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In a clean good world, the competition for the office of the president of the United States should be solemn, edifying and dignified, marked by the grace and courtesy of its aspirants. The American presidency is the Mount Sinai of democracy, the highest emblem our sad world has to offer of a free people determining their choice of government and leader. To the millions caught by birth or fate in grim dictatorships, ruthless tyrannies, kleptocracies, or the murderous chaos of faction and civil war (Syria is the current exemplar), viewing a great nation freely choosing its leader, in open forums, under a free press must be, or rather should be, an inextinguishable source of hope that some day they too, may claim the full rights and unobstructed dignity of a free citizenry.

A beacon on the hill — that’s the accepted metaphor. But, “what a falling off was there.”

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With due apologies to Tom Wolfe, this American election, alas, is a roaring bonfire of the insanities. People who have respect and affection for Americans, and I am pleased to be one of them, melt in tears for the spectacle of their current presidential campaign.