A plea for civility

by David Grand
February 3, 2005

In his introductory remarks to his State of the State speech in the House chamber last Thursday, Governor Ehrlich decried the absence of civility in this year's session, and the lack of respect shown him by the Democrat-controlled legislature. And he's right on both scores.      

For as I dumped on the Republicans two columns ago for sitting on their hands after the House speaker was reelected, the Democrats are equally deserving of chastisement by many of them refusing to stand as he entered the chamber or quit reading newspapers. Just think, if any members of the British House of Commons were that discourteous when, say, King Henry V111 appeared before them, they would've found themselves in the Tower of London waiting to have their heads lopped off.  (Not that I'm suggesting that ill-mannered legislators be punished that harshly.)       

Having them stand in a corner for an hour, while reading out loud passages of syndicated columnist Judith Martin's (aka Miss Manners) book "Civility in a Democracy" would suffice, with a warning that any more insulting behavior on their part would result in their being banned from attending any and all events hosted by lobbyists. That'd hurt 'em where it'd hurt the most: in their stomachs.       

And I'd also inflict the same punishment on members of that Senate committee, who grilled Ehrlich about his medical malpractice bill during the December special session like he was an errant schoolboy standing before a disciplinary board; and then adding injury to insult by not taken up his bill first. Even Senate President Mike Miller said Ehrlich had a right to complain about the very rude cross-examination he was subjected to, and how it would've been handled differently had he been there.       

While Miller agrees with the governor that Annapolis needs to become more respectful,  he said the hostile climate isn't entirely the legislature's fault. And that Ehrlich needs to lecture all those people on his staff he's hired from Capitol Hill on the importance of showing the same respect for legislators that he desires. I think that's what you'd call just following the golden rule.      

Now, I was brought up in an age when respect for others was ingrained in us. But I've since learned that respect must be mutual and that it can be carried to extremes, like when President Washington directed his secretary to inform those entering his office that they must remain standing at attention. And in giving the State of the Union address, he sat on an ornate throne at the Capitol. (Wonder if it's on display in the Smithsonian?)       

It was also debated how he should be addressed. He favored "Your High and Mightiness" because he thought it had a nice ring to it. But John Adams was against it. For as someone pointed out, that it was all very well for Washington, who was a tall man, but if there was a short president-and Adams was short-people would burst out laughing. So they skipped that one. And I'm sure Ehrlich would shun such a highfalutin title, too. But no doubt his nemesis, House Speaker Michael Busch would love it.      

I wish I could end on an optimistic note. However, I fear there's not much hope for a new atmosphere of mutual respect and civility in this or the next session, especially with Miller saying, "The public dealt us a divided government, and we're learning to live with it; but come the fourth year of his term, we're going to take out the machine guns, and I'm going to go after him just like he'll be going after me." What a conciliatory message he's sending out. Yuck!