Rep. Daniel B. Crane, (R-Ill) had an affair more than two decades ago with a
17-year-old female page. After apologizing, he said he hadn't violated his
oath of office, hoped his wife and children would forgive him and announced
plans to run for re-election.
We all have what theologians call a "fallen" nature and no one should judge
himself (or herself) morally superior to others. But that does not mean the
standard for "right" behavior should be eliminated simply because many
appear unwilling to conform to that standard.
In his classic, "The Abolition of Man," C.S. Lewis observed three
generations ago that we are engaged in a type of tragic-comedy: "Šwe
continue to clamour for those very qualities we are rendering impossible. Š
In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function.
We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We
laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate
and bid the geldings be fruitful."
Scandal? Disgrace? I think not. Foley and others could only be so labeled if
popular culture condemned, rather than promoted, immorality. Oh, sorry,
there I go again, appealing to a discarded standard.
We do laugh at honor and as a result we do find traitors in our midst. We
also mock conventions and then are surprised when some take us seriously and
respond as if there are none. Congressman Foley can look forward to talk
show fame and a lucrative book deal. Welcome to America, 2006!
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