Gold medal for ‘the rule of law’
It was a tumultuous time. The United States was starkly divided on issues of race, gender, and equality. But what contributed most to the rift was the growing intolerance for the rule of law.
The situation worsened when elected leaders, because they disagreed with the laws of the land, started to openly defy the government, creating unprecedented challenges.
Adhering to the rule of law had always separated America from other nations, along with its ability to change laws legally and peacefully. But as times changed, more and more began to ignore laws which didn’t suit them. Consequently, the integrity of the Union hung in the balance.
Welcome not just to the leadup to the Civil War, but today’s America.
Once upon a time, Americans dutifully followed laws, even when they didn’t like them. But now, the “I’m-entitled-to-do-as-I-please” attitude, where punishments for violations are viewed with self-righteous scorn, have become startlingly common. That dangerous mindset has cascaded into every facet of society, where it’s now common for the social media masses, and leaders who incomprehensibly listen to them, to advocate ignoring rules when convenient. In just the past week, we saw several high-profile examples, which are still in the headlines.
Bill Cosby: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court vacated Bill Cosby’s prison sentence because it correctly ruled that the original deal cut with then-Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor was legally binding.
In dismissing the case, the court said that Mr. Cosby’s rights (in particular, the 5th Amendment safeguard against self-incrimination) were violated when he provided information during a civil trial deposition — testimony that would not have been given had there not been the agreement with the D.A.’s office. The court wrote: “…the moment that Cosby was charged criminally, he was harmed: All that he had forfeited earlier, and the consequences of that forfeiture in the civil case, were for naught. This was … an unconstitutional ‘coercive bait and switch.’”
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele likely should have known better than to prosecute Cosby in the first place. But he chose to use the Castor/Cosby non-prosecution as a decisive issue in his election victory over Mr. Castor. Bottom line: We don’t administer justice by willfully denying due process to the accused.
Olympic Runner Sha’Carrie Richardson: One of America’s most promising Olympic hopefuls was banned from competing as world’s fastest female in the Tokyo games after testing positive for marijuana use, a drug that is banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
To her immense credit, Ms. Richardson didn’t make excuses or try to squirm out of the ban, but instead owned up — an extremely rare trait these days.
“I apologize … As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on the track, I represent not only myself, I represent a community that has shown great support, great love ... I apologize for the fact that I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time,” she said on NBC’s “Today” show.
That’s a Gold Medal attitude, and Ms. Richardson is a shining example of who and what we should celebrate.
Yet the airwaves and social media remain filled with vitriolic responses to the ban, with many advocating that she should be reinstated immediately, and that the pot policy should go up in smoke.
Wrong. For the IOC to retain any credibility, it must stand firm in its policy, and decision, at least for now.
Permitting sanctuary cities. Granting rights to illegal immigrants. Elected officials allowing illegal drug-injection sites and tipping off law-breakers of impending raids. Federal judges usurping authority by legislating from the bench. Claiming elections should be overturned with no evidence. Even outcries that “Wheel of Fortune” should still award prizes to those who fail to follow oft-stated rules in solving a puzzle.
Our nation’s history is filled with movements that changed not just laws, but hearts and minds, because of people’s blood, sweat and tears: Slavery, women’s suffrage, workplace rules, civil rights, environmental standards, gay marriage.
But the people who fought for those monumental changes did so the right way — the legal way. They protested, organized, lobbied and engaged in civil disobedience.
Life isn’t all rainbows and Jell-O Puddin’ Pops, and never will be, but if we continue ignoring the law, instead of trying to change it, the only thing America will medal in … is mediocrity.