A Profile in Courage

I've been a bit surprised by the way I have welled up each time I have heard a report on the radio or television about the passing of Senator John McCain.  Frankly, I have often--perhaps more often than not--disagreed with his positions on a wide variety of issues.  He has often been in favor of things I oppose.  So why the sadness?  Why the sense of real loss?

Perhaps some of it has to do with the recognition that in John McCain we had an honest politician.  Someone who was willing to speak the truth as he understood it.  Someone who didn't tailor his message for his audience in order to win votes or gather funds for his next campaign, but rather someone who was willing to take a stand on what he felt was important.

Or, maybe, it has to do with the fact that he was willing to compromise, willing to cross the aisle, so to speak, and work for a solution to the problems facing our nation.  Increasingly, this in and of itself, is a rare quality.  Yet one that is so vital to our being able to address the issues that are boxing us in and tearing us up as a nation.

I think the tears may have something to do with the fact that John McCain had what best be called courage.  Political courage and personal courage.  He courageously endured imprisonment in Vietnam, he courageously took risks to bring about change, he courageously faced his cancer.  Were Kennedy writing today, he would undoubtedly include John McCain in Profiles in Courage.

Senator McCain wrote a farewell letter to America--one well worth your time.  In it he offered this observation.  "We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all corners of the globe.  We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of oru ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. . . . If only we . . . give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times."

In my business, that is sometimes called a "charge" or a "commission"--and sometimes it is called a "benediction."  But whatever you call it, it is a blessing.  As was John McCain.

(You can read the full letter by following this link: time.com/5379383/john-mccain-letter/)