From Pulpit To Public Square

The Greek philosopher Plato said that “silence gives consent.” The point is that people who observe an unjust or cruel action and say nothing to challenge that action are themselves condoning that action.

This quote from Plato comes to mind as I think about the silence coming from Republicans in Congress and across the country in response to the outrageous words and deeds of their fellow Republicans in recent days.

Just this week, former President Donald Trump publicly called for the execution of 4-star General Mark Milley, outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley’s crime was refusing to let Trump deploy the U.S. military to attack peaceful demonstrators at a Black Lives Matter rally near the White House. Trump thought the protesters should “at least be shot in the leg.” Republicans in Congress, and Republican candidates for President of the United States have said nothing about that outrageous comment.

The day before Trump’s remarks, Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona said that “Milley should be hung.” Milley’s crime in this case was refusing to share Gosar’s racism, sexism, or homophobia. Once again, not a word of rebuke or disapproval from ANY Republican in Congress including Republican serving in Congress from Ohio.

Now consider Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville who has been holding up the promotion of over 300 high-ranking military officers. His reason for doing so is that the Department of Defense wants to offer travel reimbursement to female service members having to seek reproductive health care in other states if they are stationed in states like Alabama where such health care is illegal. Here again, Republicans serving with Tuberville in the Senate are doing and saying nothing about this block of promotions that is disrupting military readiness and weakening our national security. Silence gives consent.

The new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Brown was approved despite eleven no votes, all Republicans voting against him for reasons involving “wokeness”, a term that none of them can rationally explain, including Ohio’s own J.D. Vance who also voted no on General Brown’s appointment.

All of this is going on while the federal government is on the verge of being shut down. However, Congressional Republicans decided it was more important to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. At their hearing, their own hand-picked witnesses told them there was no legal basis for an impeachment.

What is the Republican National Committee saying about the political charade that is a fake impeachment hearing or the shutdown of the federal government and the danger it poses to the U.S. economy? Nothing!

Contrast that with the 29 Democratic U.S. Senators who have called for the resignation of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez in response to his multi-count indictment for corruption and bribery charges. It took them less than 48 hours to rebuke their colleague.

The difference between the two political parties on speaking out on matters of improper behavior could not be clearer. Edmund Burke, the 18th century British statesman said, “The only thing needed for evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing.” Congressional Republicans should learn from his warning. Our nation is facing grave challenges while one-half of our nation’s federal lawmakers say and do nothing! Silence means consent!