It is the ultimate example of voters getting the representatives that they deserve. A recent poll shows 56 percent of constituents of Anthony Weiner want him to remain in office. I spoke on the Weiner scandal on CNN last night.
For years, Democrats have been criticizing the blind loyalty shown to politicians from Tom DeLay to David Vitter. Yet, in New York, voters want to retain a politicians who spent a week piling lie upon lie over the sending of lewd photos. In addition, some of the women complained that they only wanted to talk politics — making (if true) Weiner a type of virtual flasher. He then alleged that a crime of hacking was committed and attacked media — calling them foul names and blaming them for the scandal. Despite this record, the voters want Weiner to continue to speak for them. Weiner only admitted his lies when pictures emerged showing him and confirming his role. Stories have now emerged suggesting that he contacted at least one woman to try to convince her to lie.
What exactly does it take? Just because you like his politics and he attacks people you dislike does not excuse a member in such despicable conduct. When people complain about Congress being a cesspool, they need to consider how their own blind loyalties contribute to that problem.
Weiner is now saying that his wife is making him stay in office, though others have suggested that he needs this job. In the end, it is up to the voters to determine the minimal level of honesty and integrity required to be their representative in Congress.
Sources: NY Post
FFLEO,
Sexual predator? While I agree that his conduct doesn’t rise to the criminal definition of the term, I wouldn’t term his behavior as predatory so much as immature and indiscreet. It’s no more predatory than you’d expect from a hormone driven teenager. Dumb, but not necessarily malicious. To my mind – and maybe it’s the law school scarred part of my brain – predation carries an implication of malice. It does raise the question though of where is the line between simple horn dog and sexual predator though.
Tony C –
My take is that our constant ratcheting up of the “White trash factor” among those who are indeed our “leaders” has a long-term corrosive effect on our ability to maintain leverage among nations.
There was a time when the U.S was respected (generally) and feared (mostly)
I mention the Chinese because I used to work with them overseas and I know how unrelentingly focused they are.
And in my view they become a little less impressed with Americans with every passing day. Your accurate mention of their treachery toward citizens doesn’t exactly weaken my argument.
Weinergate is of course no revelation.
But it is another drop of acid on an ulcer.
Note: type in the title above: ‘Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007 – Anthony Weiner’ to go to the web page. I cannot get the single link to post here.
‘Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007 – Anthony Weiner’
“And Anthony Weiner doesn’t know if any of his communications have been with minors either. If so, would he qualify as the same type of Internet sexual predator he’s pontificating against in legislation and related press releases?”
Is Rep. Weiner a sexual predator?
I think he is. To be fair and clear—since the term has various descriptions both legally and colloquially from state to state/jurisdiction to jurisdiction—I cannot say that he has reached the level of criminal ‘sexual offender ‘status since the full facts are unknown and I do not have the legal credentials to posit that classification.
From my view, a sexual predator is someone who stalks and/or trolls for sexual responses offline and online. In the rep’s tactics, he used his power and influence as a congressional representative to lure women, through cyberspace, ostensibly for political discussions. Then, unexpectedly, he tweeted obscene photos of himself and turned everything into cybersex considerations. This bait and switch tactic is a common ploy for sexual predators. Another real-life example is a bogus photographer claiming to work for a reputable modeling agency who exploits young girls through his sexually invasive photo shoots while promising lucrative modeling careers.
I wrote the forgoing and then decided to type: “Is Rep. Weiner a sexual predator?” into Google search. I obtained numerous topic hits. That is one of the great wonders of the Internet. Rarely is it possible to have an original thought or idea because nowadays, if you have a thought many others have likely beat you to the punch. That, however, gives you the opportunity to expound and expand on your thoughts and sometimes cite authority to lend credence to your arguments. Here is just one example of others’ thoughts regarding sexual predator status for Representative Weiner.
(Link to follow)
Weiners supporters . . . not to be confused with protective sports gear.
Blouise:
And those are the names that Weiners supporters bring up.Edwards,Sanford and Spitzer.When they start making comparisons.Small world.
I used to be a registered democrat and I can assure you that I never criticized republicans for cheating or having sex. Not once.
Now I did criticize people for talking about family values and then getting caught cheating. But hypocrisy is fair game in my opinion.
Policies are either good or bad- I don’t care whether or not the author of those policies is moral or not.
A. Weiner Song
Oh, I wish I had not exposed my wiener
That was really sad and cad you see
But since I did at least I hope the girlies
Start sexting their naughty lady bits to me
(Tweet me @…)
@Patric: Any American who doesn’t see the downside of showing ethical and behavioral vulnerabilities – to say, the Chinese – may be feeble of mind.
Any American that thinks they can hide human nature from the Chinese (or anybody else) is a total frickin’ idiot. Those billions of Chinese came from somewhere, I think they might understand a thing or two about sexual behavior and sexually induced stupidity, not to mention human emotional nature in general.
Precisely what revelation in Weinergate do you think gives the Chinese a new strategic advantage against us they didn’t already have? Do you think their citizens, mowed down in protests by their government, shot in the head for petty theft, jailed for decades for their political speech will now say, “OH, at least our brutal overlords aren’t tweeting their dick pictures over the Internet (which is censored for us anyway)…”
PatricParamedic,
I agree with your added comments, especially regarding kids and parenting. Look how kids’ lives have been–or can be–ruined from sexting nude photos resulting in criminal sex offender charges. The double standard here is evident. An adult—and especially one in the representative’s position of power and influence—must not be exempt from such charges.
_____
JohnMichael,
All federal taxpayers pay for Rep. W’s salary. If only NY citizens did, then you might have a case. He also legislates federal law to which all U.S citizens must abide.
Well, Professor, in the end his political future is the choice of the electors of the 9th Congressional District of New York. I am worried about my future being a constituent of one Gary L. Miller from the 42nd District of California. What Weiner did was possibly terminally stupid. But I dont think he really did anything other than stupid, it wasn’t malicious and his lies about it served only to insulate him (had they been successful) from the personal shame following public stupidity. Let his constituents decide if they want to keep him.
While it is obvious that his constituents like Weiner, it is not so clear as to how many of them are broads.
Former Federal LEO said:
“Continued support of this representative is an example of how blind political partisanship trumps honor, ethics, and morality. Neither he nor his constituents can be shamed into admitting the egregious nature of his actions.”
Zap. Right on target, FFLEO. Couldn’t be better said.
My take is that – either personally or professionally – no taxpayer-funded position includes national embarrassment as a benefit.
His Oath of Office, by the way:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” (Caps are mine)
I believe it is naive beyond belief for constituents to minimize the impact of these kinds of shenanigans, on the world stage. Any American who doesn’t see the downside of showing ethical and behavioral vulnerabilities – to say, the Chinese – may be feeble of mind. I doubt world publication of personal porn can be surgically separated from the manner in which one “faithfully discharges the duties.”
The fact is, this government official now has his genitals plastered across the I-phones of kids everywhere. And to think his actions have no corrosive effect which makes parenting incrementally more difficult, isn’t really thinking at all.
Thanks for the update Tony C!
Signed, Dr. Rafflaw
Tony C.,
………. or to get a good table at a restaurant …….. 😉
@Former Federal: Except it is ME calling him doctor, he did not call himself doctor, so that is not pretension on his part, and is a term of respect on my part. And anyway, I do not think it is “pretentious” (root is “pretending”) to call yourself by an earned title, except in the case when the topic is unrelated to how you earned that title.
For example, I do not think a person with a Ph.D. in Engineering should be calling themselves “Doctor” when discussing politics or law; because their education does not inform their opinions on the matters at hand. Thus I would see the use of their title as a fraudulent demand for respect in that venue. But I have no problem if the person has a J.D., or a doctorate in political science, and wants to use their title in such discussions: It conveys the authority that comes with the formal education and degree.
It’s too bad — Rep. Weiner was an entertaining and effective speaker those times I saw him on TV. For me, this is definitely a case of the coverup being worse than the crime. Sending dirty pictures over the internet? *shrug* Who cares? Spending days on TV lying to everyone? Time to go.
eniobob,
Thanks for the link. Here’s one you might like:
http://trueslant.com/davideisenbach/2009/07/02/sex-and-the-founding-fathers/
“Maybe the next politician caught with his pants down should just be honest like Hamilton. Admit that the sex was real fun and hope the public thinks you’re too valuable to lose.”
@Former Federal: Well that was a disjointed mess I wrote.
More specifically, Turley holds a Juris Doctor From Northwestern, and he is a Professor of Law at GWU. Here is his faculty page.
I referred to him as “Dr. Turley” as a kind of shorthand for “with all due respect to his intellect and position.”