Sen. McCain, in legacy and lesson

The passing of Sen. John McCain — the ultimate patriot — brings to mind the many purposes for which patriotism is used and misused. And recently in these most polarized of times there has been a lot on that menu.

Patriotism, done politically

The blatant of use of patriotism for divisive ends by President Trump, the obvious submission of the NFL, and the players frustration about not being able to protest on social issues would seem a dilemma in desperate need of a well conceived thought out resolution.

But said solution may already exist, due to what might be best described as a happy spontaneous accident or coincidence, take your choice. And it took place last fall on a football field.

Here’s what happened; on Oct. 28, 2017, at the Yale vs. Columbia football game at Yale bowl during the national anthem, some players black and white, took a knee, and others stood.

Then, late in the first quarter, all veterans past and present were asked to stand and be honored. As we did, so did the players on both sides and, to a man, they stood and applauded enthusiastically. So fittingly, they first exercised their rights under our beloved Constitution and then supported and showed respect for those who have defended and do defend it.

This could just be a plan, it just requires flexibility, respect, and yes, Mr. Trump … a little bit of tolerance, as opposed to an agenda.

A patriotic prenup

The news has broken that David Pecker of the National Enquirer, a longtime Trump associate who killed the story about his affair with Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal, has been granted full immunity in the Cohen case. We must assume the government does not give such protective status lightly.

Here’s what those Americans who overlooked Mr. Trump’s character and voted for him because of his “cultural” stances have to understand. And that is — as so many pundits on the left and center have noted, and hopefully down the road more on the right will note — is that they are indeed “married to the mob”. But there’s hope because they have a prenup, and it’s called the midterms. And it may be their last best chance for this nation saving divorce.

In memory of the truest of patriots

No person of good will, who loves and respects this country, be they Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, can fail to appreciate what a special unique American we had in Sen. John McCain.

He was a thorny conscience to people on both sides of the aisle, and he called it as he saw it. Maybe nothing spoke more clearly to the difference between his character and that of our current president (with whom he has been so frequently at odds), than when as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and his father was the Admiral running the whole operation, he adamantly refused any special favors.

Alas, we are currently led by a man who is the embodiment of special favors. And most ironic of all, Commander McCain was called “a loser” (for being captured in war) by a man who had so many dubious draft deferments on his own military non-record.

And saddest of all, we no longer have the voice of Sen. John McCain when we need it the most.