“… I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service to this country,” Blumenthal declared defiantly.
“Not only am I thankful for a loving family but for a loving God,” said a downcast Souder, adding that he would resign his seat in Congress. Thus he left the stage, disappearing from view.
Retiring Senator Christ Dodd, Chairman of the Banking Committee, and architect and personal financial beneficiary of the housing debacle, weighed in with full support of Blumenthal. “Dick Blumenthal and I have known each other for almost 40 years, and I’ve always known him to be the most honorable of people…. I’ve known him to be nothing but the most honorable of human beings in public life.” Trouble is, Senator Dodd wouldn’t recognize honor if it bit him in the Fannie Mac.
Honor is choosing the noble path at your own detriment. Honor is rising to a standard that exceeds the norm that does not seek personal gain, or take from someone or something to build anything for self. Honor is a code of honesty, sacrifice, oath taking and keeping. It should be a basis for public service, but in the degradation of our times, is the exception rather than the rule.
Honor can be lost and regained, but only through humility and confession
The German doctor Norbert Vollersten was raised by a Nazi father. So great was Dr.Vollertson’s shame, he left Germany for North Korea to pour his skills and his life into helping the starving, medically-deprived people of that land. He wanted to regain his family’s honor.
The Apostle Peter lost his honor when he denied knowing Christ three times as the rooster crowed, cursing God in the process. Deep regret caused him later, when sentenced to death, to insist on being crucified upside down to demonstrate and hopefully restore, at least in human terms, his once good name.
There is hope for a man like Mark Souder. But for someone like Attorney General Blumenthal who cannot admit guilt and who, rather than blaming himself, lashes out at those who would find him guilty, there is no place in public service.
A Yankee and a Hoosier: Two very different men, two very different scandals … one attempting to restore his honor, the other with none left to restore.