It had to start somewhere

The Daily Jot


Daily reporting and analysis of current events from a biblical and prophetic perspective.


Tuesday, February 15, 2011


It had to start somewhere



The makings of an online affair between a "Craigslist" seeker of "a man for a one on one relationship" and a second term Republican Congressman from New York ended abruptly when the woman made public his half naked pictures. Rep. Chris Lee had tried to pick up the woman by sending a pic of his well-cut frame and lying about his status as a single man--he, at least for the time being, is married and has a young child. According to the Washington Post, Lee's denial, recant, and resignation occurred within four hours after the scandal was first posted on the online gossip site Gawker. Americans and Lee's family were spared the normal drag through the mud from denials that politicians usually do.



Roll Call, a newspaper that covers Capitol Hill, wrote that Lee's swift departure was part of a "no tolerance" immorality policy instituted by new House Speaker John Boehner. Roll Call wrote: "...GOP sources say the new Speaker has shown little patience for ethical lapses and scandals... Boehner reportedly told Members: "If you put your own interests above those of your constituents, you're hurting them, and you're hurting the team. And it won't be tolerated." At a news conference after Lee's quick departure, Boehner said, "I believe that Members should be held to the highest ethical standard. Congressman Lee made his own decision that he felt was in his best interest and in the interest of his family."



Sex scandals seem to be a way of life in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, there seems to be a spirit or even a principality over the city that delights in the undoing of well-meaning public officials who exercise bad judgment. In my tenure as both a Capitol Hill staffer and as a political consultant, I saw many good men fall. They go up to the Hill will good intentions. But it is not long before the "Members Only" elevators, the "free" meals, the sexual tension that power creates, or the greed associated with power takes another soul. If an elected official has a weakness, the principality over Washington, DC will find it and exploit it. Think of how many scandals you don't hear about--those are probably the most costly.



Jesus says in Luke 12:1-3, "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed on the housetops." There are a lot of dark secrets in politics. But cleaning it up and adhering to high standards has to start somewhere. Speaker Boehner has a daunting task before him and it may seem a little thing to require moral standards of his team, but we have heard that the devil is in the details. Perhaps in this detail of sexual immorality in politics, the devil's exposure will serve as a deterrence to all.


Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry