What in the world is going on? (Obviously not the increasing escalating showdown between Russia and Georgia!) Why are we all so surprised by an affair? Now, I do not wish that any marriage would go through such heartbreak, but it happens. It is also highly unlikely that a public figure would admit to such a thing, especially if running for President of the United States.
What appears to be more ridiculous is all the folks who claim to be "heartbroken," "very disappointed," "devastated," and "deceived." Give me a break! Let public figures handle their personal matters privately. Why have we invested so much in the personal lives of public figures anyway? Get a life! Are there not more pressing issues to concern ourselves with? Yet, a salacious story between a married couple is breaking news. How ridiculous!
I'd like to ask all of these people (former aides, campaign organizers, senators, pundits etc.) who are so devastated at the extramarital affair of another to look at their own lives, perhaps the devastation will cease. What are your secret sins? Are you hateful? Are you vindictive? Do you cheat a little bit? Are you a glutton? How often do you tell those little white lies? How self-righteous are you? Perhaps these could have more consequences for the whole than an extramarital affair. But, in any event, please do not confuse policy decision with personal indiscretion. We are all not righteous in thought, word, or deed all the time. "Let he without sin cast the first stone."
I've heard a lot of people today talking about how their hearts are going out to the wife and children of a past presidential candidate whose name is now being splattered across the media. All of these "compassionate" hearts that are going out for the self-professed "sinner," who has spoken long before now of missing the mark daily, and his wife seem disingenuous, silly in fact, for there they stand on national TV talking about a private matter publicly. They should check their own heart instead of lending it out.
I'm annoyed!
2 comments:
Hmmm. Let me offer another different perspective. Though I'm no boy scout (no ex-rock & roller can claim to be) I am concerned about the after-the-fact duplicity. The problem is almost never the original deed but the cover-up. For instance, Bill Clinton's biggest mistake with Monica Lewinsky was his denial of the affair, under oath, which got him impeached. (I doubt we would have had 8 years of George W and an Iraq war if Clinton hadn't lied.) So if you're a public figure and you're going to "stray" you've got to realize you're going to be put in a no-win situation once the public finds out: confess immediately or lie. And most do the latter.
OK, John, I understand your point. But I remain annoyed that such importance decisions such as selecting our president boils down to such personal matters. Being a public figure should not mean that the media, many of whom may be no better, should vet candidates' personal lives that do not involve breaking a law.
I am not condoning extramarital affairs, or lying under any circumstance, oath or otherwise. What I remain annoyed at is not only our self-righteousness, but the notion that we have the right to pry into the personal affairs of others. Why? Does this particular sexual act have greater moral consequences than say the war that you spoke of? And, if Clinton's affair with Lewinsky caused many Americans not to vote for Gore (wasn't that race essentially a dead heat?) we are in far more trouble than believed as a nation.
I disagree with your remark. The problem IS the "original deed," as we are mostly self-righteous Puritans or unforgiving Evangelicals, and all of the others in between. Again, I am not condoning the act, lying, or cover up. But I am saying that some matters should remain private. For me, extramarital affairs are such matters.
It's good to hear from you, John.
Post a Comment