If readers are looking for some relief from the mounting scandals plaguing family-values conservatives and the Republican party, there's little hope for a let-up.
Take for example this story by the Associated Press, concerning Ted Haggard, leader of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of the 14,000 member New Life Church:
Key Evangelical quits amid gay sex claimThe claims by 49-year-old Mike Jones were first aired on KHOW-AM radio in Denver. Jones said Haggard paid him to have sex nearly every month over three years. (If you're into math, that's about 36 times.) Jones also said Haggard snorted methamphetamine before their sexual encounters to heighten his experience.
Do conservatives bring these situations upon themselves, simply by their outspoken views on such things as who will get into Heaven (a discussion Haggard had with Barbara Walters in a 2005 interview)? Or, if the stories are true, is one of the most revered evangelists in this country, an outspoken opponent to gay marriage,
paying for
gay sex and
using illegal drugs in the process?
Wait, There's More:Add to the woes of hard-hit Republican candidates across America this announcement that Pennsylvania Republican Representative Don Sherwood, accused of abusing his ex-mistress, Cynthia Ore, agreed to pay her about $500,000 in a settlement last year that contained a powerful incentive for her to keep quiet until after Election Day.
Rep. paying ex-mistress about $500KThe title of this AP article doesn't do this sordid story justice. It seems that Sherwood, a 65-year-old married father of three who is considered a family-values conservative, had one of the safest seats in Congress. That is, until Cynthia Ore sued him in June 2005, alleging he physically abused her throughout their 5-year affair. Ore aggreed to the terms of the settlement, which includes keeping silent about the details.
According to police, in 2004 Ore called 911 on her cell from the bathroom of Sherwood's Capitol Hill apartment to report that Sherwood had choked her while giving her a back rub. Sherwood admitted having the affair with Ore, but vehemently denied hurting her. Criminal charges were never filed. Ore, now 30, sued for damages, hence the $500,000 settlement.
What Does It Mean?These are just two stories. The news is filled with similarly unsavory accounts. Does it illustrate the growing chasm between deep seated conservative beliefs and the actions of those who profess to share those beliefs? Are these people merely posing as conservatives, in order to gain lofty, responsible, well-paid positions in our society?