Election Night brings out the worst in many of us. In large part because of the 24 hour news cycle amplified by social media, we get way too invested in politics and sometimes let our mouth overload our rear. (Pro-tip for those of us who love politics and love discussing it, private groups are the way to go on Facebook.)
I saw some of the worst behavior come from my fellow members of the Bar. Many attorneys I know were posting things that I wouldn’t have expected from dispassionate professionals. The comments (and they were from both sides of the political aisle) ranged from sour grapes, veiled passive-aggressive statements, or out and out statements that they’d be unfriending people. (Another pro-tip here. I do know some of these people and it speaks volumes as to their professionalism and whether I might believe they have the temperament to handle a case I might refer their way.)
Late last night, a post started making its way through EMS social media showing a paramedic saying (in part), “I’ll start asking if you are a trump (sic) supporter – if you are, y’all will die in my ambulance.” The response from EMS was swift and gave me a great deal of hope for our emerging profession. Everyone denounced it. Whether you wanted to “make America great again” or identified as a democratic socialist, everyone agreed that this sentiment had no place in EMS. And they spoke up. Not only did they speak up, they made a point to notify this guy’s employer and the various licensing entities that they didn’t want him in our profession. At least one employer terminated their relationship with him by morning and at least one licensing agency is aware of his temperament to practice as a paramedic.
Regardless of whether the gentleman deserves to remain employed or certified as a paramedic, our profession spoke with one voice and said that we won’t tolerate such a mindset. And my other profession, the profession of law, has become so politicized and activist (on both sides) that we have, at least in some part, lost track of what we’re supposed to be doing, namely zealously representing our clients and providing them with sober counsel.
Last night, EMS stepped up and took a stand for our profession. And for a change, we did it better than the lawyers. Pardon me while I brag on being a paramedic. We’ve beat the other professionals at being professional and separating the personal from the professional.