No, Not That! No, Not Those Either! Shame on you.
Tis the Season
I know – sometimes it seems it is eternally the case, but in face we are about to enter another national election cycle. In a little more than a year, we will be voting for all sorts of offices, from President to Dog Cather, and about every office in between.
Among other things, this means that the media, in all its forms, will be focusing on politicians and would-be politicians. Unfortunately, much of that coverage looks likely to continue being focused on horse race status and some gotcha articles, rather than real news and analysis. But there will also be a fair amount of attention to personal characteristics, inconsistencies in positions, and similar areas. If done well, such treatment can be useful and informative. That perspective is our focus for today.
So, What IS the Most Prominent Physical Feature?
OK, we are mixing metaphors with actual physicality here, but know that this is true: the most common and prominent feature of politicians (as well)) as other leaders, celebrities – all of us, actually) is feet. Yep, feet. Specifically, clay feet. Everyone has them. Everyone. The disadvantage for politicians is that their feet of clay are really, really, really prominent. And people are quick to point them out. As they should point them out – but as we note later, let’s be reasonable and realistic with these factors.
So What?
This is not a surprising conclusion. In our heart of hearts (look, another biological metaphor!), we all know this is pretty much a true statement, a universal truth. So why waste time talking about something timeless, universal, and built into the human model? It is worth time and effort specifically because this is so much a universal reality.
If you can only praise a person or a movement, your support is shallow and cheaply awarded. We should acknowledge that which we value, and recognition deserves praise, just as it also deserves acknowledgment when a person or movement or institution falls short, when things could be better.
In the same vein, even those we consider basically 100% feet of clay in their makeup, deserve to be called out and recognized when they get something right. This does not in any way mitigate their sins (See that little theological reference point I slipped in? Sneaky folk, we humanists). Otherwise, your criticism will be taken for granted and will be as hollow as the aforementioned endless praise on the other side of the coin.
Two Examples
Two very different examples. One is Thomas Jefferson. When I was growing up, he was my most admired Founding Father. To this day, his contributions are beyond measure. I still read the Declaration of Independence with awe and admiration. There were inputs and editors, but mostly Jefferson crafted that magnificent thing alone. His peers knew this was the mind and writing ability to make it happen.
Almost as important was his decision to make the Louisiana Purchase, which changed America immeasurably. His founding of the University of Virginia, his personal library that became the Library of Congress. His many inventions, scientific investigations, and agricultural developments. His appreciation of the great early civilizations, of good wine, of serious and comprehensive philosophy. All unmatched and worthy of admiration.
Then there is the Other Jefferson. One who kept slaves his entire life. We all know much of the story of Sally Hemmings. Everything in this domain is simply unforgivable. His writings tell me Jefferson knew this was wrong, but he could not – or would not – make himself break away. Jefferson was also a terrible financial manager; he was endlessly in debt and at risk of loosing Monticello.
The Library of Congress was started because Jefferson needed to sell his personal library. He was given to unrealistic political thought, imagining America as an agrarian nation, with not much of a national government. He could carry a grudge and fight underhandedly with the worst of them. All clearly in evidence, all running between disappointing and enraging.
The other example could not be more different: Donald Trump. I yield to no one my level of anger and disgust at Trump, as an individual and as a president. The worst I have ever known in either category. And yet, he had his occasional moments. I thought his early calling out of China for intellectual theft and for ignoring world trade parameters was spot on and should have been done earlier by others.
Credit where it is due. Noted, of course, that he then handled it and most other international trade decisions exactly wrong; increasing world tensions, starting trade wars, and dividing the West in exactly the wrong way at the wrong time. Still, he started out correctly, and I acknowledge that.
What Next? Balance and Perspective. Forgiveness and Accountability
I think what is called for, what we can and should do, is recognize the variety and foibles of humanity, and know that leadership or celebrity status magnifies those elements. We should be capable of, for example, admiring and celebrating the great contributions of a given individual and at the same time, recognize their shortcomings and deficiencies. To choose either/or is not realistic, nor accurate.
Surely we are mature enough and sophisticated enough to grasp that people are not all bad or all good, that it is appropriate to call out the full spectrum. I have no trouble saying that Jefferson was brilliant, curious, and contributed immeasurably to this country and Western civilization. I also will clearly call him out for his practical and moral failures. It makes no sense to acknowledge only the good and ignore the bad. It is equally dishonest to deplore failures to the extent that his gifts cannot be acknowledged.
It’s almost election season. Time to call out that “whole person” and deal realistically with what they bring to the table. Deal with it and do a better job of picking our leaders. Maybe we need a “Clay-O-Meter,” a device to let us decide how far up that clay goes. Most go well beyond their feet; most go at least to their heads and hearts.
Interesting species, this humanity. Wonder how it will all turn out?
See you next week.
Bill Clontz
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