Attack on Dallas courthouse marks first day for a new mayor – Dallas News

It was jarring in the sense that, this is the world we live in now. A man attacked an institution of law and justice that exists for the very purpose of protecting our lives and liberty, with judging guilt and innocence.

And just a short drive away, another democratic institution was going about the business of the peaceful transfer of power that is the foundation of civil society.

We wish that the new mayor had veered from his prepared remarks to mark, even briefly, the fear, terror and bravery on display at the Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse. We wish he would have thanked law enforcement for, once again, throwing themselves into danger to protect the rest of us.

Unfortunately, the moment went unremarked upon, and Johnson carried on with what was otherwise a fine prepared speech about the need for greater civility in local government and the need to get things done to move the city forward.

The things he said about building our workforce and enhancing the use of data to improve city functions were all valuable. And things of that nature will almost surely occupy most of his time in office.

But leadership is usually defined in moments of crisis more than it is remembered in day-to-day decisions.