Code of Conduct

McCain relied a lot on the  Military Code of Conduct during his years as a POW. What is the value of a code of conduct? McCain confesses in the book that he succumbed after 10 months of incarceration to the demands of his captors to confess his “crimes.” Which fact, do you think, plays a larger role in his attitude toward others in the prison camps who collaborated more extensively and/or were able to be released because of their role?

McCain’s personality

McCain by his account resisted authority on all fronts as a child, as a teenager and while at the Naval Academy. To what extent did his  personality play a role in his years as a POW–and today as he considers the war in Iraq?

Books

This is to let you know that both the book store on campus and Square Books has copies of the two books. Look for the displays.

Kathleen Wickham

Welcome

Welcome to “It takes a book to know a candidate.” This is an online book club open to anyone who would like to read and discuss the selected books. You do not have to be a member of SPJ to participate. We selected the autobiographies of the two candidates because they were written before they were in the race for president. Our thought was that we could get to know them before the spin factor went into play. We are starting with John McCain’s book, “Faith of My Fathers” in June, followed by Barack Obama’s book, “Dreams from My Father” in July. August we’ll do a little compare and contrast. So if you don’t join us in June there will still be a place for your participation at any time through the summer. In September we plan to host a reception for all local participants on campus. The date is 7 p.m., Sept. 17. More about that later. For now: reading begins!

Kathleen Wickham

SPJ chapter adviser