August 27, 2018 10:21 AM
John McCain: The Man in the Arena
John McCain stood up for what he thought was right no matter the consequences. It takes strength to battle with political opponents but real courage to tell a friend or usual ally that they are wrong. We don’t see that enough in our public servants but John McCain exemplified Theodore Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena as well as any person I have known in my lifetime.
So Rest In Peace, Senator, and may the Peace of Lord be with your family and friends — and the nation you served so well in times of war and peace — during this time of mourning and remembrance.
About Author
Edward
Edward Lindsey served in the Georgia House for a decade and as House Majority Whip for three terms. He currently practices law in Atlanta.
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Charlie beat you temporally, but these too are fitting words.
I greatly appreciate McCain’s lines about the dangers of confused patriotism. “Blood and soil” is pretty damn explicit. You might even call it straight talk. I’m grateful again, Senator.
Were the democrats saying these nice things about McCain when he was running against Obama?
I don’t remember that but could be wrong. Seems like he was a hateful racist…like everyone else at election time. John Lewis sure skewered him. But that is what John Lewis says about everyone that is not a democrat.
He did live a full like and was a patriot.
Can you be positive one day out of the year? Apparently not.
Andrew I am about to hurt myself laughing at you this morning.
Here I was minding my own business, reading the sports page, thankful to be alive in the freest country on earth and enjoying the baby Braves fine season…
I figured I would tune in to the Georgia Pol for the latest liberal hatefest for my daily laugh! Lo and behold….you hit it out of the park! There you are…right on cue! Fire a blazin’!
So now you are the self proclaimed Mr. Superiority ! I think that is the PERFECT name for you. Self given and not from us. Earned, not given, unlike most snowflake trophies.
None of us, neither lib nor conservative or in between, are worthy to breathe in the presence of your greatness!
Take a chill pill, go to the anger management sessions and get back to us okay!
Folks, I have been here a pretty short time, how on earth do you guys put up with such a snotty, arrogant dbag, day after day? He is giving the lib side a black eye if you ask me.
Conservatives don’t want him. We already know the intolerance is absurdly one sided in this country and he and Matt are living proof!
Okay, Mr. Superiority, tell us all again how the radical socialist agenda will lead us to the liberal promised land?! I bet it takes a detour to Venezuela and Cuba.
I think Hillary had a similar superiority complex and didn’t even bother to campaign is many states. Is this Superiority complex helping the average Joe improve his life? You and Hillary make a beautiful couple! Wonder what your kids will look like….Awwwweee Nawwwww….I just can’t do it!
Maybe, just maybe that attitude helped the Trumpster. Keep it up little buddy.
A couple of things:
1) People change, or reveal difference characteristics, in different times and circumstances. I.e., a candidate in the middle of an election cycle may take different stands, and may make certain remarks, that are peculiar to that circumstance. The positions may be justified or not, or later regretted, or not. As the Teddy Roosevelt quote testifies- no effort is without shortcoming, and we shouldn’t expect perfection or 100% consistency or anything unchanging at all. So, try just rolling with the changing times or something.
2) Even the most bitter adversaries in the arena can hold the highest of respects for their adversaries. In fact, it may be that adversaries are prone to such respect. It’s hard to comprehend for some folks– and may require separating the personal from the professional – but the best of politicians, lawyers, athletes, etc.– at both the beginning and end of their contests- show their competitors respect, and often it is respect based upon the idea that no one would enter that arena unless truly motivated for cause, or respect for skills generally. So, to follow the analogy, just because folks fight for different causes within the arena doesn’t mean they lack respect for each other, or are necessarily lifelong enemies.
Thanks for the post Mr. Lindsey.
An inspiring closing remark. Arguably among the most inspiring of the century.
McCain was a little more inspiring that Andrew this morning. RIP.