Hey guys,
Recently a number of high profile politicians have been in the news for their less than honorable behavior.
Dominique Strauss Kahn, French presidential hopeful and current head of the International Monetary Fund, has been accused of trying to rape a New York City hotel maid, and was arrested shortly before leaving for France. This is hardly the first time Kahn has made headlines for his behavior towards women.
On the same day Kahn was arrested, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted that his wife Maria Shriver, niece of President John F. Kennedy (who himself was known as a bit of a lady’s man both before and during his time in the White House), left him because he had fathered a child with a member of his staff more than ten years ago.
In the cover story of the May 30, 2011 issue of TIME Nancy Gibbs discusses why people in power, usually men, feel that the rules of morality and sometimes law do not apply to them. She cites research from Psychological Science claiming that when people attain ultimate power in their profession they simply are willing to take more risks believing they are untouchable.
Why do these people continue to make such poor moral and legal choices? Well frankly, why would they stop? We live in a society that promotes people despite their moral shortcomings, and men of power are not likely to change their ways until society refuses to accept such behavior.
What do you think?
Historical Examples of “Men Behaving Badly”
1. Thomas Jefferson fathered children by one of his slaves. (Who may also have been his wife’s half sister.)
2. John F. Kennedy had numerous affairs including Marilyn Monroe and the girlfriend of a Chicago mob boss.
3. Newt Gingrich (former House Speaker) led the impeachment against President Clinton for lying about an affair, while he himself lied about an affair.
4. Italian President Silvio Berlusconi has been charged with paying a 17 year old for sexual favors. (He is 71)
5. Elito Spitzer (Former New York Governor) patronized prostitutes while prosecuting other prostitutes.
6. Rod Blagojevich (Former Illinois Governor) is being tried for attempting to sell President Obama’s Senate seat which was left vacant when he won the Presidency.
7. Clarence Thomas was still appointed to the Supreme Court after allegations came out that he sexually harassed his former employee Anita Hill.
8. Ted Haggard, the Evangelical pastor vocally opposed same-sex marriage while visiting gay escorts.
9. Research published in the last ten years cites examples of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s infidelity while he fought for civil rights.
10. Tiger Woods… well, let’s just leave that one alone…
And unfortunately there are MANY MANY more examples…
I think people should take a step back and realize that although these men are celebrities they are also, gross, sloppy,manipulative average men.Statisically half the people in the world that have dated have been unfailthful or disloyal.I mean it does affected me strongly when I find out that men suck are Martin Luther King jr.cheated on his wife but it was one poor decision amoungst the many great ones.With press and paparazzi exploiting everyones(meaning celebrities and important governmental figures) personal lives they should be hyper aware of themselves and such learn who tomake the best moral decisions.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a shame that these people think that they are so powerful that they can get away with things like this. The worst part is that they can. We as a society need to stop putting famous people on a pedestal and call them out for their actions. Instead of serving their time behind bars, we cheer and support rapists and murderers while they make millions of dollars.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Maxwell
I find the behavior of these men revolting, and feel ashamed to say that we share a species. Law enforcement spends quite a bit of time imprisoning burglars, rapists, sex offenders, and the like; when, in reality. there are criminals and poor decision-makers ranking above them.
ReplyDeleteThe entire situation reminds me a little bit of the novel, "1984," by George Orwell. The Thought Police and people of Oceania spend their time propsecuting small-time criminals;when the real crime is being committed by Big Brother and the Party. They torture and maim people until they love Big Brother and halt their dissent.
While the "1984" situation is on a much grander scale, the point is made. People in high-ranking positions sometimes commit crimes and make ridiculous decisions that no one believes they could. I find this truly despicable. These men should hang their heads in shame.
-Jake M.
Although I disagree with it, our society today ultimately promotes the action of these men. We give men in high positions such total authority that they believe they can do anything they want without reparation. Given this total authority leads to conceited and narcissistic men who believe that they can do anything they choose as long as they are satisfied. What we many times don't realize is that in giving this right to the men of high authority, we are many times putting others in not only physical, but emotional danger. What all these men have done is under no circumstance moral, and should be dealt with in the correct fashion.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a quarter of the blogs are of "men behaving badly". Gee, wonder why. A lot of the problem comes from our society, because of the overwhelming majority of men that we either elect to high political positions, or hold on a high sports pedestal. If I go off like I normally do against these stupid men, I'll be repeating myself, so let's see if I can say something different. Like, if men are the problem, why don't we put more women in office? Why don't we put more emphasis on women's professional sports? The trend seems to show that men put in positions of power make really bad decisions, so why not try women? You don't hear about Hillary Clinton having extra-marital affairs (it's her husband). Maybe I'm just making a generalization, but it is a fair point. The opposition to more women in power comes from the mistaken belief that because women are "more emotional" than men, they wouldn't be able to make good decisions. So why not put women in these positions? Why not give the other sex a chance?
ReplyDelete