President Donald J. Trump was booed this week as he and his wife, Melania, payed silent homage to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the steps on the Supreme Court building.
Regardless of how you feel about Trump, there is a sad irony in this.
Justice Ginsburg’s creed was civility. For example, she frequently disagreed – fundamentally and vehemently – with the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia but she counted him as a friend, and vice-versa. Her advice to the younger generation was be nice while doing good.
Ginsburg offers a model of respect and courteousness that the other branches of America’s government should aspire to.
Where Is the Coronavirus Relief Package?
On Friday, CBS television personality Gayle King asked Democratic House Majority Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she still thinks Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden should refuse to debate GOP candidate Trump.
Yes, says Pelosi, explaining, “I just think that the President has no fidelity to fact or truth … He and his henchmen are a danger with their comments, are a danger to our democracy. I didn’t want to give him, you know, why bother – you know, he doesn’t tell the truth.”
King observes: “ …Your language to some is just as egregious as what they’re saying by calling the President’s people henchmen. Some could say that’s just as insulting as what he’s saying about you.”
Pelosi, who is nicknamed “Nasty” by Trump, responds: “… But I’m speaking truth.”
“But I’m Speaking Truth”
Nancy Pelosi
It would not be surprising if Trump also thinks he is speaking the truth.
Is it any wonder that so many Americans have lost faith in the U.S. Congress, which cannot overcome election year partisanship to pass a desperately needed coronavirus relief package to help millions of Americans who are suffering through no fault of their own?
Pelosi ends the interview with King by resorting to the race card. “I have three words – three names I want to name right now, Breonna Taylor, Breonna Taylor, Breonna Taylor… She is in my heart.”
Pelosi knows that a grand jury, after hearing all of the evidence, did not indict police in the death of Taylor. Her comments undermine the rule of law and incite racial tensions.
Nancy Pelosi is the leader of the Democratic Party and the third highest elected official in the nation. She holds a role of social influence in this country. It is no more acceptable for Pelosi to use the influence she holds as an elected leader to divide Americans than it is for Trump.
Trump was there to represent the nation and to honor the life of Justice Ginsburg. Some in the crowd made it a political occasion by chanting: “Vote him out.” The partisan media seized on that message in stories the next day. All of this detracts from honoring Justice Ginsburg.