02_28_2019

Caught Off Guard by Representative Cummings

                This entry into my Blog may at first appear unusual when compared with some of my prior writings.  Where this piece shares some commonality with my other entries is that it is the direct result of an experience I had in the course of my day.

I was fortunate to be able to rearrange my day on Wednesday, February 27, in order to watch about 75% of the House Oversight Committee’s questioning of Michael Cohen.  If you feel inclined to challenge or question my use of the word “fortunate,” I don’t blame you.  I am and have been very concerned for the last two plus years  about what I view as a very dangerous time in our country.  I am a registered Independent,  and  more often than not I vote Democrat.  I have enough life experience that I have lived under both Republican and Democrat Presidents, and I’ve never felt the level of anxiety or repulsive fear that I feel with this president in office.

My concern is far more about his words that promote hatred and divisiveness.   His bigoted and demeaning views on people and communities  inform his decision-making on policy-related issues.   Trump’s divisive, racial and misogynists comments about individuals, the mimicking and making fun of people that dare to ask him questions or challenge his statements, and his lack of understanding of the role of the Fourth Estate in a democracy are only a few examples of how his use of the bully pulpit of the Presidency is harming our country.  He definitely gets the “bullying” part, but he has yet to exhibit any grasp of the multiple roles of the Office of President of the United States.

When I was a junior in college, I had a wonderful opportunity to take a course in U.S. History taught by a very enlightened and thoughtful history professor.  One of the books he assigned was The American Presidency by Clinton Rossiter.  The book had such an impact on me that the content has stayed with me for years, and I still utilize its exploration of the various roles of a president to assess our presidents’ performance  during their presidency.

Here’s an example quoted from an article that Rossiter published in the NYT (November 11, 1956 – digital records): The president has no more important tasks than to set a high personal example of integrity and industry for all who serve the nation, and to transmit a clear lead downward through his chief lieutenants to all who help shape the policies by which we live.

So back to my use of the word “fortunate.”  I viewed this hearing as the first chance in more than two years that might provide the American public with greater insight into the character of this president.  I believe we’ve had many insights and examples of his appalling and questionable behaviors, but Wednesday’s hearing offered a chance to hear from someone who has witnessed this president’s actions from a much closer view.

I didn’t have a clear idea of what to expect.  I was struck by the tone and purpose set by Chairman Cummings’ opening comments.  Reminding everyone that Congress has a clear responsibility to fulfill its obligations to function independently of the Executive Branch, thus providing a balance of power. I also appreciated that he very quickly assumed  his  leadership role and made clear his expectations of how everyone in the room needed to behave.  Great leadership: Setting clear expectations in a respectful way!

A few words on the hearing itself.  Several things stand out for me:

• None of the Republican representatives chose to defend the President against the statements and claims made by Cohen. Why?
• I get it that one has to be cautious in believing someone who by his own admission has lied repeatedly. But everyone on that Committee is old enough to have either experienced or witnessed circumstances on how a “leader” or authoritarian boss can use his or her force to persuade one to sacrifice integrity for some promised personal gain.  A smidgen of self-awareness would remind us that we’re all tempted throughout our lives to take a “bite of the apple.”
• I don’t know if this is truly a turning point in Cohen’s life, only time will tell. I thought there were several indicators that he was sticking to the truth in his testimony.

On a personal note, I worked for a president of an organization who to put in mildly is very manipulative.  She frequently dangled some benefit privately to each of her staff as a way of coaxing us into doing things for her that were either illegal or against the best interests of the organization she led. I wasn’t tempted by her offers as I saw her for who she is.  But I did watch colleagues fall for her slickness, and I watched how the further they went down this path, they lost any grounding to make decisions that were in the best interests of the organization. Actually, I’ve seen multiple articles that have described the Republican Party as far along on this path of relinquishing their responsibilities for governing for the good of the whole.

About half way through the hearing, a predictable pattern was emerging.  One side of the aisle was going to try and discredit the witness versus trying to ask questions or present counter information that would help the audience have a more solid sense of what we learned by the end of this all day event.

What “caught me off guard” at the end of this marathon was how anyone had the presence of mind  and the depth of integrity, compassion, and responsible stewardship to offer words to help us all find some positive and redeeming closure to this experience.

Chairman Cummings – I find myself wanting to call him Reverend Cummings – did that and more.  His honest openness  – I don’t know whether to believe you or not, balanced by his searching of what to say to Cohen who sat in from of him as another man who had openly admitted repeatedly throughout the day that he had lied, broke the law, and was headed to prison.

There’s no way Cummings’ remarks could have been scripted in advance, as he had no way of knowing for sure how the day would proceed.  He demonstrated his capacity for empathy for Cohen’s situation while not excusing him from the consequences.  I thought his comments about seeing Cohen on  TV walking with his daughter, who he noted was wearing braces.  Clearly that hit home for Cummings as he thought of this child’s youth symbolized by the braces, and for the next three years, father and daughter were going to be separated from  one another. Cummings allowed himself to walk in the shoes of another man as his own heart spoke to him about the loss and sadness he himself would experience if separated from his own daughters at a critical age.

I’m not sure which of Cummings’ comments moved me the most, but I think it was how he found a way to express thoughts to Cohen on a hopeful path for his future.  He pointed out that things don’t just happen to us, they happen for us…they are part of our destiny.  “And hopefully this portion of your destiny will lead to a better Michael Cohen, a better Donald Trump, a better United States of America, and a better world.  And I mean that from the depths of my heart.”

These words provoke tears for me.  Why?  I think because in the aftermath of a day like we who watched all experienced, they remind me that we have greatness in our midst.  We have people in our lives – whether we know them personally or not – who spontaneously demonstrate through their pursuit of excellence, integrity, and compassion for all – demonstrate what grace and goodness look like.  It’s a heartwarming, lifting experience to witness!

These life-nourishing, hope-filled moments are gifts in our lives; we all need to pause and take time to appreciate them when they occur.  They may catch us off guard, but we must make room for them to enter our hearts.  If we honor and cherish these moments, they will propel us and provide us with the strength and courage to lead better lives.

Cummings’ words touched many of those in front of him…..the unprompted applause from the audience represented hearts connecting to hearts!