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
