Days before John Edwards suspended his campaign, I donated $50. It took a couple weeks, but I got over the fact that I "donated to a loser," as a colleague told me. It was only money; besides, I supported his policies and I supported him personally as a representative of those who aren't always fortunate enough to have their voices heard.
The news revealed today saddened and angered me. It's not hyperbole to state that JRE used to be someone who I'd want as a role model for my children. I could show them that not everyone who is wealthy got that way by stepping on the backs of the poor, and not all "trial lawyers" are soulless individuals.
Whether anybody else's personal life is any of our business is something I'd prefer not to debate; though I personally lost some respect for John for infidelity, I will offer no advice for him or for Elizabeth on how to handle this situation. It's not something I have experience with, nor do I ever want to. I will put forth, though, as many here have, that I lost much more respect for him in regards to his decision to attempt to stage a campaign with this skeleton in his closet.
That being said, I struggled to find something positive to take out of this. I still admire Mrs. Edwards greatly and (despite the controversy about whether or when she "knew") I still hope she speaks at the convention. I'm lucky enough that none of the women in my life have ever been touched by breast cancer (about 1 out of every 8 women, I just read), but this certainly doesn't prevent me from caring about the issue.
I just sent an e-mail to the JRE campaign via their website (after sending a short note of support to Elizabeth):
Shortly before former Sen. Edwards decided to suspend his run for president, I made two $25 donations to his campaign. In light of recent events -- the fact that he ran a campaign with an 800-pound elephant skeleton in his closet -- I would like to inquire about having my donations returned. If this is not feasible, I would request that the $50 be donated in Elizabeth Edward's name to the Susan J. Komen for the Cure charity:
http://cms.komen.org/...
Thank you
I don't have a clue what the response will be, but I changed my mind after sending this e-mail; even if they do return my donation, I'll still send it to SKC, and if they don't, I'll still make a donation. Does this sound like something anyone else could get behind?