
Weiner.
In an editorial, USA Today suggested that American might be shifting toward indifference about politicians’ extramarital affairs. It certainly has been a mixed bag. A sex scandal does not always mean the end of a career. Bill Clinton is an example of a politician who survived. However, if the politician resigns, then it certainly is the end of that term of office as was the case for Anthony
Weiner, Eliot Spitzer, and Mark Sanford. The fact that Bill Clinton did not resign may be the inspiration for Bob Filner to stay in office. A sex scandal does not always mean that a politician can’t be elected either. Mark Sanford is a good example. His election may be the inspiration for Weimer and Spitzer. Of course, it could hurt a politician as it did with Newt Gingrich.
This is why I favor the formation of a Department of Concubines. This department would assign one mistress to each elected officials at a certain level and above. The department would sanction and publicize all affairs with full disclosure. It would save a lot of turmoil and scandal that detracts officials from performing their duties. Mayors of large cities like San Diego would qualify.
In other news, the Vatican is allowing Catholics to earn indulgences by following the pope’s live Twitter feed of the World Youth Day. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t indulgences one of the issues that set Martin Luther on his reforms? An indulgence reduces the time a Catholic would spend in purgatory. Purgatory is an invention of the early church that Church leaders used it to explain how a believer’s sins are forgiven but still must be accountable. Purgatory is a roped off part of heaven. There is no basis for it in the Bible.
Indulgences came about in the middle ages when clergy figured out that the best penance for the rich is to have them pay money. That is how the term, "paying for your sins" came about. Otherwise, the rich folks would pay someone to do their penance. It was a good fundraiser. However, once the cost of various sins became standardized, the rich started paying in advance; much the way Spitzer did for prostitutes. That was before Rome came out with the “What happens in Rome stays in Rome” policy. We will see how well this turns out.
I read in The Week magazine that a Tennessee lawyer is suing Apple for failing to warn him that
online porn might give him unrealistic expectations for sex. Duh! We all have unrealistic expectations for sex. Apparently, the law school that he attended does not want their name revealed. That started me thinking that I should provide some warnings with my blog.
Here goes:
WARNING! Reading this blog may cause laughter which might result in a pulled stomach
muscles, injured funny bones, coffee or milk to pour from the nose, and self-inflicted wounds caused by slapping knees or foreheads.
WARNING! Reading blogs may cause eyestrain, deep thoughts (rare), raised eyebrows, furrowing of the forehead, gnashing of teeth, and shaking of the head.
If you think you have any of these symptoms, return to my blog the next day for another dose.
Consider yourself warned.