The Spitzer - Saddam Connection

What did Saddam Hussein say when Coalition forces crossed the Iraqi border in 2003? What did Elliot Spitzer say when his predilection for prostitutes came out a week ago?

The same thing: “D’OH!!”

To paraphrase Senator Larry Craig - “Let me be very clear.” I’m not saying that the former governor of New York is any thing like the  monster who ran Iraq and had hundreds of thousands of his enemies killed and invaded two other countries.

What I’m saying is that both of these men couldv’e avoided the fate they received.

If Saddam had totally cooperated with the UN and others after the first Gulf War instead of hiding vast stores of WMD materials and fully cooperating with the weapons inspectors he would be alive today. Probably still in power as well.

But, our boy Saddam decided to let his pride get in the way. Instead of cooperation he had banned materials and equipment moved out the back door of various facilities while inspectors came in the front. And he did this for more than 10 years. Don’t believe me? Go ask David Kay and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

All sorts of WMD were found in Iraq but because these things weren’t encased in warheads atop SCUD missiles no one believes they existed. It’s so bad even the Bush Administration says no WMD were found in Iraq.

Unbelievable.

Saddam evaded his responsibilities and Iraq was invaded in March of 2003. The rest, as they say, is history. So is Saddam. He’s taking a very long dirt nap right about now.

Elliot Spitzer made his name by being a law and order Attorney General in New York. He went after all sorts of criminals. Organized crime, drug trafficking, prostitution.

Oh, oh……. Mission Control, we have a problem. Spitzer was caught with his hypocrisy down. Probably around his ankles. Ouch!

He prosecuted people who ran prostitution rings and he gets caught up in one!! How can this be? More than $80,000 flew out of his pocket to the g-strings of prostitutes. How can this be?

Is it true that power corrupts? He turned into a big time hotshot and thought he could get away with serial whoring? Is that it? Or is it simpler than that?

Maybe despite his career success he ultimately is just another empty man trying to fill an empty heart. The man is to be pitied. Actually, when I think about it maybe Saddam should have been pitied as well.

Both of these men in one form or another were empty. It’s too late for the executed former dictator of Iraq. It’s not too late for the former governor of New York.  

This is not to say that Spitzer shouldn’t have taken responsibility for his actions. He had to resign. There was and is no alternative for what he did. He had no choice. It was time to go.

When it came to marriage fidelity Spitzer chose poorly. When it came to cooperating with the international community Saddam chose poorly.

I can’t speak to whether or not the victims of Saddam Hussein will ever forgive him. I do know it’s not too late for the family of Elliot Spitzer to forgive him. Will they? Hopefully.

Forgiveness is the key component here. As a christian writing what I have so far tonight in this entry I’m reminded of something that crossed my mind some years ago.

If someone murdered any person I love I would forgive that criminal. It wouldn’t be easy but I have to share the forgiveness given to me by Jesus. If I don’t share what’s been given to me than how can I expect to truly claim the forgiveness of GOD?

The murderer still has to pay a price to society. Prison sentence or death penalty. Responsibility must be accepted. I certainly hope I would have an opportunity to lead this person to Jesus before punishment. For if that would happen we could someday walk the streets of Heaven together.

If I, in a period of rage, killed somebody I have to pay the debt to society as well. I would hope that the loved ones of the victim would forgive me but I would have to pay a price.

After having said all that I’ve said about hypocrisy and morality please don’t think that I think of myself as a morally superior guy.

Hey, I know better. I need the blood of Jesus as much as the next idiot.

How’s this for a connection: Spitzer-Saddam-Me-You?

Tags: D'OH!, Elliot Spitzer, prostitution, Saddam Hussein, Senator Larry Craig, The Simpson's, War, WMD