With free speech, elected officials are held to a higher standard

Even the smallest comment can ruin your reputation.

Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing came under fire last month after making Facebook comments on his personal account, comparing President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle to “monkeys.” The action, which Rushing referred to as a “banter between friends that got out of control,” resulted in unwanted national attention and over 700 complaints to the city. He has refused to step down, despite residents, City Council members and staff expressing no confidence in his abilities as a leader and city representative. Council recently approved a resolution that directed staff to remove Rushing as the city’s representative from local commissions.

We were surprised when this first happened. Rushing has always acted professionally and personably to residents and staff members. He was also possibly exposed to different views and cultures during his years of service in the Air Force.

While many have voiced their disgust in Rushing’s comments, his supporters, have cited his right to free speech in defending his actions. We wonder if Rushing understands the ramifications of his comments?

As the media, we advocate for free speech and everyone’s right to it. But while free speech lets you express your opinion, it allows others to disagree with you and it doesn’t protect you from fallout from what you say — or in this case, post on social media.

Free speech is a right granted to every citizen, but we hold civic leaders like Rushing to a higher standard because they represent the residents and staff who live in their jurisdiction.

Rushing is not the first person to make these types of comments about a political leader. Past presidents have been the target of derogatory comments and criticism from fellow citizens, journalists and cartoonists. Rushing’s comments about Obama are offensive because comparing African Americans to primates equates them to animals and not people. However, there is an unwritten rule that a president’s wife and children are off limits from those types of comments. Attacking a man’s family like that is just cowardly.

Part of the national animosity against Obama may come from bias from Republicans. Years ago, political parties disagreed with each other’s philosophies, yet they would still try and work with each other. Nowadays, the animosity between both sides is much more evident. Back in 2008, after Obama was elected president, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was his job to make sure “Obama was a one-term president.”

Those biases emanate from the political realm and enter our personal lives. Social media allows us to share our beliefs with our friends and family, whether they are like-minded or disagree with us. With Rushing sharing those posts, he might be trying to relate to people who are like-minded, but at the same time, he was alienating others.

While the national attention has subsided, the restrictions against Rushing are taking effect. His mayoral title is mostly ceremonial — his duties include presiding over City Council meetings and having the rights, privileges and immunities of a council member — though he will no longer serve as the city’s representative on various commissions. He didn’t create the sanctions, his actions put him in this position.

Rushing said he will continue to work with staff and try to promote the city in a positive light, as well as work with the local Spokane National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union to work on race relations.

But actions speak louder than words and Rushing will have to show everyone that he is trying to better himself rather than just improve his reputation.