the dark side of john mccain (a truly loathsome human being)

[Atticus]

64. If I survive a few more months, I'll begin my 70th year on this planet.

I am at the age where the awareness of my mortality is a constant factor in how I view my world and it's inhabitants. It is an attitude that is not easy to explain to those much younger and unnecessary to explain to those who remember when Ike beat Adlai.

I did not like much that John McCain advocated, but I did respect his passion, his courage and, on most days, his bedrock decency. That he was not always kind, not always generous and not always right makes him a human, not a monster.

And,so, at my age, I try to consider how I would react to this news about Mr. McCain if I were similarly situated, i.e., knowingly facing eminent death. Being a very flawed person, I'm not always successful, but today I am. I will be generous and tolerant and forgiving and say simply that I hope his passage is easy and painless and that he has time to leave no "I love you" unsaid.

When my time comes, I hope some will wish the same for me.