How Far Have We Fallen?

By Kael the Sapiocrat

This is an exciting time for the state of Alabama. For the first time in a long time, the state will have the opportunity to elect a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to replace former senator-turned U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Alabama, a deep south state, is mired in staunchly conservative politics and has a history checkered with racism, slavery and hate crimes. Many argue that despite the progress that's being made in the state, a subtle cloud of ill-intent towards minorities still looms over the Heart of Dixie. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that everyone in Alabama is racist. The state is filled with people, both conservative and liberal alike, that embrace all races and creeds. They see the strength that is displayed when we are all united as one America. It's just hard to wipe away a stain that was so intentionally made.

Courtesy of KSFY

Getting back to the point -- Alabama is definitely on the nation's political radar right now. For a state with so much controversy surrounding its politics, Democrats have a real chance of painting this state a groovy purple. For those that didn't know, Roy Moore, the former (and disgraced) Alabama Supreme Court chief justice is running against the Democratic candidate, former U.S. Attorney Doug
Jones. Since the September 26th primary, Moore and Jones have been going head to head in a race to the December 12th finish, with Moore generally pulling the lead according to polls. That all changed the morning of November 9th when allegations began to emerge of Moore's questionable past. Moore was accused of having sexual encounters with women as young as 14 years old during his time as Etowah County district attorney. Even now, more (and strong) allegations are being pinned against him while national Republicans and donors are turning their backs on him in the wake of this scandal.

None of that really explains the question that takes the form of this post's title, however. Although the news surrounding Moore is appalling, what's even more appalling is the fact that several Alabama Republicans have justified the allegations and are continuing to support him. I sat at my desk one night reading up on the race only to be beholden to a mass of "conservatives" comparing Moore's sick and twisted actions to circumstances in the Bible.

Cue Alabama State Auditor Jim Ziegler, a Moore supporter (via USAToday):

“There is nothing to see here,” Jim Ziegler told the Washington Examiner. "The allegations are that a man in his early 30s dated teenage girls. Even the Washington Post report says that he never had sexual intercourse with any of the girls and never attempted sexual intercourse."
He later added: “Also take Joseph and Mary. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus.”

Isn't that revolting? To justify a child predator's actions by comparing him to biblical figures that we can't solidly put an age on? This is not something that should be taken lightly. Roy Moore preyed on teenagers! That's the bottom line. My question is, how far have we (as humans) have fallen that we must sacrifice our standards and moral compass for political gain? Have we lost ourselves in the socio-political flux so much that we can't identify wrong and right? In a world where everything seems to be classified as grey, I believe that black and white still exists. My question is, have we taken "colorblind" to a whole new level?

Let me know your thoughts.

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