Here is a link to a 1999 Phoenix New Times article about John McCain's Vietnam imprisonment.
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1999-03-25/news/is-john-mccain-a-war-hero/1
My tendancy is to take Jack's article at face value, however, the above referenced article causes me to tend toward neutrality on the issue of collaboration. Like other things, the death of a child or growing up black, only a prick thinks he really understands either. A non-participant can only imagine that he understands. The same with having lived the life of a prisoner of war.
Having said that, what does having been a prisoner of war and a war hero have to do with qualifying one to be president of the United States? Absolutely nothing.
If we want to talk about war heroes who ascended to the presidency - Washington, Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower - none of them were captured warriors. They were all victorious warriors. Does anyone think that John McCain could or should be compared to any of the above?
My real concern about John McCain is that he is simply lukewarm. He has no passion for the traditional, only for his place amongst the popular culture.
As to whether or not John McCain is or is not a patriot, I will defer to George Washington's definition of such in his farewell adress - "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness."
It is not my belief that religion and morality are of much interest to John McCain, and upon that alone will I discern the patriotism of John McCain or anyone else.