The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Paris

[Good Will Riker]

John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Paris:

Both scions of a long line of prestigious admirals (father, grandfather, etc.).

Both crashed their ships that killed the lives of officers that they served with (McCain's 4 naval plane crashes, Paris's shuttle accident.).

McCain was incarcerated as a POW in a Vietnamese prison camp for 5.5 years. Paris was incarcerated in "Caretaker," "The Chute," and "Thirty Days."

Both redeemed themselves, and found their calling in life. McCain became a member of the House of Representatives and a United States senator. Paris broke the Warp 10 threshold and piloted USS Voyager to a safe return to Earth during its 7 year odyssey in the farthest, unexplored regions of space.

Both have a reputation of chasing skirts and being "a womanizer."

Both are devoted family men.

McCain is a "maverick," and Paris is "rebellious."


"John McCain" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain

"Tom Paris" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Paris

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

How did McCain "redeem" himself? I'd say being a POW and suffering for years so as not to give away government secrets is not something that someone needs to "redeem" themselves for....

 

[jgdst]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

How did McCain "redeem" himself? I'd say being a POW and suffering for years so as not to give away government secrets is not something that someone needs to "redeem" themselves for....

Agreed. Also, I'm not sure comparing a fictional helmsmen to a prolific politician is really that valid. There's not that much in common between them except sharing time in prison - one as a political prisoner and one as a criminal (for falsifying records of a fatal shuttle crash no less!). So even that's not really similar

Hmm... plus I don't think Tom Paris is as... controversial, shall we say? as John McCain. The whole ethos of Tom's character is that he feels inferior to his father, undeserving of his chance in life (first his Starfleet career, then Janeway giving him a senior position on Voyager), and he manages to pull himself up, find some direction and turn his whole life around, finding a silver lining in being lost in the Delta Quadrant.

I'm not sure John McCain has quite had to do the same in that respect. I could be wrong, I'm not as familiar with him as I am Paris

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

John McCain conceded to President-elect Barack Obama tonight.

A new era begins.

 

[LeadHead]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

I don't realy see the Parallels between them being very strong. Tom Paris is one of my favorite characters, but between him and McCain? Nah.

McCain fought in a war, was captured and tortured, leaving him eventually unable to lift his arms. Tom made a tragic mistake that cost the lives of fellow officers, confessed to it, was discharged, joined a renegade group, got caught and sent to a Starfleet penal colony.

McCain's future was in politics where he became a prominent senator and eventually nearly the Commander in Chief. Tom was granted early release, got lost in the Delat Quadrant and became the Helmsmen of the USS Voyager.

Like I say, not seeing it.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

John McCain conceded to President-elect Barack Obama tonight.

A new era begins.

I can feel my taxes rising already.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

I can feel my taxes rising already.

Why, do you personally make over $200,000 annually?

 

[Sci]

Re: The parallels between John Sydney McCain III and Thomas Eugene Par

How did McCain "redeem" himself? I'd say being a POW and suffering for years so as not to give away government secrets is not something that someone needs to "redeem" themselves for....

No, being being an irresponsible pilot who crashes four planes is.