"If I wanted to make money..."

The scandalous behavior of Reverend Ted Haggard is reported in the New York Times this morning.  One can defend neither his immoral actions nor his public hypocrisy, and the bitter aftertaste of the latter will, I hope, prevent Mr Haggard from returning in any way whatever to the public stage for many years: however true it is that sin can be repented of and the sinner know the return of the divine grace. 

All that having been, I hope, clearly said, it is none the less true that the fellow who has accused Mr Haggard and precipitated the scandal, Michael Jones, seems to be a piece of work himself.

Mr. Jones maintained that his decision to speak out about the relationship was not suggested by any gay rights groups. He also said the decision was not based on financial motives, though Mr. Jones did file for bankruptcy in April 2005. “If I’d wanted to make money, I could have blackmailed him,” he said.

"If I wanted to make money, I could have blackmailed him".  As a paragon, it would seem, of the 'progressive', hedonist party in American life, Mr Jones ought to have been the object of Mr Taggart's evangelical ministry rather than a cooperator in their shared wickedness.