Too much to reply to everyone -- as usual by the time I arrive each day -- but I HAVE been productive today. Ironing ironing ironing.
Also went to post office, bank, and CVS.
Talked to ddil and ds on phone. * Please see J&C.
Cooked supper (baked chicken/corn on the cob) and went to ice cream shop w/dh.
Bank again. ATM.
Post office again. Dropped off phone bill in outgoing mail.
Must finish ironing and wash dishes, and pack for tomorrow. All the family is going to college town, in spite of J&C concerns. DGS fully expected to return to school tomorrow; dgd experiencing no change in day to day happenings, just waiting on more labwork.
Very interesting to read all your input re: our state scandal.
As
Kathryn said --
Yes, it was a long time ago and I would say uninvited touching and kissing were more the norm back then so I have trouble judging that behaviour as inappropriate and egregious then as I would if it occurred now.
Yes. You must remember that the candidate is approx my dmom's age. By the time dmom's class graduated from high school, I'd say quite a few of her friends (and herself, of course) were already married. He definitely grew up in a different world than the teens he apparently pursued in the 70s.
But again, that was a different world too -- as I am Exhibit One. True, dh kept his job in spite of all sorts of opportunities to use our relationship against him. People who knew just seemed to turn a blind eye and often thought how nice, we would make a good couple, I was such a nice girl for him, etc.
Today, there have been recent headlines locally, just as all over the entire country, of teachers losing their jobs (at best) and being prosecuted in court (at worst) for the same offense.
Based on my own experience also, I really have some skepticism re: how much encouragement these young girls gave this candidate during those days.
Not that they may be older and wiser today, not that they might look back with regret if they are honest about it, and certainly not that HE was in the right in following up on whatever flirtations they may have thrown his way. I'm just saying. DH didn't seek me out and pursue me... he had plenty of encouragement and I'm just betting these girls were kinda flattered that the young, single, upcoming politician and man about town was looking their way. That may even go for the 14 year old, who apparently did not reveal her age until the situation had progressed further than she expected, perhaps.
So... yes... creepy? I don't know if I'd use that word, but I definitely would be raising an eyebrow if one of my students told me she was dating someone 10 years or more older than her! I'd be concerned about a 14-15 year old dating someone who was out of high school!
But the hypocrisy of it all drives me insane. As I think Kathryn also said, the media has to quit turning a blind eye to people like Bill Clinton and the Kennedys. I've about decided there is no one trustworthy in any sort of politics.
Of course, being ultra-conservative myself, I had no problems w/this candidate's beliefs otherwise... but I don't want you all to think we're down here in Alabama keeping our women barefoot and pregnant, marrying at 14 and spending our days shooting at some food, Jed Clampett style.
Thirty year old men in my town at least, do NOT date teenage girls as a general rule. I cannot think of the last time I heard of such. (DH was 28 when I married him; I was 18.)
And as
LadyM said, how do you prove something is NOT true after 40 years??? Very disturbing that in the court of public opinion, anyone can say anything and ruin someone's life, with no evidence at all, it seems.
My mother DID have a friend who dated briefly a 33-35 year old, when her friend was less than 16 -- b/c this was before dmom married.
I asked dmom, "What did her parents say???"
Dmom said, "Well, I don't know WHAT they said, but I know what MINE said. My daddy told me if he ever saw ME riding around in a convertible w/(man's name), that would be the END of my social activity for a very long time."
(I don't think my grandparents realized my ddad was almost 6 years older than dmom until quite some time after the wedding.)