Defiant Heroes and Scapegoats

I don't get it. Why do Republican politicians go after sinning Republican politicians with such gusto?

Teddy Kennedy (D) was supported by Democrats after drunk driving Mary Jo Kopechne to her death by drowning. His nephew Patrick Kennedy (D) was pulled over by DC cops for driving drunk and stoned on pain medications, and somehow escaped getting charged with any crimes. Gerry Studds (D) had sex with a 17-year-old male page, and was cheered for his defiance of the Ethics Committee by his fellow Democrats. Jack Murtha (D) escaped indictment in the Abscam investigations. "Dollar" Bill Jefferson (D) was caught with $90,000 of bribes in his freezer, was re-elected in New Orleans, and still serves in the Congress. Speaking of Bill Jefferson, William Jefferson Clinton (D) was impeached for having sex with an intern who worked for him and lying about it, and is now a respected elder statesman of his party whose wife is running for President, which would bring him back to the White House, with more time on his hands than he had before.

Democrats circle the wagons and go on defense, or into counterattack mode, when one of their Democrat comrades finds himself in a scandal, whether earned or unearned.

Of the recent Republican scandals, Duke Cunningham actually did something wrong and deserves his jail sentence. But Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Alberto "Pinata" Gonzalez, and Scooter Libby were all smeared and railroaded. All but Craig have already fled the public eye because they have been so relentlessly demonized by Democrats and Big Media, and were kicked to the corner by Republicans. It was similar with Tom Delay and Newt Gingrich. Their main "crime" seems to have been that they were too effective in their roles.

What explains the different treatment of Democrat and Republican sinners? Why do Republicans scapegoat sinners, while Democrats treat their sinners as heroes for standing against conventional morality? Is it merely that Republicans stand for morality and Democrats stand against it? Or is there a problem with a party that is so quick to jettison its own sinners, without having a plan to replace them with other effective Republicans? Is there a problem with a Republican party that cannot find it within its heart to forgive its own sinning sons, a party that would agree with the Prodigal Son's brother, and not his father?

The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to [1] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [2] 22 But the father said to his servants, [3] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Why do Republicans rush to attack and jettison other Republicans as fast as Democrats can smear them? Hey Republicans. We are all sinners. How about a little forgiveness for a sinning brother now and then when there is still a war that must be won--a war that could be lost if the current set of degenerate Democrats grab the remaining levers of power? And how about sticking up for the team like Marc Antony did in the "Friends, Romans, Countrymen speech?

Others who all disagree with me via memeorandum.


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