COMMUNITY
What might have unfolded had Dr . Kane and Schifanelli , instead of relying on national media outlets and the legal system to work out their grievances , first met in person ? I cannot say for sure that things would have fared better , but seeing each other in the flesh might well have turned down the heat . When people are face to face we tend to be more generous towards each other , more willing to see each other as complex humans , and not simply “ the enemy .”
PHOTO CREDIT : PEXELS
One final story illustrates the good that can come from personal contact . Toward the end of a news conference , Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked President Biden a question that he obviously did not like . As White House officials scrambled to shoo reporters out of the room , President Biden sarcastically answered the question , and while the mic was still “ hot ,” called the reporter a “ stupid son of a -- .”
According to the account Doocy gave to Fox News interviewer Sean Hannity , the president called his cellphone an hour after the incident . “ It was nothing personal , pal ,” Doocy quoted the president as saying . Summing up the call , Doocy said , “ We were talking about just , kind of , moving forward .”
When Hannity – known to some as a connoisseur of conflict – demanded to know whether President Biden had apologized , Doocy laughed . “ Sean , the world is on the brink of , like , World War III right now with all this stuff going on ,” he said . “ I appreciate that the president took a couple minutes out this evening while he was still at his desk to give me a call and clear the air .”
Bob Schieffer , a veteran CBS News anchor who has covered 10 presidents , said of the call , “ It was something we do not see that often : a civil exchange . Both of them came off looking the better for it .”
When faced with conflict , it can take gumption and even a bit of courage to talk to our adversary . However , if we all did that , we might start to rise out of our current conflict morass .
David Root is a retired civil litigator . He is currently a mediator with BAY Mediation and Arbitration in Atlanta . www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 31