# Apparently we cannot escape our past, so I never can be a politician? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 6, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080 "2019-02-06T19:40:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/21 "2019-02-07T08:15:40Z")
> [@JB99](#): > > Please. Americans just elected a treasonous pussy-grabbing racist narcissist to be President. If Trump can get elected, anyone can. I think only Democrats have to be as pure as freshly fallen snow, and thats an internal party requirement, not an election one.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/22 "2019-02-07T08:38:14Z")
One of the [most celebrated and longest serving Democratic senators](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Byrd) in history was formerly a Exalted Cyclops of the KKK and was an instrumental figure in filibustering the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Still, despite this, he’s celebrated among Democratic party figures and was given the highest honors upon his passing because he made a committed effort to own up to his past and demonstrate through both words and actions that he had an honest change of heart and won allies over to his side like the NAACP. If someone like that can be rehabilitated, then there’s really not much beyond that that can’t be rehabilitated but the important thing is that rehabilitation doesn’t come by default and requires active and sincere efforts. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/23 "2019-02-07T10:05:27Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > I remember attending JBS meetings. They discussed how certain parts of Dragnet (the series) were communistic. How so? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/24 "2019-02-07T14:33:39Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I think its a reaction to Trump and the GOP. Trump and the GOP aren’t affected by their past, or present, in the slightest. Trump and Steve King could walk around in KKK robes and it wouldn’t affect the level of GOP support they have in the slightest. > > So the democrats are becoming over-sensitive to show they are different. > > Basically, if you’re a democrat you’d better hope you never did anything insensitive 40 years ago. If you’re a republican you can violently rape children while wearing a klan hood and the average republican voter won’t care. Or, own up to it now. People can be forgiving if you show repentance. > [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I wrote in another thread that when I was 14 or 15 I was an Arab for Halloween, complete with brown makeup and a slapdash attempt at a keffiyeh. Of course I’m horrified by it now. In my other post I describe how I wish there had been an adult in my life to smack me upside the head when I suggested the costume. I’m sure there are pictures of it. My mom probably has several. There may be a picture in my yearbook. I didn’t keep them, so I don’t know. Not that I ever had any intention of running for office, anyway, but I’ve been thinking about that a lot the past few days. I’d like to think that the rest of my life has shown that I’ve gained a lot of understanding in the past 30+ years. But I guess if I ever did decide to run for office I’d try to be the one to put the story out so I’d have some control over it. > > Come to think of it, maybe we’ve been doing political campaign rollouts backwards. Instead of candidates introducing themselves with uninterrupted self aggrandizement, they should start confessing right at the outset. “Hi, I’m John Smith, and I’m running for Governor. There are some things you should know about me right away…” Didn’t Obama kind of do this in his book, where he admitted to smoking pot and sometimes doing heroin when he was in college? Depends on how bad it was. I’d admit to blackface, but not to that time I killed that homeless person. If you can’t face your past, don’t go into politics, as you have to assume it will come up. It may not, but why take that chance? If it is too bad to admit to now, it will be worse to face the accusation later. > [@JB99](#): > > Please. Americans just elected a treasonous pussy-grabbing racist narcissist to be President. If Trump can get elected, anyone can. As a republican, sure. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/25 "2019-02-07T14:36:56Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I wrote in another thread that when I was 14 or 15 I was an Arab for Halloween, complete with brown makeup and a slapdash attempt at a keffiyeh. Was it a legitimate attempt to look like an Arab, or was it more of a terrorist caricature, or maybe a Skandor Akbar type caricature? That’s really the question, I’d think. If the intent was to ridicule or make fun, that’s one thing, but if it wasn’t done with that in mind, then it’s not nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/26 "2019-02-07T15:00:44Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Was it a legitimate attempt to look like an Arab, or was it more of a terrorist caricature, or maybe a Skandor Akbar type caricature? > > That’s really the question, I’d think. If the intent was to ridicule or make fun, that’s one thing, but if it wasn’t done with that in mind, then it’s not nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be. It was a legitimate attempt to look like a rich Arab, like an oil baron. I wore a nice suit and sunglasses (which I have since learned are uncommon in the Middle East). Still, I’m embarrassed by it. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/27 "2019-02-07T15:16:17Z")
Does anybody remember Goldwater or the John Birch society these days? Nobody remembers Watergate or the consequences of abuse of power either. Not enough pictures were taken, and the story is more than 140 characters. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/28 "2019-02-07T15:45:42Z")
The Onion had a good take on this from a few years ago. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/politics.theonion.com/report-every-potential-2040-president-already-unelecta-1819595196/amp](https://www.google.com/amp/s/politics.theonion.com/report-every-potential-2040-president-already-unelecta-1819595196/amp) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/29 "2019-02-07T17:30:36Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > It was a legitimate attempt to look like a rich Arab, like an oil baron. I wore a nice suit and sunglasses (which I have since learned are uncommon in the Middle East). Still, I’m embarrassed by it. Nice suit and sunglasses are uncommon in the middle east?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/30 "2019-02-07T18:14:34Z")
If the Virginia governor, lt governor and ag all resign the next person in line is a Republican. Yeah, that’ll fucking help minority causes a ton, forcing three democrats to resign so a republican can take over. Fucking nitwits. However the lt governors accusations are far more serious than the ones against the governor and ag. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/31 "2019-02-07T18:22:38Z")
The governor and the attorney general have admitted to wearing blackface but I believe the lieutenant governor denies the sexual assault accusation. It’s very possible it’s bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/32 "2019-02-07T19:40:22Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > It was a legitimate attempt to look like a rich Arab, like an oil baron. I wore a nice suit and sunglasses (which I have since learned are uncommon in the Middle East). Still, I’m embarrassed by it. I don’t think you have anything to be embarrassed about. First, it was when you were a kid. Second, it was probably decades ago when things were somewhat different about that kind of thing. And third, there wasn’t any attempt or intent to ridicule, mock or otherwise imply anything derogatory. I wouldn’t probably do that kind of thing today, but that’s true about a LOT of things that used to be just fine, and acceptable even. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/33 "2019-02-07T22:05:04Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Nice suit and sunglasses are uncommon in the middle east?😕 I meant the sunglasses. IIRC, sunglasses are uncommon there. Or maybe just in Iraq. ISTR reading that Iraqis were suspicious of American soldiers’ constant wearing of wraparound shades, as sunglasses were not really a thing there. But I may well have been misinformed, or be misremembering. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/34 "2019-02-07T22:09:42Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I don’t think you have anything to be embarrassed about. First, it was when you were a kid. Second, it was probably decades ago when things were somewhat different about that kind of thing. And third, there wasn’t any attempt or intent to ridicule, mock or otherwise imply anything derogatory. > > I wouldn’t probably do that kind of thing today, but that’s true about a LOT of things that used to be just fine, and acceptable even. Thanks. That does make me feel a bit better. Still, once my mom passes away, and I inherit the Worlds Largest Family Album (going on Volume 14!), I may quietly remove any pictures of that Halloween. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/35 "2019-02-08T06:14:28Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > If the Virginia governor, lt governor and ag all resign the next person in line is a Republican. > > Yeah, that’ll fucking help minority causes a ton, forcing three democrats to resign so a republican can take over. Fucking nitwits. > > However the lt governors accusations are far more serious than the ones against the governor and ag. Yes, we should only stand up for our principles when it doesn’t inconvenience us. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/36 "2019-02-08T10:16:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The governor and the attorney general have admitted to wearing blackface but I believe the lieutenant governor denies the sexual assault accusation. It’s very possible it’s bullshit. In what way does it sound like bullshit as opposed to a case like Kavanaugh? College professor, democrat, the not too distance past,vivid details, actual rape not the fear of possible rape. It sounds very plausible and disturbing. > **[Virginia congressman knew about Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax allegation a year ago](https://nypost.com/2019/02/07/virginia-congressman-knew-about-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegation-a-year-ago/)** > > Rep. Bobby Scott has known about the sex assault allegation against Virginia’s lieutenant governor for a year — and used to date the accuser, according to new reports. Vanessa Tyson — a … A congressman knew about the issue a year ago, if not the full scope. > **[Virginia congressman knew about Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax allegation a year ago](https://nypost.com/2019/02/07/virginia-congressman-knew-about-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegation-a-year-ago/)** > > Rep. Bobby Scott has known about the sex assault allegation against Virginia’s lieutenant governor for a year — and used to date the accuser, according to new reports. Vanessa Tyson — a … Members of the party are struggling to not look like complete hypocrites and failing miserably. > **[Analysis | Democrats struggle to answer for Virginia lieutenant governor...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/democrats-struggle-to-answer-for-virginia-lieutenant-governor-after-unified-stand-against-kavanaugh/2019/02/07/7dc94350-2af6-11e9-b2fc-721718903bfc_story.html)** > > Some are urging a consistency of the cause even if it cuts short the career of a rising star. Others say a top priority is retaining control of the governor’s mansion. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/37 "2019-02-08T10:19:48Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I meant the sunglasses. IIRC, sunglasses are uncommon there. Or maybe just in Iraq. ISTR reading that Iraqis were suspicious of American soldiers’ constant wearing of wraparound shades, as sunglasses were not really a thing there. But I may well have been misinformed, or be misremembering. Wearing sunglasses is not an issue. Speaking to someone without taking them off is rude. In Iraq and really anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/38 "2019-02-08T13:13:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Wearing sunglasses is not an issue. Speaking to someone without taking them off is rude. In Iraq and really anywhere. Ah! Thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/39 "2019-02-08T13:15:54Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > The governor and the attorney general have admitted to wearing blackface but I believe the lieutenant governor denies the sexual assault accusation. It’s very possible it’s bullshit. > > In what way does it sound like bullshit as opposed to a case like Kavanaugh? College professor, democrat, the not too distance past,vivid details, actual rape not the fear of possible rape. It sounds very plausible and disturbing. > > [Rep. Bobby Scott knew of Justin Fairfax allegation a year ago](https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2019/02/07/virginia-congressman-knew-about-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegation-a-year-ago/amp/) > > A congressman knew about the issue a year ago, if not the full scope. > > [Rep. Bobby Scott knew of Justin Fairfax allegation a year ago](https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2019/02/07/virginia-congressman-knew-about-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-allegation-a-year-ago/amp/) > Members of the party are struggling to not look like complete hypocrites and failing miserably. > > [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/powerpost/democrats-struggle-to-answer-for-virginia-lieutenant-governor-after-unified-stand-against-kavanaugh/2019/02/07/7dc94350-2af6-11e9-b2fc-721718903bfc\_story.html](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/powerpost/democrats-struggle-to-answer-for-virginia-lieutenant-governor-after-unified-stand-against-kavanaugh/2019/02/07/7dc94350-2af6-11e9-b2fc-721718903bfc_story.html) Sorry. When I posted that, I was aware only of a report in a right-leaning media source. I was not aware that a woman came forward. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080/40 "2019-02-08T13:47:08Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > If the Virginia governor, lt governor and ag all resign the next person in line is a Republican. > > Yeah, that’ll fucking help minority causes a ton, forcing three democrats to resign so a republican can take over. Fucking nitwits. > > However the lt governors accusations are far more serious than the ones against the governor and ag. I’d rather be on the right side of history than to win this battle. Sucks, and it is a painful and embarrassing defeat, but trying to hold this ground will cost us more than it’s worth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-we-cannot-escape-our-past-so-i-never-can-be-a-politician/829080.md?page=3)