McGovern's life one to celebrate far greater than Nixon's
Many hearing the news of 1972 presidential contender George Mcgovern's death today will say: "Who's that"? or "Was he still alive"?
I'm not among them because McGovern has been one of my progressive heroes since his quixotic presidential run on a peace in Vietnam platform against the truly flawed incumbent, Richard Nixon. The President was re-elected by the biggest landslide in US history, in part due to "dirty tricks", but also because he had a "secret" peace plan to end the Vietnam War. We know now that both were criminal enterprises; the later amounting to an international crime against humanity as Nixon's secret plan for peace was a secret plan for escalated war to avoid losing a lost and senseless war. Its also likely that Nixon's resignation for the domestic crimes, hastened the end of the Vietnam War, since funding was withdrawn under President Ford, who did not have the personal investment in avoiding its tragic end that Nixon did.
I heard McGovern speak in person once, sixteen years ago at the College of DuPage. His subject had nothing to do with politics and war, just the failed personal battle to save his daughter's life from an early death from alcoholism. As sad as McGovern's saga was, it was inspiring for his unconditional love and heroic efforts to save his daughter, and then his courage in sharing her story with the nation.
Just a week ago I received the last of many mail solicitations under McGovern's name, seeking funds for some humanitarian cause he was still championing, even as his long life ebbed away. I didn't shed a tear upon hearing of Nixon's passing. I sure did for McGovern.
I'm not among them because McGovern has been one of my progressive heroes since his quixotic presidential run on a peace in Vietnam platform against the truly flawed incumbent, Richard Nixon. The President was re-elected by the biggest landslide in US history, in part due to "dirty tricks", but also because he had a "secret" peace plan to end the Vietnam War. We know now that both were criminal enterprises; the later amounting to an international crime against humanity as Nixon's secret plan for peace was a secret plan for escalated war to avoid losing a lost and senseless war. Its also likely that Nixon's resignation for the domestic crimes, hastened the end of the Vietnam War, since funding was withdrawn under President Ford, who did not have the personal investment in avoiding its tragic end that Nixon did.
I heard McGovern speak in person once, sixteen years ago at the College of DuPage. His subject had nothing to do with politics and war, just the failed personal battle to save his daughter's life from an early death from alcoholism. As sad as McGovern's saga was, it was inspiring for his unconditional love and heroic efforts to save his daughter, and then his courage in sharing her story with the nation.
Just a week ago I received the last of many mail solicitations under McGovern's name, seeking funds for some humanitarian cause he was still championing, even as his long life ebbed away. I didn't shed a tear upon hearing of Nixon's passing. I sure did for McGovern.
posted by Walt Zlotow at 9:02 AM
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