One should not speak unkindly of the dead and I do my very best to uphold that principle. There is also the principle of if you have nothing nice to say then it is best not to say anything at all. I also do my best to uphold this principle.
The passing of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid earlier this week have made this a challenge. It isn't merely a question of disagreeing with his politics or his views, I was troubled about the manner in which he conducted himself. Of course, there are others who have passed whose conduct has troubled me as was the case with Desmond Tutu and his anti-Semitism. Nevertheless, whatever his views of Jews, I fully acknowledge that Tutu was a major figure in bringing down Apartheid in South Africa. Senator Reid presents a far greater challenge.
Nearly three decades ago, Senator Reid engaged in nativism when he supported the idea of ending birthright citizenship. While Reid "evolved" on the issue (though he never apologized for his previous views), it was a position indistinguishable from that Trumpist Republicans hold today.
In 2009, Reid likened Republican opposition to Obamacare to opposition to the end of slavery notwithstanding the fact the GOP was founded as an abolitionist party.
In 2012, Reid famously accused GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney of not paying taxes and said it could be a felony. Of course, Reid made this up out of a whole cloth. But instead of expressing contrition, Reid bragged about it telling CNN's Dana Bash, "Romney didn't win, did he?" Reid was a shady character whether or not he wore sunglasses.
There will be those who will argue that Donald Trump has lied far more than Harry Reid. They may be right, but it doesn't change the fact that Harry Reid bore false witness against Mitt Romney and repeatedly engaged in demagoguery. But for some the ends justifies the means. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to conjure kind words for someone who conducts themselves in that manner.
Nevertheless there is good and bad in nearly everyone. Following the news of Reid's death, NFL Senior VP Natalie Ravitch tweeted a thread about her interaction with Reid nearly 20 years ago. In 2002, Ravitch was a staffer for Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone when he and 7 others were killed in a plane crash. Among those who died in that plane was Ravitch's boyfriend. Ravitch detailed the kindness Reid showed in the days, months and years which followed.
So perhaps the private Harry Reid was different from the public one. I just wish this generosity of spirit extended into his public life. Of course, there will be disagreements and genuinely vigorous disagreements at that. Sometimes people sometimes warrant blunt and harsh criticism. But blanket statements of demagoguery and outright lies bring only harm and result in long term damage to trust in our institutions. Reid might have nothing on Trump when it comes to diminishing our civic and public discourse, but nevertheless he did so and, unfortunately, it is part of his public legacy whatever private acts of decency he bestowed. R.I.P.
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