Turning Point?

It is Wednesday, December 13, 2017. Democrat Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore for the US Senate seat in Alabama. The victory was narrow - 1.5 % or less separating the two candidates. But the result was momentous. The public hunkered down and voted its conscience. A suspected and accused pedophile lost the election. Swagger and savvy moved the public's power a tiny notch. But it was moved.

Now what do we do to make sure our ethical futures are better formed and monitored?

This is one seat in the 100 seats of the Senate. It is one seat of the 535 seats of Congress. Even though several elected congressmen have stepped down recently because of a personal taint with sexual abuse, there remain many more that must be coaxed to own up. Only then will we begin to truly turn the tide of gender power by men over women. Or any imbalanced power advantage in public service in which men or women suffer abuse at the hands of the powerful.

The White House has an accused sexual predator occupying the oval office. That's a shame we all feel - or ought to feel - shame over. Mr. trump should be investigated fairly and removed if found guilty of the accusations. He admitted foul manners; it was caught on TV tape. Surely proving the charges now will be easier?

I wrote a piece for this blog the other day on coming of sexual age. None of us has a walk in the park on this issue. We are all challenged with dealing with sexual awakening. It is personal and complex. We avoid talking about it to save embarrassment. But doesn't this set us up for secrecy that easily leads us astray in accountability?

Ignoring reality is the first step toward denying reality. That leads to much more serious consequences.

Think about this issue. The right person was elected in Alabama at this moment in history. It was a perilously close call. While Moore sits outside the power circle of America, many other flawed persons sit within that circle. Including the president of the United States.

We have much work ahead of us. Are you up for this task? Please say yes!

December 13, 2017