Disclaimer: All views are my own. None of my positions represent the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force, or any stance of the U.S. Government.
The worst of humanity must be met with the best of humanity. Dabo Swinney, the head coach of Clemson football, is a living reminder of this lesson.
Recently, in a viral video, Coach Swinney surprised David Saville with tickets to the Superbowl for David and his dad. As the team equipment manager for Clemson football, David fits in well with the team dynamics. More importantly, David’s down syndrome diagnosis doesn’t preclude himself from being a positive, value-added member of society. In fact, the opposite holds true.
David’s positivity and this viral video are a boon for society, especially at a time when the nation needs healing. Without a doubt, the dynamic between Dabo and David remind us how to be empathetic, compassionate, and moral. Without empathy, compassion, and morality, society and life would become unsustainable, nasty, brutish, and short.
The Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, is a living reminder of a man who lacks some sort of semblance of these virtues.
Firstly, we must acknowledge that Governor Northam has served as a pediatric neurologist since 1992 and is a well-credentialed medical professional. As a doctor, he is required to take the hippocratic oath and if found liable of breaching ethical standards, he would be removed from practicing medicine.
It is a strawman argument for my Republican colleagues to suggest Governor Northam desired to practice infanticide nationwide. In good faith, we ought to assume he was answering a question from the basis of his medical background and not from his current position as a political leader. Otherwise, my Republican colleagues are correct to assume that he may follow a set of ethics, but lacks objective morality by advocating for neontacide.
Secondly, Kathy Tran’s amendment to the Repeal Act would not have survived the Republican majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. There is no doubt Kathy Tran is equally as unskilled as Governor Northam in the realm of politics. Clearly, her proposal should be received by the press and constituents as far more shocking than Governor Northam’s comments. Her proposed amendment would shift precedent away from a discussion of viability to a discussion of desirable traits. In Tran’s mind, we can only speculate what is constituted as a desirable trait. Furthermore, even in cases of abortion the maternal interest is not absolute— as established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Rarely, are legal rights derived from the Constitution absolute. For example, fighting words are sometimes exempted from the broad protections of Free Speech.
Thirdly, whether you believe Governor Northam should be held to a higher standard because of the position of his office is irrelevant. We must hold Governor Northam to the same standards that we should universally expect of all persons. That of common decency.
Even worse than policy disagreements over the issue of abortion or misrepresented statements is the verifiably proven character of Governor Northam. He admitted to dressing up in blackface during his college years. This is wrong. This is an affront to all African-Americans and an affront to all who either advocate for reparations or love their fellow man or just plain decency.
Governor Northam grew up after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He ought to know better and there is no justifiable excuse.
Resign Governor Northam.
Ryan Harden
Ryan Harden graduated with an Economics degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has interned with Senator Corker on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In Organization, and Co-Founded Counter Current, an environmental media company. Disclaimer: Views expressed are not representative of the Department of Defense.
The views expressed in this article are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Lone Conservative staff.
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