I have no love for the governor of Virginia as he scrambles to save his job despite the calls for his resignation over some photos from his youth that are racially offensive. But do we really want to use that as criteria for our leaders? Just a few years ago the most esteemed and honored member of the U.S. Senate was Robert Byrd, of West Virginia who had been a high ranking KKK member in his earlier adult days. At that time it was not considered disqualifying for him. Maybe that was because he was a Democrat, or maybe we were not as insane as society seems today to be unforgiving for youthful indiscretions.
And if Gov. Northam should be forced to resign, what about if it is discovered that some other high placed elected official did something similar when they were in high school? Or what if when in Junior High they used the "N" word during a schoolyard fight? Or what if they said something unacceptable when in kindergarten? Isn't all this a bit absurd?
On the other hand, if a lack of forgiveness is the rule for Republicans, we certainly need the same criteria for Democrats. But this is all really crazy.
And if Gov. Northam should be forced to resign, what about if it is discovered that some other high placed elected official did something similar when they were in high school? Or what if when in Junior High they used the "N" word during a schoolyard fight? Or what if they said something unacceptable when in kindergarten? Isn't all this a bit absurd?
On the other hand, if a lack of forgiveness is the rule for Republicans, we certainly need the same criteria for Democrats. But this is all really crazy.