Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Persona Non Grata

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist

As Senator John McCain prepares to meet his Maker, he seems to be getting some things off of his chest.  Johnny Mac is apparently lamenting in a new book that he wishes he had not chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate back in 2008, and had gone with one-time Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Lieberman instead.  Lieberman, who slowly morphed into a total Republican before he finally left his cobwebbed perch in the Senate, would have, one supposes, not been the complete distraction that Palin and her colorful family circus turned out to be for the McCain campaign.

But Sarah Palin was not the only burr under McCain's well worn horse blanket.  He is also managing to get the word out about his contempt for Donald Trump.  In particular, the crusty old Arizona senator is unhappy with Trump's demonizing of immigrants.   And he thinks that The Donald's continued braying about "fake news" is a blatant attempt to control reporters that is cast in the mode historically used by dictators and those whose power rests with the control of the press.

Johnny Mac is so offended by Trump, in fact, that he has put out the word that he does not want the golfer-in-chief to attend his funeral.   Presidential oratory will be welcome from George W. Bush (the man whose campaign once accused McCain of fathering an illegitimate black child) and Barack Obama (the man who defeated McCain in the election for President in 2008) - but Donald John Trump need not apply.  Trump is officially persona non grata at the upcoming McCain funeral - at the specific request of the corpse.

McCain has suggested that Mike Pence be sent to represent the current administration, and, one must suppose, Trump could possibly send Melania as well.    Melania attended the recent funeral for Barbara Bush, another solemn affair to which Donald Trump was also not invited.  While there, she seemed to be right at home in the company of real United States Presidents and their wives.

And while we are crafting a list of events to which Donald Trump is not welcome, let's not forget the royal wedding later this month in Great Britain.    Prince Harry, a close friend of the Obamas, invited them, but refused his government's urging to invite Trump.  The latest word is that the Obamas won't be attending either, but they, at least, were welcome at Harry and Meghan's big day - and Trump wasn't.

What a strange world we are experiencing.  It used to be that people were eager to rub elbows with the President of the United States, but today that luster seems to have turned to tarnish.  Once the presidency was symbolic of American greatness, but today it is little more than the tawdry dregs of a television reality show.

John McCain, ever the maverick, is marching into the sunset unbent - and he is right.  I wouldn't want Trump at my funeral either.

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