“I believe what is missing in public service today is loving the people that you serve and wanting to help those who need help, especially those who are less fortunate and really have nothing. If God shows me a new avenue where I can do that, I’ll do it.” – Former Alabama governor Robert Bentley

Isn’t that marvelous? Don’t you admire his servant’s heart?

Having apparently failed to collapse into a vortex of sulfur and sleaze, Robert Bentley must do something with his days. He’s apparently hacking the occasional asymmetrical mole off those willing to let him touch them. Well and good. That ought to keep him in Spaghettios and Diet Coke, even after paying his former mistress five grand a month to be his “office manager.”

Now if he also wants to help and serve society in a volunteer capacity, then he should. There are nearly endless ways to engage and make a difference.

But see, here’s the thing: you don’t have to tell anyone you’re doing that. You just go do it. The only reason a disgraced public figure makes a specific announcement of this nature, complete with renewed social media initiatives and such, is attempted legacy repair.

No sir, Robert Bentley. No sir.

If you want to try to repair your legacy, you lead with an apology for the sustained humiliation to which you subjected your wife of 50 years. That needs to be extensive and wholly without asterisk. It may also need to settle into the narrative for two or three days before you continue.

When you resume, apologize to your children for being such a poor example. Then, apologize to the Masons for your complete lack of respect for their marriage vows. Folks who worked for and probably lied for you? Yes, apologize to them too.

Finally, apologize to us. We put you in office twice, not insignificantly because we thought you were a decent human being.

Then, maybe, you can tell us all about how excited you are to find new ways to love and serve the people of Alabama.

Until then? Keep it to yourself. No one wants to hear it. Your bed is very well made, and until you show genuine and sustained contrition, you will do nothing but lie in it.

Lead with remorse, or go to hell.

You might also like: