Politicians and Ethics
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-06-09/politicians-and-ethics
Representative Anthony Weiner has been apologizing for sending a lewd photo via twitter and then lying about it. Sadly, the episode doesn’t feel all that shocking. The pattern is familiar. Yet, for many it’s another blow to hopes that people in politics will adhere to a higher ethical standard despite abundant evidence to the contrary. This latest impropriety adds to the frustration that many already feel over the ongoing political gridlock in Washington. Join us for a conversation about voter reaction to this latest scandal and what’s wrong with Washington
Guests
Charlie Cook
editor and publisher of the "Cook Political Report"
Ruth Marcus
columnist and editorial writer, The Washington Post.
Melanie Sloan
executive director, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Jennifer Preston
reporter, New York Times
Comments
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"weinergate" reminds me of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. When people are asked questions that they don't feel like they should be asked they will often lie. It is a mistake to ask the question and it is a mistake to lie as well. I wonder what Osama Bin Laden was doing while Bill Clinton was being pilloried for his sexual activities. This seems to me like another puritan inspired witch hut. We are all just fiddlin while Rome is burning!
I would like to hear more on the comparison with David Vitter's confirmed extensive use of prostitutes. It sounds to me like Hypocrisy of the highest order.
Is anyone calling for Vitter to leave?
Does anybody have any respect for congress? They are all prostitutes for Corporate America and lobbyist's for the rich. The least of my concerns are for their sex lives while the middle class is dying.
Gossip
Hearing gossip about people will change the way,
your eyes see them — literally.
Trees, moss and beards while I have muscles.
Negative gossip actually alters the way,
our visual system responds to a particular face and the smile.
Causing the moon to loose it glow and luster.
Who am I,
to suggest that the human brain
is wired to respond to positive or negative
regardless of truth to dial soap, okra gossip.
And it adds to the evidence that gossip,
helped early woman telling the wrong men all goings on,
to what was never said, getting your head.
Gossip is helping you to predict who is your friend,
and some one else,
whom was never your friend,
and some how is now your friend, instead of your foe.
Secondhand information about your person,
can have a positive boost.
More often than not a devastating reversal effects.
Is not a tree stronger when deeper the roots?
Once hearsay has opened your eyes and lips,
we the us,
they caught up in the moment one second now.
Watching the hour of power,
they to them,
somehow see someone in a certain light the wrong way.
Abuse becomes right.
Light become dark flowers die.
More than accidents happen that way.
Each direction becomes a one way street.
It is more than possible that we,
literally all see them in a different mirror.
The one that we are not seeing through to our own.
Never owning up,
Yours is how to me Gossips, every things differently?
Create Date : Saturday, May 21, 2011
Is It Poetry
I totally agree that there are double standards with regard to ethics violations in Congress. Socially on a broader scale it's even worse. Get caught shop lifting and the book gets thrown at you. Gamble with people's money with which you have been in trusted to manage...... The recent Comcast issue is certainly another example of impropriety. Sexual issues, though certainly improper, should not serve as distractions for more serious pressing issues. Bottom line - Congress has no balls. Sorry..... Just seemed appropriate.
As a gay partnered man, i realize that the American public's opinion of what is or is not appropriate varies wildly. I do not honestly care about Mr. Weiner's fidelity.
However, the fact that Mr. Weiner sent these photos (which could have become public even if they were sent only to his intended recipients) shows that his judgement is questionable to the point that I have no confidence in him. The fact is that anyone with any common sense could predict that these photos would cause an uproar; I have a private job and still I would NEVER send photos like these. Therefore, I would like to see Mr. Weiner resign, not for morality's sake, but because of his recklessness.
I am most incensed at the thought of the representative playing on facebook all day at taxpayers expense (job, health coverage, perks, etc) rather than doing the job he was hired to do!
This show and it's participants are a clear example of why we have the ethical problems in Congress. The media and the Washington insiders are enablers, whose own lack of standards enable the politicians to escape the consequences of their personal failures.
There shouldn't be any debate about Wiener's fate...he should be thrown out.
Could the panel please comment on the influence of Andrew Brietbart in this "scandal?" Is there an analogue that attacks republicans with the same vitriol and glib self-righteousness?
A Dictators Vat of Bleached Words
Thank you, thank you the election
went smoothly yes, yes hallowed
be my name(substitute yours)) it(s
Time) it(s time) it(s really time to,
Leave any free form of thought out
of your mind in a jar preferably we
can now put prerecorded words in
your mouth via brain train express O.
One rope fits all, try to say what I say
or nothing atall, short fat thin our diet
is in the vat of bleached words gone
for all time my will is not going to be
mistaken for yours so get on the wall
be a man be a woman hemp is waiting.
Yes those who ran against me are in
the vat waiting for you to what what you
must be from that country that says one
thing and does another or vise versa ect.
Dedicated to all
expired and soon
to be expired
word dictators
be hemp be cool
wear a new neck tie.
Come on try) it(s fasionably limp.
Create Date : Friday, April 10, 2009
Is It Poetry
Great that they are allowing more women through. Complained yesterday here at the site. Have written to them before privately
But now going over board. Really the balance between men and women callers is a good thing to pay attention to. Balance
Charlie Cook is showing the same kind of entitlement of women as is Weiner. He gibely refered to the [South American] bombshell as taking a dip in the tidal basin. Then in a few short sentences later he said something to the effect that these sexual antics would be of little consequence if the Senate and Congress were doing their job. Taking a dip in the tidal basin? Why doesn't he say exactly what "taking a dip in the tital basin is? and How is this of little consequence to women, to any woman?
jmunsey
Hey Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's alleged (Sibel Edmonds testified under oath about this) affair was dropped like a hot potato. Our media barely touched these allegations.
"The Chicago News Bench blog cornered Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) at a Health Care Townhall event over the weekend, to ask her about former FBI translator turned whistleblower Sibel Edmonds' allegation, as published by American Conservative magazine last week, that she had become involved in a secretly-videotaped lesbian affair with a Turkish agent.
In the brief video, Schakowsky is asked directly about the affair, and denies the allegations as "total fantasy" and "totally made up."
Was it? Our MSM did not dig at all.
why are we wasting time talking about sex when Rome is burning. We should be spending more time talking about the dollars being shoveled into the pockets of these "sex offendersr" by the special interest groups!!
Come on a whole hour show goes by without bringing up the outrageous double standards and hypocrisy demonstrated by a nation, an MSM, a congress that gets more upset about a congressman stupidly showing their weinie. Rather than a nation a congress an msm demonstrating and calling for accountability for the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands or people killed and injured based on a "pack of lies" The fact that not one of these so called journalist did not bring up this massive contradiction demonstrates our nations our MSM's spiritual and moral bankruptcy
The people who elected him get to decide if he stays. Start a petition as Rtking for his resignation in his district. No one sitting in Congress gets to decide who represents his constituents. They need to conduct the businees of the country seriously and let voters decide if he stays or goes.
last time republicans controlled congress they spent hundreds of millions of dollars investigating the lewinsky debacle.
they have done nothing about wall st and fight regulating the institutions and people who destroyed the global economies.in fact the GOP is thwarting all efforts to protect main street from further abuses.
weiner is a non-issue, i don't care what he does in his private life.
Hastily Of Reputations
Of your reputation, and so hastily made,
was it before them or another?
And of cause?
With or with out it, whom saw.
Justified?
And of all of them and of they whom heard it.
Did they rejoice at your fall.
Far enough at the end to give pause?
And were you then, even now or naught, ashamed?
And of blame the game, issues.
As to when one thought of she,
thet he never had when both are thus made sad.
Would I even then of that when lily kisses, rose.
And in truthknotted haste, can it wait for one or no?
When neither rose nor lily in due time did I ever come to know.
Create Date : Sunday, April 10, 2011
Is It Poetry
The average person (correctly) believes that congress does not represent their interests, so most of us have long tuned out, but everybody LOVES GOSSIP!
I am disappointed at what extent media is covering the Weiner affair. Don't we have more serious matters to take care of?
It seems like feeding the beast at its own pleasure. It is easier I guess, than to look for meaningful subjects.
On the political side, this triviality is a bonanza to keep "our" elected officials from doing their tasks. What a shame!
Kathleen: What is more upsetting, the woman/man count or the failure to address a Congress run against public need and even opinion for elite profit? They screen for more women on this one because this is a "woman issue." (Women is the root of temptation dontcha know?) Tony Zing... got it right when he called elected officials corporate prostitutes. By manipulating commentary (screening) issues can be kept "light" and serious questions avoided. Don't applaud "mo' women" without considering the management of public opinion and the manufacture of political consensus. (Yes, Bush/Cheney is a worse war crimes situation than the Yugoslavian variety. And the O-ministration is walking in their well-worn tracks. But these sociopaths serve a victorious Oligarchy while the Serbians refused to. )
I fully agree with Monte. If our elected representatives are incapable of distinguishing between moral and amoral behavior, that regardless of how talented or adept they may be as legislators and such, they are nonetheless despicable creatures who have no place legislating on our behalf or ruling over us. Legality does not replace morality. And an immoral nation is one that will not be influential or prosperous for very long. It's days are numbered.
monte-
I don't know what kind of mental disease you are suffering from.
Most democrats do not want a nanny state. Most democrats want, and support, personal freedom as delineated in the Constitution.
Rep. Weiner is probably not a very good person- and he probably should resign- but not all democrats cheat on their wives. The idea that half the country is evil and the other half perfect is nonsense. There is nothing I can write that will change your mind.
When you write the garbage that you do all it insures is that I will never, ever, vote republican. I am a registered independent so all your hateful rhetoric did was insure another democratic vote.
Congratulations. Keep up the good work so that the
'cradle to grave nanny staters' keep winning. If they do maybe you will be able to retire someday and get help for your mental disease.
Monte,
I agree that he should step down, just like I believe Vitter should not have been re-elected. The problem with this country is not what you say it is, but the name calling is emblematic of the problem. People treat politics like some sort of team sport and in the the process engage in the worst kinds of hypocrisy. It's not a left or right thing and it's not a new thing. Both sides have plenty of examples of lewd behavior. I'm sure I don't have to name the culprits on both sides. Whether it's a republican or a democrat, it's about someone in power abusing power. In the case of republicans, they are actually touting family values, but committing these great acts of infidelity and moral violations (soliciting prostitutes, propositioning pages, cheating on wives, etc.). The sad thing is that these are standards that they say should be upheld by the general populace, while secretly breaking these same standards behind our backs. Is it better or worse to promote a moral stance and break it or to not promote a moral stance and engage in immoral behavior? Both are wrong. The very fact that they try to lie implies that they think we are stupid. And you know what, we are. We will point fingers at the other side, while conveniently forgetting that our guy did the same thing.
The reality is that we should not be bickering about which party has committed the most transgressions. We should be agree at another example of people in power setting one standard for us and another standard for themselves. This is a bipartisan problem. We've seen this all before: right now it's a democrat, tomorrow or next week, it will be a republican. These same people will cater to lobbyist, then after their terms are offer go and work for these same lobbyists. Don't let them play you.
Previous comment continued:
Likewise, many of the problems with the country are also bipartisan. Many of the problems started with the previous administration and have continued into this administration. In the meantime as we argue about which team is better, China has quietly been moving into Africa, Eastern Europe, and other parts of the world. All the while we fight on ideology when this is not what will work to keep this country moving forward. We need to stop catering to the extremist on both sides. The country is in the middle. Stop the silliness.
Unfortunately we don't have pictures of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's affair, as a result it's just she said she said.
I was disappointed in this show. Your panel was made up of moralists who were intent on continuing the media "stoning" of Senator Weiner. Although there were a number of callers who represented tolerance and respect for a person's private activities, no one on your panel could speak to that view. Your guests simply talked over it. There was a lack of balance.
I believe that while what Rep. Weiner did is not illegal it is perverse. He has embarrassed his wife and family and the Democratic party. He needs to resign.
There are Americans who regard sexual behaviors as disturbing and evil. To them, the Weiner affair is another opportunity to crucify some guy who doesn't conform with their expectations.
I find the war in Iraq and Afghanistan distrubing and evil. I'm totally opposed to them. None of the wars since at least WW2 have been self defense. The U.S. has killed millions of innocent people in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq. Those people never attacked the U.S. So why did we kill them?
90% of victims were noncombatants -horrific deaths-- burned to death, buried under buildings, shot with automatic weapons, artillery, blasted by explosives, often dying lingering deaths from infection or disease, or starvation.
So I hope you will understand my disgust with your ethics experts selective blindness, focusing on this narrow topic while the congress dishes out vast cruelty and death around the world.
Mr. Cook, in particular, admonished the congress to get focused on the major problems facing this country-- that we need to get serious about those spending cuts, maybe increase taxes, deal with the debt ceiling. Did it ever occur to any of this panel, that Americans actually, truly are not buying what the United States government is selling? What if there *IS NO DEAL*. That's where I sit, today. As long as my government can't stop killing people, downsize its military, there's NO DEAL for me. I want the United States to dissolve into regional governments like the Soviet Union. And there are other Americans who are absolutists on certain other issues-- the corporate takeover of politics, for example. The banks. Civil liberties, guns, abortions.... Did it ever occur to you that when this percentage gets beyond a certain point, there IS NO DEAL, no budget and no platform that can be sustained? We are Egypt. We are Syria. We are under the control of an authoritarian state that just won't quit, even when we tell them to quit.
I'm a resident of Queens, and I don't want Rep. Weiner to step down. NYC is a sexy city, and there was even a show you might have heard of on HBO about it.
If Rep. Weiner represents the values of his constituents--and he does--he's a success. I don't think it's the business of anyone in the Bible Belt to project their values on Queensians and Brooklynites. He doesn't run on a religious platform, there's no hypocrisy.
Sex is the reason everyone alive today ever existed. People who are driven to succeed have high sex-drives. It's unrealistic to expect driven people to have the sex drives of the mediocre, milquetoast, feminized men who make no difference in the world. The real question we should be asking is 'why, if since the days of Old Testament where leaders have succumbed to sexual temptation, do we still cling to an artificial system of values rooted in some people's religious beliefs?'