Editorial
Front Page - Friday, April 9, 2010
Under Analysis
Michelle St. Germain
In the profession of law, words are rarely just that – words. Words are law; words are analysis; words are facts; words are rhetoric; and of course, “them’s fighting words.” I was thinking about this in light of the new healthcare legislation that has sharply divided our nation.
People have been talking about it passionately. People have been drawing lines in the sand between themselves and other people using their words. Sometimes the debates are good-natured and insightful, but a lot of the times, they are not.
Talking about healthcare has resulted in violence from both sides of the party aisles over the past year. Politicians have been name-calling.
Threats of violence have surfaced. Actual violence has erupted in town halls, sending citizens to the hospital (ironic?). Vandalism is rampant.
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver was spat on and endured racial epithets – words of arguably the worst variety – as he reported for work prior to the healthcare reform bill’s passage.
It was reported that fingers have been bitten off – specifically, the pinky of a 65 year-old man at a healthcare political rally. I do not believe it had barbeque sauce on it. Although we usually speak of the fights between lawyers or politicians in the figurative sense, some lawyers or politicians have literally been coming to blows with one another. It is a sad state of affairs.
Although the saying about sticks and stones remains, there is no denying that words have true power. But it is clear that the power can be used for bad, and quite easily – just a few words uttered in passing can usher violence to the forefront. Of course, other powerful words, as in the form of laws, can take years and several presidents before they are anything more than just words, and instead, laws – but that’s another story.
I’ve been narrowly avoiding coming to blows with Mark, Charles and Spencer of the Levison Group. Usually it starts with healthcare and devolves with arguing over the use of commas and raised “sporks.”
When things get heated between those three, I’ve been ducking out to watch a television program called “Big Love.” For anyone unfamiliar with the show, it features a fictional polygamist businessman, Bill, who is married to three women. Although the show sounds quite controversial, its setting allows it to explore deep issues about the meaning of love, marriage, jealousy, family, and public versus private lives.
But back to the story – Bill was from a polygamist commune but has since moved out on his own to the suburbs in Utah. Tension remains between Bill and the leader of the commune, who is also the father of one of Bill’s wives.
The leader of the commune, Roman, arrives at Bill’s business and demands that a $20,000 check be written to him. Roman and Bill had an agreement that Roman would receive a percentage of Bill’s profits on his other businesses – but Bill had taken care to open a completely separate business. Roman believes $20,000 is his rightful share; Bill is not of the same mind.
Later, one of Bill’s children has a birthday party. He was not expecting Roman to show up for the party that day. After collecting himself, he approaches Roman.
At this point, I muttered out loud, and I swear I am not usually the muttering at the TV type, “There is no way that I could let a man that just stole $20,000 from my business inside my home.”
When Bill arrives at the door to see Roman, I am expecting violence, probably blood. Bill bristles at Roman’s presence. Then Bill begins to speak. Bill suggests to Roman that although they have their differences, he would like to put them aside for that day, his son’s birthday, for the sake of their families. Roman, of course, agrees. He then allows Roman inside.
In that moment, conciliatory words have more power than the theft of $20,000, which is truly mind-blowing. Not only is it daunting that anyone would let a person into one’s home if said person has a history of stealing, but it shows that words have the power to bring good, and overcome the bad. I think it says a lot about the honor of an individual to be wronged but to be able to put that aside and keep your head cool despite your differences.
The power of Bill’s words overcame injustice and brought, at least temporarily, peace. If we could all be like Bill, the world would be a happier place. Except, perhaps, for the polygamy part.
When words enrage us as much as they can, it seems impossible to extend an olive branch.
Whatever the case may be, the power of words can at once enrage us, but at another turn, can bring peace despite our differences.
Lawyers and politicians find themselves amidst pre-heated discussions every day, in the healthcare debate and otherwise; they are, respectively, hired and elected to be at the forefront of these situations.
Like Bill, we can make the decision to coexist by keeping our heads cool for the moment, and offering a few words to
promote temporary peace, like Bill did above. These words are just as powerful as, “I’ll see you in court.”
|
|