America's record on Haiti: Should Biden be on that good-to-go list for Queen's funeral?

Haiti in happier times: Opening day of the Carnaval des Fleurs some years ago. Photo: Rashmee Roshan Lall

Shouldn’t Joe Biden be on the lengthening list of leaders that human rights champions want banned from the Queen’s funeral? I ask the question with pain and humility as no US national would like to think that way.

Even so, it’s right to consider the issue of lily-whiteness and political guest lists.

Some British MPs are saying they don’t want the Chinese to show up because of their record on the Uighurs. Some British activists say the Saudi Crown Prince (“MBS”, as he is known) shouldn’t be allowed in at all because he has Jamal Khashoggi’s blood on his hands. Still others come over all self-righteous and say it’s quite right that the Russians, Venezuelans, Afghans and Myanmar aren’t on the guest list.

To which there are two responses. No one — country or individual involved in international politics — can possibly be described as lily-white and pure. If one set out to compile a guest …