Saving Us A Lott of Grief

December 16, 2002
By GREGORY J. RUMMO

YOU'RE AT A party or in a crowded restaurant with a group of friends. Caught up in the spirit of the moment you say something unwise. It might be a flippant comment or a smart-alecky remark. Maybe you tell an off-color or an ethnic joke that you think is funny. You know the kind I am talking about. The ones you only share with close friends or your family—and when no one else is around to hear you.

Almost everyone laughs. But unfortunately someone who is not part of your clique overhears and you suddenly realize your words were spoken at the expense of another’s feelings. But it’s too late to take them back. The damage has been done.

If you’ve ever been guilty of this type of offense join the club. Trent Lott is president and he’s offering complimentary memberships.

My guess is if we were honest with ourselves, all of us would qualify.

But you and I are not the Senate Majority Leader of the party that, for whatever reason, either real or contrived, must exercise extreme caution when speaking about race relations in America.

Republicans are cut no slack when it comes to racially insensitive gaffs. Compounding the problem is America’s 50:50 split down a politically ideological center. You and I don’t have 130 million people rooting against us at the outset.

I am not blaming anyone here other than Trent Lott. He blew it with a sudden and violent case of diarrhea of the mouth.

Call it what you like: Open mouth and insert foot. Engage tongue before brain is in motion. If you’re like me, then you know the routine. You speak before thinking. The words seem to flow effortlessly and then suddenly you notice the reaction on other people’s faces and…. and… and… oh no… it’s too late.

You didn’t mean to hurt anyone. You just weren’t thinking.

The book of Proverbs warns: “You are snared by the words of your mouth. You are taken by the words of your mouth… Pay attention to [your] words”

Mr. Lott certainly should be aware that the Bible is full of advice about a man’s words and the power they have to help or to harm. During his press conference on Friday afternoon, he spoke of being an active member of his church. “As a man of faith in a local church here, I read the Bible all my life. I now will fully understand the Psalm that says a broken spirit, a contrite and humble heart.”

Mr. Lott could have saved himself from the pain of a broken spirit and his party from much ongoing embarrassment and grief had he paid a little more attention to the New Testament book of James, which warns about the ravages caused by an out-of-control tongue.

“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless… Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature.”

The jury is no longer out on whether Mr. Lott will survive as the Senate Majority Leader. Who replaces him is for the politicians to decide. In the meantime, there’s a lesson here for us all: Keep your mouth shut.

Or, in the words of Solomon from the Book of Proverbs, “He who restrains his lips is wise.” n

Gregory J. Rummo is a syndicated columnist. Read all of his columns on his homepage, www.GregRummo.com. E-Mail Rummo at  GregoryJRummo@aol.com