Marine Le Pen wasn't enough: the young Socialist Guard, Benoît Hamon in the lead, had to rush to the aid of the new moral order that, for the past two weeks, seems to be turning the heads that one thought immune to the morally correct dear to our Fathers and Mothers of Prudishness, like Christine Boutin or Philippe de Villiers.
And so this is a considerable event, which seemed unthinkable to those who, like me, had put their hope in this group of forty-somethings -- like Benoît Hamon, but also Manuel Valls, Arnaud Montebourg... -- who, with others, bore the standard of the restructuring of the left: the crazy, profoundly unnatural, suicidal alliance into which enter the heirs of Jaurès and the Party of a man who, in the past, participated in some flyby tourism in Algiers, even naughtier than what Frédéric Mitterrand publicly admitted to and regretted, several years ago, in a book unanimously praised by critics.
Once again, as in the Polanski affair, of which this one is, alas, the logical and surreal sequel, it's not a matter of excusing the deeds which the person himself had the frankness to reveal in his time, and entirely to his own detriment.
But first and foremost, it's about observing the dizzying spectacle of this virtue squad bearing the socialist stamp that plunges right into the trap set by its worst adversaries.
And secondly, it's about knowing if, from this point on, we are going to have to rummage through the life of each and every one among us to evaluate the degree of "morality" in our past -- or why not in our adolescence, or even in our earliest childhood?
Officials, and future officials, who will have taken the risk in your writings or your confessions of revealing any kind of story, passion, good or bad action, learn from this point on to shut your mouth or realize that, if you don't, you will be the prey of the media and the public.
Artists, novelists, diarists, journalists who, in your fiction and autofiction, believed you were teaching us about a particular temptation, iniquity, perversion, or depravity, think twice, because you should know that you will be thrown to the lions in public opinion, and have the mort sounded against you by the left and the right in the name of defending morals.
André Malraux, who publicly expressed a penchant for the drug-induced "paradis artificiels" in his youth, and never completely abandoned them, wouldn't last five minutes as a minister today.
Blum, who, at the time of La Revue Blanche, happened to praise adultery and extreme freedom of morals for young girls imprisoned in the straightjacket of their families, would have to watch his step for fear of being denounced as a pedophile by the resident Benoît Hamons.
Gide would not publish Corydon or, if he did, wouldn't assume the Presidency of the Antifascist Committees of 1934; Jean-Jacques, judge of Rousseau, would end up with his Confessions hung around his neck; and let's not even mention Jean Genet whose Journal of a Thief would simply never find a publisher.
The new Moral Brigade is watching.
Translated from French by Sara Phenix.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.