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 STUFF
ABOUT THINGS (p.8) in keeping with the nature of this portion of
Plain Talk, carries a quote from a Kentucky county paper — an
electioneering article, which we thought was humorous. But more
than humor is involved. We never carry material for humor alone
— although we sometimes fail to make our point. Assuming you
have read page 8 (most readers begin there), let’s analyze our
reaction to that wondrous piece of journalism.
Did
you feel like this really was an honest, straight-spoken, good
old country boy, who probably would make a good Constable? Some
will have that reaction, because (1) they identify with the
writer in his weakness (“no one is perfect”), and the
feeling of being persecuted, (someone is always trying to “frame”
us, or “stop my big mouth from telling the truth”). (2) They
find a mutual satisfaction in talking about the hypocrites in
the church, for they think this justifies their own ungodliness;
and the fact that some “don’t get caught” is supposed to
erase the justice of punishment for those who are caught. How
can another sinner’s slyness, or even inequities in execution
of the law, make it right for me to break the law?
(3)
Americans seem to admire frankness, even (or especially) when it
is admission of frequent law breaking. What had been done under
cover is now viewed openly; and somehow that is supposed to
relieve our guilt feeling. We “identify” with that. And (4)
we just love slogans and noble maxims, even when we have little
reason to take them seriously. Example: “I will treat all men
alike, with the dignity that man owes to man.” Doesn’t that
just “get you,” and
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get your vote?
But
let us take a second look. The man is a gambler, without
remorse. He only promises to stop gambling “if elected,” and
then makes it clear that if he can’t “make a living with the
office” (like he made gambling?) he will resign. (Public
spirited?) He is an ex-convict who, despite protestations about
being “framed”, or sent to prison “for no cause, or
wrongful doings,” admits his guilt. He regards his conviction
as “a conspiracy charge like I was caught on,” with no
apparent recognition of the wrong in “conspiring” to run a
gambling house, or whatever it was.
He
sees “justice” as equality among violators, rather than each
one’s equal responsibility to law. He has been repeatedly
charged in courts of law “from hog stealing to murder” as he
puts it; but he “beat all the framed deals.” Without judging
him guilty on any of these counts, do not these repeated charges
and “frames” say something about the man? Now, would you
vote him into office??
Well,
he didn’t make it! “Reliable sources” in Kentucky say he
continues his gambling, bootlegging (“frames” and rumors, no
doubt), and like activities. Some day he may again heed the call
to public service, and “run for office.” If nothing else, he
may have a bright future writing campaign speeches for other
politicians.
If
we ever see him we will thank him for his contribution to “STUFF—”and
our study in “reading with care.”
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