When the face of your opposition on any issue is John Lewis, you need to choose your words carefully: “Publicity stunt” probably should not be the go-to phrase.

Congressman Lewis, a Democrat representing Georgia, brings with him a moral gravity because of his courageous place in the country’s progress toward equality.

But it is very clear in the response of House Speaker Paul D. Ryan to the sit-in on the floor of the House over an impasse in gun control legislation that the Republican from Wisconsin is not a student of history – that of his esteemed and respected colleague, his country or his own party.

“A publicity stunt, a fund-raising stunt,” Ryan called the action by Democrats. As he adjourned the House during the protest, Ryan said that “the bottom line is despite these distractions, we did our job.”

Over chants from Democrats demanding action, Ryan said, “the chair would hope that the business of the House could be conducted in a fashion that respects positively on the dignity and decorum of this institution.”