, etc. Yeah, it was just manufactured footage to get your votes!!
Of course, Baracky gets a free pass.
One of us, one of us…
PattyJ on September 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
…. and for he scum of the earth’s take on this:
wise_man on September 11, 2008 at 12:27 PM
When it rains, it pours…
Not the best couple of weeks for Obama.
Theworldisnotenough on September 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
That post was a joke right? No body is that stupid…unless you are supporting Ron Paul…
right2bright on September 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Thanks Sir.
carbon_footprint on September 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
I know McCain went grey at a young age (it’s been happening to me since age 16), but something I noticed in the faces of those men – they’ve aged in their faces too. Every single one of them looks like they’ve had years taken off of their lives, and that they’ve weathered a thousand storms. And I’ll bet it took every last ounce of reserved energy and willpower to walk and act like nothing was wrong.
Also, McCain was a very handsome man, and still is today. Reminds me of my grandfather – a good thing.
Anna on September 11, 2008 at 12:29 PM
YAWNS!!!!!
Another Keyboard Commando wannabe, playing with GI Joe figures.
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 12:30 PM
B. HUSSEIN to senior advisers: “I thought we had the EURO TRASH in our back pocket, how could something like this possibly show up from our EURO TRASH sources”??? “What do you mean, not ALL EURO TRASH are in the BAG for me”??? OOOHHH, to be a FLY on the WALL…
pueblo1032 on September 11, 2008 at 12:31 PM
I agree, McCain was a handsome man. Weathered or not.
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Hadn’t noticed you much before, but you certainly are running from thread to thread crapping on McCain this morning, aren’t you?
a capella on September 11, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Hereditary in my family; most of us start with jet black hair. One of my sisters started graying in HS. I started in my 20’s. Still have a full head of hair, but a lot of gray now in my 40s. My father had white hair in his mid 30s.
JammieWearingFool on September 11, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Yep, same type here except most of us have dark brown or blonde hair. I have light(ish) brown/red hair, but the platinium streaks are pretty much all over.
My Dad was totally grey (but it was actually the most beautiful silvery white) by the time he was 39. Had all of his hair though!
upinak on September 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Guys, I REALLY want a copy of this video for my archives. This man deserves to NEVER be forgotten – whether he becomes our next President or not.
Does anyone know how I could download a copy of this video – any format that is playable is fine – Ipod would be the best in my case, but I’ll take whatever I can get.
Thank you for any help in advance.
KMC1 on September 11, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I was looking for more photos and video. Caught the CNN profile on McCain on youtube. They showed a blurry photo before his capture that seemed to show his hair peppered with grey. I know that sometimes people go white after traumatic experiences, in addition to hereditary.
If you look for the CNN video on youtube, at the end of the 7 minutes, they show McCain walking(limping) from another camera angle. And when he smiles, you can see his chipped front tooth. Not sure if maybe that film was taken there or in the Philippines. The next segment (I recall from watching the whole program on CNN) talked to his former phsical therapist. She described how his leg was locked straight, and she had to work with him almost every day for 6 months to help make it possible for him to bend his knee.
This was to recover, but more importantly because McCain wanted to return to duty, and regain his flight status.
wise_man on September 11, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I guess I’m lucky enough that my grey looks like blonde highlights (I’m auburn naturally, I think…) – but I’ve been dying it for years. I’ve not been able to afford it lately, though, and I have this bright grey hair that sticks straight out of my part.
My grandfather was bald by 18, so I guess grey hair is better than none at all.
Anna on September 11, 2008 at 12:40 PM
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