Sunday, September 07, 2008

Greatest Moral Failure


Recently, I watched the Presidential Forum, moderated by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California. Both candidates, Barak Obama and John McCain, were given the same questions touching on a variety of issues. The candidates were asked to avoid automatically reverting to their usual "stump," but rather to thoughtfully and carefully address each question as it was worded.

I found one question in particular to be intruiging: "What is your greatest moral failure?" Without hesitation, Obama referred to his rebellion and drug use during his teenage years, which he disclosed in his book, "Dreams of My Father." McCain referenced "the failure of my first marriage" but provided no further details.

Recently, John Edwards has dominated the news because of his extra-marital affair which was originally uncovered by the National Enquirer. The media is less critical of the affair, and more critical of the fact that he lied about it. Had he admitted it publicly in 2006 when he reportedly confessed it to his wife, Elizabeth, the media no doubt would have lost interest in it by now, as evidenced by the lack of current interest in the "indiscretions" of McCain, or Clinton, or Guiliani, or Limbaugh, or O'Reilly, or Gingrich, or Kennedy, Kennedy, and Kennedy (John, Robert, and Ted).

It seems that this country, or at the very least the media, is only moderately concerned about the sin in the life of public figure, but extremely critical if that sin is concealed or confessed only privately. Full public disclosure is expected of all public figures.

However, as private citizens, one of the inalienable rights we hold dear is our right to privacy. How many of us would openly and freely confess and discuss our greatest moral failures? I know of many who have, but it is usually because their sin was disclosed, either voluntarily because of guilt, or by happenstance, and it cost them their jobs or ruined their lives. Such individuals often choose to parlay that disclosure to a book deal or speaking engagement, capitalizing on their fifteen minutes of fame to go after the almighty dollar. Others share their experience to cleanse their conscience, or so others can learn from their mistakes.

Regardless of which way you, as a private citizen, are leaning in this election, you have got to admit it takes a great deal of courage to choose the life of a public figure these days.

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