General Powell and John McCain

I saw Colin Powell on Meet the Press last week. He hasn't changed much - still smiling, calm and a Republican. It hurt to see him have to defend himself as being "still a Republican," adding that he thought there was room for many viewpoints in the GOP. His thoughts were very much on point in this week when the Tea Party seems to have swept to a pre-eminent position in the Grand Old Party. He asked why we are trying to paint President Obama as a Muslim or a non-American when he is clearly a US citizen and a Christian. He said we ought to be attacking Obama's policies and actions, not confusing the issue with non-facts to try to damage his standing with Americans - one is tempted to add, "even more than it already has been damaged by the President himself."
And, then, there was John McCain, a loyal Republican and patriot to the end, looking a little exasperated as he stood in the pit of the Senate debating the question of homosexuals in the armed forces. His position seemed so reasonable : let Secretary Gates and the Defense Department finish their report on the question before beginning the debate or changing the law.
Two Republicans, two personal histories, two loads to carry. But both of them defending Republican ideals of measured government and civil debate instead of name-calling and a rush to act for action's sake.
I hope Americans, and especially those who are our candidates in this election season, will follow Colin Powell's and John McCain's example. We can win, but it would be a shining example if we win with our heads held high and our ideals intact.
Several days later, I watched an episode of The Tudors - the one in which Thomas More is beheaded for not agreeing to what he saw as the illegal seizure of power by Henry VIII in divorcing Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, a course which required that he form a new church dedicated to his will alone. Just before he died, Thomas More said, "I am the King's good servant, but God's servant first." Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers and he could not have given us a better motto to follow.
My dearly beloved GOP, please take note.