BETWEEN THE LINES: Focusing on flaws in others is unproductive

It is easy to sit in judgment of others, even when our knowledge of the facts is minimal. Thinking the worst of others requires no skill. As superlobbyist Jack Abramoff appeared before a U.S. Senate hearing Sept. 29, 2004, he felt like he was in the Roman Coliseum ready to face the lions. It is ironic the politicians acting as his metaphorical judges, jury and executioners were the same ones whose political coffers he’d filled with campaign contributions.

Abramoff’s story is told in his new book, "Capital Punishment," an expose of the corruptive power of Washington politics. Abramoff first entered that arena during his college years at Brandeis University when he became involved with the College Republicans. On a spur-of-the-moment decision, the personable, energetic leader decided to run for chairman of the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans.  His win in that race changed his life.

As a result of his victory, the future lobbyist became involved in Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential race. He met Ralph Reed and Grover Norquist in the process, which had a great impact on his conservative thinking. Under Abramoff’s leadership, the Alliance changed from a passive to activist organization, eventually helping the Republican nominee capture a rare win in Massachusetts.

Abramoff’s success did not go unnoticed by the Republican Party establishment, and ultimately led to his meeting with Reagan in the White House. The president in 1986 appointed him to the Holocaust Memorial Council, which pleased the Orthodox Jew. Throughout his life, he faithfully observed the Sabbath and other Jewish traditions.

After a 10-year venture in filmmaking, which culminated in the production and release of "Red Scorpion," Abramoff was offered an opportunity to become a lobbyist in the Washington firm of Preston Gates Ellis and Rouvelas Meeds. Abramoff was hired principally because of his Republican conservative roots that were needed to fill a void in their operation. Most of the firm’s clients were on the political left, but with the Republicans taking over the House in the 1994 election, they needed someone with Republican connections.

It was in this newfound profession that Abramoff’s incessant drive to win eventually led him to cross the fine line that separates serving one’s client on one hand and outright bribery on the other. The former Brandeis law student candidly admits that at the time, his actions did not seem terribly wrong.

For his illegal activities, he ended up serving 3½ years of his five-year sentence in federal prison for bribery. In an interview after his verdict, he was asked if he came from a bad home. The lobbyist unequivocally stated “no." He had two wonderful supportive parents, a faithful and loyal wife and five great children.

Although the media painted Abramoff as a vile, despicable human being, the convicted felon’s life in retrospect does not reveal such. The California native was no saint, but the dark world of politics in which campaign funds are traded for favors draws out the worst in people.

In cases such as these, there often is no logic as to who the Department of Justice chooses to be its poster child for its selected abuse du jour. Some with higher ethics than their cohorts often become targets for ancillary reasons. As I learned a long time ago, life is not fair, so the safest course of action is to avoid temptation in the first place.

Reading "Capital Punishment" should cause one to be less judgmental of others. We should learn to filter what we read and also consider the motives of the source that supposedly is informing us. Abramoff paid for his errors in judgment, but there are plenty walking around who have done far worse and whose abuses of power and the law have been overlooked or dismissed.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus warned us about judging others as he told his audience it is easier for people to see the speck in someone’s eyes while ignoring the log in theirs.

Laughlin is a Christian Libertarian. He is an economist, teacher, father, husband and most recently a grandfather. He has written a weekly column for The Tribune for 12 years. He and his wife Gina reside in Meadowlakes. To contact him, email ablaughlin@nctv.com. He is an independent columnist, not a staff member, and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Tribune or its parent company.