Preserving the dignity of the oval office. I just wanted to type those words because I found them to be so darkly humorous. N0t to be indelicate here, but I think that ship done sailed long ago, if it ever existed at all. Somewhere in the midst of John F Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, in the confusion of cigars and blue dresses, I got the distinct impression that the foibles of the rich and famous were well-known to us all.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered the feigned outrage,the indignation, the shock and offense coming from people “who have never heard such crass and vulgar language in my entire life.” Seriously? Because I read your facebook feed everyday……
So how is this possible, how can it be that somewhere among the incessant assault of movies, television, and mass media, no one ever noticed how crass and vulgar our culture is becoming, how we sold our dignity out on the Jerry Springer show so long ago?
I keep thinking of chickens coming home to roost, of America’s long history of dissociation, disconnection, the paradox between our puritan values versus our culture that places sexuality front and center, on billboards and in magazines 24/7. American culture has always been this strange dichotomy of sexual repression and purity, versus bold expressions of anything goes. Gay pride parades? Topless protests? Porn stars and beauty pageants?
Am I the only person in the world who has noticed how even in our scary movies the woman about to get murdered is always wearing a matching bra and panty set? It’s an entire culture of predators and prey, victims and perpetrators, people as commodities, where human sexuality is very exploitative, entwined with power, and made up of winners and losers. Let is not forget the barely suppressed violence lurking right beneath the surface. Our girl in the matching undies is about to get herself murdered.
It is as if our dirty laundry has now been drug out into the street, the chickens coming home to roost, and we are now forced to take a hard, cold look at ourselves. As much as I would like to look at these two candidates and blame Russian hackers or alien lizard over lords, they are actually us. They are a reflection of the culture we have created, the values we have embraced. They are our representatives.
They are us. That awareness should be enough to drive any of us to repentance. God shed His grace on us, and this is what we have done with it. That realization, that truth, is what leads me to conclude that the results of this election are not as important as I would like to believe. No matter who steps into those shoes, it is the heart and soul of this nation that needs healing, repenentance.
What we are seeing is also a very ugly and a very ancient power struggle between men and women, one infused in ego and pride. I am not stupid, this is clearly a wrestle for gender power and control, and it is heavily entwined with outright misogyny, even outright misandry, something many refuse to see, but something so many of us are well acquainted with and it all resonates, it reverberates, the fat jokes, the sexual rating system, the accusations of deception, the way one’s experience and qualifications carry no weight. The way one is the object of such hatred, such sexual rage, and yet also accused of having a dark heart, a “heart full of hatred” as if that somehow justifies one’s eternal status as prey. She ain’t no girl scout.
It doesn’t matter whether we hear the words, “I’ll see you in jail” or “I’ll see you dead,” the meaning and intent behind them is unmistakable. The desire there is complete annihilation, conquest, power. Domination as destruction.
He of course, is a potential predator, someone who has committed “assault”…..with his words, who has revealed the “criminality of his heart.” I read those words too, the criminality of his heart, the accusations of sexual assault….even in the absence of a complaining witness. The totally metaphorical and imaginary crime that has not yet happened, but it could, it is possible. He is first and foremost as a man, so a sexual criminal right off the bat, guilty until proven otherwise. Why do we shame and police such things? Because men have power they seldom understand and there are rules here, least one’s perpetual quest for domination reaps endless destruction. So yes, unacceptable, crass, vulgar, but let us not forget that the roots of some of that aggression, are a feature, not a bug.
A woman sitting in one of those post-debate pools, said something that stuck with me,she said, “I just feel as if something else is going on here, as if this election is more important than we understand, as if our very way of life is about to change forever. It’s like a kind of test.”
Yes, tell me about it. It’s kind of like a test. It’s just like a reckoning, a shaking, an opportunity to see ourselves as we really are and to change course. Who we vote for is not going to fix any of it.
But by all means, let us go forth and attempt to “preserve the dignity of the oval office….” I am encouraged to know we have actually hidden our dignity somewhere, like a national treasure we can now take out and fondly remember when we are feeling a bit sentimental.
Pingback: Preserving the Dignity of the Oval Office… | Holly T. Ashley
Holly T. Ashley said:
What you said! GREAT JOB!
LikeLiked by 2 people
insanitybytes22 said:
Thanks, Holly, much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dawnlizjones said:
“They are a reflection of the culture we have created, the values we have embraced. They are our representatives.” And for the first time in my voting history, I am ashamed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
insanitybytes22 said:
I know, right? I too am ashamed or at least I keep praying for our nation, apologizing to God, and setting it all down at the foot of the cross.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pedat Ebediyah said:
I agree with this post.
No wonder nihilism is becoming the religion of the hearts of so many.
All around I see Americans of every shape, size, ethnicity, religion, persuasion, and background huddled together.
Congresses of louts, abounding in their vainglory, their obstinence, their nationalism, their crew, their posses and homies.
Simple, common folks; basic people, stuck on the first base of spiritual, emotional, and intellectual infancy, never rounding third nor heading for home.
They will remain there till the last bleacher seat is empty and the lights go out for good.
LikeLiked by 3 people
irtfyblog said:
Well said, IB.
The nature of the human heart is what is being revealed through these two “representatives”, and we humans are getting a stark, yet brutal, glimpse of our true nature through their actions and words.
“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” – Matthew 12:34
“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” – Matthew 15:18-19
God be with us all.
LikeLiked by 5 people
insanitybytes22 said:
Yes, irtfy, exactly, a brood of vipers and hypocrites for sure. I’m not sure who I find more pathetic, those who are so indignant, but ran out and purchased 50 million copies of 50 shades of gray last year, or those who tried to mold Trump into a representative of so called Christian values.
Somewhat ironic and a bit funny too, but the only one not acting like a hypocrite is Trump himself. He at least has managed to remain consistent and true to himself, as crass and vulgar as that may be.
LikeLiked by 3 people
DebbieLynne said:
You hit the nail on the head, irtfy! God is using this election to expose our corrupt hearts.
LikeLiked by 3 people
MJThompson said:
Oh my – that shaking we feel is granny rolling in her grave over such impiety. NOT. But you’d certainly think that such contrived shock at the indecency exhibited by anyone seeking office would instantly evoke awareness of blatant hypocrisy. Not that I advocate indecency, but let’s be real, we’re ALL guilty of inappropriate behavior when we think no one is watching.
A more true evaluation of American values has never been more appropriately offered than yours – “It’s an entire culture of predators and prey, victims and perpetrators, people as commodities, where human sexuality is very exploitative, entwined with power, and made up of winners and losers”. Agreed!!! – “it is the heart and soul of this nation that needs healing, repentance”.
I want to believe that your expressed hope will come to fruition (“I am encouraged to know we have actually hidden our dignity somewhere, like a national treasure we can now take out and fondly remember when we are feeling a bit sentimental”). But I fear that “who steps into those shoes” and becomes our next president matters a great deal. Although neither is perfect, as are none of us, one really is unfit for too many reasons that are tantamount to the glaring difference between killing in self-defense and cold blooded murder. The victims of both are equally dead, but the issue of sin lays in the motive.
A careful investigation into the actual record (not merely perceived or professed) of the benevolence of each candidate must be considered prayerfully and then supported by casting an appropriate vote. This actually reminds me of the scripture where the woman caught in ‘the very act’ of adultery is brought to Jesus for His interpretation of the Law. I always wondered why only the woman was brought, where was the man? Also, what were religious rulers doing that they actually observed such immorality? Was it private, behind closed doors – or public in a house of ill repute?
How and why have these recent allegations surfaced, 11 years AFTER the fact? What archives have they been enshrined in all this time? After scrupulous examination of the real records, I guess it may simply boil down to a choice between the lesser of two evils, but still the choice must be made.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Night Wind said:
During the debate, when Anderson Cooper and Hilary Clinton were pressing Trump about the leaked sex tape; I couldn’t help but think how eerily similar it sounded to when Hilary’s husband was accused of having affairs in the White House. Cooper’s questions and Trump’s answers sounded almost like 1998 again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
AmyRose🌹 said:
👏👏👏👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Matthew Winters Ministries said:
Sad but true! Very articulate as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
newenglandsun said:
IB, you’d be the one who survives until the sequel in a horror flick 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
insanitybytes22 said:
Ha! That’s quite true because I would never try to run away in heels and pass by half a dozen useful weapons while screaming hysterically.
Actually, it’s far more likely Freddy Krueger would wind up calling the cops on me for not playing fair 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
newenglandsun said:
You wouldn’t survive the new Jurassic World movie unfortunately. Gotta run away from the T-rex in heels!
LikeLiked by 2 people
insanitybytes22 said:
Ha! Good point. I’d be reluctant to tackle a T Rex. I am amazed by all these people running in heels. I just saw that on TV again the other day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susan Irene Fox said:
“They are us. That awareness should be enough to drive any of us to repentance. God shed His grace on us, and this is what we have done with it.”
Spot on. So very sad we have come to this. And we must pray for us all.
The only good news seems to be it is all happening so publicly no one can stand back anymore and deny it with any veracity; no one will be able to later declare they took a stand when they didn’t.
LikeLiked by 2 people
gmgoetz said:
Excellent post again IB. As a Canadian, in Ontario, I cannot cast any stones your way, as we have enough problems with our Ontario Premier, with her ideas and lifestyle. And our Prime Minister.
I do pray for your citizens to vote, and for Christians to seek God’s Will in this important matter. It seems there are Christians on each side, and I certainly don’t understand everything going in, or what has been in the past.
We, as Canadians, as citizens of the world, need a strong U.S.A., and a strong intelligent, wise leader in the U.S.
The U.S.A. as a world leader, has much power and influence, which needs to be used wisely. We are all dependent on that.
God’s Blessings, and Holy Spirit guidance as you move forward toward voting day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SandySays1 said:
I agree. Let’s not give up the struggle.
LikeLike
Pastor Randy said:
Well said, IB, well said. It’s humorous (the dark kind) that Trump’s distractors are not as morally outraged at the loss of life in Libya. Guess locker room talk, be it ever so vulgar and stupid, is more offensive than the loss of human life… But I keep on remembering (and being thankful) that God is still Sovereign and still sitting on His Throne! And the hope of our nation is not in who sits in the oval office, but who sits and rules from the throne of our heart!
LikeLiked by 3 people
theancients said:
This is a very unfortunate comment Pastor.
One can have “moral outrage” at the tremendous loss of life currently in Syria and ‘Libya’, and at DT’s admission to forcing himself on a married woman – that’s an assault!
In his own words he admitted to wanting to f* her and how he jumped on this married woman – Ms.O’Dell – like a b***h (in heat?).
He “failed” (his words) because this was an attack upon a woman who had to fight off her attacker to maintain her dignity!
It’s your prerogative to support DT. However, to try to minimize what he has done as “vulgar, stupid, and locker room talk” is regrettable.
Character matters. We are light in this world. Our kingdom is not of this world – so sacrificing one’s dignity for worldly politics is shortsighted and unwise.
LikeLike
MJThompson said:
Agreed – Character matters. We are light in this world. So let’s shed some light on the real darkness that is trying to eliminate conservative values. Trump’s scandal involved vulgarity, WORDS for which he admitted and repented. Like the Pharisees who dragged the adulterous woman before Christ expecting Him to be outraged by such evidence of immorality, this was a calculated hopeful diversion by his opponents that back-fired. Conversely, Hillary’s ongoing scandals involve deplorable ACTIONS over an extended period of years that culminate in far greater atrocities. Those without sin among us must choose to throw stones. The rest of us need to be discerning at who is really ‘behind the curtain’ manipulating this election.
LikeLike
theancients said:
I won’t devolve into an argument with you.
Your words and actions speak for themselves.
The Gospel is for all!… it’s not selectively applied to those we deem worthy.
Our Lord Jesus didn’t stop there! He continued – “go and sin no more” {A command from our Savior.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MJThompson said:
I’m sorry, did my comment strike a nerve? My point was precisely that NONE are worthy, certainly NOT any ‘selectively applied’ group!. Indeed the Lord requires ALL of us to “go and sin no more”, how does THAT rule out our need to continue to properly discern the greater evil?
LikeLike
theancients said:
Every believer knows or should know that none is worthy.
Those who tout ‘conservative values’ diminish their own slogan when they choose to both denigrate (in one) and excuse (in another) the same behavior – depending on who is espousing said behavior.
Excusing the sexual assault of a woman- Ms. O’Dell – as mere words is inexcusable.
Action – DT said he jumped on her like a b*.
That’s assault sir!
I did not say you cannot forgive it, but it’s reprehensible to excuse it – especially when you decry the same behavior in others.
Forgiveness is not the same as excuse!
Speaking of words – believers should know there’s no such thing as “mere words”.
Our Lord & Savior created all things by words. By the word of His power He upholds and maintains all things. Words have power – to create or to destroy!
From the overflow of our hearts, we speak.
‘Discerning greater evil’ – I’m a pilgrim on this earth. My kingdom is not of this earth. Excusing or elevating things to advance an earthly kingdom as I’ve said before is short-sighted and unwise.
LikeLike
MJThompson said:
I don’t dispute what you’ve shared and I sincerely apologize for upsetting you. You closed your REPLY by posting: “‘Discerning greater evil’ – I’m a pilgrim on this earth. My kingdom is not of this earth. Excusing or elevating things to advance an earthly kingdom as I’ve said before is short-sighted and unwise.” Indeed, I am terribly ‘short-sighted’ for participating on a forum like this that exchanges viewpoints and opinions with others who have excused or elevated things to advance an earthly kingdom (USA). Please forgive me for becoming so earthly minded that I am no heavenly good. Much more important to me than defending my opinions is making peace with those that I have offended. In my heart I strive for unity in Christ. Please forgive me, I’m just a simple ‘toe’ attached to a crippled ‘foot’ at the end of a lame ‘leg’ foolishly thinking I have no need of the ‘hip’ that joins me to the Body of Christ. How shameful my arrogance, thinking I was the only pilgrim on this earth. Thank you for challenging my motivations,causing deeper introspection and reminding me to avoid any temptation to allow this to “devolve into an argument with you”. Honest conviction – not sarcasm.
LikeLike
theancients said:
There is no reason to apologize to me. However, I accept it in the spirit in which it was given.
My point was simply that we can – & should- forgive things without having to make excuses for them.
And it’s for us to strive to move away from ‘double standards’ and apply our judgements with equity and fairness across the board.
Thanks for your response.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MJThompson said:
Thank you for acceptance of my apology. Indeed, we can – & should- forgive things without having to make excuses for them. I understand that when ‘making excuse’ one really is rejecting responsibility for their actions. True repentance must indeed come from the deepest sincerity. May God continue to reveal truth in clarity in and through us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
insanitybytes22 said:
This is really a contentious discussion, isn’t it? Lots of vehemence on all sides.
Something I really want to take note of, about a dozen Christians brothers I really respect have told me to just keep my eyes on the cross. God himself told me to do that a few years back, “there’s a storm coming, keep your eyes on me.” Hearing them speak words that God has already spoken to me, has been very validating and helpful.
Another half a dozen have actually apologized to me for this election, even though they didn’t do it, they don’t know me, and the state of our world is certainly not their fault, but how thoughtful that is, how kind.
That’s Christianity, that’s faith, that’s what it means to be salt and light in the world, so while we are ripping one another to shreds, let’s not lose sight of that. Even in the midst of all this ugliness, there’s something wonderful going on.
Or, it’s always possible I just have the Lord’s favor and he’s being extra kind to me,in which case, blessed be His name. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
MJThompson said:
Better advise can never be given -“keep your eyes on the cross”. Thanks for reminding me. “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” – 2Pt. 2:9. The battle is the Lord’s!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Things I have read on the internet – 54 | clydeherrin
Pingback: Saturday Sampler: October 9 –October 15 « The Outspoken TULIP
Desdi said:
Your opening salvo so great I reflexively hit “Like”.
Now I need to read this slowly and carefully about 3 times…
LikeLiked by 1 person
authorstephanieparkermckean said:
Wow! Well done, you! Brilliant. You are so right. The candidates ARE a reflection of what we’ve become…very sad…very scary. Repentance is the only hope for recovery.
LikeLiked by 1 person