There is a story in the gospel of John which is not found in any of the other three gospels. It is also a story which scholars tell us was probably a later addition, since it isn't found in the earliest manuscripts for John. That doesn't mean that the story was fabricated at a later date, but it does suggest to us that it was a Johnny-gospel-come-lately. It is still one of my favourites, the story of the woman found in adultery, surrounded by a lynch-mob of sanctimonious religious people who are more than willing to punish a woman while the man probably escapes censure. Jesus rescues her, first of all by his presence, as he doodles in the dust, then with his words: "whoever is without sin, cast the first stone."
A billboard went up in Toronto this past week which included those scriptural words in defense of embattled and disgraces mayor Rob Ford. We all know about Ford's admissions of drug use, and the curious defense that he was too drunk to remember. His defenders, Ford Nation as they are dubbed, insist that the poor schmo should be given a break and they use the bible to back them up.
Actually, they make a good point. Football is one of Mayor Ford's passions and we will probably end up realizing we should all be penalized for the infraction of piling on. This isn't really news anymore, it is gawking at a train wreck, like the morbid tourists who continue to flock to Lac Megantic to see the destruction.
Just the same, the mayor is a public figure with responsibilities which demand a standard of competence, preparedness to respond to emerging situations even when he is "off the clock" and -dare we say it -- demonstrating that he has some perspective on right and wrong, not to mention legal and illegal. There is a certain irony is the misspelling of the word "responsibility" on the billboard.
The billboard does not include Jesus' words to the same woman after the mob dissipates: "go and sin no more." Anyone can apologize and say "sincerely, sincerely, sincerely." But clearly Mr. Ford is in denial, denial, denial and has not addressed his strategy for "sinning no more." Nor has he addressed his determined and aggressive lying over many months.
What do you think? Cut the guy a break? Hold his feet to the fire? Combine the phrases in the story from John's gospel?
4 comments:
I'd be more willing to "give the guy a break" if he were to stop lying and deceiving the public.
If he were to admit he has a problem, go for counselling for more than two weeks, as his brother suggested, and come back a new man, I think more people would be willing to give him a break.
I think as Roger does - the mean clearly needs help - he has not reached that conclusion yet - and the City of Toronto is suffering from that condition....
I am tempted to say that public officials and politicians should be held to a higher standard of behaviour, simply because we've chosen them to represent us.
I also wonder if the people who voted for him had any inkling of the kind of damage he'd open the city up to once elected.
I don't see damage to the city. His credability yes. His popularity yes, but I don't see damage to the city.
David is right about piling on. Once he admitted he smoked crack that opened him up to every possible accusation. It now seems that anyone can say anything, and he is guilty until proven innocent.
I'm all for the end of the gravey train, but there were many people enjoying the gravey. They will do anything to keep that train on time.
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