Manners matter
No matter how the New York State Senate crisis is resolved, the decorum once taken for granted among the senators needs to be restored.
The senators may not agree with Gov. David A. Paterson's attempts to compel them into special session and get them to finish their work. But some of their reactions to his tactics have been rude and inappropriate.
Senators have called Gov. Paterson a liar, a "fool," "incompetent," "silly" and worse. The invective has come from both parties.
It is true that Mr. Paterson has employed extraordinary and unprecedented means to get senators to work out a compromise, find a way to govern and pass crucial legislation.
Perhaps only the senators can decide how and when they will fulfill their responsibilities. But Gov. Paterson cannot be faulted for pressuring them. The people of New York are not complaining about his actions.
Mr. Paterson was on target when he said over the weekend: "I am not going to be intimidated by personal attacks. They have only directed this at me to distract you from the fact that they are not in the chamber."
But the senators have treated each other shabbily as well during this crisis. They have conducted separate concurrent sessions in the same chamber. When one side attempts to conduct business, the other side disrupts the proceedings.
One of the worst scenes involved Democrats refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance as it was recited by Republicans. Even if you do not accept the session as valid, it is important to respect flag and country.
The Senate has been in disarray since the June 8 Republican coup was launched. But the antics on both sides have made things worse.
There is a reason for collegiality, protocol, graceful conduct and decorum in government. It can make the people's business run more smoothly and help conflicts to be resolved.
Let's hope the Senate restores what one legislative adviser described as once-common practice: "The code was you spoke no ill of your fellow senator ... and you always treated the governor with respect."
