Whether or not you agree with the ancient Scriptures--and I know that there are many opinions on this--you still have to admit that there are many verses that are practical for everyday living, not to mention, beneficial in keeping the peace.  One such verse included in what is known as the "Ten Commandments" is "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor." I think we can all say that a false accusation made by a neighbor or acquaintance against us would not be met with warm regards or an invitation to our backyard BBQ.  It hurts, and it damages reputations.  I've always heard that in politics, you should just expect it.  That is true, but it shouldn't be!

In the mid-nineties, there was an American teenager living in Singapore, who, for whatever reason, thought it would be a good idea to engage in vandalism, eventually pleading guilty to such charges.  This teen was jailed, fined, and given an additional sentence of six strokes with a cane.  Of course, the western media caught wind of this story, and it became an international incident.  After all, we Americans like to reward criminals with all sorts of goodies, rights, and privileges.  For someone like myself, who has had property vandalized on several occasions, I had little sympathy for Mr. Fay, the Ohio teen.  Have you ever wondered why Singapore has so little petty crime?  Well, now you know!

But what about when someone makes a claim against you that is false?  "Prove it," you say.  It turns into a "your word against mine" drama.  Can property be vandalized?  Sure it can.  What about your character or reputation?  This is the worst kind of vandalism.  Property vandals hit you in the wallet; reputation vandals hit you in the heart.  And not just you, it hits your family, children, and friends.  We've become a society that loves a good rumor.  We'll even repeat it as fact.  We heard it on our favorite TV news program, so it must be true.  Public figures, celebrities, and politicians, have all become easy targets.  Too easy!  One accusation, plus one major network picking up the story equals--"you're toast."  Any investigative journalism gone into the story? Nope!  No need to.  For the networks, it's not about truth, it's about ratings.  So someone's good name and reputation gets "caned."

Last night there was a debate from Iowa with the Presidential candidates on ABC.  While I am still an undecided voter, I couldn't help but miss Herman Cain.  He made the debates interesting and watchable for sure.  With his personal story, down-home humor, and absolute likability, you just kind of felt like he was an old friend.  But then there were those accusations.  Oh, yeah, that's why he wasn't there last night.  Cheap, tawdry rumors spread by women of questionable character and, presto!  A lifetime of good work down the drain.  The flames being fanned by a sleazy attorney and regurgitated every fifteen minutes on every news channel, and we wonder why good people won't run for office.  Herman Cain found out the hard way--his whole family got "Cained."  And there will be more.  This will become a campaign tactic that will be employed through desperation.  Unlike the young teen who was caned in Singapore for vandalism, those who are "Cained" in a political race could be innocent.  But the damage will be done.  That's all that really matters, isn't it?

Those who remain in this race and other races will most likely suffer the same character assasination.  In recent years elections have been won or lost by the slimmest of margins.  A well-timed nasty accusation can swing your stats enough to do you damage.  It is the times we live in.  It's sad, but true.  In 1987 Judge Robert Bork was nominated to the Supreme Court by then-President Ronald Reagan, but the Senate rejected his nomination.  The term "Borked" became a part of every Senate confirmation since that time.  Judge Bork was unfairly treated, and the confirmation process became a joke, at best.  Although the circumstances are very different, we fast forward to 2011, when a Presidential candidate was unfairly treated by the American press.  No proof, no evidence.  Just "he said-she said."  Like Judge Bork, whose name has become part of the judicial confirmation lexicon, Herman Cain will lend his name to the Presidential race lexicon.  Because nobody wants to be "Cained."  Just ask the now-grown teen from Ohio.  Or rather, you could just ask Herman.