TWO TYPES OF POLITICIANS

by

Dortell Williams

(350 words- non fiction)

There are basically two types of politicians: Those who lead with innovative and novel ideas; resolute in honoring the oath they swore to, while protecting the Constitution and equally serving every soul under it. Then there are those who are spineless, subverting and even circumventing the Constitution.

They will do or say anything to stay in office.

As an example, prisoners are frequently viewed by an offended community as society's trash. The general lay population often rules in the heat of passion, failing to distinguish between violent and non-violent prisoners, and has only a TV-land concept of what prison is really like. Some people are so confused they actually think prisoners lose their citizenship once imprisoned.

Conversely, politicians, fortified by our tax money, are supplied with a myriad of studies, experts and a useful log of history to aid them in prudent law making. Unlike the layman, legislators are expected to tempter their passions, rest their biases and wear the hat of a professional for the benefit of high office.

It was this myriad of political tools, along with the professional of public office that motivated Democratic Senator of Pennsylvania, John Murtha, and Republican Senator of Arizona, John McCain, to reach across the political isle to successfully outlaw the torture of suspected terrorist detainees.

This dual stance for justice was hailed as laudable. There wre no accusations of molly coddling prisoners or being at all soft. No, their concerns were larger than partisan politics. They were concerned with the country's national interest, as Senator McCain revealed when he said: "Our image in the world is suffering very badly... due to this perception of torture." McCain's comments echoed that of Illinois' Democratic Senator Dick Durban, who told CBS' "Face the Nation," cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners "is not what American is all about...."

These examples of noble political courage stand in bright contrast to the immoral and inhumane statements of Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, in February 2006. In Los Angeles Times article titled: "Cycle of Jail Woes Generates Few Fixes," he was asked why he hadn't done more to prevent the re-occurring riots at the jails; which led to the death of two prisoners and the injury of countless others. Yaroslavsky's self-serving and callous response: "When you go on the campaign (trail) and give a stomp speech, protecting prisoners is not an applause line."

Apparently ole Zev is a bit out of touch with the values and mores of the American people.

Sources:

Megan Garvey and Sharon Bernstein, "Cycle of Jail Woes Generates Few Fixes," Los Angeles Times, February 21, 2006: Al.

Kathy Kiely and John Diamond, "Fight Over Abuse Puts Bush Against Party Allies, " USA Today, November 10, 2005: 11A.

Douglas K. Daniel (AP) San Diego Union Tribune, November 7, 2005: A7 (McCain and Durban quotes).

June 2006