Op/Ed: Distressed by Carroll's comments

I was deeply distressed by Dave Carroll's comments in his Mountain Musings column in the October 3 BVD. He begins with "all politics aside," and then proceeds to slam the Democrats for "abusing, degrading, and humiliating the family and person of Brett Kavanaugh." He must have missed the President of the United States doing those very things to Dr. Ford in a childish, shameful, untruthful rant that should make everyone cringe! Mr. Carroll didn't even mention Christine Ford once in his diatribe. She behaved respectfully and in a non-partisan way while trying to relate a horrible life-experience that, if guilty of any part of it, should have disqualified Kavanaugh. Of course, now we know that didn't happen! Judge Kavanaugh got himself disrespected by lying to the judiciary committee, not answering questions fully, being flippant and angry with Senators who remained very self-contained and soft-spoken, except for a couple of Republicans pontificating for whose benefit, I don't know.

Carroll says "vote for truth-tellers." Oh boy, that's a good one! I guess he needs to be reminded of the 3,000 plus mangling-of-the-truth statements made by the most powerful man in the world, mostly to make himself look better. Trump is the one fueling "hate, anarchy, lies, and disrespect for our nation" – a nation full of beautiful, productive, honorable, and honest citizens of both Parties who long for decency and dignity in our leaders – citizens that Trump can't seem to acknowledge unless they're bowing down to him!

And then, (oh I love this!) Dave quotes the Bible to put Democrats in their place! "Let each esteem others better than themselves," which is grammatically incorrect, by the way.  Our President seems to have rewritten scripture: "Esteem yourself, your followers, and your own causes/issues and to hell with everybody else." Can't Mr. Carroll use the Biblical scripture to see the suffering of millions of women who have been sexually assaulted, been afraid to speak out, and when they do tell their stories, are degraded and mocked by men like Trump? That's a Dave Carroll I'd respect, whether he was a Republican or a Democrat.

"Political systems are ruining us," Dave continues. If we just didn't have Democrats or left-leaning people, we'd be okay. I suppose he thinks Jesus was a Republican. If you really think about it, Jesus was more of a liberal Democrat – standing up for people of color, the poor, the needy, the degraded women in his society, the ill, and the unwise. But be that as it may, the confirmation process, in my view, is as political as the Senators who are trying to incur political gain out of it – reelection, a Justice who might destroy established law, or a "win" for Trump. It is not a political wish to confirm Justices who back up their notable records with calm demeanor, honesty, and judicial temperament. If Kavanaugh does not have these qualities, it's not the Democrats fault, nor is it some mass conspiracy to smear him. If Kavanaugh did not tell the "whole truth" and made false statements about his drinking habits and sexually-couched language in his written words, that's not the Democrats fault.

Let's "turn from our evil ways," Carroll says. Yes! Let's not put into office liars, cheaters, sexual predators, self-centered fools, or tyrannical bullies. That would be a good start.

Letters like Dave Carroll's don't help. It was divisive, insensitive, and in some part untrue. Why is Mr. Carroll attacking people who are only searching for truth and value and hope from the depths of their consciences, people who want our Supreme Court to be filled with intelligent, fair-minded, Constitutional advocates without an agenda. I'll admit Kavanaugh could be that kind of Justice, credible allegations aside. Why are Democrats being aligned with the Devil for wanting what almost everyone wants? Why are people who march and carry signs because they are afraid Kavanaugh can't be that kind of Justice called "paid protesters" or "a mob?"

The most shocking thing about Carroll's views to me is that one would expect the clergy to be at the forefront of teaching their congregations to behave kindly, strive against hatred and divisiveness, listen to all sides without making the issues political, not to throw fuel on the fire! We will see if Dave has the gumption to listen to someone he may disagree with, maybe even learn that the "other side" is not the Devil himself, that there are among us true patriots, true believers in the value of the Constitution, true guardians of civil rights for all, true lovers of the diversity that makes us great, and true warriors for the best that America can be.

 Liz Cain has been a two-time candidate for the Montana legislature, a teacher and is currently a writer.