Pitchforks, Torches and Today’s Politics

My take on Al Franken, Roy Moore and associated events.

I hate Al Franken. I hate the way he took the seat from a good man named Norm Coleman, Someone I knew a little. I hate his politics and his attitude about most things.

BUT...my feelings aside, I don’t think Franken, or Moore can be judged fairly now, and eliminated from ELECTED public office for things that allegedly happened years ago, if at all.

Judge Moore is accused by a number of dubious last minute females of things that allegedly happened decades ago. He has run several times for public office and won without their opposition. But today, he is judged guilty by his own party leaders, few of whom could withstand the bright lights themselves. I know he deserves the opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself  because he is innocent until proved guilty. The number of accusers may be significant, but they may also be associated with people on the left who are willing to pay for their sudden heroic accusations. I don’t know, neither do you. If the people know the accusations and have heard both them and him, and still elect him, he’s a senator in my book. If he’s proven to have done even a few of the things credited to him by the ladies and the left, throw the bum out. I am quite taken by the fact that this CRITICAL vote in the senate is under attack in this climate of whistle blowing “victims” who carry more clout than they should, at least until both sides are allowed to defend their positions.

Now, Senator Franken is being pressured by many in his own party to step down. Why? He acted like a jerk back when his job was to act like a jerk. A clown, clowning around years ago, but not today.

The principle at play here is one that must be heard in these times of sexual witch hunts. We all have the ability to change, despite previous foolish and harmful behavior. Am I to be judged by who I used to be or by who I am now?

We are in a time of witch hunting over things of the past that don’t match modern values. Thomas Jefferson is a bum because he had slaves. Robert E. Lee and all his armies are to be shamed because their slavery ethics is not our ethic today. Donald Trump was a frivolous young man so he can not be believed today. Judging previous generations by current values is the act of fools and ignorant zealots.

Let me ask you a seasonal question. Was Ebenezer Scrooge a good or a bad man? Am I a bad or a good man? Are you a good or a bad person? Same answer for all of us. It depends on when you make a judgement.

People have the capacity to change and other than sociopaths and the mentally ill, we are far better judging by what we KNOW now, not by what we have heard ABOUT someone, or think we know.

If Franken still does those things, boot him. If Moore has not had any other accusers for thirty years, maybe he deserves his day in court before being shunned and labeled.

I have done things long ago that I cringe thinking about. I have also been falsely accused, but my friends are those who know me now and still love me. You too?

The sad thing is that people who are normally balanced and objective get caught in the web of Political Correctness, or worse, they grab their pitch forks and torches because they fear they will be the next objects of the mob if they don’t. It happened in Salem, Massachusetts long ago and it feels like it’s happening again to undeserving individuals.

If you don’t know for sure, it’s better to go with what you do know...for sure.

Jack C. Getz