Divisive language serves no useful purpose

Gov. Kim Reynolds is in Atlantic today as part of a tour across the state to sign a handful of bills in public ceremonies.

It’s a positive thing happening in Atlantic, where she is hosting a fentanyl roundtable in signing House File 595 into law. The bill hikes penalties for manufacturing and selling fetanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. It increases penalties and allows more access to opioid antagonists like naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an overdose.

This was a bill that got bipartisan support. It’s an example of the good things that can happen in an environment of mutual respect and overcoming small differences of philosophies to achieve a greater good. In other words, the kind of government that we expect from those we elect.

But, a public message posted by Gov. Reynolds Monday on social media ran contrary to that sense of collaboration. It’s hard to agree to disagree and still work with someone when you’re fielding snarky insults.

Her tweet on the topic of National Police Week stated: “While the Left tries to make our police the enemy, we must stand up and honor those who put their lives on the line to protect us. In Iowa, we #BackTheBlue every day! #National Police Week.”

Why not leave the “Us vs. Them” sentiment out of it for once and just state a message of support for the Blue on behalf of ALL Iowans, which she does represent in that office? This is not done under the umbrella of a campaign stop, where that kind of language might be more appropriate.

For example, I probably didn’t vote for her friend, the former President, in the last election. But yet I have had several friends in law enforcement over the years and in fact I coached one who works as an officer in a dangerous city. I worry about him often when I hear news of shootings there.

Why cast a wide umbrella that those of us who vote differently don’t support law enforcement? How about considering that maybe those who want to hold police accountable for inappropriate actions taken against civilians is different than not generally supporting law enforcement? There’s a big difference there.

I choose not to cast a wide net and not speak for everyone who voted like I did, but from my point of view I am not supporting candidates who want to make the police the enemy. So, what does it serve to paint some of her constituents as enemies? She was elected to be a public servant, not an oppressor of half of us.

Jan. 6 proved how much some from “the other side” back the blue. It’s not “The Left” that attacked the Capitol Police. It was an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that resulted in the death of one officer and left 144 injured.

This gathering was on behalf of the former President that she has cozied up to, politically, a person who thinks that cruelty makes you seem more macho and stronger. It’s an “I’m superior to you” mindset that runs counter to respect for the equality of all law-abiding people.

How about trying to unite instead of divide? Past governors have shown class and set a good example in these messages of good will, instead of Trump’s style of desecrating the opposition even in a simple Mother’s Day social media tribute.

If she had left out the snarky beginning of that statement, it could have been a positive message for all. Inflammatory insults dilute the impact of the message. It’s a distraction from the primary point.

Why is this important?

Democratic Rep. Gerry Connelly said a man, later arrested, entered his district office Monday armed with a baseball bat and asked for the congressman before committing violence against two staff members resulting in their hospitalization.

A Congress security official said Monday one of their biggest challenges is dealing with the sheer number of threats against members of Congress — approximately 400% greater over the past six years. Over the course of recent years, the tone of the nation has continuously become more violent and unstable.

Maybe next time just put out a simple “Back the Blue” message of support on behalf of ALL Iowans.

Leave the more corrosive language for the campaign trail.

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Contact the writer:

Email: malachy.lp@gmail.com

Twitter: @larrypeterson