Jay Leno and David Letterman never run out of material when they are making
fun of politicians, especially when it involves sex and hypocrisy. After
years of beating up on Bill Clinton for his sexual indiscretions, the
late-night comedians are spending equal time chortling about Republicans who
have been caught with their pants down.
Their latest target is Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican. Vitter is
an easy target for those looking to play "pin the hypocrite tail on the
elephant." He's a lector in his local Catholic Church and he has been
associated with the Family Research Council, the political offshoot of Dr.
James Dobson's Focus on the Family. Pictures of a woman said to be the
prostitute with whom Vitter reportedly had a relationship are posted on
various Websites.
The first reaction one should have is not laughter, but sadness, sadness for
him, his wife and their four children. Vitter let down his family in order
to feed a lower nature that resides in all of us. Is there anything sadder
than a child who no longer sees his father as having good character, or a
wife whose trust has been shattered?
The second reaction is how could he have been so stupid? In the Internet age
when Larry Flynt offers $1 million to anyone who can provide evidence of
people in high places engaging in base behavior, the biblical warning "be
sure your sin will find you out" rings even more true. Not all sins are
exposed in this life, but the higher the profile, the more likely exposure
will occur, especially if it involves our national preoccupation with sex.
Laughing at others, especially over adultery, is the ultimate cover-up. It
keeps us from focusing on our lower nature, which used to be called sinful
before we all became "dysfunctional." Once, we repented and confessed to God
such things, if we did them, or sought God's power in order to protect us
from such behavior. Today, we issue press releases, consult advisers, take
medication, or check into rehab. Those yukking it up seem oblivious of their
own potential to follow in Vitter's footsteps, as many have done before.
Whatever happened to the humbling expression, "There, but for the grace of
God, go I?"