Morals - Clinton & Aristotle

Aristotle was once surprised in the act of adultery.   When asked by his students, Are you the great Aristotle who has been teaching ethics, morality and science? Are you the same person who is now committing the sin?  Aristotle answered, "Yes. However, this is the body of Aristotle but not the mind of Aristotle."  Aristotle seemed to be saying that there are two different Aristotles.  There is the educated Aristotle. Who is the leader and educator of society and then there are the bodily needs of Aristotle, which should not be taken into account when committing adultery.

This story came to mind when I heard the accusations against President Clinton.  I wondered what was taking place in the minds of our citizens.  When a president spends so much time explaining why he shouldn't be accused of indecent acts, we are in great trouble.

This latest incident has many ramifications. What do the people have to say about this? So I called some acquaintances and asked their opinion. It was interesting to note that many felt that President Clinton's private life should remain private. After all he has done wonderful things for the government. Others were angry, saying that the president has disgraced the government. Our country is based on "In G‑d we trust" and has respected Biblical injunctions, especially when it comes to items of a sexual nature.  The last call I made was to a successful businessman.  He told me in no uncertain terms, "Look, Clinton's problem was that he got caught and not what he was doing."  His blunt answer made me understand what the real problem is.

We have learned to make allowances for our elected officials. To the extent that we are willing to look the other way and make excuses for behavior which would not be tolerated for ourselves or family. We are accustomed to make allowances for sinful behavior in the name of social understanding.  What is so very disturbing is not if Clinton did or didn't do it, but why we are so unsure of ourselves. Why cant we state what is right or wrong? Why are  we willing to accept this scandal as an indiscretion or as  an even  a lesser crime or infraction.

My fellow Americans, we are losing our moral fiber!

In the past when teaching my classes if I needed to have an example of a powerful and important person, I would speak about the president.  I would talk about a hero, about a leader, a person that cared, a person who was elected by the people.  Today, when I mention the president's office, all I get is laughter and cynical remarks by the students and by the families I associate with.  What should have been an example of a man who rises above all occasions by being moral, just and dignified has not happened. It would seem that the president can do whatever he wishes and can offer a lame  explanation that, after all, he is a success in the financial running of the government and has the respect of world powers.  Therefore, his personal life should not be scrutinized. 

Thats nonsense.  We should not make allowances for any elected official, especially the President. 

We are talking about entering a world wide conflict harming another country in the name of stopping poisons from being created while we have a moral poison being perpetuated by our own elected officials.

What we need now is a clear cut mandate to return to good, old fashioned moral responsibilities. We need people who take responsibility for their actions, whether they are right or wrong.

I am reminded of the great debate that took place with the famous King Ptolemy II, who lived after the death of Alexander the Great in 312 BCE. Ptolemy gathered 72 of the greatest Jewish scholars.  He asked each sage questions whose answers were then recorded by the royal court.  The following question came to mind when I think of our president.  Ptolemy asked the 21st sage, "What is the greatest difficulty a king faces in ruling over his country?"  "To rule over himself" was the answer.

The President speaks and explains himself in the most extraordinary ways. Recently he said  "I think they (the common person) know I care about ordinary people whose voices aren't often heard here.  And I think they know that I have worked very, very hard for them."

If he truly cares about the ordinary people, then let him act in a manner befitting ordinary honest people.