In colonial Williamsburg, on main street near the palace, are the public stocks called the pillory. The stocks are wooden brackets that clamp the feet, hands and head in immobility This form of punishment was common in colonial America. Passers-by were encouraged to throw trash and vegetables on those who were being punished in the stocks. Public shaming was a deterrent, letting people know they were guilty of wrongdoing.
The British royalty has another way of public shaming. The man, formally known as Prince, Andrew, has the been stripped of all titles, duties, and privileges of the monarchy. His relationship with Jeffery Epstein and the bawdiness of it, coupled with the ways his behavior was embarrassing the royals, was distracting to the work of King Charles. Andrew's title as Duke has turned into
"Black Sheep." Public shaming for his sordid activity with Epstein and Maxwell took him down.
Donald Trump is doing all he can to prevent the release of the files. The voracity of his protest is because he knows he is all over the documents, as are many of high-flying people in the US and beyond. A lot of pictures and videos of Epstein and Trump together - buddy-buddy - have been in the public domain for years. The birthday card was new information this year. Trump is doing all he can to distract the American people with outrageous actions in hopes he can quash the release of the documents.
We all know of Trump's lifelong behaviors revealing his sexual proclivity and perversion. Many women have accused him of sexual assault and mistreatment. He is a convicted sexual predator.
The release of the video tapes in which he says he could do anything he wanted, including grabbing their private parts, because he is a star, also saying
"I could get away with anything because I'm famous." That alone should have disqualified him from being president.
Bill Clinton might be in the Epstein files. We remember his sexual interlude - in the Oval office- with Monica Lewinsky. She was young, trying to get ahead. He was all grown up and just couldn't control himself.
There are likely a lot of names of the rich and powerful in the Epstein documents. All the guests at the Epstein mansion had to have wealth, status, or power.
The women who were exploited know who their rapists are. These people need to be named, exposed, and held accountable. We need transparency here.
We also need conversation about the problem we have in America regarding sexual exploitation, manipulation and assault. Objectifying and using women for perverted pleasure is sinful.
We need conversation about pornography. There was a time in America when you needed to go into a magazine store to look for the girly books on the back shelves. I remember the boys in high school. They looked over their shoulder to make sure nobody they knew was watching.
They quickly covered their purchase with a brown paper bag and very likely knew they were doing something inappropriate.
Now all you need is a computer, the Internet and a dark room.
Our Puritan heritage has been flipped on its head. Is that because we have done a poor job of sex education? Policies of abstinence have led to greater sexual activity and unwanted pregnancies.
Saying sex needs to go away - that they just can't
"do it" - does not mean it won't happen.
The church for years has preached celibacy in singleness and fidelity in marriage. Turns out neither is done very well. Long lists of priests and clergy guilty of infidelity exist.
Manipulation, grooming, rape and exploitation are always wrong, no matter who does it. From domestic abuse and violence to sex trafficking and predatory behavior, to an operation like that of Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislane Maxwell, are always dirty and wrong. Young boys with predatory priests, young women with gymnastic coaches, sexual assault and rape are always wrong. People in high places, presidents and royals participating in an operation that traumatized hundreds of young women need public shaming and their victims need reparation.
The stocks and public shaming are just the beginning of punishing them.
Release the Epstein files. Let the sunshine in and let's begin the healing.
Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com
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