So I've got to say that I certainly hear both sides of the debate (see Pianogonzology August 14th & 15th) and empathize with each. Our society is all too quick to vilify and then we seek revenge. (See Mel Gibson movies-Any)
While Anthony Weiner, Bob Filner and Eliot Spitzer have all done despicable deeds, some with more hubris than others, as Howard Bess says, dwelling on these things will only make us miserable human beings.
I certainly have no desire to bring additional or excessive misery upon myself. First, and I'm sure Howard would agree, any illegal activity must not go unpunished. And I most certainly believe Howard is spot-on that we must forgive and move on. Based upon sincere remorse and a willingness to make amends (and restitution, if applicable) everyone deserves another chance.
What I have difficulty with, and I'm sure Howard is a much better man than I, is re-electing someone to the same position (or higher) when deficient remorse has been exhibited and excessive lack of scruples demonstrated.
". . .And now it comes out that the married Weiner (a/k/a Carlos Danger) engaged in even more and even dirtier stuff with even more women, since his resignation. (Alas, Spitzer may now seem almost clean by comparison.)
I never liked any of them. Spitzer and Weiner were both “progressive” blowhards. Spitzer was acclaimed as the “Sheriff of Wall Street;” I thought him a bully who abused his position and the law to curry popular favor shaking down unpopular targets. His governorship was a disaster even before the sex thing because he foolishly continued to act the bully. Weiner was no legislator, just a self-promoting publicity hound. . ."
(from Howard Bess)
"Vic Kohring lives in Wasilla, Alaska, the city made famous by Sarah Palin. He served seven terms in the Alaska State House of Representatives. He was convicted of accepting illegal gifts. He served his sentence in prison and has completed his parole/probation without violations of any kind. All his rights as a citizen have been restored. He now wants to run for a seat on the Wasilla City Council.
Bob Filner is the mayor of San Diego, California. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served with distinction, but chose to leave Congress to run for the office of Mayor of San Diego. It has come to light that he has been a habitual sexual harasser of women with whom he worked. The charges are credible and there has been a loud cry for him to resign from his office of mayor. He has apologized for his behavior and has no intention to resign. He wants to be mayor of San Diego.
Anthony Weiner was elected to the U.S. House of Representative seven times. When he was charged with inappropriate sexting on the internet, he resigned from Congress and returned to New York City. When Weiner returned to New York City he continued his sexting activities under a different name. He has decided that he wants to be mayor of New York City.
He has apologized for his sexting activities and promises never to do such things gain. People are calling for his dropping out of the mayoral race. To date Weiner refuses to be a drop out.
I do not approve of Vic Kohring accepting illegal gifts. I do not approve of Bob Filner’s sexual behavior. I do not approve of Anthony Weiner’s sexting. However, if I dwell on the things that upset me, I will be a miserable human being. The Israelite/Christian tradition makes it abundantly clear that all human being are flawed and fall short of the potential of their lives.
Some well-intentioned human beings are hung up on cleaning up everyone’s flaws except his/her own. I am very skeptical about “clean up the mess” politicians and am even more concerned about “clean up the mess” religious leaders. I love the list of the fruits of the Spirit that Paul enumerates in his Galatians letter. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. I find no reference to judging and whistleblowing. Judging and whistleblowing do have a spirit behind them, but it is clearly not the one that Paul calls the “Holy Spirit.”
What to do about what is wrong in the world is a major topic in the Bible literature. There is disagreement about what should be done. There were devout people who thought their God advocated killing or seriously penalizing the wrong doer. Several of the Old Testament prophets disagreed, and for Jesus, the rabbi from Nazareth, punishment was counterproductive. He was much more interested in restoring, reclaiming, and making the flawed persons whole.
Of all the stories that Jesus told, the one of first importance is the parable of the Good Samaritan. I would place the parable of the wayward son in the second spot. The son blew family money on riotous living and made a fool of himself with women. When he came to his senses, he went home where his father welcomed him and restored him to the family. To accomplish this, the father had to extend an abundance of grace. The extension of grace to the unworthy is an essential part of the Christian tradition.
Kohring, Weiner and Filner made fools of themselves, but that does not mean that their value as human beings has been discarded. It may be that Vic Kohring will be a good city council member. Weiner may make an excellent mayor of New York City and Filner may do a good job as the head of the government in San Diego. Is there a place for grace in American public life?
The United States is a nation of law. However, it does not mean that we cannot be gracious within the framework of law. Right now the mood of America is not to extend grace to anyone. We have taken discretion from our judges and substituted mandatory sentences and absurd laws such as “three strikes and you’re out.”
One of the great hypocrisies of Christians and their churches is their finger pointing and judging. The foundation of the Christian Faith is not being right and pure but being gracious. Our Faith calls us to be witnesses about a different way to live. That way of life is gracious and restores the fallen.
If grace is good for any of us, it has to be good for all of us. All of us must include Kohring, Weiner and Filner."
(The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives In Palmer, Alaska. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net)
When I was pre-adolescent, watching with wonder the antics, joy, humor and sensuality of the beautiful young people in such entertainment offerings as the 'Beach Party' and Elvis Presley movies and television fare like 'The Patty Duke Show' and even 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis' (in syndication, mind you, NOT the original run).
I recall vividly thinking that 'this is what it's like to be a teenager'. Your biggest worries would be who to ask to the prom and should you tell your Dad that you scraped the car on the door frame of the garage last Tuesday.
I learned later that life would simply not be quite that romantically glorious nor as blissfully simple.
And, in my 20/20 hindsight, I'm actually GLAD that it isn't!
(from wikipedia.com)
The Bee Gees' career record sales total more than 220 million ranking them among the best-selling music artists of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997; the presenter of the award to "Britain's first family of harmony" was Brian Wilson, historical leader of the Beach Boys, a "family act" also featuring three harmonising brothers. The Bee Gees' Hall of Fame citation says "Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees."
. . . last Friday at Bread & Circuses Bistro's Patio in Towson. The clouds parted, the sun burst gloriously through. Three mysterious men with musical instruments plowed through three sets of driving, sophisticated and danceable cover tunes interspersed with thought-provoking originals well into the evening. . . all of which seemed to simply appear. . .
When I woke up today I had all that I want
Everything that I did brought desired results
How could this be? All the rules have been changed
In the pool where I drowned I am swimming again.
But of course I am wrong. How could I understand
When my society tells me how tall I stand?
Then I take it inside and wait for life’s kiss
Which is sure to arrive ‘cause I’m riding my bliss.
What did I do? The world holds me up
Invisible hands grant the nourishing cup
Have I found a way that has always been there?
It seems to me it came out of thin air.
The child waking up brings the old crone to tears
Pushing through my disguise see the tips of my ears
How could this be all the rules have been changed
In the pool where I drowned I am swimming again.
When I blindly reach out to what I cannot see
Grace reappears and it rescues me
I’m not what I feel, I’m not what you think
I’m only what is and what isn’t in sync.
Out of Thin Air
by John P. Graboski (live at Bread & Circuses August 9, 2013)
