On this Good Friday, as most Americans get a day off, even though relatively few are invested in religion, I am thinking about empathy, the ability to feel the pain of others.
Jesus of Nazareth had it and built a theology around "loving your neighbor as yourself." For spreading that word, the Romans executed him. We mark that occasion on Good Friday.
The family of slain Georgia college student Laken Riley surely deserves empathy. But President Biden did not contact those grieving folks. I don't know why. I do know that most of you reading my words right now would have called had you been President.
The young widow of 31-year-old Jonathan Diller is surely suffering. The New York City police officer was shot dead on Monday by a vicious career criminal who should not have been on the street. But President Biden did not call Mrs. Diller, who has a one-year-old baby. Biden was actually in New York City, just 30 miles from the funeral home where Officer Diller lay.
But the President never picked up the phone.
I am not judging only reporting. Joe Biden's lack of empathy has been a theme throughout his administration. Maybe, as a Catholic, Mr. Biden might want to think about that if he honors the Nazarene by attending Good Friday services.
A simple suggestion to the most powerful man in the world. Your lifetime will soon end. Millions have some empathy for you. Perhaps you can begin returning some of that as your time grows short.
New column on Officer Diller's funeral posted Sunday.
