Willful Ignorance or Willful Arrogance?
In Testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder admitted he has not read the Arizona immigration law that he has publicly condemned for two weeks. On Meet the Press Holder said the new law “has the possibility of leading to racial profiling.” His response to Representative Ted Poe’s questioning how he could make public statements about a law he has not read:
I’ve just expressed concerns on the basis of what I’ve heard about the law. But I’m not in a position to say at this point, not having read the law, not having had the chance to interact with people are doing the review, exactly what my position is,”
Senior officials in business, not for profit, academia or government should surely understand that their words naturally carry a heavier, more visible, weight. And with that comes a degree of responsibility. Holder didn’t show it.
As a practical matter I seriously doubt Holder will ever “read it,” but will be professionally briefed. Until then, I believe the criticism that he should show more restraint in his public commentary.
I’d say its arrogance. After all, the Dems didn’r read the health care bill either.