They're talking about it, at least, but they're still in denial. Writing in the Chicago Tribune, Eric Zorn is grateful that the modern media blanket didn't exist in 1969. If it had, Kennedy's career might have...gasp...ended!

Was it just as well that we didn't -- couldn't -- have a media feeding frenzy over Chappaquiddick in 1969? Would the nation have been better off if Kennedy had been shamed into private life?

Or, as I believe, is the nation -- particularly our disabled and disadvantaged residents -- better off for the 40 years of service he was able to render after that terrible night?

The momentary satisfaction of destroying Ted Kennedy for his failings would have had a significant price.

Funny how he doesn't wonder about the price of "destroying" Mary Jo Kopechne. The concept of opportunity cost, opportunistically applied.

Still, maybe some of us should listen to Zorn. Gov. Mark Sanford, for example. Should his poor judgment ruin what might be an important career? And former Gov. Eliot Spitzer - he's got to be kicking himself right now. He never should have resigned!

All Sen. Trent Lott did was make a few poorly worded remarks about Strom Thurmond. Sen. Larry Craig will be forever remembered as the guy who made men even more averse to interaction in public restrooms.

Heck, right here in Baraboo, Wisconsin, we had an alderman - a mayoral candidate - arrested for shoplifting. Nobody's worried about the "price" of "shaming him into private life."

With the exception of Sanford (who still might join the club), those careers were effectively ended by their respective scandals. Sometimes unfairly? Maybe, but we judge people on what they've done, not by what we think they'll do. Past actions, statements, accomplishments are all we have on which to decide: do I like this guy? Do I hire him? Do I follow him?

Zorn thinks that's a shame. Makes me wonder what his resume looks like.

(Lance Burri is The TrogloPundit)