Yet it also demonstrates the power of unwritten rules — norms of civility and decency — that are often hard to define but always crucial to respect, lest social trust disappear and instability spread. Given all that, she could have resigned in protest and let Mr. Trump appoint someone who could, in good conscience, defend his policy. Instead, it hurled politicized insults — “weak on borders” — at Ms. Yates and, more shockingly, accused her of having “betrayed” her department. Among the unwritten rules that make democracy possible, none is more important than resisting the impulse to demonize political opponents. Every participant in politics today could benefit from reflecting on Hand’s message — Mr. Trump most of all.

Source: Washington Post January 31, 2017 20:26 UTC