Over Morning Coffee

As if our political landscape weren't already a warzone, an added grenade was thrown last month with the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Those on the left mourned the passing of a hero and an icon, while the right saw only the death of a notorious Supreme Court justice. Whatever one thinks of RBG, love her or loathe her, there is a part of her legacy we should all take to heart.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a lightning rod for controversy. She became a trailblazer for women in the 1950s by being one of only nine women in a class of 500 at Harvard. Her professors chided her for taking a man's spot at the law school. In spite of their recriminations, Ruth excelled in her studies and became the first female member of the Harvard Law Review. After transferring to Columbia her final year, she graduated first in her class. Even with this outstanding academic record, the newly-minted attorney had difficulty finding a job because she was a woman. Eventually, she was hired to clerk for a district judge, but only after being personally recommended by a favorite professor. This was the beginning of a legal career that led to a seat on the bench of the highest court in the land.

Throughout her long career on the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsberg was cheered by the Left and slammed by the Right for her decisions in highly-charged cases. On electrifying issues ranging from abortion to immigration to universal health care, her opinions were met with both praise and condemnation. In spite of her strong views and forceful advocacy, RBG earned the respect of her colleagues. It's been said that Ginsberg was a ". . . a jurist who [sought] to build cautiously on precedent rather than pushing the Constitution towards her own vison." The rancor by partisans outside the court was not seen among justices behind closed doors. To Ruth, they were family.

These are volatile times in America. We are in the midst of a hotly contested and bitter election cycle. Everyone has an opinion, and few are open to changing their minds. Pollsters say 90 percent of voters have decided on a candidate, but the contentious campaign continues. Political commentary on cable news escalates into arguments where moderators intervene to shut down the shouting. When we read scorching memes and political posts on social media, disagreeing brings instant sarcasm and insults.

Justice Ginsberg would highly disapprove, reminding us that, "Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one's ability to persuade." Throughout her long tenure, she held fast to her values and stood firm in her arguments. Yet, she remained respectful and courteous while persuading others to come around to her way of thinking. As she said, "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." Ginsberg's guiding principle in debate was to "disagree without being disagreeable." She also encouraged people to listen to both sides of an argument. "I am a very strong believer in listening and learning from others," she would say.

Not only did Ruth Bader Ginsberg shine at the art of persuasion, she served as an example for being friends with people of differing political stripes. With our country deeply divided along party lines, political arguments affect relationships at work, church, in social circles and among family members.

People end friendships and stop speaking to relatives because of disagreements about politics. This is sad and unnecessary. It's possible to maintain relationships with people on the opposite side of the political fence. We can all learn a lesson from the friendship of the liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and her conservative counterpart, Justice Antonin Scalia.

Ginsberg and Scalia had a long-lasting friendship in spite of their obvious political differences. They shared a love of music and attended operas together. The pair shopped together for antiques, and their families traveled together. Outside the courtroom, the justices were able to put political and social differences aside and remain friends, each maintaining deep and firmly-held personal beliefs. The secret to their ongoing bond was the respect they had for each other and the wisdom to never discuss politics. When asked why they never debated the issues, Scalia replied, "There would be no point."

Scalia's son tells the story of walking into his father's office and seeing a vase containing two-dozen roses. When he asked about the roses, Justice Scalia said he was giving them to Ruth for her birthday. The son then asked, "So what good have all those roses done for you? Name one case of any significance when you have got Justice Ginsberg's vote." Antonin Scalia replied, "Some things are more important than votes."

Indeed.

Bonnie Ewoldt, of rural Milford, is a retired teacher, news junkie and freelance writer. Her opinion pieces have appeared online and in newspapers across Iowa and neighboring states. Visit her blog at http://www.bonniesblogbox.wordpress.com.