Translation: It’s OK if you are a Republican.
Rachel Maddow exposes the hypocrisy. UFB,
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It is the hypocrisy and the different rules for different people that simply makes me sick. Shame on the hypocrites.
And these Republicans can keep their family values to themselves. In my world, it’s a lot worse to cheat on your spouse for real than to act lewdly on the Internet.
Who has the cojones to watch this video and see the glaring hypocrisy? I almost felt sorry for people like Eric Cantor. He apparently doesn’t believe that sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
How can there be two sets of rules? Anthony Weiner should resign. However, Cantor didn’t feel that Stanford, Vitter, Ensign should have to resign for having affairs? How can this be? Please justify.
I’m not sure that I, as a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia’s 10th District, have the right to demand that any of these individuals, including Anthony Weiner, resign — unless they have violated our laws. It seems to me that, when such individuals merely embarrass their party and their constituents, it is up to that party and those constituents to deal with it by either political punishment or forgiveness. I would say this even in the case of Senator Ensign, except it now looks like he may be charged with violating federal law, which makes it a matter of concern to all of us. The particulars of the Ensign situation appear now to apply to John Edwards as well. But even then, we have to be careful not to condemn based just on media and blog chatter but, rather, wait for the full application of our system of jurisprudence.
In sum, I guess I am saying that, if we had a similar scandal here, I would be pissed as Hell at the person responsible for the scandal and probably chuck him out at the first opportunity; but I am not certain that I would welcome someone from New York telling me how to react and handle it. I’ll make my little jokes about it; but it seems to me that the time has come for Republican Party officials to just silence themselves in public and let Anthony Weiner, his wife, his own party, and his constituents up in New York sweat the thing out.
Wolverine, I agree with you. As long as no crimes have been committed, it is up to the electorate. I guess I would like to say real crimes, not trumped up crimes also. That would include all of them.
Eric Cantor needs to hold the same standard for everyone, however, not just those who are Democrats.
Where’s the outrage at Nancy Pelosi, who called immediately for an ethics investigation? The left talking about “hypocrisy”…..O…..M……G!
@Slowpoke,
Did Pelosi sext someone? What’s wrong with her calling for an ethics investigation? That seems appropriate to me.
Actually, it’s good that you posted this story. You probably tripled its exposure (if you’re familiar with Mr. Maddow’s ratings).
I definitely support Weiner keeping his seat! He is exactly what I want the American people to see from the Democratic Party. I would never call for his ouster, in fact, I believe he should be promoted to the head of the party! 100% support here!
anyone taking on a position of public office must be held to a higher standard – we the people are depending on them. People like Weiner, Ensign, Vitter, Rangel, etc – should not be in office, even if their constituents elect them. They are a disgrace.
Of course, if any of the above actually had ANY honor, they wouldn’t have to be kicked out of office. They would not have done what they did or they would have resigned upon discovery.
My biggest problem with Wiener is that his first act was to discredit a private citizen and try and destroy a reputation instead of coming clean. I don’t care what party he’s in. Congressmen, heck, politicians should be held to a high standard and held accountable.
Oh, and is there a video link here….didn’t see one.
@ Pat: I couldn’t agree more.
@Moon; I think you have missed the whole point of the lesson, when you are considering why those of us on the right, are angry. It’s not Weiner’s infidelity that I take issue with. That is between he and his wife. Same thing applies to Bill Clinton, Ensign, Vitter, Lee of NY, etc. No, it is the repeated lies when confronted. Weiner lied, and attacked those who confronted him with the truth. He lied to the American people, and did so repeatedly. In doing so, he broke the public trust. Furthermore, by claiming to be a victim of a hacker, he came dangerously close to breaking at least one law. Also, based on the public statements made by one of his “cyber-chippies” he did use the official government communication system to carry on his foolishness with her. This woman (a 40 yo blackjack dealer from LV) also released her lengthy and down-right X-rated sex-chats with Weiner. From them we can clearly see he was using his position to further his relationship with this groupie. He also suggested a “hook-up” with the woman at some point in time.
I do believe that as this story continues to snowball, we will be treated to the most lurid details of this troubled man’s life. I am doubtful that his straying will end at “sexting”, as the story unfolds.
What I really take issue with is your attacking Cantor. He was asked a direct question by a reporter, and gave a sensible answer. Had he called a press conference or issued a press statement, the “hypocrite” label might stick. This is a national news story, and he was asked to comment. The GOP has been very restrained in its comments. Also, I would point to the case of another NY congressman, Lee. He sent a single photo of himself to a woman. He was shirtless, that is alll. Boehner had him gone within hours of the story breaking. This is as it should be. No lies. No counter-attacks. He abused the public trust, and he was gone. Boehner couldn’t do this with Vitter or Sanford.
Really, this ain’t about sex. It’s about lies. Pure and simple.
@Steve,
And I don’t think you see my point. My point is there are 2 sets of rules in the minds of some people, like Eric Cantor. It isn’t up to him to decide if Ensign resigns. However, he thinks Weiner should. Do you not see the hypocrisy?
As for lying, politicians lie to reporters all the time. Why do we have such allegeance to people who hunt down others like dogs? I am not sure any of these people from Stanford to Ensign to Weiner owe any reporters jack you know what.
So please tell me why Weiner has to be held to a higher standard than any of the Republican naughty boys?
And Steve, its pretty hard to take the sex out of these scandals. If we did, it would just be air. I am not so sure a member of the press has a right to ask any official about any part of their sex life,, after thinking about it more. If I asked YOU a personal question, you would rightfully tell me to go mind my own business. If I went and asked …pick a person…John Stirrup, Frank Principi, Andy Harrover, a similar question, they would rightfully tell me to mind my own business. Do I have more right to information on those 3 than John Q. Public? I don’t think so.
Actually, I don’t care about party when it comes to sleezy behavior. Why should it matter? Half the time I don’t even remember. What I do remember is how loudly a person has trumpeted their family values and how high and mighty they have been when appealing to their constituents.
“Really, this ain’t about sex. It’s about lies. Pure and simple.”
Hey! That sounds familiar……….
@Cargosquid
If any of them had any honor…oh forget honor, lets say common sense, they wouldn’t be in the pickle they are in.
To all the men out there….namely Cargo and Steve. I am not a girl. I don’t fall for things easily. I have worked in a job most of my life that has exposed me to some of the seamier sides of life. Having said that, don’t any of you try to tell me that a scandal created by a guy named WEINER whose weiner has been photographed, and discussed more than most anyone else’s in America the past 10 days by total strangers, isn’t about sex.
If Weiner’s weiner isn’t about sex, then nothing is about sex and sex doesn’t exist.
🙄
There are TWO scandals. One involves sex. The other is lying and accusing others.
The worst of the two is the SECOND one, especially since elected officials are supposed to be in a position of power and trust.
Well, actually three…..the other scandal is that women actually seemed to be attracted to that wiener.
Let’s see, I am trying to figure out if Weiner (and the others) lied to anyone other than the press. What makes the press so special?
Cargo, is there any written or film footage of him actually accusing Brietbart by name? I have not seen it if it exists.
I don’t care what is done to Breitbart. He doesn’t play by the rules and the end justifies the means in his world.
This brings up another topic. Is it as bad to have cyber ‘relations’ as it is to have real affairs?
I am not sure I consider sending someone an underweared ‘crotch shot’ the same as an affair. And is the receiver as guilty as the sender.
As for your third scandal, Cargo, ahem…..clearing throat here….Mr. Weiner….was ….is….not in the vienna sausage league. Is that a nice, polite way to express the answer. I expect some of his fan club found that aspect of him to be quite charming. I doubt that some would have thrown that back.
@ Moon,
First off, Cantor is the House Leader. It is perfectly OK for him to comment (when asked to comment by a member of the press), on a matter impacting his chamber, regardless of the party of the person on the skyline. I do not see hypocrisy in this case. I point to the fact that Speaker Bohener has enforced a pretty strict code of ethics on GOP members of the House, since picking up the gavel. Ensign is a member of the Senate. This was a matter for the Senate to decide, as they have their own rules.
If you would, please look at my original post, where I 100% agree with Pat. Stuff like this in Washington MUST end. How do we do this? We hold all of our electeds to HIGH ethical standards. Just as when I swore an oath as a US Marine Officer, I was from that point forward held to a higher standard than most Americans, so we must demand that of our electeds. If a married Marine Officer were to do exactly the same thing as what we factually know Weiner to have done, this officer may not be guilty of adultry, but would certainly be guilty of “Conduct Unbecoming of a Commissioned Officer”. If this Marine Officer also used offical communications assets in the course of this conduct, he would also be guilty of “misuse of government property”. If this Marine, when questioned about the conduct, made public statements that were WAY beyond “misleading” and were 100% false, there would be additional charges as well.
The public does have a right to know. Congressman are elected, yes. But they are paid by the US Taxpayer. Certain privileges of office are provided to the official, at US taxpayer expense. These are necessary for the execution of the office, in conducting “the people’s business”. If there are abuses of this public trust, then it is a matter for the ethics panel of the accused chamber. If the abuse rises to the level of criminality, then it is a matter for the courts. This is where Rangel and Jefferson ran aground. Ensign wanted to cheat on his spouse with a staffers spouse, his business. Once he tried to buy them off with jobs and money, it became the public’s business. It is also the public’s business if any collegue knowingly assisted in this cover-up, if they knew what they were trying to cover up.
The press does have a right to ask. Weiner lost any right to privacy in this matter when he hit “send” on his twitter, or FB. Sanford did when he mislead his staff as to his whereabouts during the time in question, and then repeated this lie to the press.
I don’t know why it is so difficult to “take the sex out of the scandals” for some. It isn’t for me. The infidelity is a matter for man and wife to figure out. There is no criminal statute regarding this, as dishonorable as the conduct may seem. “It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up”. John Edwards was a cheating husband. He may have survived politically, had he owned up to it when the press finally asked him for comment. Instead he lied. Since he had no office to resign from, he was judged by the court of public opinion, and found to be beneath even the lowest standards we hold pathological narccisists like him too, and said “no thanks”. But, he is now under indictment for violations of campaign finance law. I felt very sorry for his wife. I feel sorry for Weiner’s wife. I read the transcript of the chats between Weiner and one of these women (I feel the term “lady” not applicable). SHE is the one who released them to the press. Her motivations are her own, but if Weiner wanted his private life kept private, he should have been more discrete and used better judgment. Since he is a public figure, and chose to the very public Twitter, Facebook, etc. He put his own head in the noose. When asked by the press, he could have said “no comment”, or “it’s a private matter”, or “I have reported the matter to the House Ethics committee to see if I may have inadvertantly violated House Ethics Rule”. Instead he lied. He lied completely, repeatedly, and as often as he could. Then he attacked his accusers, and some of the women he was chatting with.
We do have a right to information, if it appears that the public trust has been violated in any way. I don’t care which party is involved. If a public official wants to cheat on their spouse. That is their business, and their risk. If confronted by the press or the public, and they have broken no laws, or haven’t misused their office in any way, then it remains a private matter. But, (and this is a BIG BUT), if the official is issuing demonstrably false statements via the press, or their official office, in an attempt to cover up their wrong doing, it is indeed a matter for John Q. Public, and the collective “WE” do have a right to know the truth. If this official misused the taxpayer-provided stuff in either the original behavior or the cover-up, it IS a matter for John and Jane Q. Public.
In closing, if we want better government, we must stop putting up with this nonsense. We must stop trying to rationalize this behavior, stop defending it. Quit calling “hypocrisy” every time one or the other team fumbles, and call it what it is: UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT OF AN OATH-BOUND OFFICIAL! Quit with the “Boys will be boys” excuses. Let them have their private sex lives. However, once they lie to our faces, that should be it. Once they break out the “hush money” that should be it. Once they get caught in a cover-up, that should be it. No hypocrisy here. We won’t get better government as long as we’ll let “boys be boys”.
I am sorry. There is no way you can convince me that I am wrong. Cheating is wrong. Lying is wrong, but whether it is a public matter depends on who the “wronged party” is. Weiner wasn’t conducting the “peoples business” when he called Ms. Black-jack dealer for some spicey phone sex from his office phone. He was breaking the public trust, and the law. Nor was he conducting the “people’s business” when he repeatedly lied and made false statements to the public, to his collegues, etc. He wasn’t conducting the people’s business when he attacked Andrew Brietbart and indicted his integrity.
I’ll let the Lord judge his soul. As for his fitness to serve as a US Congressman, making decisions that may impact my life with his votes, I believe I have some skin in this game. As to whether or not Cantor is right or wrong for commenting on this, please see my last post. His house. His rules. Lee did something far less agregious, and was gone. Boehner and Cantor wouldn’t let it turn into a media spectacle. Weinergate has entered the realm of Circus Maximus. Jon Stewart and Rachel Maddow look like the south-end of a north-bound mule for defending him, or playing the hypocrisy card, IMHO. Anyone trying to defend the indefensible with an “Hypocrisy Defense” should stop and consider what I am saying. It happens because we tolerate it. We should stop tolerating it.
@Steve,
1. I have never defended Weiner. I think what he did is indefensible regardless of his position as a congressman. He is a grown man acting like a 13 year old.
2. Now we are past that….my issue with Cantor is that he laid down 2 different sets of rules. It wasn’t up to him to decide if Ensign or Sandford or whoever should step down yet he called for the resignation of Weiner. That is hypocritical. His words, in this video at least, had nothing to do with the office held.
3. I have never defended Rangle or Jefferson. What they did was indefensible.
4. I have defended Sandford in a way. I felt very sorry for him. He was wrong, of course, but he was an emotionally beaten up man. His political enemies and the press were like a pack of jackals finishing that poor guy off.
5. The Press- I am not sure anyone is under any obligation to tell the truth to the press. When I look at who goes around saying they are the press…no way are they special. And no, I am not sure where to draw the line. But I don’t consider it a cardinal sin to lie to anyone who invades privacy like the press does.
6. I also take a good look at the hypocrisy factor after someone has championed ‘family values.’ There is just something so smug about politicians who trumpet family values, especially when they have a girl friend in every port. Yea, I label them hypocrites. The morals police mentality really gets to me when politicians do it.
7. Marines (both officers and enlisted)- I am a graduate of Mary Washington College which qualifies me somewhat on the subject of Marines. I believe that officer and a gentleman conduct is mainly on paper if my experiences and that of many classmates counts. 🙄 I would include the other branches of the service under that big umbrella.
All I want is for the same standards of conduct to be expected across the board. No one is special. However, those who set themselves up higher than others have further to fall. That’s something worth remembering. Vitter, Sanford and Ensign were particularly vulnerable because they had campaigned on family values.
And finally, actually I think there are some other conversations that can grow out of this one. For starters, why do men in power get seduced into scumbag behavior so easily? Or is it that they just have more exposure and get caught?
The other question would be is Cybersex equivalent to real honest to goodness cheating?
@Cargosquid
I’m not sure women would agree with you.
I’m curious about the anger from Republican men mainly about Weiner’s initial denial to the press about his involvement in sending the drawers photo. How many of you, if caught in that situation, would admit to it via MSM before you had a chance to tell your wives? I don’t care that you wouldn’t do what Weiner had done to begin with – how many would be stupid enough to go clean on public tv before discussing that type of issue with your spouse?
@Censored
I know very few people who wouldn’t lie about it. And you make some really excellent points. He really needed to clear this up with Mrs. Weiner first also.
And on that subject….I would slit my wrists before allowing anyone to call me Mrs. Weiner.
Moon,
“Cyber-cheating” is still cheating. It is an abuse of the trust between spouses. Go read the transcripts between Weiner and Ms. Black-jack dealer. She has also turned over a “full-monty” photo to the press, and they both refer to it in the transcript.
Also, one last point on conduct: If you are a PUBLIC OFFICIAL, elected or appointed, and your personal conduct puts you in a position where you are subject to potential blackmail, extortion, or other compromising pressure, then you have crossed into the public realm. If you have a security clearence, it can be revoked, and you can be removed from the position. If you are required by law (UCMJ, Federal Code, or Congressional Ethics Rules) to report this conduct, and you don’t, you have violated the law. Period. End of story. Too much case law for you to argue to the contrary. Just a point to consider in the overall debate.
What did Weiner say about Brietbart?
Basically called him a liar, and implied that he may have facilliated the “hack” of his twitter (a crime) since he was in possession of the underwear photo. Clearly an attempt to deflect by impuning the character of the accuser.
I would slit my wrists before allowing anyone to call me Mrs. Weiner.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Apparently others are using the word effectively too: xxxx//www.therightperspective.org/2011/06/06/pelosi-wants-a-weiner-probe/
Yes I know…juvenile.
Still funny though.
“For starters, why do men in power get seduced into scumbag behavior so easily? Or is it that they just have more exposure and get caught?”
Easy one. Men crave respect from women. They confuse the adulation they recieve with respect. The more egocentric the man, the more vulnerable he is to the adulation of their “manliness”. Read the transcript. If I were that woman, I would go hide under a rock. She “see’d and raised” every comeon, with one of her own, feeding his ego. Many ego-centric men aspire to public positions of power, and therefore are much more exposed. Call it the “Rock Star” mentality.
The other question would be is Cybersex equivalent to real honest to goodness cheating?
In Steve’s book, yes, and I would expect to be judged by this standard by Mrs. T, if I were to engage in this behavior. But, other couples may have different standards, up to and including the “open marriage”. Basically, if you are doing anything of a sexual nature that you feel you must hide from your spouse, then it is cheating, according to my personal beliefs. But I acknowledge that they are mine, and a matter between me, Mrs. T, and the Lord. Then again, I am not a “public official”, so I don’t answer to constituents.
Is it just me or is this pulled directly out of the “Leftist handbook”? It’s the same every time…
Chapter 5 – What to do if a crisis hits the party and/or a valued party member?
Step 1.) Deny, deny, deny and claim that you were the real victim!
(What happened… Weiner initially claimed he was hacked and was the real victim)
Step 2.) Attack the messenger!
(What happened… The DNC/White House/MSNBC agreed on their one talking point and put it out and everyone followed along like good little sheep… blame Breitbart! And even some here fell for it, unfortunately, hook line and sinker and just regurgitated the same thing their party told them to say.)
Step 3.) Continue steps 1 and 2 until it goes away, if it doesn’t, go to step 4 and beyond…
(What happened… it didn’t go away, they went to step 4.)
Step 4.) Lie, Lie and then Lie some more.
(What happened… lies lies lies lies lies… for over 10 days)
Step 5.) Admit guilt but make sure you say that YOU DID NOT BREAK ANY RULES OR LAWS!
(What happened… Weiner did just that, said sorry, for getting caught, but made a note to mention that he didn’t break any rule – even though he did by using his office for phone sex and used his government paid for phone to pressure sexual encounters)
Step 6.) DEFLECT! Change to subject and start accusing the other side of something, anything, anything at all… even something as trivial as this. Anything to change focus!
(What happened… you see it now…)
I wonder how long this will stay up on this scum bags site… talks about “Protecting Children on the Internet” from sexual predators (seriously, can’t make this stuff up!) 🙂 enjoy:
http://www.weiner.house.gov/issue_display.aspx?id=844
Wow, Dan Cooper, your steps are a great example of bi-partisanship. The two parties appear to share the same handbook.
So is Tim Kaine a hypocrite for calling for Weiner to resign? As more and more details come out about this, I’m ever more convinced that Republicans should get behind Weiner (so to speak) and call for his immediate promotion within the Democratic party. Weiner is really a poster-boy.
Style section in today’s WashPost has an article “RNFLWS QWV OD qWINWE’A about
Yoohooo – something happened!
Article “Tangled web of Weiner’s affairs”, first pg of Style tells about Meagan Broussard, who was interviewed by Hannity (among other things)
@Punchak,
Did it bother you that Hannity kept calling Meagan Broussard a girl. She is a 26 year old woman with a child. He really alternated between ‘woman’ and ‘girl’ has he interviewed her. Of course he is always like that. I only watched because you alerted us to the fact he was interviewing her.
It was hilarious to hear arrogant, little Cantor defend Sanford and Ensign.
@Censored bybvbl
Very true Censored… however, the Democrats and their followers seem to have mastered it! It’s almost like it was a coordinated effort (cough… journolist). Or like they went to some class/boot camp on it (cough… http://dailycaller.com/2011/03/24/red-eye-reenacts-media-matters-media-training/)For some reason they all seem to be on the same page with just about every single step.
It’s almost a perfect case study, just look at each day of this event and how it unfolded just on MSNBC. Textbook!
@Steve Thomas
Brietbart already impuned his own reputation with some of his yellow journalism.
Does anyone have a copy of Weiner actually accusing him by name of hacking his account?
@Steve Thomas
I am not arguing in favor of Weiner. Why won’t you believe me that I am not supporting him?
I am not even speaking of Weiner when I ask the question about cyber sex and sexting vs actual affairs.
It seems like Breitbart also broke a little promise. One of the pics he said he wouldn’t release is now out there on the internet.
I don’t want to read the black jack smut. I have spent time on an old bbs many years ago. Nothing would surprise me as to how low people will go for cheap thrills.
@Dan Cooper
It’s just funnier when the Republicans get involved in those justifications/obfuscations about sexual exploits because they set themselves up as the moral police. Kind of like the neighborhood busybody getting caught speeding down the street – it usually elicits a chuckle for the hypocrisy. The abuse of power is a fault found in both parties, but one party is particularly concerned about the sexual goings-on of the citizenry both in their private and public lives. So, of course, it’s funnier when some peccadillo in connected to an “R” even though both parties have guilty members.
Moon
I know you don’t condone this type of behavior. I know that were you and I forced to make a call as to “right or wrong” we’d probably call it the same. However, were we to place it on a scale of 1 to 10, we’d most likely have different numbers.
What is getting a bit tiresome is:
1) the frequency that these sorts of things are occurring.
2) the attempts by either side to justify or excuse the behavior, if it happens to be one of theirs
3) the calls of “hypocrisy” when the other side comments or attacks their respective “guy”.
4) the absolute moral rot within and de-civilizing of our society.
5) the apathy and acceptance of #4. [changed by editor)
6) the attacks on anyone who comments on #5 as a “hypocrite” “family-values nazi”, “moral-police” or some other colorful descriptor.
Believe me, were this a GOP guy, I’d be even MORE critical.
@Steve,
Now we have a teacher arrested at Stonewall Jackson High School — A coach in fact. Sex with a female athlete.
Now on your your list.
1. agreed
2. agreed
3. maybe–I wouldn’t have called Cantor a hypocrite if he had said all needed to go. (his and Weiner) or if he said it wasn’t up to him, it was up to the voters or Senate ethics, etc.
4. See remarks about SJHS. Yesterday a student rapist. Today a teacher violating the trust placed in them as educators. Insidevova.com has all the arrests for the year. Unacceptable.
5. maybe. It depends on what we are calling moral rot and decivilizing. As we know from last year, there are different standards regarding perceived rot.
6. I will have to get back to you on this one. I accept ‘family values naziing’ out of someone like Orrin Hatch a lot better than I do out of some hypocrite like Vitter. Hatch talks the talk and walks the walk. Vitter doesn’t. Mr. tearing up the men’s room had a history of gay bashing and trying to pass anti gay legislation. What other word would you use for those who attempt to legislate morality when they themselves are trying to pick up men in the bathroom and visiting prostitutes? Colorful is ok.
John Edwards is just a narcassistic, egotistical rat bastard of the lowest order. He isn’t a hypocrite though. Just every other ugly name I can think of.
*should read: 5) the apathy and acceptance of #4
6) the attacks on anyone who comments on #4 as a “hypocrite” “family-values nazi”, “moral-police” or some other colorful descriptor.
Q: What do you say to Andrew Breitbart — what do you say to Andrew Breitbard, who was accused of hacking your account by many left-wing blog and people on CNN, even? What do you say to him?
REP. WEINER: I’m here primarily to express my apologies to my wife and family, but anyone who was misled — all of you who were misled, the people who I lied to, I have an apology for all of them.
Q: But not specifically for him? Not an apology?
REP. WEINER: I — look. If — I believe that everyone deserves an apology here, and I certainly am — I’m — I’ll be — here’s what —
Q: Where’s your wife right now?
REP. WEINER: I apologize to Andrew Breitbart, I apologize to the many other members of the media that I misled. I apologize first and foremost to my wife and to my family.
—
I don’t think you’ll find an instance where Weiner accused Breibart directly but the entire notion of ‘someone hacked me’ and ‘someone is trying to prank me’ got some play and people took that to mean that Breibart was behind it.
I think outside of this being tabloid journalism let the voters of NY (or the NY legislature when they draw new districts and his is…omited) figure out what they want to do with him.
@marin,
Thanks. So he apologized to him even though he didn’t say he hacked him. That was decent. I don’t recall him mentioning AB directly, either.
Truthfully, if he were my rep, I would have to look at what was going to replace him before I decided if I wanted him gone.
Thanks marinm! I knew I had heard this soundbite, as well as the one where he implied that the publisher of the photo was somehow involved in the “prank” or “hack”, and was trying to find it. At least we have his appology. I can’t see him apologizing for something he didn’t do.
Moon,
I too wish it worked that way, but it doesn’t. He resigns or is recalled. The seat is open. There’s the whole election cycle thing to replace him (I can’t recall a Governor appointing a replacement for a congressman, as they would a Senator). Weiner’s district is most likely going away, as NY lost seats post-census (all those high-tax policies drove people to leave the state). His district will be absorbed by the neighboring districts, so whoever it will be, depends on where you live. Little chance of an open-seat special election this close to 2012, I think, but I could be wrong. Maybe if the GOP house majority were smaller, yes.
“Now we have a teacher arrested at Stonewall Jackson High School — A coach in fact. Sex with a female athlete. ”
Moon,
This happens WAY more than what makes the papers. I’d estimate only about 1/3 actually hit the press. I used to follow a blog called “badbadteacher.com” and you would be shocked (or not, being a retired teacher) at the frequency of this happening. What was surprising to me was the number of female teachers, carrying on with teenaged boys.
Where does it stop? When do we collectively say “No more, and not another step backwards”? Each year the discourse gets more corse. Pop-culture pushes the envelope. Family-values is used more frequently as a punchline in a joke. So when our kids can’t go to school for fear of being grouped by another student, or pursued by a predatory teacher, and we have zero faith in the integrity of our elected officials, what do we do? When each and every one of us, our kids included, are bombarded with SEX-SEX-SEX from all angles, is it any wonder are in the state we are in? When the traditional family unit is called “quaint” or worse, when those who support traditional marriage called “intollerent homophobes”, why are we surprised that people are confused about right and wrong. Wrong did you say Steve? How dare you judge, you hypocrite. I thought you were a Christian…. I am all about forgiveness. I also undestand that the opposite of “judgement” isn’t “tolerance”. The opposite of “judgement” is “mercy”.
Steve, you sure have hit on a lot of topic there and each of them are important. This actually deserves its own thread.
‘Family values’ just pisses people off because it has been used for at least 25 years as code for a not so hidden political agenda. What ever happened to just common decency? Decent adult people don’t have sex with students. That is a violation of public trust like no other.
Pop-culture pushes the envelope. yes it does. How do we push back? I stay furious over what certain family members allow their girls to wear out of the house. I am not trying to be a prude here, but why does every outfit have to include cleavage. I don’t think cleavage belongs in the business world or at school. I don’t believe it belongs on Fox News every day. Same with short skirts. If kids aren’t controlled by their parents then suggestive dress will rule the day. If popular TV has all its anchor women shrutting around with short skirts and cleavage (and we all know why that is done) then that type of dress will rule the day.
Music and language-don’t get me started. That has been an ongoing problem for 50 years.
TV- there is way too much violence.
Supporting traditional marriage-shouldn’t exclude non traditional marriage. It seems to me that committed relationships are a whole lot better than promiscuous behavior. Some people are gay. That has been the case since the beginning of time. I think this is a matter of civil rights. I have never heard the traditional family unit called quaint. That’s sort of cute. Who does that? I don’t necessarily think people who defend traditional marriage are homophobes. I do think that they ought to think about ways to change that do not compromise what is important to them and yet doesn’t exclude others who want a permanent committed relationship.
You know , Steve, I do not disagree at all with your view that this kind of thing has gotten way out of hand in the political world and needs to be stopped somehow. And perhaps there are some things in the Weiner case which may have been violations of law and therefore call for judicial action — use of government equipment, for example. Moreover, the egregious lies in the very beginning did strike me with greater distaste than even the sexual aspects of the case. As a whole I am all for finding a way to stop this kind of behavior dead in its tracks, especially among those entrusted with our governance. Pat is right. It does not belong in our governance.
However, as a Christian believer, I also find myself pulling the man (Weiner) out of the wider morass he has created for himself and asking myself what I would do if it was just he and I face to face without all the outside distraction. Maybe I am mistaken about it, but it does look to me from my somewhat distant vantage point that this is a desperate man beaten down by his own hand; a man who reaches not the level of some kind of criminal monster but who, nevertheless, stands embarrassed before the entire world, literally, with himself to blame; a man who will never be able to turn back the clock fully and regain his former reputation. Would I scold him on the issue of morals? Perhaps. But should it be in me as a Christian to start beating him with a stick figuratively until he bleeds even worse? That makes me personally uncomfortable and actually puts me in sort of a conflict with myself: a desire to clean up the larger mess once and for all by using men like this as negative object lessons versus the demand of my Faith that I place my belief in mercy into practice.
I really do find this a personal conflict. On the one hand I am angry and look upon the man with disgust and even contempt for his personal and professional failings. On the other hand, there is voice which whispers in favor of sympathy and mercy and asks me what good it does to grind an already beaten man even further into the dust. Would the situation not be better if he was able to respond to an open hand of mercy than to the fist of vengeful anger? I am not an angel. I am just a man like him. If I were ever to do something so stupid and to fall as he did, would I not pray that someone would offer me the open hand and not the fist?
Very well put, Wolverine. And let me climb off my own high horse. What I did was just as bad. I didn’t shake a fist at him, I laughed. (and yes Steve gave me a stern look of disgust.) It was real hard not to crack jokes when someone named Weiner, who is known for outlandish, bombastic behavior, gets caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. But that wasn’t right either.
I am sure he is embarrassed and his wife is humiliated. His wife is the innocent one in all this. If his parents are still living I am sure they are wringing their hands.
The women invoved aren’t totally innocent either. How many of them answered him? When does just being sassy turn into something more?
I frequently find myself saying that it’s “us vs. them” in politics. Republicans want to gain and retain power. The Democrats want to gain and retain power. If we can exploit a situation so that one of the other guys loses his seat, then we’ll do it. Meanwhile we’ll make excuses and soft pedal the same mistake made by someone on our side.
As far as I’m concerned, I don’t care. I really don’t care about Weiner’s character. If Newt Gingrich served divorce papers to his wife while she was in the hospital being treated for cancer, I don’t care as long as he is a good leader and is prepared to make difficult decisions for the good of the nation.
@El Guapo
I care that our elected leaders exercise common decency. Edwards and Ginchrich both exhibited unforgivable behavior, in my opinion. The others …just sleezy. I guess there are degrees of sleeze. Edwards and Ginchrich crossed over in my the eyes of my sleeze-radar.
Wolverine,
There is always a place for mercy, if the remorse is genuine. There is always a chance for redemption. Look at Michael Vick or Chuck Colson. I gain no pleasure from Weiner’s fall, and I hope his wife can foregive him.
Michael Vick is still on probation in my mind. But I applaud him for his apparent redemption. I still have in my minds eye, him stomping on an opponent during a tech football game. It wasn’t just his dealings with animals that needed to be redeemed.
OH! There’s a pic floating around of Breitbart’s iPhone taken on Opie & Anthony this morning with one of the “other” pictures. It’s a nice big erect frank ‘n’ beans, and it’s CLEARLY taken out of context.
I swear I’m gonna photoshop this pic into Mr. Maddow’s hand:
http://yfrog.com/h3b3sfej
As if the story couldn’t get worse.
Huma Abedin is expecting. I can’t imagine the stress she’s now under.
VA Senate candidate and Former Governor Kaine has suggested Weiner should resign.
If we threw out all the Congressmen who lie , there would be nobody to pass laws and as long as they don’t jeopardize the Lawmaking Process, I couldn’t care less about their personal lives.
@marinm
Who’s the proud papa?
[Ed. note: that remark is tacky and uncalled for. Huma deserves none of this. MH]
@Bear
You say that as if that’s a bad thing……
Wait, what? The Weiners have a bun in the oven?
har har har
@Cato,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/09/anthony-weiner-wife-huma-abedin-reportedly-pregnant
Huma Abedin, the wife of the Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner, who is currently engulfed in a cringe-inducing scandal over sexually suggestive images of himself he sent over the internet, is reportedly pregnant with her first baby.
But to me the moneygraph is this. Funny Euro’s..
Even within a party sadly accustomed to sex scandals – the Democratic governor of New York Eliot Spitzer was forced to resign after it was revealed that he enlisted the services of prostitutes and the former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is currently facing charges that he used campaign money to hush up an affair – the Weiner scandal has been excruciatingly embarrassing in its detail.
I have to defend the Democrats on this one. I don’t believe they have any more scandals than the Republicans do. How far back can we go?
Do we start with SC?
How about we call it even?
I’m with you, here. Weiner can’t go soft, here…..he needs to stand up proud and not resign! Don’t let those hypocritical Republicans and their calls to resign push you around, Weiner! Never give up!
Slowpoke, back on the meds. That has nothing to do with whether he should resign or not. But you knew that.
Actually, I don’t give a crap whether he resigns or not.
Tim Kaine just spoke the truth! But, oh…the hypocrisy….
“Lying publicly about this is unforgivable.”
Wasn’t there a previous, somewhat important, highly placed politician that got into trouble for this very thing? I don’t remember Kaine commenting then.
Also, Senator Leahy is one of those demanding Weiner’s resignation. You know…LEAKY Leahy, the one that LEAKED TOP SECRET INFO for political purposes? Yeah….that guy. I notice that HE didn’t resign.
Compared to other Democrats, Weiner is small potatoes. If Rangel still has a job, why shouldn’t Weiner? Ethics probe? What a joke. Weiner should reply, “You go first.”
Were I advising the Congressman, or just providing counsel to a fellow flawed man, I would advise him to:
1) Resign. Publically. Make a very public statement detailing the reasons that he is resigning, full of humility. Appologize again for hurting his wife and family, and disappointing his friends and loyal supporters. This should be a statement where no one has any doubt that he understands humility.
2) In private, ask his wife to forgive him.
3) Get a job. Not some high-profile, flashy power-job. Just a job where he has an opportunity to learn some things about himself.
4) Get help, either faith-based or secular based. There are some deep-seated issues with his character. Get to the root of these issues.
5) Spend the next several years as a devoted husband and father. He will gain greater satisfaction from this than any power-job he could ever hold. Learn to be a servant to his spouse and child first.
6) Do some charity work. Get your hands dirty kind of charity work. Learn about service, and develop a servant’s heart. Learn about really helping others.
If at some point in the future, he decides he still wants to serve in politics, then he can think about seeking elected office. This time, with the right mind and heart.
Actually Steve, that is pretty overall good advice. I would add in there treatment for addiction. The kind of behavior he was displaying is an addiction. Texting 24/7 is an addiction also.
However, my agreement with Steve is for Weiner’s sake, not the country’s.
When this is all over, I think everyone needs to sit back and think about what really happened and how unimportant it is in the grand scheme of things. There are far worse things going on. Deals being bought and sold. Real affairs violating the trust between spouses, thousands of people texting and passing lewd pictures and comments on any variety of electronic devices on the public’s and company time, posturing and stone-walling for political purpose rather than using common sense……. And that’s the easy list. Did I leave off important decisions being made under the influence of drugs and alcohol?