An open letter to Senator John McCain

[Vernon Windsor]

Dear Senator McCain,

We need to talk. Why the unwarranted attack on Susan Rice, our UN ambassador? You have served in the US Senate long enough to know how the CIA handles matters of national security. I know, too, that you have been involved with investigations about the FBI. You were even a subject of one, if I recall. Yet, by threatening to block the yet-to-be-made appointment of Rice to be Secretary of State, you embody the very dysfunction and lack of statesmanship that has plagued both houses of congress in recent years.

Susan Rice is a fine example of what all public servants and citizens should aspire to be. She is accomplished, professional, intelligent, devoted and capable. She has served our nation in several capacities and always in ways that would make any American proud. Dr. Rice, a Rhodes Scholar, has not sought public recognition, nor the accolades the government has rightly showered upon her. She has simply, quietly and professionally done her job. Then there is you.

What you and Lindsey Graham have done in trying to sully Ambassador Rice's character over the tragic events in Benghazi, is beyond disgusting. Even worse, both of you, given your combined years in the Senate, should know better. You complained in front of any camera you could find that the Obama administration had not provided enough details on Benghazi, while missing expert testimony on that very subject by the people best in a position to know. You are showing the same erratic and irascible temperament that lost you that presidency in 2008. You talked about putting country first (That was your presidential campaign slogan, wasn't it?), and then select Sarah Palin, by any objective measure, a woman,completely unqualified to be vice-president, as your running mate. You were also the guy joking about bombing Iran, weren't you? There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God you are not the president of our country. 

That said, you do have moments of grace, like when you stood up to the woman wanting to characterize Barack Obama as an Arab and untrustworthy at a campaign town hall. Your concession speech, too, was honorable and gracious. These honorable moments are fewer and farther between these days, and now you have a well deserved reputation of being a crank. I noticed too that you didn't have much to say after General Patreaus provided anticipated testimony to congress. Where did all that bluster and grandstanding go when you appeared before the microphones after the General's testimony Senator? That shut you up, didn't it?

Senator, you are a hot mess. It's time for you to either clean up your act, or find another line of work where you will embarrass neither your country or yourself. A place where you won't put our allies and our operatives in danger, and where even when you can't seem to recognize greatness in another person, they can be promoted and/or evaluated without constant fear of political denigration. At the very least, trying thinking a bit before you speak.

Sincerely,

Vernon Windsor

[Vernon Windsor]

You are free to comment on my post, because I allow public comments. It certainly meant something to me that no other Republican would have questioned the woman, and given the recent election results, I gather it meant something to others as well. I understand very well what Powell said, and I agree with him too. So who is it that is missing the point here? You are not the only person I've rubbed the wrong way, but I have to tell you if it is a discussion you want, you may want to alter your approach a bit. I'm sure you won't take my advice, but you may figure it out for yourself. Whether or not you agree with, or even like me, is not the issue. We both can speak freely. I value that freedom. It is the reason I give you the last word. I'm sure you want it.

[EastSider]

Interesting. I did not state what my party is. But, you repeatedly misquote. The first time: "You equated the two statements because of their proximity", when it was a Powell quote. The second time: "own party" is another quote from Powell, as I clearly did not state my partisan choice.

 

What's really funny though is how you say that I'm quibbling over word usage, when you're all hot and bothered over my choice of words. One thing for sure, I have no interest in having you drag me down the personal attacks route by expressing your sincere doubts that I am the final arbiter of "grace", although it does seem from your objections to a differing opinion, that you feel that you are.

 

I posted Colin Powell's words, to explain, not in my own words, how that response from McCain pushed him over the edge. Yes, I agree with what Powell said, but in your rush to quibble over words, you still don't get the gist of what Powell said (and I certainly agree with him).

 

Stating that no other Republican would have questioned the woman means absolutely nothing. It's all about the actual response, and McCain's response is the very thing that pushed Powell over the edge. At the time, it convinced me McCain does not understand the first thing about our meting pot, war hero status and all.

 

Finally, unless you can show me that this a platform for your pontification, this IS a public forum, so I'm free to comment, but given your reactions so far (attempts to belittle and misquote), I wish you all the luck. You won't get any comments from me in the future. In my experience, it's best to have an open discussion with people who are interested in a dialog, and not in simply stating their opinion.

[Vernon Windsor]

You stated your opinion that "There was nothing graceful about McCain's response to the woman." I read your comment correctly. You also said that you would repeat what Colin Powell said. Unless you are randomly parroting what various people say for the pleasure of doing so, it is reasonable to assume that you share his opinion. Fine. It's good to have an opinion. Oddly enough, I have one too. Indeed, my entire post is dedicated to expressing my opinion. There is nothing wrong with being an Arab or a Muslim, nor did I infer, cunclude, surmise, or presume there is. You seem to object to the phrase "moments of grace." You are welcome to do so, but those are my words and my sentiments. I would further express sincere doubts that you are the final arbiter of "grace." May I suggest that you take your argument up with the members of your own party you reference in your last comment or, alternatively, write a post of your own about how quibbles over word usage are so much more important than content and original thought in opinion posts. I'd read it.

[EastSider]

If you read what I posted, you will see that I was not offering my own opinion, I was stating what <u><b>Colin Powell</b></u> said on "Meet the Press" when he was explaining why he was endorsing Obama and not McCain for the Presidency. Clear enough now? The exact Powell quote (commenting on the incident with the woman in question):

"Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian," he said. "But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, 'He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists.' This is not the way we should be doing it in America."

[Vernon Windsor]

No other Republican would have even questioned the woman's comment. Barack Obama is not an Arab. Barack Obama is a good man. You equated the two statements because of their proximity. Unclear? Perhaps. Admirable? It is in my book.

[EastSider]

"That said, you do have moments of grace, like when you stood up to the woman wanting to characterize Barack Obama as an Arab and untrustworthy at a campaign town hall."

 

There was nothing graceful about McCain's response to the woman. I will repeat what Colin Powell said, as he was announcing why he was endorsing Obama: Senator, instead of responding with "No Ma'am, he's a good man", as if being an Arab or a Muslim a bad thing, you should have said: so what?

[EddieDingo]

I hope you stamped and mailed this!

[darroll]

What did Mccain say?