The truth is non-partisan

We may never know what happened in the Minneapolis Airport last June
when Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested, charged and plead
guilty to disorderly conduct. Tapes released yesterday of the police
interview give the policeman's claims and Senator Craig's denials.
They are certainly not a proof of guilt. Neither was his guilty plea
which Craig says was an attempt to have the problem disappear rather
than to admit guilt.

Nevertheless, some lessons can be learned from this situation.

1. Politicians lack the courage to stick by their friends and
associates in bad times. The media is full of politicians' statements
condemning Craig. Several Republicans are calling for Craig's
resignation. Both presidential candidates Senator John McCain and
Governor Mitt Romney have distanced themselves form Craig. Romney,
who was counting on Craig's endorsement, has said Sen. Craig's alleged
behavior was "disgraceful." After so many years of political life is
there no politician who will say, "I know Sen. Craig to be a honorable
man. I don't know what happened in this situation, but he has my
prayers during this very hard period." Instead politicians appear to
be running away because they fear for their own election chances.

2. The media are predictable in their handling of this situation. I
have read or heard nothing that would give alternative viewpoints -
only condemnation. This story makes great news for the media - and
like a pack of hungry dogs on a downed animal - they are tearing and
gnawing away at the carcass to get their small morsel. You are among
the worst Glenn Beck.

3. Sting operations are deceptive means of entrapping otherwise honest
people. A typical sting in my community is to arrest servers for
failing to ID underage drinkers in bars or restaurants. Two
undercover agents will come in and order a pitcher of beer. An
underage friend comes in, sits down, and drinks some of their beer.
If the server fails to ID the new customer and stops him or her from
drinking, the server is arrested and fined. If the server IDs the new
customer, they get a reward of $50.

Obviously, what Senator Craig should have done when he caught the
policeman leering at him was to make a complaint to airport
authorities. As an experienced politician one would think he should
know that you run from anything that seems untoward or unethical.
After all that's what all his colleagues are now doing.

I'm approached frequently by some offer or another. (My mail box and
email is full of them.) It may be difficult to recognize when
something is good or bad. The lesson in life, however, is, if it
makes you feel uncomfortable, say "no." However, too many of us let
our greed take over - whether it be for power, riches or lust.