I Had to Do a Double Take

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in an apparently heated discussion

with President Obama  (photo courtesy NY Daily News)

When I saw this picture this morning, far too many thoughts rushed to my mind.  All of them ended up with a jaw-dropping comment floating in my head.

"Oh no the hell she didn't!!!"

Normally, I don't flaunt my political opinions or debate things political, due to the excessive emotions people display during such discussions.  While I would certainly classify myself as liberal in my views and beliefs, I do feel a restructuring of the American political system is long overdue.  But this didn't even touch me on a political level.

This irritated me on a human level.  Isn't it taught to us from an early age proper behavior when in conversation with others?  Shouldn't someone who has been elevated to a role of public office, especially one as high in the ranks as governor, be aware of such etiquette?  Even if this wasn't the President of the United States of America, I would be offended by this photograph.  I'm certainly aware that tempers flare when people are involved in passionate discourse.  But finger pointing?  Seriously?

I don't even need to know what the topic of this conversation was to know that sticking your finger in someone's face is a sign that polite talk has shifted.  Perhaps Gov. Brewer is lucky this WAS the President she pulled that tactic with.  Because I know many people who would have smacked that finger with some quickness.  Personally, I would have walked off at that precise moment, letting her point that finger at my back.

People keep saying respect is earned.  Maybe so, but decency should be universal.  At least in my humble opinion.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet