Akkam’s Razor

Cryptome has scanned images and transcriptions from various sources referring to John McCain from the CIA’s reading room. It really tells an interesting tale, one that may not be about John McCain the Presidential candidate or Senator, but rather John McCain, the hopes of what could have been and his own vision of what he was.

On why he flew 50 times more hours to qualify as a jet fighter pilot:

McCain: When I finished [the US and Spanish Naval Academies] I had two choices: to be naval officer or a pilot…I chose to be pilot. I had to study another year and a half and I graduated in 1958. I trained intensively. I flew many hours in training to become a jet pilot.”

Interviewer: Many?

McCain: Yes, 4,000. They really only demand 200 but I flew 4,000 hours.”

Interviewer: ? [as published]

McCain: I wanted to become a test pilot. It is fascinating to test the new models.”

Interviewer: At any rate the difference between 200 and 4,000 appears to be great.

McCain: Well, look, it was because I wanted to be a astronaut. That is why I also engaged in a great deal of sports; boxing, wrestling, swimming, camping, and so forth.”

Interviewer: And what happened?

McCain: “I had to come to Vietnam.”

Regarding his faith (and hopes for the future):

Interviewer: What is your religion?

McCain: “I am a Protestant.”

Interviewer: Being in captivity, has your faith increased? Do you have hopes for the future?

McCain: “My beliefs have always been more or less of the same intensity. As long as the war lasts I do not have much hope for the future.”

McCain has been very circumspect and controlling in the release of his medical records, and will not release his psychological assessment in light of his time as a Prisoner of War. Even if ignoring concerns about his age, questions of his ability to serve based on his medical history post-capture are certainly fair.

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