Something I appreciate about modern society is that it is thought provoking to the extreme. When I was young, I had no idea how much thought would be necessary in the future. If it’s true what they say that exercising your brain helps stave off things like dementia and other “old age” problems, I figure I should be the mental equivalent of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s physique, that is to say the physique of his competition days.
One of the things that is most prevalent in modern society is what I would call advocacy. Advocacy is defined as: the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; active espousal. Of course, we are all advocates of one thing or another. There is nothing wrong with advocating for something or someone. However, the proper place for advocacy is after discovery. To advocate for something or someone before all the facts are in, distorts the facts, even negates the facts and hinders discovery.
Something we never hear nowadays is a comment from either side of an argument or situation saying, “let’s wait until all the facts are in”. Most people, looking for an advantage, jump the gun with their advocating for a particular position. Once the advocacy has begun, it becomes harder and harder to see, let alone admit to an error. Once this happens, truth is tossed out the window to save face. And so, truth becomes the real victim.
We have a great example of advocacy in this Kavanaugh situation. If what I have seen on social media, or read about is any indication, you have the #metoo advocates, the Republican advocates, the Democrat advocates, and the Kavanaugh advocates. You hear very few if any, offering the possibility that they might be, could be, wrong. Guilty until proven innocent is the mantra of the day.
He may very well be guilty. I don’t know. The vast majority of people on the planet don’t “know”. They may hope or dream or want or wish him to be guilty or innocent, but most don’t know. In fact, the only people who know, actually KNOW, are the two parties involved, and anyone who may have been there personally at the time.
Then there is perspective. Let’s assume for the moment he (Kavanaugh) is guilty of each of these charges. There are a couple things that would seem to bring perspective to the situation.
- Youth and alcohol. Two things that, when combined, usually add up to stupidity. (said to be involved in both cases)
- Two women have accused him. 65 women and others say different (if the reports are true. If.)
- 30 plus years have passed.
- If, as many have said, he has lived an exemplary life since his high school and college days, does that count for anything.
Now, with that said, I would ask what denying him this particular job, at this particular time will do? Will it be his punishment, since the statute of limitations has expired on these kinds of charges? Will this somehow change things for the “victims”? Is it that this is the only way of getting even with or hitting back? I ask these question sincerely.
I’m guessing that if all of us adults were held accountable for all the stupid things we did in High School or College, none of us would ever work again. I personally know people who have mooned people. We used to hide behind some bushes at my next-door neighbor’s house and throw mudballs at the cars that drove by. Guys used to come up behind girls in junior high and snap their bras. All of these, if brought to our parent’s attention at the time would have gotten us a good old fashion spanking. Rightfully so. Should we now, 30 or 40 or 50 years later, still be paying for those immature acts?
Is there the slightest possibility that the two women have another agenda or have been co-opted by others to advance their own advocacy? Is this even a rational thought or possibility? I’m not saying they have. I don’t KNOW. I’m guessing you don’t either. This has happened in other situations. Tawana Brawley comes to mind. As with this case, these two women who have accused Kavanaugh may, in fact, be victims, just not victims of Kavanaugh, but a corrupt political system.
Let me end by saying that I have no doubt that there are far more women who have been abused than there are men who are falsely accused. As Scripture says, it is the truth that will set you free, not advocacy.
To be continued…