Why do Republicans call McCain a hero when he betrayed America to save his leg?

[JAGUAR]

Hey. I'm an American. That makes me a hero. What you don't agree? You hate America!

HERO IS SUPPOSED TO MEAN SOMETHING!

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When McCain ejected from his plane he seriously injured his legs and arm. On the FOURTH DAY, McCain afraid that he was going to lose his leg told the Vietcong that he would give them military information.

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IN HIS OWN WORDS
I think it was on the fourth day that two guards came in, instead of one. One of them pulled back the blanket to show the other guard my injury. I looked at my knee. It was about the size, shape and color of a football... When I saw it, I said to the guard, "O.K., get the officer." I said, "O.K., I'll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital."

He left and came back with a doctor, a guy that we called "Zorba," who was completely incompetent. He squatted down, took my pulse. He did not speak English, but shook his head and jabbered to "The Bug." I asked, "Are you going to take me to the hospital?" "The Bug" replied, "It's too late." I said, "If you take me to the hospital, I'll get well."... Sometime later, "The Bug" came rushing into the room, shouting, "Your father is a big admiral; now we take you to the hospital."
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2008/01/28/john-mccain-prisoner-of-war-a-first-person-account.html?PageNr=2
Wilma,

I'll spell it out for you. Republicans, like plenty of other people, have watered down the meaning of what a hero really is. It's somebody who goes over and above their line of duty. Say a person jumping into a stranger's burning house to save a life.

It's not being born an American. It's not being shot down by the enemy and then betraying America to save your leg (like McCain did).

The word hero should only be used in special cases, becase if it is not, then it loses its meaning.