Of course, you probably know this. McCain's death was the biggest news story for about a week. It's all most people wanted to talk about, and that includes Doug Casey.

That's right. Doug wrote me days after McCain died and said "we should probably talk about this." So I got him on the phone as soon as I could to get his thoughts…

Justin: Doug, the mainstream media widely remember McCain as a patriot, maverick, and a decent man. But we both know that your opinions often differ from the mainstream. So… what are your thoughts on McCain and his legacy?

Doug: Where to begin with McCain? Of course it's generally considered unseemly to speak ill of the dead. But why? I don't have a problem with it because I like to call a spade a spade anytime, but especially when we're talking about career politicians. Why are they, of all people, treated with special respect?

Only puff pieces have been written about McCain in the mainstream media since his death. Hagiographies, appropriate for a saint. The Establishment is trying to canonize him, while the hoi polloi just believe what they're told over and over again. It's shameful and inappropriate.

Now, I never met the man, but it seems that he was capable of personal charm. His notoriously volatile temper was promoted as a sign of authenticity, instead of instability. That, plus his time as a prisoner of war [POW], is basically what his whole reputation is built on.