I’ve been thinking that someone needs to say thank you to those public figures who are demonstrating the integrity and the courage to speak out about some of the things that are happening in our country today. And — although none of those people are likely ever to have read my blog or FB posts — I can’t think of any reason why that someone shouldn’t be me. So . . .

I would like to start with the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, who — during a service at the National Cathedral on the day before the presidential inauguration — directed a plea at the then President-elect “to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared right now.” She was referring specifically to his executive orders, based on his earlier campaign promises, concerning wholesale immigrant deportations and anti-LGBTQ+ actions. In his inimitable fashion, he later called Bishop Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater [who is] not very good at her job,” and demanded an apology. She has refused to apologize for having asked for mercy for others. [Brian Bennett, Time, January 22, 2025.]

That took integrity and courage.

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Next is a woman about whom I have already written — just yesterday, in fact. She is Pamela Hemphill, a resident of Idaho who took part in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, pled guilty, was convicted of a misdemeanor, and served her sentence of 60 days in prison plus probation and a fine. And now she has refused the pardon offered by Donald Trump because, in her words, “We were wrong that day. Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol police officers, rule of law and, of course, our nation. I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon also would serve to contribute to their gaslighting and false narrative.” [BBC News, January 22, 2025.]

Integrity and courage.

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Next we have The Honorable John Coughenour, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, who issued a temporary restraining order yesterday, blocking Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship and labelling it as “blatantly unconstitutional.”

A Ronald Reagan appointee, Judge Coughenour issued the order in response to a request by Washington’s Attorney General Nick Brown and three other Democratic-led states, as an emergency measure while more legal challenges are being prepared.

Integrity and courage.

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And it’s not just Americans who are speaking out. I cannot overlook a Danish Member of European Parliament (MEP), Anders Vistisen, who is a member of the right-wing Danish People’s Party and had this to say at an EU session in Strasbourg, France, this week:

“Dear President Trump, listen very carefully: Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years. It is an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale.” He the added:

“. . . in words you might understand: Mr. Trump, f—- off.” [Charles Creitz, Fox News, January 22, 2025.]

MEP Vistisen received a formal reprimand from EP Vice President Nicolae Stefanuta for his use of language that is not permitted in that venue. But even the reprimand carried its own subtle message:

“If the translation was correct, the term you used is not allowed in this House, and there will be consequences to the message you have used. It is not OK in this House of Democracy. Regardless of what we think of Mr. Trump, it is not possible to use such language.” [Id.] [Bold emphasis is mine.]

MEP Vistisen’s closing words were unquestionably rude, and certainly not within the normal boundaries of international protocol. But he spoke with honesty and passion in defense of his country, irrespective of the risk of censure.

That, too, took integrity and courage.

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Whether or not we agree with an individual’s political beliefs, their verbiage, or the timing of their statements, we — as citizens of the United States — must never lose sight of the inviolability of our Constitution, the rule of law, and the system of checks and balances placed upon our elected and appointed leaders.

The same Constitution guarantees us the right to speak out. Most of us, as individuals, do not have the public forum to be widely heard. So it is vitally important that those who do have a louder voice, use that voice to speak for the rest of us.

And sometimes that takes . . . well . . . integrity and courage.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/24/25