With news of Congressman Anthony Weiner's indiscretions the word "Hung" has frequently been heard. "Hung Over" too entered our conversations. Many asked if he was. "Hung Up" played a powerful role in reflections. "Hung Out to Dry" seems to be the consensus. Crowds of Congressmen and women, citizens from each political Party, and even those who claim no loyalties, say, The Representative must be renounced. Few wish to admit that Anthony Weiner is but you and me.
Supreme Court Justices, who served under Chief Jurist Brennan, perhaps, make three. Any of us might easily say, as the Justices did decades ago; on the subject of obscene or outrageous, "I Know It When I See It." We each do. Still, the definitions vary.
While few of us are officially appointed to write "codes" of conduct, as the Supreme Court Justices are, we too avidly watch the actions of another and judge.
Another year has come and gone. Everywhere she goes she hears people speak of New Years resolutions. They all say this time will be different. I will decide to do as I had not done previously or at least had not done well. Countless commit to a life of calorie counting. Others merely muse that they will exercise more. Drugs, drinking, there are also discussions of these concerns. People are confident. This year I will deliver myself from what I think evil. A few philosophize as to their personal career path. Change is the objective. A greater goal is thought to be golden. As Author Mary Anne Radmacher reflected and now millions whisper as their mantra, "Live with intention . . . Choose with no regret. . . . Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is." Therein lies the problem.
Citizens in the United States are complicated, complex, and mostly they act in ways that are contrary to what they profess to believe in. No matter a person's race, religion, or creed, people point to what they think right. Then, especially on Super Bowl Sunday they engage in all, that were someone else to do the same, they would say, that is wrong.
Indeed, on the Monday through Saturday, before the final event the sanctity of sex, only after marriage, is subject to interpretation. Voyeurism is at times defined as an involuntary response. Adultery is but a betrayal advocated as merely a reason for divorce. The deed doers surmise the divine, will understand. Humans are flawed. They are frail when faced with animal lust. When stimulated, an uncontrollable desire for sex seethes from every pore. Even the threat of a police sweep cannot assuage the palpable passion.
The world is filled with distractions. Sex is on the streets. Violence filters through videos. Sensationalism flitters across silver screens. Television broadcasters speak of Senators in bathrooms. Fallen sports stars are caught in criminal acts. Americans are consumed with consumption. We eat fast. We play faster. We work to attend to the world woes. Yet, our eyes wander away from cold, hard, combative facts.
It is easier to escape than it is to cope with the realities that we create.
Decades ago, Americans watched a televised spoof of current events, the Rowan and Martin Laugh-In Show. A cast of characters sang "What is the news across the nation?" Then they assessed the antics of politicians and celebrities alike. Serious situations were satirized; silliness was glorified. Americans were given an opportunity to reflect and see how sadly corrupt and irrational our competitive Capitalist system is. Exuberance envelops us. Avoidance advances. Americans consume, compete, and settle into complacency.
This week, as we again set aside time to honor laborers in America, this reality seemed ever-present. Labor's failure is perhaps industrialism at its best. Free enterprise follows the market or perchance it creates a product for America to buy.
Sex is in the city and in the country. Americans are aroused and sizzling. They are hot and ready to trot. Numerous are running rampant. Others await Mister or Miss Right; these persons are tenuously evaluating the situation. Some saunter into the sex scene. A few wait on the sidelines. Many find more than one partner that pleases them. Nonetheless . . .
"There is a problem." However, Americans do not agree what the problem is. Sexism, racism, homophobia, violence, or the words we use to promote such social ills. For weeks, language has been in the news, on the blogs, in the airwaves, and in music-industry executives meeting rooms. Free speech is the topic in question, as is the power of words. As children, we learned that "Sticks and stones may break our bones; but names will never hurt me." In fact, the opposite is true. Words and the inferences can cause greater, and more last injuries than twigs or rocks might. The body heals far better than the heart does.
Our world and our society are in need of so many changes. How is it we can affect that change? What about ourselves give us the power to bring about the changes we see as being necessary for a new world order? I believe we make those changes by living as who we are and by serving as examples of who we all should be. In that living we touching one life at a time. We cannot change some of our physical characteristics. We are black, white, man, woman, young, and old. Those characteristics are fixed at any given moment. On the other hand we can change our attitudes and our behaviors. By remaining calm and rational in the face of adversity and anger, we have a chance to make a difference in this world. If we take the position that too many follow and use our privileged skin color or sex to personal advantage we lose a valuable opportunity.
After marrying, my Mom tried diligently for four full years to give birth to a child. She went from specialist to specialist. Batteries of tests were run, and then, re-run. Although she and my father were both fertile and they were a couple that thoroughly enjoyed intercourse, they could not seem to produce a baby. My Mom, a scientist at heart, concluded that perhaps, she was not fecund when most women were. Perchance her cycle was different. Once considering that possibility was enough. From then on, she was able to plan her pregnancies. My Mom gave birth to three children, none born in the first three years.
Apparently, if a Washington State initiative passes, couples such as my parents would be required to have their marriage annulled. "Naturally," gay partnerships, would not, could not be considered. Obviously, such a union would not be classified as marriage material. The Religious Right, may have felt embolden after the state Supreme Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage, however they did not propose a plan to go further. They did not restrict what constitutes marriage in a manner that might seem feasible to them. Numerous pious persons say the bible deems the purpose of matrimony is procreation. Thus, the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance took action.
The sight of a New York Times article peaked my interest. It aroused my curiosity. This piece stimulated my psyche. Reading "Muzzling Sex Education on Anything but Abstinence," by Samuel G. Freedman was an experience. Reflecting on this essay was the climax of my day. I found the information in this expose fascinating. Were it not so sad, this scenario would be almost humorous. It says much of today's mores.
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