Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

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It's not my place to judge, but to be honest, these past couple days I've felt like punching John Edwards in the face.

The world discovered several months ago that he had an affair with a woman named Rielle Hunter. Another politician, another affair scandal. It's not really anything new. The thing that makes this story extra sad is the fact that John's wife, Elizabeth Edwards, has been battling terminal cancer for awhile now (though she was supposedly in remission when he had the affair.... 'cause that's better). Not only that, but the couple had to deal with the immense grief of losing a son several years back. That's the kind of pain that never goes away.

So it's natural to feel for the poor woman. She lost a child, was diagnosed with cancer, went into remission, her husband had an affair and now her cancer is terminal.

Elizabeth Edwards did an interview with Oprah a few months ago, and it was hard not to be touched by her resilience (which happens to be the name of her very appropriately titled book) as well as her propensity to forgive.

At that point I remember thinking that it was a pretty incredible thing that Elizabeth was willing to forgive John. I also remember thinking that John probably regretted making such a huge mistake. Somehow, the whole thing seemed to be even more of a betrayal than it normally would because Elizabeth is a cancer patient. Yet, I told myself not to judge because, a.) we all mess up in one way or another on a regular basis, and b.) nobody except John, possibly Elizabeth and possibly his mistress knows the whole situation.

The thing I found the hardest to get past was the arrogance that must have been at play when he decided to run for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES while all this was going on. Okay, John. Seriously? Elliot Spitzer ring a bell? You can't fool everyone. Becoming a Presidential candidate means that people are going to find out what you had for lunch on April 19, 1974. But John Edwards was egocentric enough to believe that he did not have to suffer any of the consequences for his actions. He ran for President anyway. He later withdrew, but was in the running for a good while - until he realized that he didn't really stand a chance against either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

On top of all that, Elizabeth Edwards now has to deal with all the rumours swirling around about Rielle Hunter's baby, and how many people believe, with good reason, that John Edwards is actually the father (which Edwards himself denies).

Okay, now let's get to the part where I want to punch him in the face.

Exhibit A:

Recent information has come to light that John Edwards allegedly asked a guy named Andrew Young to claim that Hunter's baby was actually his.

Exhibit B:

Recent information has come to light that John Edwards allegedly told Rielle Hunter that he would marry her in a rooftop ceremony with the Dave Matthew's Band playing live when his wife died.

I emphasize the word allegedly because it's difficult to know what is or isn't true until John Edward's himself comes out and admits it. However, if this is something you're interested in learning more about, see this recent New York Times article. If all the claims are true (and despite it being none of my business) then yes, my brain tells me that I should punch him in the face.

Isn't it amazing how a little bit of power can go to someone's head? People get a taste of it and all of a sudden they think they're invincible and don't have to play by humanity's unwritten rulebook. We see it all the time with politicians. John Edwards was generally regarded as this sweet, Southern, Christian man - and just like that - he tarnished his image and is now known for being a dishonest, superficial villain who attempted to cover up his wrongdoings in an effort to further his political career.

And I haven't even mentioned the allegations that he used money from campaign donations to keep Rielle Hunter quiet. Or that the whole affair started with four little words muttered by Hunter to Edwards: "You are so hot." That's all it takes, hey John? Just that little bit of affirmation?

How sad.