PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

December 19, 2021

CIVILITY AND RESPECT

Former Senator Bob Doyle died on Sunday, December 5, at the age of 98.  He had served his home state of Kansas as both a congressman and a senator.  He lost to President Bill Clinton in 1996 in a run for the presidency.  Near the end of World War II his right shoulder was ripped by shell fragment which caused permanent damage.  He was a staunch Republican and served as both Minority and Majority Leader in the Senate.

When he was recuperating from his injuries, he met Daniel Inouye who had lost an arm.  He encouraged Inouye to get into politics.  The two remained friends for the rest of their lives even though Inouye was a Democrat who was elected to the Senate for Hawaii.  When Inouye died and was lying in state, Doyle went to pay his respects.  At the time he was confined to a wheelchair.  Nevertheless, with help he walked the last few steps to pay his respect.

Bob Doyle lost to President Clinton in 1996 following a hard fought campaign.  The following January President Clinton presented Doyle with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  George H. Walker Bush and Doyle were long time political rivals.  When President Bush was lying in state, Bob once again rose from his wheelchair to pay his respects.

President Biden spoke at the United States Capital when Bob Doyle was lying in state and at the Washington National Cathedral for his funeral.  At the Capital the President said that “America has lost one of its greatest patriots.”  At the funeral he noted his having worked with Bob Doyle for twenty-five years in the Senate. During that time they very often disagreed but were not disagreeable.  When Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) spoke at the Capital he described Doyle as someone “who redefined and elevated what it means to serve country.”

Even though Bob Doyle was a proud, conservative Republican, he treated his political opponents with civility and respect.  As Senate Majority leader he sought to work with the Democrats to seek common ground.  While he may disagree with someone’s policies and opinions, he did not stoop to attack the opponent personally.

One of the scriptures read at Bob Doyle’s funeral was Jesus’ answer to the question of what is the greatest commandment.  Jesus responded, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’.  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mat. 22:37b-39)  This along with the Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” contain the essence of what it means to be civil and have respect for others.

                The Book of Proverbs gives substance to what it means be civil and respect others. “Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (12:18) “A gentile tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (15:4) “The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health the body.” (16:23, 24)

The life and death of Bob Doyle is a reminder that it is possible in partisan world to still have civility and respect.  Let us all strive to follow his example.