While Texas Transportation Commissioner Ric Williamson’s strong views on any number of issues earned him equal measures of love and scorn, he was an honorable man who truly sought to serve the best interests of Texans. He died earlier this week of a heart attack. As the godfather of the Trans-Texas Corridor, he took the arrows and daggers as a part of the public policy debate. But the state’s liberals demonstrate they have no sense of proportion, respect, or even decency, in gleefully proclaiming his passing.
The liberal Brains and Eggs blog (link, captured PDF) posted a crudely drawn "political cartoon" depicting the late Mr. Williamson on the "Trans-Celestial Corridor," passing a toll-booth to Heaven and driving on to Hell. Neither funny nor appropriate nor even well-drawn, the cartoon represents what passes for public discourse.
Reasonable people can disagree about policy, and take strong positions on politics, but to suggest that someone is on the road to Hell because of their views on transportation…? Really? Come on.
It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. And we all really need to use a lot more humor. There is, however, a line of reasonableness, there are some things which really aren’t funny.
The vast majority of people serving in elected and appointed office are truly there because they want to improve the lives of their fellow Texans. They may be dead-wrong on issues, they may be wacky on policy, but more often than not their intentions are honorable.
Ric Williamson spent the better part of his life serving the people of Texas. He may not have always been right, but our state is the richer for his participation in the political process.
