It is really sad to see the way the media treats John McCain in this election. He is criticized for appearing "stiff," and his age is questioned as though he was standing on his last leg. For those who have such perceptions, perhaps clarification is necessary. First, many do not realize that when he spent some 51/2 years in a prison camp, his two arms and one leg were broken during torture treatment, and he was also bayoneted. This obviously has left some permanent scars which prevent him from having the straight and tall stance of his competitor.

As to his age, in the U.S. Senate alone there are five members who are 72, (McCain, Bob Dole, Barbara Mikulski, George Voinovich and Pat Roberts). Two are 73 (James Inhofe and Herb Kohl). Four are 74 (Carl Levin, Richard Shelby, Orrin Hatch and Robert Bennett). Two are 75 (Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein). Four are 76 (Peter Domenici, Richard Lugar, Ted Kennedy and Jim Bunning). Arlen Specter is 78. John Warner is 81. There are four who are 84 (Daniel Akaka, Daniel Inouye, Frank Lautenberg and Ted Stevens); and Sen. Robert Byrd is 90. (Source — Wikipedia.org). Undoubtedly you would find similar results in checking the House of Representatives.

Sen. McCain is extremely well versed in world affairs and is not afraid to challenge the "good old boys" in Washington. His qualifications for the role of president far outweigh those of his opponent. The real tragedy in this election is that we have a man who put his life on the line so that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama could have the same opportunity as he does to run for president of the United States, and he is treated with such disdain.

Phyllis Kirch

Dexter