John Warner retires...

It's the end of an era for me. The US Senator from Viriginia is retiring and with his retirement an era is closed. I remember sitting in his office as a young adult. I remember meeting with his aides. I remember passionately loving and respecting this man who was part of a mental love-affair with all Virginians. Though a flawed character, he seemed to have the grace that Virginians care about so much.... the honor, uprightness, gentility, etc. that has been part of the greatness of how Viriginia produced her sons for the nation's service. That Virginia gave our country so many presidents, so many strong leaders, so much beauty, so much love... The home of many military installations -not at all in the least the US Navy -home of the Atlantic Fleet.... Virginia. You rooted your sons and daughters in history. You planted them firm and gave them ideals.

So it is that from such an illustrious background, faded glory perhaps, but noble nonetheless....
John Warner is quitting the senate finally. Perhaps best known for having married and divorced Elizabeth Taylor, perhaps best known for defending his fellow Virginians in the Senate Armed Forces Committtee. An end to a childhood adoration of the Spector- Gramm- Warner- Robb- Bentsen- Rudman congress.... a congress that is no more.

{taps please}