All In Good Fun

DURING THE BILL CLINTON monica lewinsky fiasco a professor of electrical engineering from argentina, teaching in the united states, expressed amazement at the fuss and furor being made about the presidential sex scandal.

"In Argentina, the people expect the president to have many mistresses. I do not understand why you americans are so concerned about and ashamed of your president for having women".

Well, professor, it has to do with a schizophrenic american culture in which prudish victorian protestant values clash with a corporate capitalistic marketing of sex, through advertising and media entertainment. And which conflicting force is stronger, christianity or capitalism, depends on one's politics, it would seem.

Now former governor mark sandford, who resigned in disgrace following his exposure for having an affair with a latin american lady, is back in action, newly elected to the U.S. house of representatives after defeating the liberal sister of a well known television comedian.

It appears conservatives are far more willing to overlook the iniquities of a self deposed conservative republican governor than a moderate democrat president caught with his pants down. Impeach the president, restore the  ex gov to political power. 

That, even though the governor misused public funds to travel to south america for trysts, all the while claiming to be hiking on the appalachian trail. Good cover story, radiating good health, lacking only abduction by aliens.

But its all in good fun. We enjoy the soap operas, and if they keep us off the streets, all the better.