John McCain may have bravely served his country, but he could also at times be a small, vindictive man. That vindictiveness was continued by his family and “friends” at his funeral. Did he, do these people, realize how he is just being used?
In her excellent essay about the changing winds of love and hate by the Democrats towards McCain (https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/mccain-was-darling-of-democrats-until-he-ran-for-president/), Debra J. Saunders notes that “Democrats love Republicans who attack Republicans, just like the press love Republicans who attack Republicans.” She further reminds us that when McCain ran for president, the words of the Democrats about him were far different than those we heard at his funeral.
Back in 2008, the Democrats “couldn’t stand the guy” as they accused McCain of such things as not having “the temperament to be commander in chief” and of being “reckless” and “dangerous.” They warned us that he was a “modern day George Wallace.” Obama and Biden attacked McCain for his positions on tax policy, the war in Iraq, healthcare, terrorism, the minimum wage, Russia, and many others. They attacked his character. While paying tribute to his military service, they said that did not qualify him for office. Candidate Obama said that McCain would “endanger us.” In an August 2008 campaign speech, Obama questioned McCain’s judgement and said he was out of touch with the American people. Campaign ads implied McCain was anti-Hispanic. To be fair, the 2008 campaign was ugly on both sides, but there certainly was no love lost between the Democrats and McCain.
Flash forward to the campaign animosity of McCain towards Donald Trump. McCain was able to use both his voice and his vote as senator to play a game of payback to the President. That, of course, made him the darling of the Democrats. This man, who was previously so disliked and demeaned, so unqualified to hold office or speak for the American people, now became the friend of all those Democrats. Apparently there is truth to the phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” So, the Democrats now embraced McCain and used him to further their own attack on the President.
And, sickeningly, this overshadowed the funeral of a man who did indeed serve his country and who should have been remembered for his entire life and not simply for the part he played in the Democrats’ anti-Trump campaign. Yes, that was a part of his life, but it was so much more. That his funeral should be co-opted into an anti-Trump event cheapens the depth and breadth of McCain’s life.
It also cheapens the Democrats and reveals them for what they are: hypocrites who will use any person and any event to further their own agenda. Regardless of their proclamations at his funeral, I don’t believe they gave a damn about McCain. I don’t believe they were his “friends.” Rather, I think they are just selfish people who will use anything and anyone to further their own interests.
Now, I happen to think that McCain tarnished himself somewhat when he gave in to that very human characteristic of vindictiveness in response to his dislike of Trump. He had other failings along with successes throughout his life, all of which simply made him human. And, he also served his country and gave a significant part of his life in service to us all. That is a greatness that few can claim. In the end he was a human being, to be honored upon his death for the entire life that he lived.
But the crocodile tears and phony proclamations of friendship at his funeral were nothing more than insulting to a man who so often argued for ethics and truth. Perhaps this was what he wanted: his own funeral requests before his death made a point to give his final slight, his final paybacks, to Donald Trump. Perhaps that was his OK for this show of hypocrisy at his funeral. I don’t pretend to know what might have gone on in his mind, and if this was the send-off he wanted, then so be it.
What I cannot abide is the ease with which so many can stand up and spew such false words and I cannot abide the ease with which so many are willing to accept the falsities. The hypocrisy is deafening. And yet no one seems to hear. As Saunders notes in her article, the Democrats are using McCain “as a cudgel.” That cudgel is just one more weapon in their never-ending attack on President Trump. It is certainly not reflective of any sort of honesty or true friendship. When one can so eloquently take such contradictory positions simply to serve their own purposes how can anyone trust or respect anything that person says?
It is sad that the funeral for John McCain became weaponized for use in the anti-Trump campaign. I don’t know if that was McCain’s intent in his final wishes. I don’t understand why his family and true friends would allow it. I don’t know why the media would focus on that aspect of the services. And, I don’t understand why the supporters of those who participated in that weaponization are silent and continue to accept such blatant dishonesty and hypocrisy. Sadly, it is just another reflection of the hatefulness, dishonesty, and hypocrisy that seems to be defining the character of our times and the agenda of those who seek only to regain their own power.
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