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
Tony C –
Amen to that. I think it’s the difference in youth outlook that scares me most of all.
eniobob,
I’m glad you are enjoying both the new speedy ‘puter and being “home”.
We miss you when you’re gone.
Thanks, FFL.
Congrats eniobob.
I knew I was missing something on Friday night,and being that its my last night off,I needed to come “home” and get reenergized ,thanks folks.
Also enjoying the fruits of my labor,am doing this on my new computer and windows 7,with chrome as my default .Everything is happening now at “warp speed” compared to my old clunker,LOL!!!:=)
Mike S:
“Damnit Mespo,
Can you please stop with making these sage comments, it makes the rest of us look bad.”
************************
I can fix that soon enough. Jump on over to the Sarah Palin thread. We’ve got Rodney Dangerfield over there — and a troll named kderosa who’s a hoot!!! Nothing intellectual but loads of fun.
Bdaman said: “Police interviewed the 17 year old girl wiener was tweeting. Possible criminal charges t( follow.”
*rolls eyes* Yeah right…
Police interviewed the 17 year old girl wiener was tweeting. Possible criminal charges t( follow.
“We most always obtain the government we deserve, not the one we want.”
Damnit Mespo,
Can you please stop with making these sage comments, it makes the rest of us look bad.
“Weiners supporters . . . not to be confused with protective sports gear.”
Buddha,
Foul play. :”mr. green”:
@Former Federal: As I was careful to say, “If one believes one is talking to an adult,” I do not think it is predatory. The “act of predation,” if I may use that term, is one of intent. If it is one’s INTENT to seduce an underage girl, I don’t think it matters if she is actually a cop that looks 14 or is actually a 14 year old girl. If it is one’s INTENT to engage an adult in sexual conversation, and the initial conversation (or facebook photo, or privately tweeted photo) leads one to believe an adult is on the other end, then I do not think it should count as an act of predation even if the girl is underaged and being deceptive by using photos of her big sister or something.
Patric Paramedic suggested:
“You know, it just struck me that somebody with a whole bunch of time to spare, could probably build a pretty fascinating book of essays and discussions, just from this web-group material.”
_________
I am unsure if she has the time, but Elaine would be the right person for that monumental task.
@Patric: And in my view they become a little less impressed with Americans with every passing day.
We can disagree, but I think they should be. We suck. We are lazy. We are stupid. We are a relentlessly entertainment driven culture, as opposed to an accomplishment driven culture. Our government is better, and the Chinese students I have had the pleasure to work with prefer it, but if I got a dollar for every time I found a Chinese grad student diligently working in the lab while an American grad student was playing guitar hero in the graduate break room, and I paid a dollar every time the reverse was true, I’d probably buy myself a new car with the profits.
@ Tony C. regarding the age question of women (girls?) involved.
{Quote:
When asked if any of the women were minors, Weiner said that he believed them to be adults.
“I don’t know the exact ages of the women,” he said. “But they’re all adults, at least to the best of my knowledge, they were all adults and they were engaging in these conversations consensually. Someone could theoretically have been fibbing about [their age] and that’s a risk.”
End Quote}
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/anthony-weiner-new-photos-announcement-20110606-akd-lgf
Tony C.
Thanks for your reply.
We most always obtain the government we deserve, not the one we want.
FFLEO –
Hey, thanks for that. You know, it just struck me that somebody with a whole bunch of time to spare, could probably build a pretty fascinating book of essays and discussions, just from this web-group material.
The quality of debate here consistently out-performs – in my opinion – any other group I’m familiar with, and that includes a White House health care bunch, where things almost always deteriorate after about three volleys across the bow.
I think “sexual predator” is too legally-loaded a term to just casually redefine with what amounts to immoral behavior. I’ve worked in a bar, there is many a man that tries to turn every conversation toward sex, if they can.
I will agree that any talk of sexual contact or a bait-and-switch or deceptive tactic with an underage child is sexual predator territory, but when one believes they are talking to an adult, trying to turn a conversation toward sexual content is not predatory behavior. These are adult women, the only protection they need is protection from physical attack. If they cannot defend themselves against WORDS they need a legal guardian.
I will also note that it now appears possible even the underwear picture was not an uninvited post, the women in question (Cordova, I believe) has release some of her communication with Weiner, but has refused to release all of it. I do not think she is or should be required to do so, but as long as she refuses we do not know whether she and Weiner were engaged in a sexually charged conversation. We do not know if he has ever sent an uninvited sexual picture to anyone.
Patric Paramedic,
Thank you for your reasoned reply to Tony C., which contained no hint of tit-for-tat ad hominem references..
“the line between simple horn dog and sexual predator . . . .”
God, I love you people.