What Will Your Babysitter’s Mother Say About You?

You may want to call your childhood babysitter — and her mother — to apologize for that temper tantrum you threw years ago. If you’re a parent, perhaps have your nanny sign a nondisclosure agreement now, or else risk them spoiling the political career of your little Jimmy or Susie.

That may sound ridiculous, but our modern era of zero-sum politics has apparently rendered youth to be no excuse for bad behavior — and perhaps a notable indicator of future behavior.

“We’re not sure what reason you put gum in Billy’s hair in the third grade, but we’re certainly sure it was indicative of how you’ll act in elected office!”

I find little joy in coming to the defense of Missouri’s Junior Senator, Josh Hawley, who has consistently proven his uncanny ability to exchange principle for popularity at a time where real leadership was never more desperately needed in that chamber.

Alas, because of principle, I must.

On Sunday morning, the Kansas City Star ran a front page article delving deep into the supposed roots of Josh Hawley’s flirtations with “radicalism.” Amongst the “facts” gathered on this most enterprising of journalistic endeavors was the opinion of Shirley Guevel, the 87 year-old mother of a woman who “babysat Hawley a few times as a child.” According to this irrefutable source, Hawley was never told “no” as a child and was perhaps was groomed at an early age to run for office.

The article continues by providing quotations from Hawley’s middle school principal, Barbara Weibling, reaffirming that Hawley was prepared by his parents for a political future. She goes on to state that she believes Hawley’s propagation of the lie that Donald Trump won the 2020 election was “a way to get attention.”

I agree, it most certainly was. But did we really need to ask his middle school principal that question?

This pathetic attempt at journalism is nothing short of emotional extravagance. Whether the reporters’ emotions or the emotions of the Kansas City Star’s readership — or a combination of both — were the motivating factor is not necessary to determine. The increased national focus on Hawley has driven the media and pundits alike to produce every “hot take” they can muster.

In this case, they struck ice, and in doing so, shamed their profession and reinforced a dangerous precedent that is unfortunately becoming more commonplace as standard operating procedure.

More than anything, we need journalists who are dedicated to fostering discourse and debate at an intellectual level. That doesn’t mean we need Ivy Leaguers hurling together sentences of great complexity at each other, but it does mean bringing differing views, perspectives, and ideas head-to-head in a civil forum in an effort to enlighten. I work with reporters daily in at the Colorado State Capitol that continue to amaze me with the articles they write, the perspectives they bring, and the intellectualism they promote. They make mistakes, like we all do, but I genuinely believe the majority of those in journalism have their heart in the right place, which is why the blame cannot simply be laid on the feet of journalism at large.

No, supply is useless without demand, and the public demands blood.

It’s not a partisan issue, it’s an American issue. A desire to fuel our outrage with skewed commentary that reinforces our biases and hardens our hearts has replaced a desire to learn and understand those around us. Our news outlets have political parties associated with them, and they have begun to embrace those pigeonholes, skewing their coverage further to whichever side consumes their content the most.

It’s a vicious cycle that will require the adults in the room to stand up to break it — we just have to find the adults in the room. It’s time for us to ask ourselves at what cost we are willing to destroy those we disagree with. I believe the bid has risen to a price we should not be willing to pay.

Social media has made these attacks quick and their bite ever more painful — it has also forced journalism into a situation where being the quickest to publish is arguably more important than the most comprehensive or informational. The good news is that this has also resulted in the consumer — the voter — holding more power via their speech than ever before in human history. That gives us — the little people — a unique opportunity to lead the about-face and be the adults in the room that our nation desperately needs. It just requires a willingness to say enough is enough.

Once the dust settled and the raccoon-hatted, face-painted knuckleheads were forced outside of the United States Capitol on January 6th, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse gave a short speech that I encourage you to watch.

“You can’t do big things, together, as Americans, if you believe other Americans are the enemy…If you’re angry, I want to beg you, don’t let the screamers who monetize hate have the final word, don’t let nihilists become your drug dealers…Organize, persuade, but must importantly, love your neighbor.”

Love your neighbor. If that fails, make sure to at least love the babysitter.