Eliot Spitzer: Boys are Boys
Rizwan Ghani
March 18, 2008
Eliot Spitzer is history. The now former Governor of New York was forced to resign allegedly for having sex with an escort with tax dollars. There are no two opinions about the fact that hard politics than personal agendas ended his carrier. Hillary camp wanted Spitzer ´surgically´ removed from the national scene because he had already endorsed her and any delay in his resignation would brought back memories of Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. No wonder Obama camp is left to struggle with political spillover Reverend´s sermons´.
In addition, the national media has obligingly used the Spitzer story to keep the economic meltdown news, ever deepening Foreclosure crisis and images of foreclosure victims´ tent city coming up outside Los Angles away from public eye. The news of funneling tax dollars to banks instead of foreclosure victims and gathering of Winters´ Soldiers calling for end of Iraq war on line of Vietnam war have been lost somewhere behind the glossy images of Spitzer´s escort. It shows once again the importance of timing, news and media at national level.
However, leaving aside the drab politics here is my take on the Spitzer case. The feminists activists were quick to sympathize with Mrs. Spitzer and even mainstream media tossed volley of questions to its viewers including, ´why should wives be standing beside husbands like Spitzer´. From the historic perspective it can equally argued that it is men like Spitzer who are forced to make statements under the watchful eyes of their spouses because the word husband originates from the word ´band around the neck´ that in turn comes from clavicle bone that ´surrounds´ the neck.
However, one thing that history tells us is that high places have their darker sides for man and woman alike. If Spitzer fell prey to the dark legacy of high places so did Razia Sultana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razia_Sultan). Reportedly, she fell victim to the jealousy of the Muslim nobles.
It can therefore be argued that Spitzer is phenomenon not an individual manifesting many things including ´dying relationships´. Under no circumstances, I am trying to condone Spitzer for what he did because he after all donned different hats, and as public office holder should therefore be held accountable for his act(s) in accordance to the law of the land.
I found one newspaper line interesting that read, "Spitzer removed for making love". The line juxtaposes religion and spirit of Renaissance manifestation break away from religion, standing up for ´me´ (or humanism). It brings to my mind a leader of Metaphysical school of poets, John Donne (1537-1631). He had a chequered career because he got entangled in the web of ´body´ and ´soul´. The church stood for ´soul´ and the mortal man couldn´t resist the ´body´.
Donne, an Oxford and Cambridge scholar and a learned theologian abjured the old religion for the doctrines of Reformers. He was forced to quit his office as secretary to the Earl of Ellesmere because of his secret marriage with the Countesses niece. The office of Earl however issued an interesting statement, "a friend and such a secretary was fitter to serve the king than a subject".
It shows that Kings of olden times distinguished between individual preferences, public interests and respect for public interest. It therefore nullifies the papers position that questioned Spitzer´s resignation vis-à-vis his individual choice. The history shows that it is public interest not personal interest that reigns supreme.
Therefore, it can be ascertained that public offices are more about accountability than respecting individual rights of the officeholder. The newspaper line had universal connotation of yearning for epicurean freedom- one of the hallmark of Renaissance beautifully portrayed in Christopher Marlowe´s play Dr. Faustus. The play shows that individual can sell his soul to devil and launch thousand ships for any face he or she likes but there is no escape from accountability. Therefore, Spitzer must pay for his acts because when it comes to respecting public office and mismanaging tax money there cannot be two set of laws in one America, can there be?
In case you are wondering what happened to John Donne after his secret marriage was disclosed. He was removed from his office. Donne was imprisoned for his clandestine marriage and on writing to his wife subscribed his letter "John Donne, Anne Donne, Un-done!"
In all probability John Donne´s poetry both poses and answers one of the oldest question in the history of mankind. How to treat women. Donne wrote in his love poems that women are not trophies that should be put on display or distributed (or gifted away) by the rulers as objects (mostly to returning warriors).
This object things is most vehemently criticized by women activists of twenty first century who rightly believe women this should end and women should be treated as equal beings who have feelings. This stand for recognizing women as (men´s ) equal and individuals with their own feeling brings a whole set of issues including hypocritical double standards of societies, nations and individuals over women rights, individual rights, pay disparity, presidency issues etc. I leave this historic and unending debate to experts, activists, and move on to second part of John Donne´s question.
Donne answers this question in his love poems in which he writes bring them (women) down from the pedestals of worship so that they can be touched and made love to. This was a very bold position at the time when Puritan Age (1600-1660) was at its height and the Seventeenth Century was marked by the decline of spirit of Renaissance.
Spitzer´s departure once again shows that American society despite acting modern (that is in step with spirit of Renaissance challenging old traditions and scriptures) is still living in Puritan Age. That is one-reason European intellectuals are always grumpy with American intelligentsia-including those from New England- for failing to help America experience Renaissance.
It can therefore be argued that in America secularism from individual rights perspective is still a sham than reality. In the same way public disapproval of ´gay-rights´ is explainable when measured in terms of how far the society is from liberalism (tolerance of individualism). It explains and puts in perspective media allegations of hypocrisy against the society for having double standards. But then media in its enthusiasm to highlight failing on part of society forgets to recognize the difference between public office holder and rights and liberties of an individual. Public office holders cannot hold office and enjoy individual liberties at the same time. It is one reason press always gets away with by saying, ´don´t let us catch you with your pants down´. No wonder the leaders across the globe always try to spin the issue and gag the media with all kinds of acts and policies.
As to what happened to John Donne once he completed his prison term. Well he ended up as Dean of Saint Paul where his main work was to deliver religious sermons. His poetry also crossed over to third stage- satirical. The critics describe the earlier two stage of his poetry as amorous and metaphysical. Interestingly, his best know works are The Progress of Soul; An Anatomy of the World, an elegy and Epithalamium.
One wonders if Spitzer life will share more similarities with John Donne´s life starting with prison term. But one thing is clear that boys will be boys and scandals are going nowhere. Similarly, going by Donne´s circle of personal enlightenment it is hard to rule out two things: 1) the probability of Spitzer ending up delivering religious sermons cannot be ruled out. 2) Obama´s family Pastor isn´t all that nonsensical. In all probability it is his words not spirit of his message that are in the eye of the political storm. Lastly, I leave it to you decide whether a body is more important or a soul. It could help you understand liberals, seculars and Spitzer´s dilemma and fatal choice.
It is hoped that Hillary camp understand democratic party election campaign is not all about her. Her campaign should stop spinning pastor´s patriotic spirit that is also protected by Bill of Rights so that Obama campaign and Democrats can move forward to bring much needed change in America.
Lastly, it is hoped that the couple will make news by staying together in their family´s interest because if they cannot stop the divorces in America at least by keep together they can avoid adding two more digits to the statistics.
In addition, the national media has obligingly used the Spitzer story to keep the economic meltdown news, ever deepening Foreclosure crisis and images of foreclosure victims´ tent city coming up outside Los Angles away from public eye. The news of funneling tax dollars to banks instead of foreclosure victims and gathering of Winters´ Soldiers calling for end of Iraq war on line of Vietnam war have been lost somewhere behind the glossy images of Spitzer´s escort. It shows once again the importance of timing, news and media at national level.
However, leaving aside the drab politics here is my take on the Spitzer case. The feminists activists were quick to sympathize with Mrs. Spitzer and even mainstream media tossed volley of questions to its viewers including, ´why should wives be standing beside husbands like Spitzer´. From the historic perspective it can equally argued that it is men like Spitzer who are forced to make statements under the watchful eyes of their spouses because the word husband originates from the word ´band around the neck´ that in turn comes from clavicle bone that ´surrounds´ the neck.
However, one thing that history tells us is that high places have their darker sides for man and woman alike. If Spitzer fell prey to the dark legacy of high places so did Razia Sultana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razia_Sultan). Reportedly, she fell victim to the jealousy of the Muslim nobles.
It can therefore be argued that Spitzer is phenomenon not an individual manifesting many things including ´dying relationships´. Under no circumstances, I am trying to condone Spitzer for what he did because he after all donned different hats, and as public office holder should therefore be held accountable for his act(s) in accordance to the law of the land.
I found one newspaper line interesting that read, "Spitzer removed for making love". The line juxtaposes religion and spirit of Renaissance manifestation break away from religion, standing up for ´me´ (or humanism). It brings to my mind a leader of Metaphysical school of poets, John Donne (1537-1631). He had a chequered career because he got entangled in the web of ´body´ and ´soul´. The church stood for ´soul´ and the mortal man couldn´t resist the ´body´.
Donne, an Oxford and Cambridge scholar and a learned theologian abjured the old religion for the doctrines of Reformers. He was forced to quit his office as secretary to the Earl of Ellesmere because of his secret marriage with the Countesses niece. The office of Earl however issued an interesting statement, "a friend and such a secretary was fitter to serve the king than a subject".
It shows that Kings of olden times distinguished between individual preferences, public interests and respect for public interest. It therefore nullifies the papers position that questioned Spitzer´s resignation vis-à-vis his individual choice. The history shows that it is public interest not personal interest that reigns supreme.
Therefore, it can be ascertained that public offices are more about accountability than respecting individual rights of the officeholder. The newspaper line had universal connotation of yearning for epicurean freedom- one of the hallmark of Renaissance beautifully portrayed in Christopher Marlowe´s play Dr. Faustus. The play shows that individual can sell his soul to devil and launch thousand ships for any face he or she likes but there is no escape from accountability. Therefore, Spitzer must pay for his acts because when it comes to respecting public office and mismanaging tax money there cannot be two set of laws in one America, can there be?
In case you are wondering what happened to John Donne after his secret marriage was disclosed. He was removed from his office. Donne was imprisoned for his clandestine marriage and on writing to his wife subscribed his letter "John Donne, Anne Donne, Un-done!"
In all probability John Donne´s poetry both poses and answers one of the oldest question in the history of mankind. How to treat women. Donne wrote in his love poems that women are not trophies that should be put on display or distributed (or gifted away) by the rulers as objects (mostly to returning warriors).
This object things is most vehemently criticized by women activists of twenty first century who rightly believe women this should end and women should be treated as equal beings who have feelings. This stand for recognizing women as (men´s ) equal and individuals with their own feeling brings a whole set of issues including hypocritical double standards of societies, nations and individuals over women rights, individual rights, pay disparity, presidency issues etc. I leave this historic and unending debate to experts, activists, and move on to second part of John Donne´s question.
Donne answers this question in his love poems in which he writes bring them (women) down from the pedestals of worship so that they can be touched and made love to. This was a very bold position at the time when Puritan Age (1600-1660) was at its height and the Seventeenth Century was marked by the decline of spirit of Renaissance.
Spitzer´s departure once again shows that American society despite acting modern (that is in step with spirit of Renaissance challenging old traditions and scriptures) is still living in Puritan Age. That is one-reason European intellectuals are always grumpy with American intelligentsia-including those from New England- for failing to help America experience Renaissance.
It can therefore be argued that in America secularism from individual rights perspective is still a sham than reality. In the same way public disapproval of ´gay-rights´ is explainable when measured in terms of how far the society is from liberalism (tolerance of individualism). It explains and puts in perspective media allegations of hypocrisy against the society for having double standards. But then media in its enthusiasm to highlight failing on part of society forgets to recognize the difference between public office holder and rights and liberties of an individual. Public office holders cannot hold office and enjoy individual liberties at the same time. It is one reason press always gets away with by saying, ´don´t let us catch you with your pants down´. No wonder the leaders across the globe always try to spin the issue and gag the media with all kinds of acts and policies.
As to what happened to John Donne once he completed his prison term. Well he ended up as Dean of Saint Paul where his main work was to deliver religious sermons. His poetry also crossed over to third stage- satirical. The critics describe the earlier two stage of his poetry as amorous and metaphysical. Interestingly, his best know works are The Progress of Soul; An Anatomy of the World, an elegy and Epithalamium.
One wonders if Spitzer life will share more similarities with John Donne´s life starting with prison term. But one thing is clear that boys will be boys and scandals are going nowhere. Similarly, going by Donne´s circle of personal enlightenment it is hard to rule out two things: 1) the probability of Spitzer ending up delivering religious sermons cannot be ruled out. 2) Obama´s family Pastor isn´t all that nonsensical. In all probability it is his words not spirit of his message that are in the eye of the political storm. Lastly, I leave it to you decide whether a body is more important or a soul. It could help you understand liberals, seculars and Spitzer´s dilemma and fatal choice.
It is hoped that Hillary camp understand democratic party election campaign is not all about her. Her campaign should stop spinning pastor´s patriotic spirit that is also protected by Bill of Rights so that Obama campaign and Democrats can move forward to bring much needed change in America.
Lastly, it is hoped that the couple will make news by staying together in their family´s interest because if they cannot stop the divorces in America at least by keep together they can avoid adding two more digits to the statistics.
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