Le Mot Juste by M. E. Boyd Miss Constitution

Le Mot Juste – saying or doing just the right thing. Miss Constitution has mentioned Unwritten Law many times as the overlooked bundle that provides positive human lubrication in a multicultural society. One’s tone of voice (even in an email), look, and consideration of another person’s feelings are always the right thing to do but are even more critical under severe societal stress.

It is one thing for the average person to be unaware, but it is unthinkable for the White House Social Secretary, the Chief Protocol Officer for the United States, or the First Lady and the President of the United States not to know what, as Emily Post writes, is “a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others.”

The Pride flag placed evenly between two United States flags on the White House portico is not only a violation of flag protocol, but it is also a violation of Unwritten Law, as it represents to many Americans immodest behaviors that are offensive. Many Americans, if not most, see pedophilia and sexual grooming of children as morally unacceptable, from whatever community. Many Americans, if not most, see genital mutilation of children as possibly permanently destructive of the child. Many Americans, if not most, see pornography disguised as elementary education as a wicked tool to soil the soul of the innocent.

For these reasons alone, a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others would not permit the current Pride flag display, much less the Pride Party on the south lawn of the White House where one guest bared her breasts declaring later she just wanted to live her “truth”. Her truth evidently does not include taste, class, manners, and respect. So, what would be le mot juste – just the right way to look at all this?

Just the right way to look at all this is what most Americans do every day. Every day Americans go about their business and pay no attention to other people’s immutable or non-immutable traits. Most Americans do not care whether one is from India or Vietnam or Sweden. Most Americans do not care whether one is transgendered or heteronormative or Jewish or Catholic or Agnostic.

Just the right way to look at all this is to understand that American society is already inclusive – there is no discrimination by law for the Pride community or any other community. None. There is an expectation, however, that all persons conduct themselves not just legally, but lawfully.

Just the right way to look at all this is knowing that it is the United States flag that encompasses all other symbols of particular groups and is the umbrella protecting the civil, political, and personal rights for all American citizens. This includes members of the Pride community.

Evidently, Carlos Elizondo, the White House event planner and social secretary thinks the Pride event appropriate. Miss Constitution would like to introduce him to the late Letitia Baldridge, social secretary to the impeccably mannered Jacqueline Kennedy, and author of numerous books including her last called, Taste: Acquiring What Money Can’t Buy, who made sure that every event at the White House reflected the very best America has to offer and offended no one.

If Letitia Baldridge were still alive she would gently explain to those responsible for White House etiquette that a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others might require a more modest gathering – inside – perhaps for tea. Many Americans have come to the conclusion that our society has lost not only le mot juste, but has no understanding of what constitutes the American Rule of Law. For instance:

The Executive Branch of the federal government now wants to institute disinformation boards to prevent all views on public policy positions from being expressed. Miss Constitution points out that there is no such thing as “disinformation” or “misinformation” when it comes to public policy. It is all protected from government boards or other means of censorship such as proxy censors (Twitter, Facebook, etc) under the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution. The COVID debacle of government-issued falsehoods has shown how important all views on public policy are. Perhaps a refresher course in Washington, DC on Positive Law would be helpful.

The Executive Branch of the federal government now wants to appoint a federal employee to monitor what is called “book-banning” regarding LGBTQ+ books in public schools. Miss Constitution points out that obscene books are not protected by the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution, and neither is obscene speech. Books in public schools that are not age-appropriate or depict sexually explicit material may certainly be banned – in fact should be banned as a violation of Moral Law. Some of these books for elementary school children graphically depict oral sex, masturbation, fornication, sex toys, and gender fluidity. Perhaps there are a handful of parents who think the sexualization of their children in public schools is appropriate, but probably 99% of parents do not. Perhaps a refresher course in Washington, DC on Moral Law would be helpful.

The Executive Branch of the federal government thinks that America is a racist society and that no black person could possibly vote for anyone outside the political party in power. If you vote otherwise, “you ain’t black.” Any other political party will “put you back in chains.” Hateful accusations of racism against European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and all other nationalities and ethnicities might be seen as rude to many. Perhaps a refresher course in Washington, DC on Unwritten Law would be helpful.

What is the answer, then, to this cultural and legal slide?

Some societal influencers think that it is time for a Convention of the States to amend the Constitution based on an amending provision in Article V of the US Constitution. Miss Constitution thinks before we change the supreme Positive Law of the land we need to have accomplished three things:

Finally, we might all want to practice le mot juste in these difficult times. Nous sommes nos choix.