By Douglas V. Gibbs
I don't know if the accusations against former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert are true, but I do believe the liberal left progressive Democrats will use it as yet another distraction, or try to paint an entire political party by the actions of this one man. In the end, however, that is all he is. A man. Politicians are nothing more than people we have given position to. Are they role models? Of course not. Are they somehow better than anyone else because they've reached a lofty position in the political community? Not at all. In fact, the Founding Fathers demanded that there should be no preferential treatment for anyone. No titles, no waivers or exemptions regarding the laws on the books, and in the case of politicians no expectations that they are any different than anyone else.
The damaging part of the accusations regarding Hastert, especially if they turn out to be true, is that Hastert (and any public figure for that reason) are in the public eye. The reality is, if they are going to proclaim they are in favor, or against something, they will be under fire if it turns out they are hypocrites. This is true for all politicians, be it a Mayor and First Responder slamming into a car full of cheerleaders while drunk, or Mr. Hastert who has been accused of "structuring" in order to hide that fact that he has been allegedly paying off a sexual abuse victim from his pre-politician life.
He's a Republican, so the media has labeled him as a former shining beacon of morality, defender of biblical standards, and loving husband that is considered a shining beacon of his community. Was. Used to be. Now, a pariah that, in the eyes of the liberal left, is a hypocrite that they believe the rest of the "rightwingers" to be as well.
Dennis Hastert, the longest serving Speaker of the House of Representatives, coming in to take the helm following the Newt Gingrich revolution, was a powerful man. He's a republican, he fought for republican ideals. After his time as a politician, he became a lobbyist. Then, he was accused of "structuring" (withdrawing funds in a manner so that it does not exceed the $10,000 withdrawal limit that, if exceeded, requires banks to report the transaction). Folks talking to the outside world during the investigation say his massive withdrawals were a part of a payment of $3.5 million to cover up bad behavior as a teacher prior to his time as a politician... bad behavior that turns out to be sexual abuse of a student.
Details are sketchy, but the liberal left is jumping up and down with excitement. They love Republican scandals, and have become quite good at covering up, or ignoring, Democrat scandals.
I don't know what Hastert's heart is truly like. I don't know if he is remorseful, or ticked off that he got caught being a pervert. I really don't know. However, as bad as his action are, as a person in the public eye, they are absolutely horrid.
The Bible warns against this kind of betrayal of one's image. Christians are expected to live the Christian life, for example, not just because of the consequences of a sinful life, or because living a sinful life is disobedient to the moral standards provided by The Creator, but because if one claims to be Godly, and then bears fruit that says otherwise, it can be more than damaging to your own image, but the image of those you claim to represent.
When our actions are contrary to our message, they can be catastrophic to the endeavors we claim to be a part of.
I don't know if the accusations against former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert are true, but I do believe the liberal left progressive Democrats will use it as yet another distraction, or try to paint an entire political party by the actions of this one man. In the end, however, that is all he is. A man. Politicians are nothing more than people we have given position to. Are they role models? Of course not. Are they somehow better than anyone else because they've reached a lofty position in the political community? Not at all. In fact, the Founding Fathers demanded that there should be no preferential treatment for anyone. No titles, no waivers or exemptions regarding the laws on the books, and in the case of politicians no expectations that they are any different than anyone else.
The damaging part of the accusations regarding Hastert, especially if they turn out to be true, is that Hastert (and any public figure for that reason) are in the public eye. The reality is, if they are going to proclaim they are in favor, or against something, they will be under fire if it turns out they are hypocrites. This is true for all politicians, be it a Mayor and First Responder slamming into a car full of cheerleaders while drunk, or Mr. Hastert who has been accused of "structuring" in order to hide that fact that he has been allegedly paying off a sexual abuse victim from his pre-politician life.
He's a Republican, so the media has labeled him as a former shining beacon of morality, defender of biblical standards, and loving husband that is considered a shining beacon of his community. Was. Used to be. Now, a pariah that, in the eyes of the liberal left, is a hypocrite that they believe the rest of the "rightwingers" to be as well.
Dennis Hastert, the longest serving Speaker of the House of Representatives, coming in to take the helm following the Newt Gingrich revolution, was a powerful man. He's a republican, he fought for republican ideals. After his time as a politician, he became a lobbyist. Then, he was accused of "structuring" (withdrawing funds in a manner so that it does not exceed the $10,000 withdrawal limit that, if exceeded, requires banks to report the transaction). Folks talking to the outside world during the investigation say his massive withdrawals were a part of a payment of $3.5 million to cover up bad behavior as a teacher prior to his time as a politician... bad behavior that turns out to be sexual abuse of a student.
Details are sketchy, but the liberal left is jumping up and down with excitement. They love Republican scandals, and have become quite good at covering up, or ignoring, Democrat scandals.
I don't know what Hastert's heart is truly like. I don't know if he is remorseful, or ticked off that he got caught being a pervert. I really don't know. However, as bad as his action are, as a person in the public eye, they are absolutely horrid.
The Bible warns against this kind of betrayal of one's image. Christians are expected to live the Christian life, for example, not just because of the consequences of a sinful life, or because living a sinful life is disobedient to the moral standards provided by The Creator, but because if one claims to be Godly, and then bears fruit that says otherwise, it can be more than damaging to your own image, but the image of those you claim to represent.
When our actions are contrary to our message, they can be catastrophic to the endeavors we claim to be a part of.
Matthew 12:33-37 - Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit.
1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Timothy 4:3 - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
J. Dennis Hastert betrayed his message, and the Republican Party he was supposed to be an example for is also going to pay the price.
It is assumed his sexual misconduct as a teacher was not only with a student, a minor, but that it was with a person of the same sex. He was, after all, a teacher, and a wrestling coach.
The former student he sexually abused has remained anonymous, as has anyone that has talked. There is a federal investigation going on, after all, regarding this. The withdrawals in question total $1.7 million so far. Hastert was questioned because some of the withdrawals evaded banking regulations. Then, when asked about why he was making the cash withdrawals, Hastert lied to the federal agents questioning him in order to cover up it was all hush money to keep his sexual abuse victim from going public.
Hastert hails from Yorkville, Illinois, a conservative town removed a good distance from the murderous madness of Chicago. "Denny" was an honored member of the community, from bringing home a state wrestling championship, to being a powerful member of the political community. The small town is now "a little shocked."
We'll see how this turns out. It'll probably be a disaster for Hastert. Hopefully, the Republicans don't dwell on the distractions, and the voters realize this is a grievous error by a man long ago, not an entire party. The Democrats hope that the Hastert Disaster is something they can build on. Something they can use against the Republican Party as a massive collection of presidential candidates battle for position in the 2016 race for the White House. I think the voters are smarter than that, and will instead vote out of the presidency the political party that represents tyranny, oppression, and everything the Constitution was designed to protect us from.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
When Good People Do Bad Things - Political Pistachio
Alan Long is a First Responder, and Should Know Better - Political Pistachio
Lab Results Are In: Former Murrieta Mayor Alan Long Charged with Felony DUI - Political Pistachio
Structuring - First Kent Hovind - Now Dennis Hastert - Forbes
Sources: Dennis Hastert cover-up for sexual misconduct - CNN
Yorkville, Where Hastert Taught, Is Shaken by Charges for "Denny" - New York Times
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