The James Comey hearing was considered to be more bipartisan than most have been in who remembers how long. In fact, some say with nostalgia to President Johnson’s Washington, that we are going on 20 years of a dysfunctional congress. In decades, congress can’t agree or agree to disagree and get the work done with solutions arrived at by collaborative effort and results. So on Day One, before James Comey was to come the following day, those who had presented questions to the committee who sat with gravely serious faces, flat expressions and presenting little and clearly not forthcoming in responding to the questions presented by the body of the Senate. “If there is a reason why you cannot answer these questions, please tell us what that is,” one Senator said in irritation at the waste of everyone’s time it was to hear their paltry responses. That might have been Senator Diane Feinstein as she attempted to clear the deck for a freeflow exchange between senate members and the officials who sat before them. Even as each Senator gave deference to the service and commitment each of those who refused to engage, only a few Senators seemed to register this was how it was going to be. This group put before the Senate to present information about the Russia meddling in our election November 2016 was somehow relegated to not giving any room for compromising our deeply compromised President Donald Trump.
“Shush..”
And then Senator Kamala Harris began her questions, finely crafted to bring out the specific information that might allow the Senate Body to have a basis to continue the purpose of their gathering. Kamala Harris Silenced . Each question took more ground to achieve that purpose. Suddenly, the deep and loud voice of the Committee Head interrupted Senator Harris. Interrupting women, whether they are a member of congress or in any exchange where they cut too close to the bone. Senator Elizabeth Warren knows this very well. We’ve all witnessed her being cut down accordingly when she is intent on getting to the truth in soundbites of her participation on the congressional floor. And so it was with Kamala. Very much a “Shush.” And what was said, not these words, but the inference was there:
“Listen, Little Lady-, that’s not the way we do things around here. You’re new. You probably don’t know that, but I’m telling you. We’re done with your questions.” Of course, that’s not what he said: but the growl in his voice and the push in his tone the first time didn’t slow down Senator Harris. It took a few times to take her well used time from her, and pass on to the next Senator.
Will this stop Senator Harris? Not one bit. But it should stop all observing, and the demand could and should be to call out this variety of sexism and bully behavior. It’s not If, but when this happens, take action. Call it out. And make it stop. Sexism displayed in diminishing another’s effect or shutting down a response, interrupting or other forms of insult are not acceptable. Add your voice to those who will have it no more.
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