A TRUE AMERICAN HERO: JOHN McCAIN
Thoughts from Editors Lydia Bogar & Sue Wurster
You don’t have to be a member of the Grand Old Party to care about Senator John McCain. Certainly, we East Coast Liberals do not tend to be among his constituents or his friends, and yet, we are saddened and fearful whenever a notable member of our generation is given a cancer diagnosis.
Senator McCain returned to Congress on Monday, bruised from surgery for glioblastoma, one of the most malignant of brain tumors. This past week, hundreds of Americans were united in their response to a New York Times Op-Ed piece by Jessica Morris who has lived with glioblastoma for the past 18 months. While hiking in upstate New York, she had a seizure. Within days, she went through surgery and was given that dreadful diagnosis. She hopes that reasons for optimism come to fruition—not only for herself but also for Senator McCain, and in memory of both Ted Kennedy and Beau Biden. Her inspiring blog can be accessed by going to: https://jessicamorrisnyc.wordpress.com/about/
When Senator McCain returned to the floor in Washington this week, he generally spoke clearly, with little hesitation. Yes, at first, he voted the party line on the vote to open debate on the Republicans’ health care bill, but he also drew a line in the sand, “Let’s trust each other,” he said. “We’re getting nothing done, my friends.” He voted to extend the conversation. Then, when it came to the most crucial vote on the “skinny repeal,” he put party politics aside and voted his conscience–for the American people.
So we want to thank this real American hero for all of his service to our country–in the military, in war, and in the halls of government. We want, in fact, to see him continue to serve–as the conscience of his party, the party of Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps the party will continue to unravel before our eyes—but that just might make it possible for the real conversations to begin.
Thank you, John McCain. Here’s hoping you will continue to kick butt–on both sides of the aisle–as we all move forward!
Well said. I went to his website and thanked him.
This is a great tribute to John McCain but there are other unsung heroes . Maizie Hirono, senator from Hawaii is dealing with Stage 4 bladder cancer and has there right along to vote. She’s probably not a household name but someone we should also honor and applaud.
Lydia,
You have written what no doubt many of us feel as well.
John McCain is a man to be admired because he actually does his job and works for the people of his state and the country.