Can't let this one slip by, exams be damned!So there's an escort service in DC (shock!), that apparently had many high profile people as clients (double shock!). Oh and lefties are reveling in the hypocrisy of "family values" conservatives that may have engaged the madam's, ahem, services (quadruple shock, skipping triple shock altogether!).
At first I was tempted to criticize this scandal as petty and politically motivated (which it may still be), but then I realized that sex is an issue because these Theocrats make it one! So I have decided that I'm giving the lefties their day (I have almost as big a problem with "family values" conservative Theocrats as they do). Indeed I found this fun little quote about one of the Madam's clients, recently resigned Randall Tobias, in the Chicago tribune:
Among other duties, Tobias was responsible for implementing a policy that requires grant recipients to take steps against prostitution and sex trafficking and supporting efforts to fight the spread of AIDS. The AIDS policy emphasized abstinence as the first line of defense against the disease. (Emphasis added)
That made me laugh. In all fairness, Ms. Palfrey is only an accused madam, and indeed, were it up to me, even if the allegations are true, Ms. Palfrey's actions would not be illegal. But I wonder who else on Ms. Palfrey's client list is wondering why they made sex such a big, fat, and in many cases, criminal deal.
5 comments:
Heh. Yes, give the lefties their day.
My only quibble is that, because I actually believe in original sin, I realize that the arguments I make about morality will also be standards I do not live up to. Hypocrisy is not an argument against certain principles. But that is also why I am a libertarian -- not because I do not believe in moral certainties, but because I realize that I should be more worried about living up to my own ideals than telling other people what to do.
In case you can't tell, I am most looking forward to you getting through exams and talking about religion.
My biggest problem with... well pretty much everyone, but I'll stick to the arena I know, Christianity... is this judgmental and competitive attitude.
No one has a monopoly on God. No one can say with any certainty that they know how God's mind works and what he wants from each one of us. Acting like so is just plain silly. And then going and asserting such is even sillier in my opinion.
Moreover... none of us are more loved by God. None of us can edge each other out by scoring more points in the sin game. It's like golf... you want the lowest score. I was +9 today on the front nine. Was doing good, started with some solid pars, even got to -1 with a nice birdie of helping someone out. Then I got distracted by cute boys... quadruple bogey right there. Two more triple bogeys on some more bad thoughts about sex with boys. It was a rough round. Hopefully I'll have a good second nine and bounce back in the next round make the cut and get to play on the weekend.
What's also bothersome is that people are so intolerant of failure. Morality is hard, Christian morality is impossible. You're going to fail constantly and sometimes in a spectacular fashion. We all do... so who gives us the right to criticize and point fingers and laugh at others when they do. They'll just laugh at us back the next day when we trip and fall on our face. It's the just rewards for those that start the finger pointing... they'll get the finger back tomorrow.
But it would be nice to see some one take the high road and say... you know what... you failed at keeping to a morality you hold. Welcome to being human. We all do. Get back up on the horse with me and we'll try again. So much nicer when compared to using it to further humiliate and embarrass the person. But we like our individualism and competition in the US... so we point and accuse and judge and just forget to help and care. It's so disappointing sometimes, because I know I'm as guilty of it as the rest.
I kind of got lost rambling again.
I actually really like individualism and competition. I am guessing Pink Elephant does as well. Its how we humans, despite all our failures and frailty, improve our lot. Without striving for greatness, we would still be in mud huts. And I don't think this necessarily leads to moral finger pointing.
This story is exactly why religion should be kept out of government and politics. I should disclose that I lost my religion long ago, in high school in fact. Sure I still question things, and I certainly see the benefits, but what I see most is the pain and death and suffering.
Allow me to elaborate. I realize that most religions ask, or demand, the follower to "spread the good word," but also that its god "is a jealous god." These two attributes never can coexist, because most religions have them. Religion, therefore, becomes a zero sum game. Unlike Jason's view (whose post I really liked, but only deals with individual's religion), the world of religion isn't a game played against yourself like golf, but more like Red-Rover - each side fighting for "the whole shebang."
I digress. That said, whenever someone in government invokes a strong moral/Christian stance, I count the days until the other shoe drops. It's called "projection" in psychology. A person will sometimes accuse a boyfriend/girlfriend of cheating if they themselves feel guilty over cheating or simply have had thoughts about cheating. That is apparently what has happened here -- the guilt or subconscious conflict between his action and morality were projected into the prostitution law.
I realize this is very scatter-brained, but will refashion it later, when I'm not already late. Tootles.
I think it is not that there is joy in another's failure, or lack of compassion or forgiveness. And before we finger-point, both sides have been equally guilty of dancing with glee or pissing on graves.
What frustrates or irritates many are the hypocrites. Don't tell me what to do when you are doing it already. The same old do as I say, not as I do.
Perhaps I am just too old-fashioned, but I was brought up to believe that religion is a private matter, not to be imposed on others, it is between you and your maker. Maybe that is why they call Anglicans "the frozen chosen".
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