On actual leadership
Suppose you knew Mr. X watched for several hours while Mr. Y abused a dog. Finally, Mr. Y did something so horrific that Mr. X objected aloud and Mr. Y stopped. Would you consider Mr. X brave and heroic for having spoken up? Or might you wonder why he waited? I would.
Apparently the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette actually finds such behavior praiseworthy. In its Friday editorial, “Leadership in action,” it lauded our congressional Captains Courageous for having, finally, accepted the Electoral College results of the November election, even at the risk of a negative presidential tweet. (Oh, the horror!) It only took our six Mr. X’s two months to openly accept the will of the people. If that’s leadership action, I shudder to think what leadership inaction would look like. Probably much like the prior four years.
Where were these six stalwarts when President Trump was using congressionally authorized aid as a bribe for a foreign leader to produce dirt on a political opponent? Where were they when the president was separating children from parents in the name of border security? Or when he continually lined his pockets at government (our) expense? Where have they been over the last four years as the president repeatedly took actions antithetical to democracy and the rule of law?
Leaders lead. They don’t step in after the dog has been beaten for many hours and claim victory. They should always put country before party. They also, despite the Democrat-Gazette’s position, should give doing the right thing priority over getting re-elected. You’ve done neither. Shame on the lot of you, both politicians and newspaper.
There’s still time, though. Speak up now on the issue of removing the president immediately. Lead. Really lead rather than waiting until the United States dies of its wounds.
DENNIS BARRY
Little Rock