August 25 is a memorable date, sadly the day of passing of three icons who represented the best of America.
Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy died of cancer on August 25, 2009, a major liberal icon, who stands out as one of the greatest Democratic Senators in US history.
Arizona Senator John McCain died of cancer on August 25, 2018, a major conservative icon, who stands out as one of the greatest Republican Senators in US history.
Dolly Parton,a legendary country music singer, song writer, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, died of cancer on August 25, 2026. She stands out as one the most wonderful public figures, who while avoiding direct engagement with politics, spoke up for women’s rights, African American civil rights, gay and transgender rights, and for justice, humanity, empathy, decency, compassion unmatched by any entertainer in US history.
It is public figures like this that remind us that there are evil forces in public life, and most noticeably in the age of Donald Trump and his sycophantic Cabinet officers, most members of the Republican Party, and the one third of Americans who support him with no doubts or reconsideration of their backing him.
But there are also the two thirds of Americans who appreciate the goodness and public contributions of individuals such as Ted Kennedy, John McCain, and Dolly Parton.
In the long run of history, the good people who contributed to the advancement of America will be legendary, after the evil forces are overcome with patience and fortitude.