As loyal readers of The Heron's Nest (yes, both of you) know, I have made it my Lenten mission this year to raise the level of our public discourse.
Of course, it did not take long for my critics (yes, the legions of you) to view that as simply one more attack on President Trump.
Many of them point out the endless attacks on the president, and that I look the other way when he is on the receiving end of such coarse discourse.
In general, they view this as a one-way street. They believe I give Democrats a pass when it comes to our decidedly less than civil public discourse.
So this morning I come forward to prove them wrong.
And in the process call Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on the carpet for comments he made yesterday about two Supreme Court justices.
Schumer clearly has a difference of opinion when it comes to the abortion question that is currently before the nation's high court.
Yesterday, in addressing a rally outside the Supreme Court, Schumer used some fiery rhetoric in addressing two conservative justices, both of whom were placed on the court by President Trump.
"I want to tell you Gorsuch. I want to tell you Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions," Schumer said, turning to look at the Supreme Court building.
Those words come very close to constituting a threat.
No, I don't think that's what Schumer meant. Schumer later clarified his stance to indicate he was referring to a price that would be paid by Republicans senators in the November election. But words carry with them immense power. No one knows that more than I do. And fiery words such as those used by Schumer can inflame an already jittery public.
In short, they're not helping when it comes to a civil discussion.
They did not escape the notice of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
In a rare move for the court, Roberts offered a public rebuke to Schumer for his comments.
"This morning, Senator Schumer spoke at a rally in front of the Supreme Court while a case was being argued inside," Roberts said in a statement. "Senator Schumer referred to two Members of the Court by name and said he wanted to tell them that 'You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.' Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous. All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter."
Agreed.
Comments