Priveledge... Again

The most read post that I have written was called Priveledge, where I ranted about people who believe that they above everything, that they deserve whatever they want. Well, unless you absolutely refuse to acknowledge that there is news media in various forms, you have probably heard of Anthony Weiner.

Representative Weiner became famous when a picture of male genitals appeared on his twitter. He claimed that he had been hacked, someone making a joke about his name. He even named a conservative blogger who he claimed did the hacking. One question remained. "Is the picture of you?" He just kept repeating "I already answered that." Only he hadn't.

Finally he did. It was. He posted it. The blogger was innocent. He had been sending sexually explicit texts to a dozen women them, at least one is underage. He was trying to send the picture of his penis as a private message to a woman, and accidentally posted it to everyone. These sexual text messages (called "sexting") are his habit. At least one woman admitted talking to Weiner on his congressional phone, and one woman said that he called her offering to send a congressional PR team to spin the story.

Aren't you glad to know that your tax dollars have been spent to have, then cover up, cyber affairs? Just like President Clinton was impeached for committing pergury for his affair with an intern, so Congressman Weiner is also in trouble. Both Nancy Pelosi and the DNC chair have called him to step down. Only he's decided to pull a Charlie Sheen, and enter a joke of a rehab. (You want to talk priveledged? Charlie Sheen thinks he's... duh, winning, but has to innoculate himself from feeling with a steady flow of booze and drugs.)

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Weiner is one of the many who falls to the subtle temptations that accompany the sin of pride. It is a warning to all of us, but especially to anyone in any position of leadership. All leaders (myself included) can begin to believe all the nice things people say about us. Shortly after, then we can believe that we have earned the right to indulge in a little sin.

Biblically, this is when Moses sinned, losing his chance to enter the promised land. This is how Samson began his series of relationships and violate his vow, resulting in his loss of strength. This is how David had his affair with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to cover it. This is how Solomon was led to idol worship, as did the kings to follow him. This is what led Peter to chastize, and later deny Jesus.

May we never forget that we are equals. We have all sinned. Jesus died for each of us. We are all deserving of hell, and offered the same grace. As leaders, we are not to think our selves superior, but have greater responsibility. Leaders are not to be lords, but servants.