THE DIGNITY OF OFFICE

Some of my attitudes are doubtless Neanderthal – older people just have to cope with such epithets – but I do not apologise for tending to respect those who have risen from the ranks to become senior politicians, generals, judges, university professors, top commentators or industrial leaders. We do, of course, mock the panjandrums of our society if they become cocksure or arrogant but broadly speaking, most people grant a presumption of competence and ability to those leading us. Yet our society seems to make living in the public eye almost impossibly unpleasant.

Few and far between are the politicians or other leaders who have lived such blameless lives that they do not suffer a middle-of-the-night shudder or an involuntary clenching of fists or toes at the memory of a past piece of ignoble behaviour. We are flesh-and-blood humans, not canonised saints. An FBI investigation into one’s conduct at age 17, in the early flux of manhood, is likely to uncover plenty of indiscretions, foolishness and even shameful episodes. Yet most people look upon these events as a rite of passage, to be forgotten and forgiven – unless they are so gross or violent as to become a matter for the criminal justice system. An early complaint, say within a month, by any victim would be normal: a delay of 36 years is excessive and even suspicious. Evidence of serial misbehaviour would make the complaint even more serious but in the case in point only a single incident is cited.

 Nominee Kavanaugh                       Accuser Blasey Ford                 

I am of course referring to the current clash over President Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, an appointment which would tip the balance of the Court in a conservative direction, and the objection voiced by academic Dr Christine Blasey Ford, who alleges Kavanaugh, then 17, sexually assaulted her, then 15, at a teenager party in 1982. Dr Ford is an occasional Democratic activist whose allegations are angrily denied by Judge Kavanaugh. The judicial nominee committee has approved the submission of Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment to a full Senate vote – on condition that the FBI first investigate allegations against the Judge within a week, which seems a fair enough compromise.

The atmosphere surrounding these proceedings has been poisonous. Voting has been on strictly partisan lines. President Trump would leave a legacy for a generation if he succeeded in creating a Right-leaning Supreme Court and the Democrats naturally want to prevent that. It would be wrong to prejudge the immediate issue – Kavanaugh may be lying or Blasey Ford could be fantasizing. Yet this ugly cause célèbre has polarised American opinion. The Democrats stridently disparage anything emanating from Trump while the Republicans scorn feminist complaints and Leftist agitation.

Well might observers ask “Is it worth it to attain high office if you are to be crucified in this way?” or alternatively “Is it worth making a complaint of this kind if you jeopardise your reputation and mental good health?” The process is defective and needs revision on a bi-partisan basis.

Similarly unfair has been the treatment meted out by the media to Meghan Markle, now Duchess of Sussex. She is not in a position of power but certainly has privileges and is much in the public eye. Her half-sister Samantha Grant, 17 years older than Meghan, has kept up a chorus of criticism and complaint even though the pair last met in 2008 and last spoke on the phone in 2015. Samantha has nothing of substance to say but the media seize on her every word. Samantha’s current beef is that Meghan has not financially supported their mutual father, reclusive Thomas Markle, who failed to attend her wedding, though invited.  She has arrived in London to “confront” her sister, if she can get near. There is a strong element of sibling jealousy and resentment here, best not paraded. The British popular press has plumbed new lows in bad taste in its coverage.

Samantha Markle                          Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Free speech is cherished in Western societies and the throwing of brickbats at Brexiteers, Remainers, Lefties, wobbly Liberals, Republicans and Democrats is entirely legitimate. But there are conventions, so keep to the issues and do not hit below the belt.

SMD

30.09.18

Text Copyright © Sidney Donald 2018