By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – There are two photos of Jewish members of the U.S. Congress in the news . One we’d like to see a lot more of; the other a lot less.
The first, of course, is that of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who has been in physical rehabilitation ever since January 8, when she was wounded by a crazed Jared Lee Loughner, whose indiscriminate spray of gunfire at a Tucson supermarket killed six onlookers including U.S. District Court Judge John Roll and a child.
The second, alas, is of Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York, who despite his recent celebrity marriage to Huma Abedin in a ceremony officiated by former President Bill Clinton, has been sending to women photos of himself in sexual poses – including one at the House gym in which he is wearing a towel and pointing at his crotch. With more and more of his colleagues, including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, the current chair of the Democratic National Committee, calling for his resignation, Weiner has announced plans to take a leave of absence to be treated for his exhibitionism.
As tawdry as Weiner’s conduct has been, it does not seem to have sunk to the level of criminal behavior. Therefore, unless he resigns from Congress or the voters of his district throw him out, he’s likely to remain in the House of Representatives. I hope that Weiner’s therapy will convince him not only that such behavior is beneath the dignity of a public official, but that also the stakes are greater than simply whether he can survive politically. Like it or not, Weiner is a role model, and if he fails to renounce his behavior—and perhaps to resign in an act of contrition—it will provide the rationale for copycat behavior all over the country. Pity the child growing in the uterus of Weiner’s wife—to be have a father who has fashioned such a legacy.
Giffords is married to the American astronaut Mark Kelley, and they comprise a family of which America can be proud. Kelley commanded the last Space Shuttle mission, and was able to communicate with his wife from outer space. She has not spoken publicly since the shooting, and the photos released of her earlier this month do little to slake the thirst of a public anxious for her to return with full function to public life. I have to admit it: I can’t wait for that Hallmark Hall of Fame tear-jerking moment when she returns to the halls of Congress and receives a standing ovation from her relieved colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
The new photos show Gifford with dark hair (her official congressional photo was blonde), a slight scar on the right side of her head, and a smile. I very much hope that she “looks as good” on the inside of her head as on the outside.
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In my opinion, Governor Jerry Brown made a mistake when he unceremoniously dumped Barry Nussbaum, Vivian Hardage and Kelly Burt from the San Diego County Fair board.
I don’t know Hardage and Burt, but I am familiar with Nussbaum as a member of our Jewish community and I know that he put in long hours, and considerable thought, over the years that he served as a member of the Fair Board, and most recently as its chairman.
When someone completes his or her term on a public board, he or she should be publicly thanked for several reasons.
First, it’s good manners. Whether Brown and Nussbaum agree politically or not, clearly Nussbaum donated considerable time and effort to public service. This should be acknowledged with words of praise, and not with a dismissal announced by an aide even before a replacement is selected.
Second, public appreciation for those who donate their efforts to the public good will reinforce in the minds of the public that serving on government panels is a civic mitzvah. Shabbily treating people who serve, on the other hand, will spread the idea that the only thing you will get for volunteering your time is a kick in the teeth.
We need more civility in government, not less. When he campaigned for the office, Brown, now in his 70s, said “at this stage” in his life he is prepared to make hard decisions necessary for California. Not all decisions need be hard. Extending basic courtesy to our fellow citizens is an easy one.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com