JUDGE BURTON
I don't discuss politics on this site but, like many others, I've been watching the Florida vote count on television. I've run through a range of emotions, anger, disgust, amusement, surprise, even pride in our system of government. But I've been continually disappointed by the tone of the discussions about this topic. The anger and hostility on all sides is palpable, from senior spokespersons right down to the local canvassing boards. There is, however, one man who seems to have avoided the anger and hostility and who goes about his work in a civil, honest, courteous manner, who appears to be trying to make the right decision, who brings humor to the job , who doesn't get caught up in the partisan bickering which characterizes what I see on tv. That man is Judge Charles Burton, Chairperson of the Palm Beach canvassing board. Soon after the election he was looking for rules and interpretations to follow and presented his views in a calm, measured manner. No matter how tired he must be, he has always been polite, accepting many questions from the press, and he usually maintains a smile from dawn to late into the night.
I watched Judge Burton testify in one of the lawsuits arising from this vote count. He testified that he was selected for his canvassing board post because he was the most junior judge in the county. Having been selected, he didn't grumble or complain, he pitched in and began to work. He humorously acknowledged that he couldn't divine a person's intent from a pin prick on a piece of paper, that he would be happy for some guidance in rules or consistent practice, even that he was happy that the lawsuit gave him a break from the tedious job of counting.
I know nothing about Judge Burton other than what I have seen on tv but I've been impressed. I assume he will be the target of hostility and anger from one side or the other, depending on how the count turns out. And that's a shame: To be angry at a man who does his job as best he can, with civility and respect for others, is wrong. We should instead compliment him and thank him for his work. This is one of those frequent times where we should respect the process, no matter what the result.
I'm sure there are others involved in the count who aren't deserving of respect, who bring a personal agenda and desired result to the count. I might not thank them. But I salute Judge Burton. I'd be happy to find such a judge if I was personally involved and I would accept the result he prescribed as fair and honestly reached.
Thank Judge Burton and try to emulate him. Then people will respect your judgments and you'll help bring civility and calm to difficult situations.
11-27-00