Prime Mincing

Of "Tinkerbell", Bon Mots, Pederastic Economics, and Ad Hominem

Trevor Mallard, Labour MP appears lazy or somewhat intellectually challenged. As evidence we would offer his habitual mode of ad hominem attacks when "arguing" against opponents and their views. As they say, ad hominem is the first refuge of a lazy mind. Not that Mallard is alone in this. Regrettably, ad hominem is the discourse of choice for most politicians--although our current Prime Minister, John Key has shown repeatedly that he is cut from a different cloth, for which we commend him.

In any event, if you are going to insult an opponent, at least it should be funny. The other day Prime Minister Key was on the catwalk modelling rugby world cup kit. He affected a mincing walk. It was a bit lame, if you would excuse the pun. In any event, Mallard subsequently referred to Key as the "Prime Mincer" in the House. That strikes us as quite clever--and funny. Mallard has subsequently been called out for being homophobic. We would say in retort, lighten up. Let's be rid of the killjoy, black-stocking moroseness of political correctness. The studied witty insult can be a great weapon, when used appropriately rather than gratuitously.

Apparently, however, Mallard has form in this area. He previously referred to a homosexual minister opposite as "tinkerbell". We suspect that this betrays his orientation and predilection for ad hominem. Let's be clear. We believe homosexuality to be sinful, an extreme type of fornication. But that does not mean that the entire life and being of a homosexual can be rejected or impugned because of his or her homosexuality.

John Maynard Keynes was arguably one of the most influential economists of the twentieth century. These days he is making a bit of a comeback, with increased interest in his published works since the seizing up of credit markets in 2008. Keynes was a pederast. That does not mean that all his academic and professional work was as deeply flawed as his sexual ethics. One simply cannot dismiss Keynes's work as "pederastic economics". We have learnt much from Keynes. For instance his bon mot: "the market can stay irrational far longer than you can stay solvent." So true. So insightful. So easily forgotten by lesser men in the grip of animal spirits.

We have worked with homosexuals, adulterers, serial lechers, serial monogamists, the lascivious and the lewd. Most did good work; some outstanding. To oppose someone's argument or work or contribution because of their sexual ethics is bizarre, to say the least. At the same time, it is equally wrong to reject someone because they believe the libertinism of our day is evil.

Some would retort that human beings are not bifurcated nor compartmentalised. What one believes and does in one area of life will inevitably influence and couch all of one's being. A thief who shoplifts will have an attitude to the property of others that will likely show up in other ways. Possibly. But few are completely consistent in evil--thankfully. History shows us a few exceptions. Stalin would be one. Certainly not mad, but demonic; by all accounts the acme of evil. The vast majority of us human beings remain persistently inconsistent in our wickedness. This is a divine blessing. It is one very important way the Lord restrains evil in society for the good of us all.

The flip-side of this is that because few human beings are as evil as they could possibly could be, we are able to relate to one another in a multitude of complex ways and levels. One can completely reject the gambling habit of one which leaves a family bereft of sustenance, for example, whilst appreciating and approbating his friendly, easy going nature at work. On the other hand, it is impossible to conceive of becoming a "mate" of Stalin, without acting collegially in his evil.

All human societies, however, end up stipulating certain actions considered so gross and so evil that they put the perpetrator beyond the pale of human society. But not beyond the grace and mercy of God--as witnessed by the remarkable work of divine grace which appears to be taking place in our prison's today. That grace is mediated through people who go beyond society's stipulations and see criminals as people who remain made in God's image, desperately in need of God's forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord.