ELAINE HARRIS SPEARMAN COMMENTARY: 'I, me, my' attitude is way too prevalent

Elaine Harris Spearman

We are rapidly approaching a beautiful time of the year when our hearts and minds turn to thankfulness. Although it should be part of our lives throughout the year, during the Thanksgiving season people are encouraged to remember those who are less fortunate, or have fallen upon some tough times, particularly in the face of a severe pandemic. 

It is a time when we are encouraged to step out of ourselves and our selfish desires, to remember others. Oh, we all know that we are living in a time of “What about me,” and the whine of “I deserve to have all of my own wishes fulfilled.” 

We have seen a lot as we live life, but I have difficulty remembering a time of such self-centeredness and the “I, me, my” attitude that is displayed on a daily basis. There is such callousness about personal beliefs and behaviors and how it impacts others. 

Most people that we know, or even those we meet at a store, the V.A. Hospital or people that we see infrequently, put forth great effort to be kind and generous. 

I read a Hallmark greeting card in a search for just the right words to comfort a sick person. It read, “It's hard to feel blessed when you don’t fell your best.” It did go on to say, “Please relax and take care — you’re remembered in prayer.” Needless to say, I did not use that particular card. 

What resonated with me is someone could start a cottage industry with verses that express sympathy to the residents of Alabama trying to continue to feel blessed and thankful, while we are enduring the continuing roughshod behavior and words of the state's so-called leadership. 

We did not ask the attorney general of this state to join with the three or four other states who are challenging the federal government in the issuance of a vaccine mandate. The Office of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Justice have determined that vaccine mandates can be used. 

The governor urged Alabamians to “join in this lawsuit.” This state has a long line of politicians who continue the politics of the past. They go from one issue to another, all designed to repress people who simply do not believe that everything that they do “on our behalf” is right. This will not be the first ill-fated lawsuit to be filed asserting “states' rights,” nor will it be last. 

The use of the words “states' rights” by Alabama politicians and their counterparts is an attempt to disregard the federal government’s interest in protecting all of the people. They are, plain and simple, trying to preserve the ability to draft and enforce laws that violate your rights and mine. 

They throw around the 10th Amendment as their shield. Under this amendment, states only have the power that is not retained by the federal government. The Constitution tells you what those are. I doubt that you will find anything remotely related to advising various segments of state government and businesses to ignore a vaccine mandate during a worldwide pandemic, in my opinion. 

Late-night TV is continuing to have a field day with Alabamians such as U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville. Brooks wore body armor to the Jan. 6 insurrection, but “had no idea there was going to be a riot.” However, he said he’d be proud of his staff if they participated in the planning of the event. 

Judge Randy Jinks is the latest of the disgraced high-level Alabamians. He felt that it was OK to use racist and sexist comments in the course of being a judge. His ugliness is not protected by any rules of law. The 78-page document issued by the Judicial Inquiry Commission detailed more than 100 allegations against him. We can thank God that his robe is hanging on the door, now unused to beat down the very people that he is there to assure receive justice. 

This is the United States of America. While there are many things in this country that are often compared to conduct in other countries, what sets this country apart is the rule of law. 

You do not get to plot, plan, participate and have full knowledge of felonious acts and plans and not report it to authorities. There are ethical standards involved in most professions where the job has a serious impact on the lives of people — their health, life and liberty, and the quality of that life. 

Brooks is a lawyer; we are held to a higher standard. Urging the Department of Justice to intervene in a lawsuit accusing him of helping incite the Jan. 6 riot, and characterizing the published, first-person accounts of his early and ongoing participation as “within the scope of his employment,” is asking the department to defend the overthrow of the government. 

As the old folks say, with a pointed finger, “You know better.” 

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis.