Making it right in a real way might involve: volunteering time and money to fund a rape crisis center, speaking at business meetings about rape awareness or establishing an educational program for teens on rape, to suggest a few possibilities.

The essential piece is to heal the damage done.

As to the role of the McCain Campaign, I don’t expect the Public Relations types to get behind the idea of supporting Williams because they know that it would be a losing proposition.

And that saddens me.

We talk a great deal about a rule of Law, forgiveness and rehabilitation, but we don’t practice any of the above if it interferes with our personal reality structure.

As to who we are, we are imperfect humans. What may sets some apart from others is whether or not we strive toward perfection.

B’shalom,

Jeff

Has Williams publicly apologized for his statement? My understanding is that in 1990, he did say he was sorry for what he said.

Has Williams made restitution in a real way for his statement? You’d have to define real way but as far as I know, no.

Has Williams repeated the statement or similar statements? I do not know.

Do we truly believe in the possibility of tesuvah (turning toward the good) and forgiveness? I cannot speak for anyone else but I try and as far as Williams goes, the issue isn’t him as much as it is McCain. If Williams is clean, I would expect McCain’s campaign to defend him and publicize that the person has done all the things you just outlined. I’ve not seen that.

If we don’t, what are we? Bad Jews? Bad people? People who still need to do mitzvot, which we are anyway?

Five questions:

Has Williams publicly apologized for his statement?

Has Williams made restitution in a real way for his statement?

Has Williams repeated the statement or similar statements?

Do we truly believe in the possibility of tesuvah (turning toward the good) and forgiveness?

If we don’t, what are we?

B’shalom,

Jeff

The deep moral line is McCain does not place women’s concerns high on his list of priorities, if indeed, they are on his radar at all.

-Thanks for posting this Jill. You are a voice of resonance for our civil liberties.

And no one else is at issue, just McCain and Williams.