Time to Grow Up

This post is a response to an article in theglobeandmail.com titled

Vancouver NDP candidate steps down over racy photos

It is interesting that many on this site are bemoaning the inappropriateness of what Lam did. Some chastising him, others calling him names. Given the immature, prudish nature of the public persona towards anything sexually related, it was probably ill advised for Lam to post those pics.

But perhaps we should be asking bigger questions. Like isn't it time society stopped being so hypocritical and immature about anything the slightest bit sexual?

Politicians are held up to a ridiculous standard which is a complete fabrication and does not reflect the reality of public behavior or norms. The so call "family values" crowd hold an ideal of conduct that they try to foist on the rest of society. They are the most vocal in these situations and the most prudish yet are often the ones found in compromising sexual situations.

Isn't it time we look beyond a particular political candidate's sexual preference, their tastes and actions, providing of course they are between consenting adults. Isn't it time we focused on their deeds, their actions in the community they serve and the substance of their positions?

Some hold up Lams actions as a demonstration of lack of judgment. That is only true if you believe the picture is "dirty" or wrong and not withstanding the aforementioned consenting adults standard, who are we to pass judgment on his private picture.

It is a curious contradiction. Politicians are notoriously known for lying and breaking their word, yet we hold them to this unrealistically high, fabricated "moral standard", as if there is such a thing, that is far higher than any other profession.

These matters should be a non-issue and when society is mature enough and not immediately titillated by anything sexual, they will be.