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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If Congress did not hold former President Clinton up to such standards why should a member of Congress be held to those standards. This behavior for a member of Congress or any other political office,let alone business environment, is not new. He is not the first nor will he be the last individual caught. Society has a slanted view of what is acceptable sexually, socially, politically, etc. and I do not see this changing anytime soon
...also, using terms like "young girls," is intended to make his transgressions seem far worse than they were. "Young women," is acceptable, but putting it out like pedophilia is unacceptable.
The good news about Rep. Anthony Weiner is that he got caught — but it makes me wonder how many more are still out there pretending to be what they are not – and by this I mean pretending to be responsible adults worthy of the public trust. In my opinion, this is what really matters. He is not just a man – he is a US Congressman to whom we have given lots of power to make decisions that greatly impact each one of us and the rest of the world. On top of that, he is married to a top aide of our Secretary of State - which gives him even more access and power. His decisions -public or private- should matter. I wonder how far will people like Weiner go to cover up their indiscretions? Would they sell their vote to unscrupulous people and foreign governments to keep their jobs? Can we trust Mr. Weiner to make good decisions for our country? Absolutely not. I am sorry for him but he has to go. We really need to hold our leaders – democrats and republicans -- to a higher standard. If we don’t -we are doomed.
I'd been thinking about the time, righteous anger, wringing of hands spent on this Anthony Weiner scandal, and was thinking about how many people are in danger of losing their homes, whether houses they mortgage or living quarters they rent, due to the long, deep unemployment in this nation.
Where is the horror or just concern that Congress and the Obama administration have done next to nothing for these Americans? Yet, one man's sexting gets this very deep and serious discussion -- for the hour. Of course, no real research is required to understand this "scandal."
I loved this from Susie Madrak who writes the blog Suburban Guerrilla:
You know, Weiner’s real sin is that he lied to the media Villagers. You can hear it in their shocked narratives: “He went on all these shows and lied, saying it wasn’t his…”
How dare he? Once again, it’s about the egos of the media tribe. Fatal mistake.
This, as we know, was the real sin of Bill Clinton. Villagers have rules for affairs, and Clinton broke them. And so did Weiner.
Mind you, the Villagers don’t mind when you go on TV and lie to them about reasons to invade another country, or to crash the economy. That’s to be expected.
But when you lie about sex, you’ve insulted their imaginary credibility. It’s all about them. (My emphasis)
My personal take: Let his constituents, the voters, determine whether he stays in Congress.
He was re-elected by LA voters to another 6 year term in 2010. The scandal broke i July of 2007, complete with tales and subsequent jokes about wearing an adult diaper while enacting his fantasies with a prostitute.
oh goodness we didn't try to canonize him, we sent him to congress. Thank goodness Mr. B Franklin isn't around still. LOL
Was it stupid? Indisputably.
Should he be reelected? Ask his district.
He didn't steal, his appropriate funds or misuse his position for personal gain.
As pointed out by one commentator: he did a service to every parent in the world. Sexting will catch up with you later kids!
This "sex" scandal caught me by surprise by the depth of my disgust when I heard that he'd done it, he'd sent the picture of his penis in the gray underwear. I cannot fathom how anyone could be so stupid. It totally disgusts me that: 1) he would have sent such compromising pictures through a public forum; that 2) he would lie about it, and expect he could get away with it; but, mostly, that 3) he is one of these immature imbeciles we have entrusted with running our country. I am so fed up with the whole lying, swindling, arrogant bunch of people we have elected to power. Is there no one left with wisdom, intellect, courtesy, and strength of conviction? I don't know how many more of these horror stories I can take, from Newt's vehement repudiation of his own opinions to Kyl’s bald lie about Planned Parenthood to Palin’s explanation of Paul Revere’s ride. How can we survive this dearth of sensible leadership?
Funny how people read my posts and see what they want too. No where did I suggest the republicans are better. I just say what I feel in the strongest and most clear way I can think of at the time. I will not waste a second trying to convince anyone of anything when it comes to politics. Our country is in a huge bipartisan mess and the voters are made ignorant by their unexamined firmly held beliefs. The democrats are in power right now so I will direct my harshest criticism towards them.
Weiner serves his district but also his party, and his party is bringing the harshest condemnation of his sending pictures of his weiner to young girls. He doesn't care what Republicans are saying, and he shouldn't, but he can only serve with the blessing of his party masters and they don't want the blemish of his crooked, err, reputation associated with their party.
It was Republicans that pushed out the guy who sent topless photos of himself. How passe.
The MSM barely touched the alleged claims about Schakowsky.
The more serious lies that Weiner has repeated about the Israeli Palestinian conflict are far more damaging and dangerous as well as his vote against the Goldstone Report.
Do not forget that Weiner and Barney Frank you know those pillars of progressive thinking and voting (choke) have both been pushing for the release of the US traitor Jonathon Pollard. You know that guy who accessed US classified documents and sold or gave (not sure which) them to Israel. Casper Weiberger and others said that this release of thousands of classified documents did massive amounts of damage to US National security Weiner is pushing for his release. No kidding
Amen! We have devised a civic system driven by gossip and hyperbole, incapable of responding to reality -- look at the state of our planet! And we are squabbling over what?
I had the opportunity to listen to your show about Weiner. Employees in the federal government who hold security clearances would face the probability of losing their clearance, and ultimately their job, if the type of behavoir demonstrated by Weiner, surfaced in an investigation. I see no reason why elected officials like Weiner should not be held to as high a standard. For that reason, Weiner sould resign, because his behavoir displays poor judgement and instability, which are the reasons for denying one access to classified information. Again, I don't see why elected government officials should not be held to the same standard as employess of the federal gov't in sensitive positions.