Define 'divisive'

Divisiveness. I don't think this word means what you think it means.

It is hard not to read a political story in the paper or hear a commentary on the major network shows (I don't call them news programs anymore) without hearing a Republican politician or candidate being labeled as "divisive". The Herald has done it in justifying "not" endorsing certain political candidates, President Trump is regularly labeled as such, and the same label gets applied to people that speak out: against abortion or same sex marriages; for upholding legal immigration requirements; demanding peaceful demonstrations, etc. How often do you hear a liberal Democratic leader or Democratic political position being labeled as "divisive" by our media?

Were Democratic leaders deemed divisive when they unjustly crucified John Kavanaugh as a nominee for the Supreme Court, or with their sham of a presidential impeachment trial, or in directing their police forces to ignore looting and vandalization of private and business properties?

Both Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot publicly labeled the recent Breanna Taylor shooting trial as a "gross miscarriage of justice." What specifics did they cite to support such a strong indictment which only serves to fuel the flames of violent protests? Did they read the court transcripts or have someone objectively follow the evidence presented in the case and find gross injustices? NO. Were they be unifying or divisive?

Did they speak out against the shooting of two innocent police officers in a related protest? No, or it was not reported in any of the coverage I heard or read, including in the Daily Herald. If the liberal left is going to be divisive and continually label those with opposing views as divisive, they should show they really know the meaning of the word and apply it equally. Better yet, they could not use this label at all, and thus not be divisive.

Vincent J. Heaton

Wheaton