It only takes one photo.
Isn’t that what parents tell their children as they head off to college? They warn their children of the dangers of technology and the implications that come with one mistake and one photo. Obviously, no one mentioned these wise words of advice to the select members of the U.S. Congress and Great Britain’s infamous Prince Harry.
Last week the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a group of powerful Washington congressmen, traveled abroad and didn’t leave a very good impression. In between the meetings, hoping to solidify support of American lawmakers for Israel in the midst of Middle East turmoil, the powerful lobbyists took a little vacation to the Sea of Galilee. Regretfully, they took this vacation without clothes.
This incident doesn’t seem to bode well for the American reputation. Honestly, the United States international reputation wasn’t that spectacular to begin with.
Already, criticism has sparked through every news outlet; this controversy is like candy on Christmas to journalists, comedians and the select few who encompass both – Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. If they have anything nice to say about the incident, it’s a gracious thank you.
The FBI investigated the scandal, uncovering that about 20 U.S. members of Congress partook in the nightly liberation. It took a great amount of manpower to investigate the claims and tips of the skinny-dipping event. The question is: was it just a slow news day, or is skinny-dipping really worthy of international controversy?
True, the members of Congress didn’t paint a great picture of themselves, and it doesn’t bode well for the United States’ reputation worldwide. The main concern is that foreign, political figures have unknowingly disrespected another country, which is what remains unacceptable. How would the American public react if Israeli politicians skinny-dipped in the Potomac? Though the only man to fully undress in the incident, a Kansan congressman, publicly apologized, the incident still remains fresh in the media.
But it is not only the U.S. that has been revealing far too much. Great Britain’s notorious James Dean, Prince Harry, was recently photographed wearing absolutely nothing.
On leave from the military for a weekend, Prince Harry invited some friends into his Las Vegas hotel room for a game of strip poker. Snap, snap, and the night went viral. However, Prince Harry’s weekend of fun can be classified as harmless. What else is a 27-year-old going to do in Vegas for the weekend?
The royal family has been conducting extensive damage control in the wake of the Prince’s latest indiscretion. Prince Harry has garnered quite a reputation for his fiascos, but also a pretty large fan base. Society creates an idea of how a royal family is supposed to act, and he defies it. People like to see that these royals are people who make mistakes too.
With so much skin being bared lately, questioning how the nudes’ mother countries are affected is necessary. Obviously, the U.S. is conducting some of its own damage control along with the royal family, but is it enough? Once a rumor starts, you can’t contain it.
Although the situations are different, the message is still the same. Popular public opinion is vital. Even if it is careless fun, one picture is worth 1,000 words, and it changes everything. Maybe that’s why no one knows that John Quincy Adams, while in office, frequently skinny-dipped in the Potomac. Guess it just runs in the country.
