By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture - The problem that I see with Archbishop Gregory’s message lies in the fact that our bishops have (as usual) arrived late on the scene. The “politics of personal destruction” had become a regular feature of our nation’s political discourse long before Donald Trump—and his vociferous critics—arrived on the scene… When did it all begin? That’s a question worthy of a doctoral dissertation by some aspiring historian (if one hasn’t already been written). But for a quick answer, I’d point to July 31, 1987, after President Reagan nominated Robert Bork for a seat on the Supreme Court.