Editor's Note: Anne-Marie Slaughter is the Bert G. Kerstetter ’66 University Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. Follow her on Twitter at @slaughteram.
By Anne-Marie Slaughter – Special to CNN
Whenever I give a speech, someone in the audience is likely to come up afterwards and suggest that I run for office. I am flattered, but my response is always the same. If I lived in a country like Britain, where election campaigns are time-limited and publicly funded, I would certainly consider running for office, at least after my children have left home.
But in the American political system I could not imagine putting myself or my family through the endless fundraising, with its attendant focus on rich lobbyists and investors rather than actual constituents, and the relentless media and partisan scrutiny. The price exacted is simply too high, particularly when it is possible to serve in appointed office instead.
I am hardly alone in that calculation. Indeed, in my experience the willingness to run for office is increasingly rare among many of the people whom I would most like to see in Congress or state and local government.
They have to be willing to give themselves up to the public – media included – 24 hours a day, while typically earning only a small fraction of what they could earn in the private sector and accepting the continual frustration of operating in a political and bureaucratic system in which it is harder and harder to get anything good done.
They also have to be competitive, driven, extroverted and highly risk-acceptant. Those are often the characteristics of our most successful economic innovators and entrepreneurs; it is not surprising that many of our most effective political figures – typically the rising stars of their parties - have the same traits. These traits, and indeed success itself, also correlates with high testosterone.
Read: Anne-Marie Slaughter's "Rebellion of an Innovation Mom".
That is the backdrop against which I conclude that Anthony Weiner should not resign, but should instead leave the decision regarding whether he can continue to serve in Congress to his constituents.
I in no way condone his behavior with women; it strikes me exactly as a pathology for which he needs treatment.
He has betrayed his wife and family; it is up to them to decide whether to forgive. And he has indeed compromised the public trust invested in him, which is why his constituents should and will have a chance to decide whether his lies mean they no longer trust him enough to have him represent them.
But consider Bill Clinton and Eliot Spitzer, to take only two of the many, many examples of powerful public men caught in sex scandals (Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Ensign, Mark Sanford, Rudy Giuliani, Gary Hart) or not caught, but revealed later (Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Rockefeller).
I for one am deeply glad that Bill Clinton did not resign; he was one of the best presidents of my lifetime and left the country in far better shape than he found it. His wife and daughter chose to forgive him and to preserve their family, which is their business, not ours. He also breached the public trust by lying, but in my view not to an extent that it affected his ability to govern successfully.
Republicans evidently make the same calculation about their candidates. It is striking that Newt Gingrich and David Vitter, to take only two recent Republican examples, were not abandoned by their supporters on the basis of sex scandals of equal severity and hypocrisy to those of comparable Democrats.
Eliot Spitzer had to resign or face legal action. The circumstances of his case were complicated by the hypocrisy of his targeting prostitution while serving as New York’s attorney general, but on the straight facts he did nothing that countless men have not done, including many in public life who have simply not been caught or have chosen to ride out the scandal.
We rightly condemn that behavior, but again, Spitzer’s wife and three daughters chose to forgive him and to maintain a close family life. (Full disclosure: I have been a friend of Spitzer’s since college and known his wife since law school.) On the other hand, Spitzer fought very hard for a wide range of public reforms in which he passionately believed. The people of New York never got a chance to decide which facet of his behavior mattered more to them.
So back to Anthony Weiner. (Full disclosure: I worked daily with Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, from 2009-2011, but only met Weiner once for five minutes.) His is a classic case of hubris – daring the gods and getting caught. May the resulting humiliation and comeuppance make him a better person, a better husband, and a better public servant. How he weathers this crisis and what he is willing to learn and admit from it will tell us a great deal about what he is really made of. But some of the very characteristics that led to this scandal are, properly channeled, the sources of the kind of bold, decisive, even daring action that this country needs from its leaders.
Absent criminal behavior, which is another category entirely, the issue is whether sexual misconduct undermines a politician’s ability to represent his or her constituents and contribute to the common good. It is certainly legitimate for Weiner’s Congressional colleagues to voice their views that the scandal surrounding his actions is harming the party’s agenda as a whole. But it is equally legitimate for him to insist that in the end his fate should be decided by the good citizens of his district. A government of, by, and for the people should let the people decide.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Anne-Marie Slaughter.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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I agree with the writer. Mr Weiner should not resign.His behavier was no different than others. It is the culture of the country why held public officials to strict codes.Ok he was exposed he said he is sorry leave him alone. let him do the work he was elected to do.by the time he goes for re-election people would forget. if he did a good job representing his constituents they will elect him or reject him.lets concentrate on important factors.
What he did WAS different. It was not necessarily toward a consenting adult. He had no idea if he was speaking with underage girls or not. If he had opened his coat and dropped his drawers in a NYC subway, would you be offended? This is what he did, but electronically! He did it in the gym of the Capitol! Now, LBJ and Clinton had sexual encounters in the oval office...grossly disrespecting the office, by the way, but at least it was with the knowledge that it was two consenting adults. Still horrifying. Do you not remember how embarrassed you were during the Lewinsky scandal? It's time to elect women who at least know how to think above the waist.
I totally disagree. I am a 75 year old male and I have done things that are worse than Weiner did. I have apologized to those persons that I affected.
On the other hand I am doing some very important work on the environment and food supply for the world. Would you like me to crawl in a hole and you starve to death later? I think that given that choice, you would learn to forgive and take the good that persons (male or female) can do.
AGREED! Weiner should go check himself into rehab for sexual deviants. The man is a pervert and some of his "porn pics" was to teenage girls. This is not 'his personal life'.... this is out there in public for all to see because HE sent it out there. I'm tired of saying such behavior is okay and, therefore, teaching a whole generation that values and ethics don't matter.
Interesting all around. I chose not to question or judge Mr. Weiner, that's up to his family, friends and constiuents. What is most interesting is the comment about women and thinking above the waist. Why, because several recently released, reputable studiesentitled "Why Men and Women Cheat" have come out with some very surprising statistics. In this same category of person, driven, motivated, high charged executives and politicians, the results were amazing. Today, while men do cheat regularly, 16% to be exact, it seems that women cheat more, 19% to be exact. So before we characterize men ad cheateers and women as creatures of purity, let's look at all the facts and then say – If you don't want to be dragged thru the mud, then don't get into a wrestling competition with the pigs (the Press) because everyone get's dirty and the pig loves it!
"It's time to elect women who at least know how to think above the waist."
Like Palin & Bachmann? I think they're a little challanged above the waist too.
People really shouldn't play the male/female comparison game. As one comment pointed out, women cheat more than men... and I just got rid of my female cheater... Let the voters in the next election determine whether he stays or goes.
It was not necessarily toward a consenting adult. He had no idea if he was speaking with underage girls or not.
Actually, that's not what the facts support. The facts say that he engaged in inappropriate behavior with women who represented or claimed themselves to be adults.
Nice try.
Have you ever been on the internet? In chat rooms. this is common behavior.
Already I see the lies being spred about the situation. THERE WERE NO LEWD EMAIL OR PICS SENT TO MINORS. No matter how many people try to spred lies about the situation. He flirted with these women and got carried away and sent lewdd pics to some of them. He's an idiot for doing so, but he represents and works hard for policies that help working people in this country.
The matter concerning Weiner does not break any laws, and there is no criminal actavity involved. What about the republican (Vitter) Republicans are participating in money raising events to help him remain in Congress along with money from lobbist. Vitter has violate a law, and there is no pressure from the Republicans. Why aren't Democarats fighting against Vitter who has violated a law? Weiner should not go!
There has been plenty of sexual misbehaviour on both sides of the aisle this year alone (more so with Republicans than any other party) in Congress and in the House, so let's get off this horse that states it is all a Democratic Party characteristic.
And, yes, it should be up to the elected official's constituency to cast the final vote that decides whether or not one should abandon the post to which he was elected. There was no crime committed here, so please, save me the FOXNEWS wheel-spinning rhetoric for those who will buy it.
Thank you. I didn't know that women never had an affair while married. I didn't know women didn't use the internet for anything other than to look up a recipe for that nights dinner. I didn't know that women used the internet for anything other than finding a fabulous sale at Target on a pair of new Reeboks. Yet, there are so many porn sites that are full of women enticing you to come and join them in a cam2cam session. Hmm!
One word for all you GOPs shouting for this guy to resign,STANFORD.
He should resign and reform and prove to all (atleast to his constituents) that he has the will to over come his weakness and show better judgment capabilities. After this he can stand for election again. Else we are sending wrong signals to our next generation. If not what are we saying to our kids its o.k to commit grave mistakes as long as you show your mettle in your "official duty"
Amen, Sister! So sick of hearing the smut involving these huge headed politicians...no WONDER this country is in the dump. BE GONE, WEINER, before we drop a HOUSE on you!
to Peter Robinson: I hope you are not implying that Weiner's job is so important that the world is going to die from hunger because of it. In fact that doesn't even do good job at what he is doing. The only notable legislation that he introduced was to increase visa quotas for Brazilian models. (Duh!..) Besides that, his only job so far has been trying to bite the opposing party and show up at small time news conferences and celebratory parades.
The author is wrong on two major points. First her argument amounts to, "if every one else does it, so should he," which is an elementary school level logic because two wrongs don't make it right. But most importantly, she ignores the fact that the scandal is not about Weiner's weiner. It's about the "integrity" with which he put an agressive spin on the entire situation. From perjuring at a press conference, to an aggressive media rounds, to calling journalists names, to even coaching the women and offering them professional PR help. Do you want a politician who responces to an issue by unlishing a prefessional PR team instructed to lie? It's his spin that is the most offensive here. No body really cares about his weinner.
Thank you VR!!!! I've been saying all over the place that I really dont' care WHO he sexts with (as long as they are consenting adults). That's an issue for him and his wife to work out. The issue I have was the way he handled the situation once he was 'outed.' He lied, attacked, misled, and then lied some more for good measure. And YES I do have a big problem with elected officials standing in front of my lying their @$$3$ off and then telling me I'M the crazy one for expecting anything better!
I feel bad for poor politician, who got horny and released his stress while his busy powerplayer wife was out working overtime. Leave the guy alone, he was good at his job so let him work. I am sure his wife doesn't care, so why should you??? Privacy, please.
Peter Robinson: "On the other hand I am doing some very important work on the environment and food supply for the world".
And this is supposed to excuse whatever it was you did? Don't think so. Sounds just like a typical Liberal.
I actually meant my "women can think above the waist" a little tongue in cheek, although I can see I scared some of you.
Our elected officials are entrusted with a few precious and rare gifts-faith/trust that they will do what they promise while respecting their office and the people they serve; and after careful consideration, our thoughtful vote.
Once again, people...he flashed himself electronically! He admitted in public at his public apology speech that he had no way of knowing whether or not the women in question were younger than they presented themselves. He behaved disgracefully and then proceeded to blame someone else. Do the words, "It's a Right Wing Conspiracy" ring any bells? Do I think that others who did so should have gotten away with it??? No, regardless of their party affiliation! You have no way of knowing this, but I commented in a similar manner when folks on the other side of the aisle made this sort of self-absorbed, arrogant, narcissitic blunder.
Our politicians need to be held to a slightly higher standard than toothless neanderthals who happen to own a laptop with internet access.
Say what you like about Sarah Palin, I liked her at first but find her a "distraction" now. There are plenty of other woman who should not have the posts they have been awarded either, like Woolsey and Pelosi, but at least they have thus far not tweeted naked pictures of themselves for the world to see.
to VR13– No he did not "perjure" himself at a press conference, one cannot perjure oneself at a press conference, only in court. What he did was lie. And if we forced every politician who ever lied to resign, well, we wouldn't have a government. I agree with the author of the editorial. If a crime is not committed it should be up to those who elected him to decide his political fate.
@RG: Sammuramat, Cleopatra, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Isabella I of Castile, Catherine de Medici, Amina, Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Abigail Adams, Susan B. Anthony, Victoria Woodhull, Eleanor Roosevelt, Shirley Chisholm, Mickey Siebert, Mary Kay Ash, Margaret Thatcher, Marjorie Scardino, Shelly Lazarus, Andrea Jung, Cathleen Black, Anne Mulcahy, Brenda Barnes, and Indra K. Nooyi (to name a few) . . . out of all of these great women in history (and some current leaders), you chose to name Palin and Bachman to use to prove your incorrect and seemingly misogynistic assumption that women are “a little challanged [sic] above the waist too? Shame on you!
The same old elementary school argument – everyone else is doing it. If you can't trust his judgement on things such as this, what can you trust his judgement on?
I ask you the question. Are you without sin? If you are without sin, then I will elect you to be pope and you can oversee and condone the sexual molestation of children.
I ask you the question. Are you without sin? If you are without sin, then I will elect you to be pope and you can oversee and condone the sexual molestation of children.
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A house of proper conduct and ethics is in order and long overdue. I would hope that one day we elect people who can be a role model to our children. It is my hope that congress will clean house and get rid of these sexual offenders. Public officials should be held to a higher standard, as personal and professional conduct is intertwined in politics. Should David Vitter and Barney Frank be forced to resign?Yes. Larry Craig for soliciting gay prostitution? In the past he should have. Should Weiner resign? Yes. It does not matter what party the public servant belongs to. If we continue to excuse unprofessional conduct on the notion of "oh you sinned so excuse his behavior", this kind of perversion in congress will continue, as it is the case with Weiner testing the waters by texting a 17 year old girl.
I can't trust his judgement on women and relationships. I can trust his judgement on UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, PROTECTING WORKING FAMILIES, LOWERING THE COSTS OF EDUCATION. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT FROM HYDROFRACING. GETTING US OUT OF WARS. AND REPRESENTING WORKING PEOPLE.
Clinton commited aldutry, but remained as president and Left the country with no deficit nor high Unemployment. George W Bush left America in shambles with two wars, and an economy situation that was terrible, but no one wanted him to go. also 9:11 happen on W's watch, but he compleated his term. After all of this why does Weiner have to go. After all his act was trival, cmpaired to the Afore Mention.
Jetson: "I can't trust his judgement on women and relationships. I can trust his judgement on ..." Soooooo do you trust his judgement and ability to tell the truth when he's caught with his pants down (pun intended)? I certainly don't. I'm just glad he's not the Congressman from MY district!
Wow Lindsey ... do we have a short memory or what??? No one wanted "W" to go??? Where the heck were YOU for his 8 years in office? All I heard from the Left what how George needed to be impeached and thown out of office. And for the record ... 9/11 happened 9 mos after Bush took office and yet you're trying to blame him for that. Obama has been in office for 3 YEARS and NOTHING is his fault?! Convenient.
As for Weiner .... I couldn't care less who he sexts with. The problem I have is that he stood in front of the public and for days insisted that he didn't do it. That he was the victim of a hacker. He stood there and LIED with a straight face and made it like everyone else was ganging up on him unfairly. Well it turns out the he was the creapy little perv that it looked like he was (and then some!). So YES .... I do have a BIG problem with an elected official can stand in front of the cameras and lie to that extent (and then get p!ssed because he got caught!).
I have to disagree with Lawrence. I am sick of people's personal lives be open targets because they are politicians, celebrities or whatever. They get paid to do a job....period! Athletes should not have to behave a certain way. I may not like the way some of them behave, but they are paid to play a sport...not be ambassadors or heroes.
It is the public that oversteps their bounds by wanting to know every little scandal of people and placing expectations on people's private lives.
. As long as they don't break the law, they don't have to answer to me. As others have said, the only people who can judge them on this issue are the people that have been directly affected.
And my guess is that if it were a conservative you would be demanding his head on a platter. As far as his judgement on things such as the Obama healthcare bill – if he voted for that mess it proves his poor judgement. Your comment about protecting working families indicates to me that you are probably a union person.....continuing to be a slave on the democrat plantation. Sad that so many can't even see that they are slaves.....
jheron - As long as they don't break the law, they don't have to answer to me.
You see. THAT is the problem with our country. Guess what people elected officials DO answer to you. They are YOUR employee. You've hired them to do a job and they work for you. I would get fired from my job if I took naked photos of myself in the men's room at work and posted them on the internet. Why should I expect LESS from a Congressman then MY employer expects of me?????
Peter Robison: You miss the point entirely. Our elected officials need to be held to a higher standard. Weiner has proven he can be manipulated. He's weak-minded and has no business representing us in Congress.
I totally agree. I think the journalists are on a witch hunt and they don't have to hunt as hard for the really criminal acts from politicians, like robbing us blind, as long as they can suck on this story. He admitted lying, which is more than Charlie Rangel did and he still thinks he did no wrong.
It's not journalists on a witch hunt, it's partisan politicians playing to their sanctimonious constituents. As long as these bozos are trying to impose some puritanical religious/moral codes on the rest of us, they can get by with any kind of crime, corruption or sheer laziness and refusal to do their actual jobs. Why do you think they're spending so much time on trying to make a legal medical procedure impossible to obtain? Is that going to create the 20 million jobs we desperately need? Is that going to put an end to the trillions of dollars of corporate subsidies and corporate welfare for hugely profitable companies that rob us blind and ship our jobs to China? Is that going to reduce the red ink in the budget or keep the US from defaulting on its financial obligations? No, all this moralizing is just a smokescreen for doing nothing except getting re-elected again and again and again. And puritanical Americans fall for it every time. Let Weiner's wife and his constituents judge him. In the meantime, all I have to say to those partisans in Congress is GET BACK TO WORK AND DO YOUR DAMNED JOBS!
I totally agree...and it's up to his constituents and his wife to decide his future, not the media nor his colleagues!
So now the libs are using the "Everyone else is doing it" defense to protect this smarmy little pervert. No mention at all that he was tweeting an underage girl during all this, that he lied to the American public, made false accusations that his account was hacked, all while cheating on his pregnant wife.
How sad that you can judge others without even knowing them or completely what took place. Heaven help you if someone decides to broil you one day.
What underage girl? Last I heard the one that came forward was 21.
Seems that people take what the press puts in the title to an article and draw their own conclusions. The tweet to the high school student was investigated and nothing inappropriate was found in his contact with her. But morons will twist the truth to make their hate claims.
There can be nothing appropriate about a grown man tweeting a high school girl.....
What underage girl? Last I heard the one that came forward was 21.
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He was texting a 17 year old girl. While the local authorities found nothing inappropriate, I believe he may have been "fishing for prey". It would not surprise me if something of a sexual nature was sought by Weiner. Both Democrat and Republican politicians, from various positions on a state and federal level, have been found to have made inappropriate physical contact with minors. Chris Hansen would have a field day with Weiner.
Mel Reynolds (D) (1994): Sexual relationship with 16-year-old campaign volunteer.
Neil Goldschmidt (D) (2004): Admitted to having a relationship with a 14-year-old girl in the 1970s.
Roosevelt Dobbins (D) (2005): Congressman form Arkansas, pleaded guilty to fondling a 16-year-old.
Jon Grunseth (R) (1990): Swam nude with group of 13-year-old girls; suspended gubernatorial run.
Dan Crane (R) (1983): Reprimanded for having sex with a teenage House page.
Buz Lukens (R) (1989): Spent time in jail after having sex with a 16-year-old girl.
Shirley: Soooo you're defending what Weiner did? If so I have to question your character (as well as your sanity). You Liberal excuse-makers make me wanna puke.
Heaven forbid we actually leave party out of this, tolerance my showered rear end. When will we expect more from those that wish to be one of 535+1 to represent 300 million? I don’t demand perfection, just a bit of self-control and dedication to the job outside of self. If that is too much to ask don’t seek or keep the job
I agree. Stop tweeting and txting pics of yourself and start focusing on the job that the people of your district voted you in to do.
can you point me to an article where it states he wasn't doing his job or is doing his job badly? yeah don't bother searching cuz they dont exist...
can you point me to an article where it states he wasn't doing his job or is doing his job badly? yeah don't bother searching cuz they dont exist...
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Taking pictures of ones engorged Jimmy and then using an employer provided office and employer provided equipment to mass produce said image on employer paid time in the attempt to solicit sexual relations from a variety of women (including porn stars and underage 17-year olds) is not only a textbook definition of a poor employee, but a criminal mind as well. This, of course, says nothing about the fact that he also LIED about it MULTIPLE TIMES.
The fact that he is still around and is not behind bars after mass exposing himself to the world and attempting inappropriate relations with 17-year olds only shows the type of power (and money) circles he runs in. Guess he wasn't kidding when he told the porn star, " I have a great PR team." After all, you and the vast majority of the incompetent and ingnorant masses of the world are buying it.
No, he must resign!!! Why this kind of person should create a law for us the rest? Why he should tell us how to pay our taxes, what country to fight in the war, what actions to take... Do you think he would forgive you? Also, in addition, he is a liar!! He first tell that someone hacked his computer, and only when was pressed, admitted his beahavior. So, again, the liar would create a law?
Maybe you should start investigating all of the people in Washington, your state and city governments too. You would be surprised at how their closets look. They are no different than the rest of us and have the same little idiosyncrasies you and I do. Granted, his got out of hand, but he admitted it. In the meantime we feed on this and they suck our country dry while we feed. How sadddddddd!
Well here is the main issue. Elliot put people into long term jail sentences, now he is free on his own law. This is rediculou America, wake up, you idols make laws, break them and jail the common man.
WAKE UP!
We let law makers put the common man in jail for years while they commit the same crimes. Elliot committed a federal offense of bringing prostitutes accross state lines. Weiner reported a false felony.
America WAKE UP!!! HAlf are jails are filled with lessor criminals.
@NoMosquesinUS
Off the topic, you are too late buddy..There are mosques and muslims in US, you better deal with it or take a bus back to nazi germany
If he just had an affair, maybe just maybe I would defend him. But this guy is off. While i have thought about my cute co-worker a time or two, I have never ever ever thought that I would text her a picture of my bon*er. This guy needs to go. I am an independent that votes Democrat 2/3 times.
I agree that he is "off," and this iindicates a deeper pathology and something antisocial; something is wrong with his mind. For me, this transcends conventional flouting of morality and enters the arena of perversion - creepily exposing himself to virtual strangers - let alone the age factor that could have been involved. His aggression and exhibitionism are actually anti-female.This diverges from all of those other men given as examples. They either had or were trying for a consensual adult relationship, even if outside the bounds of matrimony. Weiner is different, and I think most people realize that. There is no reason to conflate what he did with the others, except perhaps that senator who was stalking underage pages. Weiner's lying is troubling as well. How could we ever expect transparency and frankness from this manipulator? As a democrat, I say he has to go.
What was the Republicans name David Vetter who paid prostitutes and he is still in office
Good God,did you see the x-rated version.I can not believe he wasn't arrested.Who's guiltier, Anthony,or a flasher in Central Park.It's been 10 days.Has anyone seen a condemnation from the "Feminists"?
Fred, feminism is about equal participation in society, economy, religion, etc. It's an idea, not a caricature. You may find that you are surrounded by feminists of either gender in your own family!
You are right, he has done nothing worse than others. Others are gone as should he be.
David Vitter hired a PROSTITUTE and is still in office. Try again?
Okay Jon .... so NY Congressman Chis Lee (R) posted a shirtless picture of himself on Craigslist looking for "consentual out of wedlock encounters". He was run out of office. How is Weiner's nakede posts on twitter of higher moral character as to excuse HIS behavior and allow him to remain in office?
Wiener is a pervert. He will resign because he just didn't start being a pervert this year. The longer he stays in office, more perverted things will be discovered and exposed by the media. It will only get worse and more slimy. He knows it and will go. Three days max – mark my words.
Our dear Congressman Weiner has gone beyond the bounds of decency. Have you heard the latest news about Mr. Weiner? Virtually every day we read about a new Weiner surprise. This is better than a soap opera. His admitted behaviors are sordid, creepy and deceptive. I am wondering when his photos start showing up the "Up your Alley" B&D venue at the San Francisco annual Folsom Street Fair? I just ran a search and yes, his photos are being traded like baseball cards. I can't believe Ms. Pelosi doesn't know this, they are her constituents Is this "constituent service" ?
All you jokers who think he should say are shameless scumbags. Obviously your barometer against which you measure behavior is out of whack. Get this whining pushy scumbag out of office, now.
Right, and you've never looked at porn on the Internet. Should we look at YOUR computer history and judge YOU? My issue with him is he lied–not that it was anyone's business beyond if he broke any laws. So far, it appears he hasn't.
Oh, believe me my computer is filled with porn, to the brim. However, we're not talking about me. We're talking about an elected official who is lying. What else has he lied about? i don't think we want proven liars in office. Or maybe you do.
Technokat – the difference between he and us is that we didn't run for office. We don't represent millions of Americans, and our votes don't shape the futures of hundreds of millions of Americans. I'm sick and tired of the excuse that everyone else cheats, or mostly everyone engages immoral behavior.
He is in a position of extreme influence and power. Behaving in such a way proves a major character flaw – but examine it from the position of blackmail. Being dumb enough to send photos such as the ones he sent opens up the integrity of the Congress to clear blackmail attempts.
Would you trust a Congressman who routinely frequents bars, gets blackout drunk, and leaves his office keys and passwords on tables?
What Weiner did was a security threat against our country, no matter how you slice it.
Newsflash folks! I just heard that the congressman has given us yet another "Weiner" moment. Do I see Congressman Barney Frank in that photo? The one where Weiner is shooting photos in the Congressional locker room. It looks like a Congressional "bath house". So this is how our elected representatives work? I thought it was illegal to take pictures in a shower room? Ohj well...another "Weiner" moment. I like the one where he is trying to flex his muscles in the mirror. This Weiner's "disco days" are over. It's time to be an adult and not a juvenile.
Hey Reggie,
You might consider taking your own advice "It's time to be an adult and not a juvenile." and stop referring to the Congressman as "the Weiner" or his actions as "the Weiner moment". What he did was wrong, deifinitely, but you're undermining your own arguments by acting juvenile yourself.
So if he says he's sorry it's ok? What planet do you live on?
What HUGH standards you obviously have for those that run our country ... right into the ground!
What a joke "his behavior was the same as others" argument. Way to keep you standards high. This man lied to everyone. I think we as a nation can do a little better than that. This has nothing to do with sex and everything to do about lying. Stop being so short sighted and DEMAND more honesty and intergrity out of your elected officials.
What both he and Clinton did WAS very different from the rest. In both cases they strongly denied any wrongdoing, maligned the press and those who implicated them and wasted enormous amounts of time and created unnecessary distractions. The act(s) could be forgiven, but a persistent liar is a persistent liar. I don't think rehab can cure it either. But if you thought Clinton was one of the best Presidents you have seen then I guess it's clear how you could get to thinking the Weiner is one of the best Congressmen you have seen.
I would have agreed with you perhaps initially, before the scandal that just keeps on giving. Whether or not a crime was committed is for others to decide. At some point however, we need to draw a line. We have become such a crude, all about me society that we seem to have no boundaries, no class left whatsoever. When you have an elected official exposing himself on line for all the world to see, I'm sorry, where then do you draw the line? He is no different than the guy in the park who open his raincoat to strangers to expose himself. Would you have elected this person to anything? Probably not. I agree - politics is a nasty business and with the available technology, good politicians and their families have nowhere to hide. Then again, for all of their ideological faults, most politicians don't expose themselves to strangers.
Weiner is a pervert. Everyone appears afraid to identify him as a pevert. If the people of NYC what to be represnted by such a person that is okay with me. But he didn't show bad judgement he would is a sex offender.
On the contrary. If I had run up to a woman in Central Park and exposed my genitals to here. I would be guilty of a Felony. Wiener sent pictures of his Genitalia to women he did not know personally and now he's off trying the "rehab" defense to save his career. What's the difference?
It's not his Hubris, or Arrogance, or Ego or even his creepy internet habits I have a problem with: ITS HIS JUDGEMENT!
This man is elected and paid by us to manage the country and craft and update sensible legislation that helps that process. There is an explicit expectation of trust and credibility in this elected politician that has been shattered.
His first reaction to being caught red-handed was to deny and obfuscate and see if the issue went away. When it got bigger and became clear there was a lot more material out there of him – some of it creepy – he then played the "I need help" card like weak minded celebrities do when they get caught.
The bottom line is: He's creepy, arrogant, lies and cheats to his constituents, clearly lied to his wife and close friends and shows the survival instincts of the cornered wharf rat. Is that really the caliber of person we want running our country? – We shouldnt complain about the state of the country if we don't hold our politicians accountable for a basic set of behavioral standards. if you wouldnt dream of sending pictures of your c**k to strange women then it shouldnt be acceptable for your Congressman either.
Hey CNN! Let's Cover some real news!! Why are you not inviting Governor Gary Johnson to the debate!? Are you afraid he will pull votes away from obummer with his stance on legalization and other social issues?
What Weiner did is neither as sleazy nor as destructive – not nearly – as selling the American people a load of hogwash about Iraq being a threat to the United States. Remember, those guys all said that THEY KNEW FOR CERTAIN that Saddam had WMDs.
Do you even remember 2001? I do. I remember PRIOR TO 9/11 that the UN was grappling over what to do about Iraq. A condition of the surrender in the earlier Gulf war (remember when they invaded Kuwait?) was that Iraq would not create chemical and biological weapons and would allow UN inspections to verify this. Iraq had repeatedly cancelled inspections, misled inspectors, etc. Do you remember any of this????? There were factories that the UN wanted to inspect. Prior to the inspection, satelite photos showed empty trucks arriving at the facility and then leaving full. (This was determined by the depth of the tire tracks in the sand.) Maybe Iraq didn't have WMD, but they sure tried to convince the world that they did. The debate over what the UN should do about Iraq got hijacked by 9/11.
Do you remember ANY of this or are you just spouting whatever the party line tells you? Prior to 9/11, how did you feel about the Iraqi/UN tussle over the ceasefire agreement? What were your opinions then? Do some research. Read political pieces written about Iraq prior to 9/11. Discover the whole debate and try to form an independent opinion.
I wonder how you feel about the decision to enter WWII. The US was attacked by Japan and we immediately entered a prolonged war in EUROPE. If you think our involvement ended in 1945 and our troops all returned home immediately, then you are sadly mistaken.
"Aww, everybody does it, Mom!" says Johnny. And what does mom say to Johnny? She says, "I don't care what everybody else does. I care what YOU do."
If he does not have any better decision making skills than to send out pictures of himself over the internet in various forms of undress, I certainly do not want him in Congress voting on any thing. It's not just his consituents that have a say so. He could head up a committee and with his decision making process that would be WRONG>
Guys like Weiner are a dime a dozen. He has/adds no more value in the House to his constituents than another elected rep., past or future. No one over the age of 10 needs to be told that men everywhere engage in immoral peccadilloes, as well as unethical purposeful and repeated lying. Fine. Just don't do it on the taxpayer dime. Men who do this stuff are too stupid to be in such powerful positions of govt. They need to remain in the private sector. If Weiner doesn't resign, then his constituents ought not re-elect him. It's a safe bet that no one in Congress will campaign for him, nor will anyone in this administration come near him. He's toast, burned by his own hand.
It reveals something about his character that makes him unfit for office. It's downright appauling that this is not universally recognized. It's a reflection of a degredation of our culture which is indeed tragic.
For those of you not trapped in the quicksand of this cesspool, I can assure you he will resign. There is not the slightest doubt.
He will resign. We will be flushing the toilet later this week. I guarentee it. Wait til his wife gets back.
Absolutely ..... we should just continue to except the continuing decline of morals, expectations and standards in not only our fellow citizens, but particluarly in our leaders. It sets such a wonderful example for our peers and our children to know that you can be in a leadership role and take photos of your private parts and text them and it's OK! Why not, it's not like these people are suppose to be setting the example ...... Oh, wait a minute, I forgot I wasn't a left wing nut job for just a second there. Never mind this posting!
Well if you want to have em send you pictures of him then you go for it...the rest of the country including the people he represents shouldnt have a ja**ass exposing himself to who knows who. If you'd done that you'd be locked up as a pervert. Just because he's a congressman doesn't make him "pretty to look at" nor should he lie about such things to the public as elected official
Christopher Lee resigned under pressure for posting a topless pic on Craigslist. Both parties must be quick to distance themselves from these kind of actions, to say that one should go five months ago for a topless pic, and then let someone off the hook for sending numerous #*$(*() shots is highly hypocritical. Equal treatment should be given to both parties, regardless of who you vote for. Perhaps the worst part of this story was the cover up itself. Coming clean would have had at least been a step in the right direction.
the job he has requires someone with morals and an unwillingness to lie. ...he's not that person. he can't do the job he was elected to do. if none of this stuff matters, why do they even have an ethic committe? ...because it does matter.
why wait for the next election. why not hold a public referendum for his constituents now. You may be surprised by the results. Maybe that would change your thinking.
I agree it should be up to his constituents and not the entire country. I disagree that everyone's problems with him are about sex/sexual activities and/or are personal to him and his wife/family. What he did shows a shocking lack of control over his impulses and really poor decision-making skills–that's why I personally would want him to resign. There is no counseling for this type of personality disorder; he will not be "cured" and suddenly able to act rationally. People should just accept what many of us have had to learn–that such liars live among us, are very good at fooling almost everyone and are usually very personable. That doesn't mean we want them making any decisions "for the people."
I totally disagree with this writer. Mr. Weiner, I'm sure, has all of the positve qualities listed by this professor. But Congressman Weiner has demonstrated not just bad decisions, but horribly bad judgment! If his wife forgives him, that's great. I'm sure she'll be on his case and checking up on him for the remainder of their marriage. He should do the honorable thing and resign. If this man can screw over his own family, what more would he do to his constituants? Why should anyone trust him? Why should he be given a second chance at this time? He should not be able to hold so much political power while in therapy. He should resign, get help, prove himself, then seek reelection.
Yes of course. All sworn members of Congress are s3xting salacious emails and nud3 photos of themselves to multiple strangers and cultivating online relationships with teenagers while using government facilities at the same time they are a newlywed with a pregnant wife.
Oh by all mean, let's keep filth like this in office. Whom better to serve the American people.
=|
Liberals have no morals or values. as long as someone is willing to give you other people money you don't care what they do. I can't imagine living in a country full of you people. you would defend rapist is they supported teh liberal agenda. No wonder our country is in the tubes.
He (Weiner) also breached the public trust by lying, but in my view not to an extent that it affected his ability to govern successfully.
Good Grief....This writer is smoking weed.......His view? I suppose lying goes hand in hand with politics.
My problem with Weiner is the fact that he LIED so openly, repeatedly and defiantly, THAT IS SOMESONE WHO IS SUSEPTIBLE TO BRIBES and EXTORTION. He cannot be trusted period. Any politician who, when caught red handed lies, lies and lies again and again is an unstable loose cannon. And I don’t care what frigging party they belong to. And party leaders need to put on their big boy panties and take a stand against this.
What ever happened to integrity? This man called a press conference and lied about his twitter account being hacked, he kept lying to the public for a entire week claiming he was victimized. Only when one of the women came out that he was sending sexual pictures to did he come clean. Does honesty no matter anymore? He lies to well.
Disagree with the author entirely. The "everyone else is doing it" approach is, indeed, HIGHLY false logic and a very slippery slope (one people should have become aware of as early as kindergarten). First, I can assure you that everyone is NOT doing it. There are many elected public officials who still have a sense of morality, decency, honesty and fidelity. This man's problems were greatly exacerbated when he showed his character by lying in addition to his highly unprofessional behavior. Second, we NEED to hold our elected officials to extremely high standards. I can assure you that if this man were an attorney in my home state, he surely would have been fired from any big firm job he held and would have most certainly have had his license to practice law suspended (if not entirely revoked).
There is no excuse for this man's behavior. His actions were BEYOND unprofessional and were BEYOND unethical. If we are not going to demand quality and character from our government leaders, then surely do not expect quality from our government. Actions such as these should not be tolerated from our elected officials regardless of political affiliation.
Like so many before you, you – and the author – are sadly missing the most important part of the Weiner scandal. Whether you have committed similar or more egregious acts or you have not, the fact remains that Weiner and other politicians are held to a higher standard because their job requires it.
Actions such as Weiner's immediately jeopardize our system of government. Suppose one of his internet girls threatened to go public with photographs and email excerpts had he not changed his position on some minor vote here or there. Do you not think that Weiner would rather vote NAY or PRESENT on something he otherwise would have given a positive vote, than face a legacy of ridicule and disgust his family?
The undeniable fact is that such activity, while privately disgusting and immoral, is reprehensibly irresponsible for a person sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution of these United States.
Leave it to a CNN audience and panel of reporters to miss this entire facet of the story, while other news outlets (mainly foreign press) cover it repeatedly.
The thing he did wrong is lied and implicated others for his action. The internet stuff was sad and showed one stupid politician. The lying thing should eliminate him from his position. He led and let law agencies focus on what he knew was wrong.
Maybe Mr. Shinde, Mr. Weiner reflect your personal morals, however we do not vote for our officials to reflect the "culture" of the people or "society". The culture of people is too diverse and too prone to faddishness. We vote for them to "stand" for honor, respect, honesty and have good moral standings at all times as a public official. Public servants who display Weiner's behavior are a danger to his constituents and his state, as his actions reflect those of someone who can be bought and sold by the power of the "genitals". Our officials cannot be bought for the price of a prost*tution fee. Officials like Weiner place themselves in the position of being blackmailed and vulnerable to vote on important matters pertaining to the interest of his "pubic" instead of the interest of the "public". We do not need pubic officical. His actions and actions of those like him certainly do not reflect me or what I stand for or why I voted for him. He should know better and was expected to do better. He will become a rotten apple to the bunch and pretty soon, dont expect much out of his constituents either, except mayble nude photos of themselves on "twitter" world!
Mr. Shinde, Mr. Weiner may reflect your personal morals, however we do not vote for our officials to reflect the "culture" of the people or "society". The culture of people is too diverse and too prone to faddishness with lots of idiocracys. We vote for them to "stand" for honor, respect, honesty and have good moral standings at all times as a public official. Public servants who display Weiner's behavior are a danger to his constituents and his state, as his actions reflect those of someone who can be bought and sold by the power of the "genitals". Our officials cannot be bought for the price of a prost*tution fee. Officials like Weiner place themselves in the position of being blackmailed and vulnerable to vote on important matters pertaining to the interest of his "pubic" instead of the interest of the "public". We do not need pubic officical. His actions and actions of those like him certainly do not reflect me or what I stand for or why I voted for him. He should know better and was expected to do better. He will become a rotten apple to the bunch and pretty soon, dont expect much out of his constituents either, except mayble nude photos of themselves on "twitter" world!
The author is "spot on" and this individual needs professional help. Having said that and the pain he has caused his new wife who is in the early months of pregnancy, he has been an outstanding advocate for New Yorkers and more recently for those who suffered grave illnesses as a result of 9/11. Mr. Weiner is a great man but has personal issues he needs to address and that is the size of it! This is free and "cheap" journalism. I wish the assault on him would end! Mr. Weiner, let's get back to the business of the people. Thank you for your past great service to New York!
Please keep this line of reasoning going. Everyone needs to know how liberals, not all Democrats, think. We need this kind of knucklehead logic to come to the fore so we can vote such folks out of office. Absolutely ridiculous.
It is different -he is a congress man. This is why the country is going down the sewer. He is a married man sending crotch pictures to underage woman and legal woman. I am an independent and a demorcrat. Hre lied to everyone after the fact---do you really want someone like this in a leadership role?
The photos were not sent between consenting adult!s! That is the BIG LIE! Multiple women have stated the conversations were not sexual in nature on their part. This sick freak just started trying to expose himself. No different then if had just wipped it out like freaks do on the bus or subway to young women. They guy is a freak. Pure and simple. The women did NOT ask for this. The writer of this article is trying to compare this to an affair. That would be like calling a guy who exposes himself to young women and affair.
He is just a Weiner that went rogue. Or is that "mavericky"?
HE LIED! FOR DAYS!! Plain and simple!!! And he would have stuck with his lie if the evidence hadn't proved him wrong. How can we be expected to trust our government when this type of behavior is accepted? It's easier to just forgive and move on. We need to take a tougher stance and hold people accountable for their actions!! Otherwise we have only ourselves to blame!!
Rep Weiner is a risk to this country. If this had not all become public, would his lewd messages or behavior have made him the target of blackmail? Would he have sold votes or paid money to keep it secret? I know his constituents have a lot invested in him, but COME ON people. Why can't we just have normal, excellent people in office?
Unfortunately, you totally missed the point here. I agree. We can be Quakers when it comes to what we view as moral or immoral behavior sometimes but exposing yourself to the world in such a predatory way crosses any line of basic decency. What next? Child molesters? Although members of both parties have had their share of scandal, at a time when both parties are fighting hard for a major election, the last thing you want to be is the last party on top with such a scandal. It is disaster for Democrats and a distraction from the real issues plaguing this country. He needs to go.
I sit back and watch people justify this character being a public figure and guiding our country. Really, this guy is the flasher who prays on people but you want to keep him around you? Just do not get it. It is fine he fooled his NY people but NOW we know what he IS.....a bottomfeeder who needs a lot of help and that does not include guiding our country.
“Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust be men of unexceptionable characters. The public cannot be too curious concerning the character of public men.” – Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, November 4, 1775
Haven't any of you seen the south park about sex addicts?!?!?! if not, you should watch it.....southparkstudios.com
It's the fact that he, sometimes to the point of aggitation, LIED about it EVERY time he was asked/interviewed about it. So...Not just 'A LIE'...a vertiable shytload of them. I don't need this guy representing me. We have enough liars as it is. Only difference is..he got 'caught'. They're all pretty much interchangable at this point anyway.
The problem is the poor judgement Rep. Weiner exercised when emailing lewd photos that is the problem. The cover up is. The lies and false accusations are the problem. He hurt his wife and family when he made the decision to email the pictures. But he hurt the American people, especially his constituents, when he stood up there and lied and libelled. If you look at the various scandals, those who survive and those who don't usually comes down to the cover up. Look at the difference between Arnold Schwartznegger and John Edwards. Both had children out of wedlock. When the media discovered it, one lied and one apologized. Guess which one is going survive the scandal?
Anthony Wiener came to office as the annoited replacement for Charles Schumer. He was Schumer's tireless body man and eventually gained access to the elite Tuesday night cigar and poker parties that included Schumer and Alan Hevesi (who got into his own trouble), and at times Eliot Spitzer (who ran the gammit). Wiener has always been the wannabe and has developed as only a so-so light-weight. The district has PLENTY of capable, saavy candidates that also carry the moral suay in the legislative process our district deserves. It is part of the job of a congressional representative to interact with his or her peers and gain support through mutuality and compromise to gain resources for his or her district. This implies mutual respect between peers. Wiener has lost ALL ability to serve his district in the manner it deserves. It no longer about him, but the best interests of his district. He should resign immediately.
This country is messed up because of its dysfunctional electoral system. Eliminate gerrymandering and the electoral college would help a lot.
You have said one of the most intelligent things I have read on this page. EVERYONE SHOULD BE READING THIS AND PURSUING THIS INSTEAD OF WEINER.
II am not pursuing "Weiner"...:"Weiner" is pursuing us. I would not be surprised to see him interviewed by Chris Hansen of "To catch a Predator" fame. C.H: ..."Whats your excuse?" Weiner: "This is the very FIRST time ...I need some counseling and a leave of absence.." What Weiner needs is an intervention. But who will do it? Bill Clinton? Barney Frank? Former FNMA Chief James Ready?
As a Canadian I would say he should not resign. The whole thing is just plain silly. The whole American culture appears to be based on punishment. I would say because what he did was a foolish thing he has learned his lesson and become a better person for it. It simply is lesson for all that you have to be careful what you post on social media as even a mundane post can be taken out of context.
Totally agree with you and I live here. They have turned into vultures. What they don't realize is that as long as they are in a frenzy over this, the rest of Washington goes on robbing us blind. LOLOL
Yes, including the politicians in Washington robbing us blind by using government equipment, resources, and paid time to post pictures of their dillywhacker to a large variety of women on the internet.
This man is not only a disgusting example or immorality, but is dishonest on any number of levels and, yes, should go.
Here in Europe we see adultery not a crime. History has seen kings, presidents and prime ministers as notorious philanderers. As long as they separate private life from public functions, nobody complains.
I know – everybody in the US is so focused on sex scandals. He did not break a law, yeah he lied – that was stupid but not illegal. Why resign? Only perfect people can servce in the US?
This is not an affair, this is a pervert who is sick and has been lying and stalking women on the internet. If that type of behavior is acceptable in Europe for your polticians, then so be it, but that's not acceptable in the US, and hardly because of some puritanical sense of morality. It's called ethics.
Also, you should take a look at Weiner commenting on the Gov. of New Jersey, Patterson, after he was caught cheating on his wife. He said himself that Patterson should resign and that he was no longer fit to lead. Hypocrisy!
Kristin, can you prove he was stalking women? I didn't think so. This type of behavior is a more overt way of "getting one's freak on" as the saying goes. In the past, members of congress just spent intimate time with adult magazines filled with photos of strangers. Now they are spending intimate time online with real adult strangers. Who gives a hoot about his personal "recreation?" The problem is: he lied about the situation. IMO, that is the worst part.
Adultery – especially when mixed with scandalous pictures and explicit dialogue with strangers – leads to a situation where extortion and blackmail can easily become prevalent. For that reason, I disagree entirely with your European opinion. There are countless examples of abuses in power all over Europe, from actual political figures to Olympic committees to Football leagues. Turning away from the problem rather than facing it is not the answer.
The answer is tougher penalties, more transparency, and accountability for ones actions.
To put it as simply as I can – if you don't want your atrocities to matter, don't put yourself in a public position of trust and leadership.
Two words, "European Politics." Nuff said. No thanks, but we Americans would rather have quality people in our government BECUASE we actually care about quality government. We don't want 40 and 50 something year-old men trying to solict from 17-year olds or spending work days posting pictures of their dillywhacker to a variety of women and porn stars behind their wife's backs.
Indeed, half the comments on this page prove only one thing, that the Dick actually does have a VERY good PR team and a wiener-full of money to spend.
First of all, Weiner lives in my neighborhood and is also my Congressman. I won't say whether I voted for him, though. However, as a member of Congress, he represents the American people – all of them since he votes on bills affecting everyone in the country, not just his district.
Anyway, the real problem always lies with the coverups. I use the term coverup a bit loosely since this isn't on the scale of Nixon's or even Clinton's issues. Still, I expect public officials to hold themselves accountable for their actions (note the term public). If he is willing to lie about something this trivial then I've lost any faith in his ability to be honest about anything.
Whether or not he is a good politician is really immaterial. All he really does is vote the way his party leaders tell him as would any replacement which would certainly be a democrat. Any idiot can do that. I've generally believed that Weiner is not an idiot, although recent events show me otherwise. His sexting shows poor judgement but his repeated denials shows poor character. At the end of the day, that's what you are voting for.
In any event. should he not resign I really doubt his district will hold him accountable as the issue will have long since faded from memory and the distrct is very heavily democratic (like most of NYC). The only way for him to not win reelection is if he is challenged in the primary.
IF CLINTON DID NOT RESING , WHY WEINER?, CLINTON WAS GUILTY OF THE SAME THING , WORSE HE DID IT IN THE wHITE hOUSE
Clinton should have resigned
So true, and WORSE, he had physical contact with a consenting adult too! Just reamember everybody, it takes two to have a conversation anywhere.
OOPS... looks like they are not always consenting adults.
http://nation.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/11/weiner-admits-contact-underage-girl
Clinton should have resigned.
So by your logic, Maria, anyone guilty of murder should not turn themselves in to law enforcement because one murderer decided not to? What kind of argument is that?
President Clinton made a mockery of our judicial system when he swore to tell the truth and then blatantly and intentionally did not. It sets a dangerous precedent when the leader of our entire system of government trashes the very Constitution that he swore to uphold and protect. If you don't take offense to that, you are either not an American or a terrible, terrible one.
Consenting adults? This man was soliciting 17-year olds, porn stars, and a variety of other women. The fact he is not behind bars only goes to show the type of power (and money) circles he runs in.
He needs to go. Now. Lying repeatedly to the public, press and his wife: blaming his own bizarre actions on someone else, like a five year old; asking people to lie for him; siccing the cops on a reporter who dared to ask him for the truth; direct messaging an underaged girl even after he was warned about her; taking pictures of himself fully nude and clutching his private parts with a towel and emailing it to a woman – a breach of House ethics and security.
If he had done this in ANY other area of employment he would have been fired immediately.
Lying to the public! The politicians in this country have been lying to the public since there were politicians. If you want to fix the problem, vote all incumbents out of office and quit belly aching about one that has been caught in a lie. Our system is screwed and the American people are responsible.
So politicians lie is your justification for anthony staying. Morals honesty and values are no longer needed by our represenitives. Liberals are the reason our country is in the tubes. If its ok to lie and sext young girls it won't be too long before we justify crime too. oh so what, he stole something. everyone steals. thats what coming next.
I pretty much do this every election
This kind of thing happened well before "the liberals"...lol
Finally, a sane response. It is no wonder that the American political system is so messed up if, unlike Jane, most people seem to think that inappropriate behaviour and outright lying until caught in the lie are not to be punished. If a person can cheat and lie on his OR her family to avoid the "fallout". Then I am certain that it would a whole lot easier to cheat on the country or the electorate where the fallout is likely to much less personally damaging!
1. If lying repeatedly to the public was grounds for removing a politician from his position by means other than an election, we would have no politicians in office.
2. If blaming ones actions on a scapegoat was grounds for removing a politician from his position by means other than an election, we would have no politicians in office.
3. I haven't read a single report that he asked anyone to lie for him. If this report exists from a credible media outlet, please provide your source.
4. I'm not sure what you even mean by "siccing the cops on a reporter" but would love to hear more about that instance. Please provide your source from a credible media outlet.
5. Direct messaging an underaged girl is a problem? Unless you've heard that the underaged girl was one of the women he sent illicit images or text to, I don't see a problem here. Representatives should be encouraged to communicate with the people, young and old.
6. Your last point is literally the only one you make worth a damn. The guy took nude pictures of himself and sent them to consenting adult women. I can't imagine that you think this is worse than the countless other politicians who have been busted for sex scandles. Some resigned voluntarily, but I'm not aware of any that were removed involutarily. Let the voters decide.
You are clearly not searching if you believe he hasn't coerced anyone into lying. There are examples, quotes, and news stories about his coercive attempts all over the internet and other media outlets. Try harder.
You are incorrect. While I do think his actions will be his undoing, you speak of this underage like you know more than you really do – the police seem to disagree with you, and their family too makes clear nothing happened – on any level; it is only reasonably he would be in contact with many – please stick to the facts you actually know.
You are right-he should go. What he did was absolutely gross. Did he not write a bill that fights internet porn? His lies were not the deal breaker for me but they did not help...I think they showed his weasely character.
Here's the strange part!!! Maybe if they all did that instead of robbing us blind we wouldn't be in this financial mess!!! While we wrestle in the dirt about this they are robbing you and me blind!!!
PS: If I hear ONE more Canadian making snide remarks about the American system, I will scream. Why must the Canadians always act so snarky in these situtations? Keep the focus on your own country.
Why should they when ours is providing them with so much fodder! That's right fodder. Look it up!!! Journalist latch onto this like it's honey and they don't have to cover all the other criminal stuff going on in Washington. You have to hunt for that!
Last time I checked, CNN was international. People have just as much right to comment on a news story as you do. And I, for one, enjoy their snarkiness!
I Agree.But you should now Canadian News is Sooooo boring.They have this stupid law about suing in Court over Speech.That's why they appear polite.They don't want to go to court over anything they say and have to defend it.
This is one of the funniest things I have ever read! Yep, Canadian news is "boring" because we have to make sure that it's factually accurate. That would pretty well put Fox News (or as we call it up here, Faux News) out of business.
Sheesh.
And by the way, I was born in the US and am happy to be Canadian.
Snide remarks- REALLY!! . I have never seen a culture so bent on tearing the other person down in order to build one self up- this is just plain fact. I have never seen so much Rhetoric in politicians. So much money wasted on an election that is a long ways a way! Are we boring here in Canada- maybe! But I will take living here sister- I don't have to carry a gun- don't want to, I can go to the doctor when I need to, Politeness is just a way of being- I don't feel I need to prove anything to anyone. Do I think Weiner acted like one- hell yes!! But his conduct should be judged by those that put him there. They voted him him-let them vote him out if they deem he should be. And let the rest fall where it may- it is up to his family/constituents to judge and/or forgive him. As a Canadian we are bombarded with American media- I just wish the media was as hungry for stories that REALLY matter as compared to ones that are filled with fodder!
Like Americans do?
We Canadians aren't being snarky Jane, just pointing out the hypocrisy in what situations you Americans find it necessary to make your politicians resign. The guy lied and indulged in some silliness.
Is Anthony Weiner going to hang in there? Check out “A Day in the Life of Anthony Weiner” on The Loop Now.com. It’s all fantasy, because the Congressman likes it that way.
theloopnow.com/?p=8260
Only Repubs should act with dignity and class. Only Repubs are expected to tell the truth. Dems can act as disgusting as they want. Dems can lie to the public all they want. Only Repubs throw out their members when they act poorly. Only Dems keep them around. It's a double standard for sure, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Keep showing the nation what you really stand for Dems. It's 100% more effective than any message a Repub could come up with.
Are you saying we should continue to show the nation that we stand for keeping government out of our private lives? Isn't that supposed to be the Republican way?
That's quite a fantasy world you have created in your mind.
What about David Vitter? What did the GOP do when they found out that he was a part of a prostitution ring? What is worse, being involved in a prostitution ring, some that is illegal, or sending lude photos to consenting adults?
What about Senator John Ensing. He only had an affair with a staffer, who happened to be the wife of a friend and staffer. Even after the woman said she could not do this, he forced her to continue the affair. Fired both the wife and husband from his office and then illegally tried to get the husband a lobbing job. Only resigned when all the facts were out and saw that he would have been removed from the senate if he did not resign.
Please tell me how Anthony Weiner actions were worse than these two great GOP senators. Their actions were both immoral and ILLEAGAL.
Where have you been. Neither side acts with dignity. Who do you think got us into this financial mess. It was Dems or Repubs. It was the whole lot of them. Who do you think is going to suffer among the public. Not just Dems or Repubs. All of the middle class and below that can't figure their way out or get caught in the back lash. Our country is losing the middle class and we sit here and talk about some guy who wants to save his marriage and figure out where he went wrong an how to fix it. Meanwhile the others are continuing to make deals, accept bribes and love it because we are focused on this kind of thing. LOLOLOLOL Heaven help us.
CLINTON LIE TO THE COUNTRY, HE WAS NOT IMPEACH, WHY? HE WAS A DEMOCRAT
President Clinton actually was impeached. He was just not removed from office. Those are two different things.
Ever heard of NEWT GINGRICH!! Even here in Canada I know about his infidelity!! Hmmmm... Not just for Democrats you know- get your facts straight before you throw your stone
Now that's a CNN story. Now tell us why he should stay.
If he worked anywhere else in this country, he would be doing what he is doing. Taking sick leave and attempting to fix it. Get a grip. If it was you, you would want people to get on with their life while you tried to fix yours.
As a fiscal conservative, I whole-heartedly endorse this writer's message. Weiner's ongoing scandal is like political mana from heaven for the GOP/Tea Party.
Well, that is a good point and as someone who thinks like you, I am now scratching my head and rethinking my opinion...although the idea of him staying around incites nausea.
It's good for both sides. While we feed on it both sides continue to not make financial decisions, etc. and make deals in private.
Weiner should go. He is an absolute disgrace. Just another politician who thinks he is above common rules of decency. He will hide behind his so called "sex addiction" and keep lying.
Maybe I'm an old-timey federalist, but I really think this is up to Weiner and the people of New York's Ninth District. Absent a formal criminal charge, it's not for the nation to decide. That's why we have congressional districts.
Thank-you!
You are breath of fresh air!
Exactly!!!
The Congress has to draw a line for behavior, Weiner tried to lie his way out of it for a week. He gave a dozen interviews and press conferences looking at everyone in the eye and LIED while he had to know more damaging pictures were out there. When would anyone ever take him seriously again. His integrity is ruined and if the Dem leadership didn't call for him to resign, their integrity would follow.
I agree with this comment.
He should not resign because FoxNews is spending so much energy to oust him. Fox is evil.
Are you serious? Go crawl back under your rock and stay there! You have absilutely no proof, you just spewing trash! FOX is no different than CNN.
Exept that in the very beginning, CNN was laughing at it and calling it "Wierd" how Weiner was handling it while calling into question the fact that it was Breitbart who broke the story as if it was suspect.
If you do not read both Fox & CNN and balance the two you're only getting half the truth... Ideally someone would come up with something in the middle. As for Hot Dog man, someone should come up with something cool to grill on the 4th of July ... why do smart people think they will never get caught and then do stupid things and lie about it. Hey at least he might avoid hard time.
It's one thing to enter into a contract with another person – meaning a ho ker and a totally different thing to send naked photos to a stranger who "clicked" like on a facebook page.. but thats just me.. To act reckless like Weiner is different than acting cautious..
Notice they aren't telling the whole story. It takes two to have a conversation anywhere, let alone Facebook or Twitter.
The issue here isn't sexual misconduct. It's about lying.
I've had it with politicians who lie outright. It's time for this to stop, and the way to make it stop is to remove them from their jobs when caught.
Jane W., if you live in Congressman Weiner's district, then you will have an opportunity to act on your disgust in the next election. If not, then your views on his behavior are little more relevant than the views of the Canadian commentor. I think that is the point of the article.
Not so. We all pay taxes, and those salaries are divided up across the board to support these idiots that were elected due to ill-conceived votes. We all have a stake in this.
One more reason why you should be paying attention to who you vote for and what they are doing while we graze on Weiner!
If what Mr. Wiener did was unquestionalby morally wrong, then he should resign. However, while I would not necessarily do what he did, I do not think that what he did was immoral or wrong beyond the violation of his marriage vow. I seriously do not care if he uses his cell phone and twitter to troll for women with a casual moral attitude. If he was an effective legistature before this story broke, and I do not know if he was, then he can be just as effective afterwards. He has not been charged with a crime and there are certainly members of congress still serving who have committed crimes while in office. I say, let his stay.
Was it ethical Mike. If yo don't know look up the word.
No. Sending racy pictures of yourself to other consenting adults is not unethical. You may find it offensive, but that does not make in unethical. Not even close.
My exact thought. It`s his family business. It`s his personal life. People cheat, and they don`t lose their job for that. Of course, I don`t appreciate his behavior, but it`s between him and his wife. Believe me, I would not appreciate anyone to tell me or my husband what to do in this kind of situation. God forbid! And I am certainly sure none of us would quit the job. Thank you.
"I do not think that what he did was immoral or wrong beyond the violation of his marriage vow"
And people wonder what is wrong with this country. We have turned morality and ethics on its ear–most of this country would, in fact, not recognize morality or ethics if it came up and bit them on the nose. Absolutely, unequivacably, what Weiner did was immoral and unethical. Was it illegal? Based on what has come out so far, it appears not yet. But since when does the rule of "well, everyone else is doing it" constitute a reason for poor choices and bad behavior. Is that truly the lesson we want to leave our young people with, that if you get caught in the lie, simply say that everyone else is doing it, so it can't be wrong? It didn't work when I was in grade school, it doesn't work in a court of law, and it most certainly shouldn't work for a member of Congress or any other political office.
That's all well and good, but it ignores his biggest blunder. He falsely claimed that a felony was committed against him to cover up his actions. That alone should get him expelled from Congress, never mind why he did it.
Did the others that had scansals have the lame stream meida say" their cocstituents have the call". Bill Clinton the best in her lifetime, what is she twelve. He got a bl== job in the White House Oval Office with his wife at home. Tell your story walking.
Great post. I had the same thoughts.
So let me get this right, just because someone else cheats and lies its now ok for me to do it? Great! Bill Clinton did it so that makes it right? Hogwash! Weiner lied! Get it, he lied straight faced to the US public, the people that elected him to represent them. Well I don't know about you and your ideals but I don't want a liar, a cheater and a weirdo representing me or my country for anything. Don't we have any people better than this? Have you ever heard the words right and wrong?
Just my rant – TGB
Jane is the only one here speaking sense. Regardless of his actions, his extra-marital-cyber-relationships, his pictures and all of that, the one thing that tells me that he should go is his lying, he blatantly on national TV tried to blame his stupidity on someone else, lied to the people lied to his wife, and only came clean when there was no other way out. If his lies would have been accepted at facwe value, then he would never have "come clean" thats his mode of operation, this is probably how he runs congressional business as well. If he will lie in this situation, then he will lie in others. and please, don't reply with "others did it too and they didn't get fired or had to resign" Who cares ? we are talking about personal responsibility, for Wiener, no one else. This is not accepted, never was accepted, and because someone else was vile and irresponsibility does not give him free rein to do what he wants under the premise that "someone else did it before!!" Take responsibility for himself is what he should do, and understand that he blew it, his political career is over, because hes not really a person that SHOULD be in office in the first place. We need more honest people, are we really in an age where our morals are this screwed?
so are you saying that we should force ALL politicians to resign, because they all lie to us, every single damn day
Yes, that's what I'm saying. and I thought I said not to try and reply that "others have done it!" thats no defense and is deplorable to even think it could be.
Believe it or not, Americans still want honesty and integrity in their representatives, whether they get that is a different story.
There is another major factor that has not been mentioned by almost anyone. There was an article in the New York Times last week which gave reason to believe that Wiener might have been the target of a right wing sting. I won't go into details here, but the article presented enough evidence or indications that a sting operation is a strong possibility. Now, of course, this doesn't excuse Wiener's actions, but it would cause most people to view the matter far differently.
The other reason he should not resign is that it would close out any possibility of redeeming himself as a public servant. It would also further establish the precedent that any deviation from the norm merits being removed from Congress or public service. I would suggest he should deal with his personal issues through treatment, as planning, and then consider the issue of resignation in a month or two under less pressure.
Doug Terry at http://terryreport.com
Don't cry
Doug, what about habitual lying to the public, therefore violating public trust ? This alone excludes him from the privilege of serving.
NYT???? Consider the source. If there is a way to slant it left, they will. In the meantime, Maddow is frantically waving her arms during her show as if to say, "Pay no attention to that nice Democrat showing his junk to girls, look over HERE at this terrible Republican who had an affair three years ago!!!". Media has fanned all of these flames...from all sides.
I guess we don't all keep up with the news and refuse to read articles that vindicate people. It was all a lie to try and cover up for Mr. (he no longer deserves the tittle "Congressman") Weiner. Even Mr. Weiner apologized.
Right Wing Sting??? HAHAHA...really? You cant be serious with that crap....especially coming from the NYT. They are the biggest Liberal Kool -Aide drinkers on the planet. Just for grins...lets just say there was a sting.......OK......Wiener failed miserably and deserves what he gets. It doesnt excuse what he has done. Our country is at stake...The lives of my childrens future is on the block.......I dont want some twisted nerd masturbating when we need a leader. yeah, Its an ethical issue X10...dont get that twisted you Liberal Cheerleaders..
Sure... the "vast right wing conspiracy" rears it's head and forces wiener to sext and then forces him to lie about it.
Somebody must've washed their brain in kool-aid.
Ms. Slaughter obviously condones lying. As long as you're good at what you do, it's ok to lie. So let's raise our children to become liars, to tell lies all the time. As long as they are good at something, it's ok if they lie. Ms. Slaughter may want to live in a world without morals, ethics and honesty, but most Americans do not. No wonder people keep encouraging her to run for office. She has no conscience or compunction about lying and would make a good politician.
Right on, let see if her man was to do the same to her, then what would she say or do.
they are a bunch of liars. Its the american way. Everybody is lying and probably 50% of the people around you are doing things you would find distasteful, revolting, unethical,... I wish we would stop acting like most people are some kind of ethical and moral ideal. we act shocked when someone is revealed. Heck, most people would lie if they had something like this come out that would humiliate them, risk their standing in the community, their job and their family. And their lie would be stupid because it happened so fact. Then, just like a 1950's TV show, at the end of the day they realize that the have to fess up. America's got bigger fish to fry..
spelling correction: happened so "fast"
Wow. Its tough running for office so we should give him a pass? What message does it send our kids if we let him get away with this behavior? Oh but the Brits and the Canadians think he should stay? No surprise there. They will stick it in anything that moves!
With all due respect, the author of this article clearly has missed the point regarding the calls for Rep. Weiner to step down. It's not because of his "sexual proclivities" or his desire to engage in e-mail relationships, it is THAT HE INTENTIONALLY LIED WITH MALICE AFORETHOUGHT to his constituents, the US Congress, and the American people at large. If he were under oath, he would be open for indictment for engaging in a CRIMINAL act – i.e., perjury. When our congressmen and congresswomen take office they take an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States. If they can easily lie about their personal lives to the public then how can we ever believe that they will uphold their sworn oath. Makes you think doesn't it.
And he took an oath to uphold his office, not his junk. I am disgusted.
He lied. He thought about lying. that does not rise to the definition of "malice aforethought"
Absence of criminal behavior only gives Mr. Weiner the legal ground to stay in the office, but not the moral one to do so. We are all flawed indeed. But his behaviors, his acts, and his responses to this incidence clearly indicates that he is unfit to serve in the public office. So the author should have said that we have no legal arguments to expel Mr. Weiner, but not advocating for his staying in power.
"clearly indicates he is unfit to serve"? For you maybe. Other feel differently. its very narrow to think that everyone has the same beliefs and moral code as you (or any individual). Let his constituents decide with their votes.
Any leader who lies repeatedly to the public is not suffering from a pathology but rather a lack of character ! He has shown that He cannot be trusted, which is critical for a public servant. He would be better flipping burgers at McDonald's, where such behavior could be tolerated and excused !
So does that also apply to Arnold "The terminator"? In every Bible class i took you are lying when you omit telling the truth, and he sure omitted telling the truth for what – about 13 years. Should he be forced to give back his pay, benefits and retirement to the State of California? should every bill he signed into office be illegal because he indeed did an immoral act, lied by omitting the truth, and basically thumbed his nose to his state and the rest of this nation by hiding it until he finished up his "family values" term as governor of Callifornia? All these references to President Clinton – what about Newtie? And Rudy (let me move my mistress down the hall from my wife & Kids) and Arnold (I'll just do the maid, who I'll continue to employ for my extra benefits)? Face it folks, on the right and on the left – all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, ye who have not may cast the first stone, and if you are going to investiigate tweets – investigate the tweets of each member of congress equally. I for one am sick of the hypocracy of the right and the looseness of the left. yes, it would be good for Weiner to resign, then Gov. Cuomo can appoint someone electable to the seat, but that is for the voters of NY and his district to decide – one thing I've learned to have great distaste for is folks from other states running the show in my state (unfortunately in Tennessee the last session the republicans passed bills of which over 75% of the ideas and wording came from outside my state – now that's real sick to me as a lifelong Tennessee taxpayer!).
The man is a lyer you cant believe anything he says, he was so condescneding with those reporters knbowing what he had done hes scum, hes sending nude photos to a 17yo and thats ok CNN you surely are a left wing tool! the man is a disgrace to all politicians and has NO ETHICS give it a rest with the he should not resign BS you should resign for writing such crap
As far as in known now, he DID NOT send nude pictures or have any inappropriate texting with the 17 yo.
the congressman need to resign, , the socalled leaders or deciders, should be held to to the highest standard, to those that much is given, much is expected, i am tired of the the gatekeepers being ##$%$%^ slobs, go home aw, you are forgiven, but you need to find another job, what examples do the children have
Weiner needs treatment from the battle bruises and lies and hypocrisy heaped upon him by the sex scandal-ridden Republican Party. The media has also turned a NOTHING story into a bunch of garbage no one cares about. Weiner's NY constituents do NOT want him to resign, still beleve in him, and still want him to represent them. END OF STORY. That is ALL that matters. The scandal a month Republicans and the media slime need to shut up and go do some real work.
How about reporting on how Republicans are taking away our rights state-by-state – new voter suppression laws that should be legally challenged right now, extremist insane abortion laws that force doctors to lie to women or even put women in prison for up to 10 years! How about the outlawing of birth control being passed in midwest nutjob states?
THAT IS NEWS AND AFFECTS THE LIVES OF REAL PEOPLE. WHERE IS YOUR COVERAGE OF THESE CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES OF OUR RIGHTS AS CITIZENS – DON'T YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE??? EVER HEARD OF TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION?
HOW ABOUT SOME REAL SERIOUS REPORTING INSTEAD OF WHAT THE MORON PALIN IS OUT DOING, CLUE- SHE IS NOT RUNNING FOR ANYTHING. SHE STILL WORKS FOR FOX AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE RUNNNG FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN MEDIA ATTENTION TO FEED HER EGO AND HER ILLEGALLY USED PAC FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CNN WHO DID REAL REPORTING ON REAL ISSUES?
ARE YOU ACTUALLY GOING TO CHALLENGE THESE LAUGHABLE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES TONIGHT ON WHAT THEIR SOLUTIONS FOR REAL ISSUES ARE? OR ARE YOU GOING TO JUST LET THEM BASH PRESIDENT OBAMA WITH LIES AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS? ASK THEM WHY THEY HAVE NOT DONE ONE THING ABOUT JOBS? ASK THEM WHY WE HAVE NO JOBS IF CUTTING TAXES IS THE ANSWER FOR EVERY ISSUE. ASK THEM WHY THEY WERE FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE BEFORE THEY WERE AGAINST IT. ASK THEM THEM WHY OPPOSE EVERYTHNG PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS OR DOES EVEN IF THEY USED TO AGREE WITH THOSE SAME POSIITIONS. ASK THEM WHY THEY ARE SO RACIST. ASK THEM WHY THEY ARE SUPPRESSING VOTER RIGHTS AND SO FOCUSED ON ABORTION WHEN THEY PROMISED TO BE FOCUSED ON JOBS AND THE ECONOMY. ASK THEM WHY THEY HAVE ABANDONED THE PEOPLE AND ONLY DO WHAT THE KOCH BROTHERS TELL THEM. ASK THEM WHY THEY BLACKMAIL PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THREATEN THE VERY GLOBAL ECONOMIC STABILITY OF OUR NATION OVER THE DEBT CEILING WHICH THEY VOTED TO RAISE EVERY OTHER YEAR UNDER THE SPEND CRAZY BUSH. ASK THEM WHY THEY WON'T CUT OIL SUBSIDIES, THE DEFENSE BUDGET, OR SUPPORT CORPORATIONS PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES...BUT ARE SO EAGER TO KILL MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT HELP THE NATION AS A WHOLE. WERE THEY PERSONALLY GOING TO SHOW UP IN AL AND MO WITH MONEY, FOOD, AND CHAINSAWS WHEN THEY GOT RID OF FEMA??? WERE THEY GOING TO EAT UNINSPECTED MEAT WHEN THEY KILLED THE FDA? WERE THEY GOING TO LIVE NEAR POLLUTING COMPANIES AND FRACKING AREAS ONCE THEY KILLED THE EPA?
DON'T LET THESE EMPTY SUITS TURN THIS INTO AN OBAMA BASH WITH NO REAL SOLTUIONS PRESENTED ON WHAT THEY WOULD DO. THE RYAN BUDGET IS NOT EVEN ECONOMICALLY SOUND, KILLS MEDICARE, THROWS US TO THE INSURANCE WOLVES, AND KILLS JOBS. AND THEY SUPPORT IT WHY? ARE THEY GOING TO GIVE UP THEIR 6 FIGURE CONGRESS SALARIES, THE BEST HEALTHCARE AND PENSION PLANS THAT EXIST IN THE NATION WHILE THEY KILL OUR HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND PENSIONS???
ASK THEM THE TOUGH QUESTIONS REAL LEADERS SHOULD HAVE ANSWERS FOR!!!!
Why would anyone use Wiener to bash Obama? Obama's dismal performance in the White House is all the ammunition that anyone needs to bash him.
Beverly NC: You are certainly a very strange and misinformed person. To say that Weiner did this because of what Republicans have done to him is dumb at best and just psychotic in the worse case. You need help.
What a mouthful ....
You are truly an idiot.
what an awful attempt to blame shift, please take your medications
Just the statement that Bill Clinton was one of the best presidents of his life pretty much tells you how poor the author's judgment is. Saying that Wiener has a pathology that needs treatment is another nail in the coffin of the author's already low credibility. This is just another case of an arrogant, pampered politician who thought he could get away with something and got caught.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Well said.
Who cares? How about we talk about the real stuff OK? Our Government is getting ready to get rid of social security and has no intention of worrying about the middle class or the poor in this country. How about we talk about joblessness or maybe one of the wars? Why on Earth would any sane person care about what this man does in his bedroom? If you find the pictures offensive don't look at them! For goodness sake anyone that is worried about this man's penis really does not have enough to keep them busy. He will be voted out. Now let’s move on shall we?
I am a proud New Yorker and I think he should stick it out.
Ummmm...he DID stick it out. That's the problem.
The guy resembles a penis with ears.
This is such an easy call. If it was a Republican with IDENTICAL circumstances, the author would be screaming on MSNBC for his immediate expulsion from the House.
You hypocrite.
We only have to go back a few months for what you describe. Remember Chris Lee, Republican from New York. He got caught trolling on Craig's List by posting a single bare-chested photo of himself – something that wouldn't be considered out of line at any public beach. Inexcuable, but not nearly as bad a Weiner papering the internet with crotch shots and worse. The outcry from the democrats was enormous and Lee was gone in hours. Weiner needs to do the same.
When masturbation becomes a crime, everyone goes to jail.
It should ultimately is up to the voters of his District to decide. He should not be pushed out by his own party. Having stated that, his actions and the coverup, it's always the coverup isn't it, display a huge lack of good judgement. He would be smart to resign, work at saving his marriage, rehabilitate his reputation and step back in the ring in a year of two in a different venue or format.
The writer makes a key point: sexual behavior that does not violate the law is a private matter. Public service is just that–public. The two are unrelated.
The writer makes a second key point: there are at least two classes of public servants whose behaviors have become public. There are those whose behaviors become known while in office. There are those whose behaviors become known after they leave office. But there is likely a third and much larger class: those whose behaviors never become known.
A deeper question relates to the idea of 'sexual misconduct'. Again, criminal activity is just that, criminal. Set those matters aside for prosecution. That leaves an enormous range and complexity of sexuality outside the American expectation of monogamy embedded in marriage and its vows. We need to understand that striving for that ideal is not the same as guaranteeing what seems to be an impossible standard. Just because these politicians (and countless millions of others) have stumbled in pursuit of the ideal, do we really want to label their actions as misconduct?
Come on folks..Heaven forbid we actually leave party out of this, tolerance my showered rear end. When will we expect more from those that wish to be one of 535+1 to represent 300 million? I don’t demand perfection, just a bit of self-control and dedication to the job outside of self. If that is too much to ask don’t seek or keep the job
Another stupid liberal who condones lying
Check out her bio on-line. That should really get your blood pressure up.
Maybe he is taking his direction from a lot of idiotic conservatives, did you forget the SC governor who when hiking in the Apalachian Mountains but was really in Argentina with his mistress? Come on Jimmy – surely you know lots of conservatives who are just as big a sinner as Clinton, Edwards, Spitzer or Weiner – if you don't I'm sure all you have to do is research it a little on the net – its all out there for sure, guess it is a good week for Arnold Swartzenager, keeps his illigitimate child with the maid a little more sheltered for a little longer, oh and how did you feel about the congressman from Florida who texted young boys? Bet that one really got you angry, right?
Don't agree with you. The country is facing serious problems on all fronts now - economic, international, environmental – and he cannot possible concentrate on these issues nor will anyone take him seriously. He is just a media circus now, and the good citizens of Queens should find someone better to represent them - which at this point, would be practically anyone.
Weiner's mistake was his lame attempt to suggest a crime had occurred to cover up his own mistake and to repeat it over and over. The only difference between and the balloon-boy's father was that he did not involved the police, only the media... and that is the key to why he need not resign. The press is NOT entitled to the truth – especially towards questions of a personal nature that are not in the public interest but only serve to titillate and boost ratings. The press' role is to FIND the truth. That is journalism. One can never assume the interviewee is being truthful. They have no reason but to say whatever they want to serve their own interests.
Weiner did what millions of men and women do all the time over the internet – send suggestive pictures to each other, or post them publicly. Many are married and get some sort of rise out of the safety of a virtual affair. This is a psychological issue that many do not realize still violates the marriage vows. As such, treatment and analysis would be more appropriate to ensure that he understands the cause and effect it has on how he is as a husband to his wife.
The political powers that be have made their public judgements that serve their own needs. Now it is time to move on. All the Dems who typically appear on TV have covered their butts, all the Jews in New York have covered their butts, all the Republicans have stayed silent. Where is their righteous indignation? You know it is political when there is a clear delineation of those who speak out and those who stay silent. Weiner should stay and then run for mayor. Let the voters decide if he deserves their vote.
I'm tired of the "he's brilliant, he gets a pass" routine. I'm a dem and I was willing to let it slide when it was one photo and one woman. But the nude genitalia photo, the multiple women, the graphic nature. It's too much. Elliot Spitzer broke federal law, that's not even worth discussing. Clinton had an affair, didn't break any laws, and it should have been private save for a GOP obsession with destroying him. I wish weiner had just had sex with some local woman, no photos, no emails. Just an affair. That's what it is and it's between him and his wife. But this is grossly unethical and clearly he has issues. He should go. We have to have some standards.
Clinton was HAVING SEX WITH A 21 YEAR OLD IN THE OVAL OFFICE !!!! But thats ok ????? Whats wrong with you?
Maybe Clinton missed his calling.Maybe he should have been a preacher as sin free as he is.
The writer needs to remember that Weiner works for ALL of us, not just those who elect him. If their bar for bad behavior is so low that they're willing to allow a pervert to represent them, I would suggest that there are many resposible, morally responsible, individuals who can replace him. He's an embarrassment and darn scary.
You lost me when you claimed that Clinton was a good president. He was so involved with his sex scandel he neglected to do ANYTHING about the Cole, or did you forget. He had the whole country involved with his explloits he didn't bother to worry about our safelty. Did you forget 9/11, this did not just spring up on Bush's watch, it was well into planning all during Clinton's watch.
That may be so, but it was Bush and his policies that ALLOWED it to happen and ignored the warning signs, it didn't happen on Clintos watch, it happened on Bush's and that speaks volumes .
Republicans agree, and are calling for "More Weiner!" - enough to obliterate any chance that Democrats had to get some momentum going after the special election results in NY26.
That old saying about the Democrats' ability to seize defeat from the jaws of victory comes to mind ...
Yeah, well he got caught and we don't need people that have the brain power to avoid such temptation holding public office. Next is black mail for votes or influence peddling. We the citizens need to start demanding more from elected officials. They are entrusted with so much power. Such failure of integrity at a person level will only multiply when it comes to dealling with far larger issues.
Not only the caliber of today's politicians but also of today's professors is really low. Anne-Marie Slaughter is a good case in point. The only reason she wants Anthony Weiner to remain in office is because she likes his politics. The fact that he is a sexual miscreant who sent shockingiy lewd and nude photos of himself to females he didn't know and publicly lied about it over and over again doesn't bother her. If he were a conservative Republican, she would not advocate that he be allowed to serve out his term.
Anyone know how to contact Lorena Bobbit?
Sen Vitter is a bad example. His transgressions were done years before they were found out. His wife gave a press conference stating that it was hard but they got past it together and repaired their marraige and he got re-elected. President Clinton got caught having sex with a 21 year old in THE OVAL OFFICE and then lied repeatedly about it.
I'm glad the dem leadership has called for Weiner to resign, its the right thing to do.
The lady is certainly entitled to her opinion;wrong though it might be. She says that the politicians could earn more in the private sector than in the public sector. This is blatantly wrong. Most of these people have never really worked in their lives. Many have been lawyers and had at best mediocre practices. They also get invaluable perks such as massive retirement packages, a medical plan unparalleled in the private sector and exemption from many of the expensive laws that they pass. These perks, in many cases, are for life are for life. As she has stated people who want to run for office are becoming scarce due to both scrutiny by the media and the consistent campaigning necessary to remain in office. This means that instead of the best and the brightest holding office we get thick skinned, money hungry mediocre people to govern the country. Is it any wonder that there is so many illegal and immoral acts committed by government officials? Now to Weiner. He has committed, unethical, immoral and possibly illegal acts while in office. He is not a good example for the young people of this country. He is not a good example of what this country wants to hold up to the rest of the world as an example of our government. How Anne-Marie Slaughter could even suggest that he not resign is beyond all common sense and shows a deep lack of understanding on her part of what the political structure of our government should attain to be. This is true for BOTH parties.
You sure are a strange fellow. I suggest you get some vitamins and sunlight.
It's all about poor decision making. I'm a Democrat, and I think he should step down.
When all the republicans that have been implemented in a scandal leave DC then they have a a legitimate voice talk about Wiener. The idea that anyone other than the people he represents have anything to say about whether he stays or goes is a joke. What he did was dumb for sure but so far is not criminal. Our entire political system is on the verge of collapse, the monied interests have taken over Washington to the detriment of the population and country in general. We need to find a better way. Its gotten so now that many of the people who would do the best for the country will not run cause of all the BS and the character assassination that goes on. The Dems are too afraid to do anything and the republicans can do nothing but attack the president on everything even if it was the republicans idea to start with. We are at a point right now that we have to decide what the country we live in should be. Are we a country that exists for the sole benefit of the wealthy and corporations or are we really a country that believes in working together for the common good of the nation? We , as a nation bend over backwards to benefit those who need the least and try to take more and more from those that can least afford it. This country used to be the land of opportunity but anymore that becomes a possibility for only the wealthy. The working family can hardly survive let alone put their kids through college to give them a fighting chance in this economy. History is full of collapsed countries that have gone down the path we are on.
How you folks can call this different is absurd. It's no different. He was trying to scam a little side action. That means he could not live up to his committments. He still broke HIS oath as a member of Congress and in doing so deserves to be expelled. Of course you liberals don't see the HONORABLE thing to do is resign. YOU, deserve Weiner. Those who still retain a sense of values deserve to see him resign.
Anyone whose stupid public behavior disgraces the office they hold and thus disgraces the American system of government should resign. Public figures should lead–they should set good examples, and be held to a higher standard.
Sounds good, that would get rid of most of the republicans. They act like a bunch of school yard bullies and set horrible examples to our youth. They also constantly show that they don't represent anyone other than their corporate masters and that greed is what is most important in America. To me that is an embarrassment equal to or greater than wieners problem.
When I elect a politician I do so believing they are better than me. Smarter, better morals, honest, trustworthy, ethical etc. When they cannot be honest in their marriage which is the easy part of life then how can they honestly do their job with the same morals, ethics, trustworthiness etc. I do expect more from them. I demand more from them. We pay them – we make a starting politician making hundreds of thousands into MILLIONAIRES. When they are not better than us – I don't want them in office. I know that says many of our politicians of today. For this man to not step down disgusts me. NY will vote him back in that is the sad part. Charlie Rangel is another fine example. Sad how are government now works.
I am so sorry. Then you live in a fantasy world. Their chances of being that way are as good as yours were, maybe less.
I don't live in a fantasy world – I am just saying I expect more from the people that tell me how to run my life. I do not want a "do as I say – not as I do" person telling me what to do. We the people of the United States should demand better. These same people who tell me how to spend my money, taxes, gas, mortgages, credit cards, laws to follow etc. don't seem to have to follow the same standards and I as an American am pissed!!!! I am sick and tired of politicians not having to follow the same rules. WE HIRED THEM- We are letting them get away with too much and should demand better is all I am saying. I do expect more. This man lied and blamed it on someone who hacked his account – hmmm what else is out there?
I think the people of his district can decide for themselves.I wouldn't like it if the rest of America was telling me who should represent me especially since that is the very reason for Representatives to reflect American diversity.I am sure their are many people who don't like my Congresswoman Candice Miller and would love a scandal about her so they can justify their dislike of her and our values in our district.
I totally respect and salute you for telling it like it is, or should be.
The worst thought of this entire article is that Ms. Slaughter is charge of educating some of the future generations of potential politicians. I do wonder what will become of us as a society in the future.
The obnoxious narccistic liar Weener needs to resign. His willingness to lie to the press, his constituents, the President and Pelosi and his readiness to lie and accuse Breibart of hacking his account show that this schmuck cant be trusted. He will need a new career.
Based on the last two weeks, he could develop comedy material for Jon Stewart.
Have you ever heard what they say about knowing one?
I agree with you, girl. He should stick it out.
When you do something that could hurt your wife YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LIE - "Honey, are you looking at that girl" –the answer is always NO
Yes, Ms. Slaughter, bad character (a repeated pattern of sexual perversion and lying) does impact an individual's ability to serve the public. Leaders (including political leaders) need to be role models, not live as if they are above the law. This is not simply a "pathology", Mr.Weiner is responsible for his behavior. And there are consequences for bad behavior, especially a pattern of bad behavior. Mr. Weiner has irreparably damaged his ability to be trusted or respected.
I think the author is being a little too upbeat about the reasoning behind Bill and Hillary staying together. Truth is they didn't stay together out of love or forgiveness. They stayed together because Hillary Clinton had political ambitions and she realized the best shot of achieving this was with Bill Clinton right there with her. Had she divorced him she risked fading into obscurity big time. Even today their marriage is mainly a facade. Bill still has his girlfriends on the side and Hillary still turns a blind eye. They were and are nothing but a political partnership. They're a brand, that's it. If you fail to realize that then maybe you don't know as much about politics as you think.
As if you know why they stayed together, you arrogant twit.
Weiner should resign only when Vitter is forced. Republicans help fund his 2010 Nov election bid even knowing about the scandal with prostitutes and on the DC madam prostitution case.
Is this the moral character we want for our leaders? He needs to step down! Shameful to say the least! Stop settleing sub-par politicians America!
so u r saying all politicians should step down or r u ignorant to what is going on and just remember today's headlines?
Good OpEd, Anne-Marie, as far as it goes. You're only halfway there.
The point I'd make is that, distasteful as his personal behavior may have been, this is clearly a case in which his consitutents should have the final say on whether he stays or goes. Thus far, albeit by a slim majority, they apparently believe his usefulness to them – the people by whom he was elected – far outwieghs any shortcomings he may have in his personal life.
I'm disgusted with the Democratic leadership demanding his resignation (just one more reason I ditched my party affiliation). Talk about hubris! They believe they know better than the voters. These are the same people who completely ignored our economic meltdown, focusing instead on shoving billions in flawed healthcare legislation down our throats...with a Constitutionally-questionable individual mandate noless! They also loudly complain that Rep. Weiner's problems are a distraction from their agenda, while at the same time demanding a lengthy, irrelevant ethics hearing. Huh?
If anyone should go, it's the likes of Reps. Pelosi and Wasserman-Schultz who need refreshers on our system of government.
Let Rep. Weiner take his leave of absence and get help. I have a feeling he may come back to work considerably more mature and focused than his congressional detractors.
Ms. Slaughter obviously condones lying and cheating on one's spouse. As long as you're good at what you do, it's okay to lie and cheat. So let's raise our children to become liars, to tell lies all the time. As long as they are good at something, it's okay if they lie. Ms. Slaughter may want to live in a world without morals, ethics and honesty, but most Americans do not. This written opinion of her's should show everyone in her circle that she or anyone she supports should never to be voted in office .
This is a typical rationale for not demanding that our government representatives and officials have high moral standards, integrity, be truthful, be faithful, and be honest. A constituency that demands less will get less, which is exactly what has happened. Recently, political activists have attacked moral standards, integrity, truthfulness, faithfulness and honesty as practices of a "backward culture". So, not only are those who fail such standards defended, those who meet them are attacked. So, why not "Weiner for President"? After he completes his treatment, of course. Perhaps it is his constituency that needs treatment.
When a Congressman is taking and sending pictures of his junk – that will always be news. When a Congressman denies it was his picture and was hacked, then admits he lied – that is also news. This is indeed news and should be news.
It's not the texting, it's the lying. He lied, and lied, and lied some more. He's personally a sleaze, but if his constituents want that, let them have it. A trapped liar has no place in Congress.
We had a president that got by with lying and another of a different party that did not.
Of course Weiner should resign. He lied and he tried to blame his actions on someone else. He has since apologizzed to Breitbart, but that does not change the fact that he tried to have someone else suffer the consequences of his actions.
The pictures he took and the pseudo relationships he engaged in show amazingly poor judgement.
Clinton should also have resigned; he lied under oath.
Ms Slaughter: If I heard you speak, I would absolutely beg you to stay out of public office. It seems you have a very casual relationship with the truth. The end does not justify the means.
Maybe it's my age but I don't see the big deal in what he did.Lonely man wants sexual attention,Big Deal.So many of our Representatives/Senators/Presidents are there in Congress to Represent Money.I find that much more offensive.Banks/Corporations having a fight over who gets to pilfer Tax money and write our laws for the benefit of their companies while they try to distract us with non-government issues.
It is your age. Ten year olds should not be allowed to post.
The little, self-centered perv should resign so we can save water in this country. Every time a new revelation is published millions of Americans jump in the shower.
sorry but this idiot lied.....so he needs to quit. yeah all politicians lie....but this guy came out and blatantly denied the pictures were of him and said it was a hack job on his twitter account. After doin that how can any constituent of his ever believe he is going to do what he says....sorry, he has failed his district and needs to leave
Her book "THE IDEA THAT IS AMERICA: KEEPING FAITH WITH OUR VALUES IN A DANGEROUS WORLD" is now a "must read".
This scumbag needs to go. The fact that he is untrustworthy is the main reason we dont need him to be in Congress. He has major self imahe issues and because of this has compromised hi ability to be trusted.
There is a price to pay for deceiving your wife, but deceiving the public and falsey accusing others to misdirect blame is unexcusable.
Anthony, please don't quit. Just think of all the Weiner jokes we haven't even thought of yet.
And Anne-Marie Slaughter, you should run for office... in Britain. Good luck!
The concept that the only type of behavior for which someone should resign being a Congressman is if it is illegal behovior is a pretty low standard. A person's morals, family values, honesty, judgement, mental state of mind, etc. are just as important as getting caught doing something illegal. We expect and should hold elected officials to a higher standard. Wiener crossed the line by lying and showing a complete lack of judgement. That should be enough for a man of honor to resign. It should be enough for us to demand he resign.
You can hold them to any standard you want. I'm going to vote to reelect anyone whose last name is Weiner. Or Penis.
This man is a public figure, It used to be that public figures were examples that our children could look up to. I ask you this: Is this the example we want set for our children and youg adults? Have we become so morally backrupt that we will now teach the next generation that adultry and sexual promiscuity is acceptable behavior? 50 years ago this man would have resigned with his head down and ashamed of himself. Society is indeed on a downward spiral.
In the squishy, relative world of Liberal "ethics" which the writer obviously embraces, just what constitutes criminal behavior making an individual unfit to sit in Congress.
The acts of Weiner:
He used the Congressional gym to self-take soft-core porno shots to be sent on-line to women.He was setting up the 17 year old for more explicit messages. The Superman costume remark was a giveaway on that.
Wiener is an on-line sexual predator.
That's acceptable to Ms. Slaughter as long as Weiner continues to support unlimited abortions.
He should resign.
What annoys me as much as what he did is that people are defending/attacking him based on their own political beliefs. I see the same pundits who defended the CL congressman attack him. I also see the same pundits who attacked the CL congressman defend him.
Ultimately I am tired of the self-serving nature of ethics our society has.
What a boot licking toady.
In any business the guy would have been fired.
The writer obviously shows her bias toward elected officials who should have a big enough moral and ethical compass to resign in humility.
If slime did not sell commercials we would never have heard this story.
I think he should go.
The sending pictures part was dumb but maybe not resignable. However the consistant week long lying, over and over, is enough to destroy his credibility. He is prepared to lie and blame other people to protect himself, how could you trust anything he says from now on?
Politicians do lie, sure they do, but there is a difference between a politcal lie, that is more often or not exageration, that could cause trouble once discovered, and the obvious I am going to protect myself by blaming others lies that this guy offered us.
Oh, please. He broke the public's trust and that of his constituents, and refused to live up to the higher standard that he VOLUNTARILY agreed to subject himself to. This is not about whether HE thinks he can do the job, this is about whether he deserves to be given the opportunity to do the job. That is no longer the case. Simple as that.
I worry more about the ones who are under investigation for stealing from the government and still are making laws we have to live by. If you have tenure you can get by with anything.
The reason I disagree with the writer is that the whole premise of her argument that "If the Voters are okay with it, it's Okay".
Sorry, but it's NOT okay. The man did something that is wrong, and instead of being treated like he's above the law just because he's an elected official, Instead, he should be held to a higher standard.
Bottom line is He has no remorse for what he did, he's just upset he got caught. He's not taking Responsibility for his actions and you are just condoning it. That is an elitist mentality we can do without!
You're entitled to your outrage, but you're not entitled to mine.
...and your outrage is irrelevant to this issue. His actions are what are relevant.
ANTHONY WEINER, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, RANDY HOPPER, ROY ASHBURN, NIKKI HALEY, CARL PELADINO, KEVIN GARN, MICHAEL DUVALL, ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA, STEVEN SAMUELIAN, BOB ALLEN, PAUL MORRISON, PAUL PATTON, DAVID VITTER, JERRY THOMAS, ROBERT MCKEE, JIM GIBBONS, RICHARD GARDNER, JIM MCGREEVEY, ELIOT SPITZER, MARC DANN, EDISON ALDERONDO, MARK SANFORD, TED KLAUDT, PAUL STANLEY, KATHRYN BRYSON, BRENT PARKER, RICHARD CURTIS, JAMES WEST, BOB WISE, GARY BECKER, MIKE BOWERS, DREW NIXON, JOHN SMITZ, GUY VELELLA.........and that's the short list.
What's your point? I love the excuse that you justify bad behavior by pointing out other bad behavior. All that disgrace themselves and their political office should resign. If they don't they should be forced out by their party and if the party won't do it then by the voters. No excuses.
My point is obvious: We have a problem with sexual misconduct in Washington. It's not rocket science.
Anne-Marie Slaughter, excellent article and very well said!!! I also, do not agree with Weiner's actions. His forgiveness will come from God. The rest is between he, and his wife, family, constituents etc. We as Americans have become a very vicious society when someone in politics steps out of line, shame on us! Reminds me of pack dogs, when one gets injured the others viciously attack the injured until the onset of death......
Who was the vicious attack dog in this situation – Mr. Weiner. Instead of standing up when it first happened he tried to pass the blame on to someone else in such of a sneaky way that when he finally was caught there wouldnt be any "criminal" means to attack him –
in laymen's terms he said he was hacked and let the liberal media be his attack dogs for him and go after Breitbart. He knew that if he called in the Capital Police and filed the report that he was hacked then he would be breaking the law by filing a false report. Thats why he hired a "private" firm to investigate. BS. Investigate what – he knew he did it and let another person be blamed by all the LIb Media.
And it just goes to show how much the Left has the majority of the media in their pocket. If the right had played the media like this they would have been out for blood in revenge. And Weiner did play them.... as we would say in NC "played like a Charlie Daniels fiddle."
Like him or hate him (and Im closer to the later – think he just likes stirring the pot) Breitbart didnt do it, he didnt take or send the pics – WEINER DID. So please quit making weiner out to be something he's not – a victim. He brought all of this onto himself.
Peter Robinson, please get a life or at least stay on the subject matter!!!! While is drives me crazy what powerful lmen do in their spare time [?] or how STUPID people can be in this day and age of communications [!] ....The media goes APE over any issue that takes US away from what NEEDS to GET DONE!!!! I agree, vote in more women, they seem to keep it under lock and key?
Oh, please, that is an absurd statement, women are just as lewd as men and have the same judgment issues. Voting on the basis of gender is stupid and won't help a thing here.
Here's a simple question for Anne-Marie Slaughter: Do you want "immoral" politicians in office ? Yes or No.
If Yes, you are engaging in obfuscating a simple issue and engaging in moral relativism to justify your "political" position. There are so many holes in your argument that people can spin any scandal for their purposes. And a classic one being, it's a "personal, private matter" between him, his wife and his fate should be decided by his consitutents. Well guess what "marriage vows" are a PUBLIC oath where his relationship is acknowledged by society at large that bestows on him significant benefits. And I do not live in Queens, NY but I too am a constituent. He is a member of Congress and his votes on legislation affect us ALL. This scandal therefore is a legitimate issue for everyone. And I want him gone. He's not irreplaceable.
Holy shit- weener sending pics of weener to girls to get sex – I don't know whether to laugh or cry – That's some crazy shit
The author is just an insincere partisan apologist for the husband of her friend. When a politician gets involved in affairs that go bad and his response is to lie, he has established an unacceptable behavioral pattern for an elected official AND SHOULD RESIGN.
I like how democrats think that "leadership" is following the example of Republicans.
You mean Republicans like Mark Foley, Ted Haggard, Larry Craig, Bob Allen, and Glenn Murphy?
He should not resign. He displayed poor judgement that will be with him for a little while but the only distraction that is coming from this is the media and articles like this distracting us from anything important. He is the catalyst but the articles on this are the problem. Just drop it! Also stop caring about Palin, She's just an idiot with some valid opinions.
He displayed poor judgment several times and then tried to lie about it several times. That is grounds for dismissal from Congress, period.
I don't think Rep Weiner did anything wrong...at all. He flirted online with girls...so what? His wife may take some issues with it, but it's consensual and it's not adultery. If it is, then most Americans are guilty of the same every time they look at an adult movie. Yes, he sent pics, yes it's bad politically that they have been let out, but it's not illegal and it was meant to be private. Yes, he lied...about 1 embarrassing tweet outed by Breitbart. No one would admit to that, not even the pope. Further he did not lie further in his follow up interviews, which led to furthering the scandal. I see Rep Weiner as one of the most descent and hard working representatives in the House. No amount of media and tabloid-trash puritan elitists can convince me otherwise. Y'know they all go home anyways and have secrets too. We are all human afterall.
Weiner needs to go... But not because of sending the pics (as long as its proven that none were sent to anyone underage, which at this time it looks like non were). If he had stood up like a man when the incident first happened and had given the speech then that he gave almost a week later at his press conference this would probably be a dead issue right now. From that press conference all I saw was a man who was sorry for being caught, not one who was sorry for what he had done. But please explain to me How can you trust someone who lies, and lies, and lies over and over to the American public and who tries to blame what he knows he did on someone else. He has a responsibility to his constituents to be honest and truthful. How can you believe anything that the man says now. When he gets up on the floor of the House, or is in a committee meeting, how can he have any sense of believability, credibility. I say he must go, but luckily for him I dont live in NY so my vote doesnt count. If he cant be trusted to tell the truth about whether or not he sent a picture, how the hell can he be trusted on matters of national security, trillion dollar budgets, and programs that affect 100 millions of people.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle have a feeling of entitlement that they can do or say anything, sorry guys, but you do not have diplomatic immunity in the US if you're a US citizen... doesnt work that way... so to Mr. Weiner, Mr Vitter, Mr Spitzer, Mr Lee, and countless others who havent been caught... please step down (and if you have already stepped down please) step away from the media spotlight. Our young children have enough issues that they are going to have to deal with instead of seeing and thinking and lieing and promiscuity are normal and acceptable ways of life. Thank you for allowing me my $.02.
I don't understand Why this is national News.It seems it should be local news.Unless he was using government contracts,laws,etc..it doesn't matter.And before you accuse me of being a Liberal.I am an independent from a conservative area who has voted for GOP lately.Nothing he has done has used federal funds or contracts or lobbying.
It's strange how very few seem to consider that he could learn from this and redeem himself. It's always about punishment. Sure hope none of you get caught in your "little" lies other unbecoming behavior. To the gallows, the lot of you!!
Ms Slaughter should resign too! Both she and Mr Weiner are complete buffoons!
As a republican, I feel deeply that Mr. Weiner should not resign.
Its much, much more important for him to put himself, his career, and his personal ambition ahead of his wife, his country, and his party.
As a republican, whose entire political ideology is based on hypocrisy, I can't destroy real progress in this country without something like this tawdry, ugly scandal to take focus away from the important things. Thank goodness for Anthony Weiner's weener. Because without it and his tenatious, self-serving grip on his own needs, the Democrats could be making some very good things happen.
There is nothing so repugnant as indignant, righteous blowhards. Shut up and go back to your own boring lives.
He shouldn't resign. However, when anything happens to a Republican, I'll change my mind again.
he should have to go meet with ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER for his true punishment
This writer gave no support for her contentions... Needs to be pointed out that she represents government in all stages of her career. He opinion is good for her students but her lack of support for her argument makes little sense outside of her class room...
Mr GATEs- I need a job, please call me.
thanks fork E
Again, how many people look at porn, but DON'T TELL THEIR SPOUSES? This man took his sexual appetite to a virtual, interactive level. All of it is sexual behavior–this man has just been exposed (no pun intended) for it. "Enjoying" Penthouse isn't considered cheating...say those who can rationalize their way out of responsibility for that behavior. But how many people who "read" Penthouse would like everyone in the world to know? Not a one of you "Holier Than Thous"–guaranteed.
The article started out great, but I stopped reading at the sentence: "I for one am deeply glad that Bill Clinton did not resign; he was one of the best presidents of my lifetime and left the country in far better shape than he found it." Once I stopped laughing, it was difficult to take the article seriously, opinion or not.
The writer is correct on facts. Tone deaf on the politics.
Bill Clinton's staying the office is the reason why Al Gore did not get elected (well, you know what I mean).
The destructive 8 years of Bush that followed (during which I quit the Republican party) would not have occurred had he had the decency to leave.
Allowing evil to happen is evil in itself.
Writer has too big of a bias to overcome. She has right to speak her piece. not worth much though.
People need to grow up and stop living in their delusional fantasy worlds. People do things you don't like - get over it.
Anne-Marie Slaughter totally failed to address his lying. He lied to the public. He lied to the press. He asked friends to lie for him. He tried to implicate others. He even blamed it on Al Qaeda! He contacted one of the women who recieved his lewd photo and asked her to lie, then offered her the services of his staff to get pointers on how to answer questions from the media.
This author failed to persuade me.
We deserve better from our politicians, aka "public servants"...no excuses america! This is embarassing for our country!
Actually, most of the world doesn't care about a man's private sex life whether he's a political figure or not. I don't necessarily think this personal sexual behavior is why anyone should be embarrassed. This stupid witch hunt is why the rest of the world laughs at us–that bothers me more. Can we get back to important issues?
Whom may I ask is laughing???
He broke the law by falsely reporting a Felony. He needs jail time.
The writer leaves out the main reason why Anthony Weiner should not resign.
With this constant distraction, Republicans can safely duck their stance on Medicare and their plans to destroy the economy through forcing a default on the debt later this summer.
I am an ex-Republican. It does not take a genius to figure out that the Republican party is no home for anyone with an IQ above room temperature (unless there are ideological reasons).
The kind of well-meaning wool-headed nonsense that misses the wood for the trees, exemplified in this article, is precisely why I am not a Democrat.
Elections are not won or lost on principles. They are won or lost on tactics and strategy. I do not think that most philosopher-politicians on the left really understand that.
Book smart. Street dumb.
I though falsely reporting a Felony was a crime? No? Another example of the American Public idol worshipping while the common man goes to jail for lessor offenses.
You bring up a good point that would be relevant IF he had registered a false report with an office of the law, which I do not recall being reported as something he did. My concern is if he misused any resources under the jurisdiction and funding of the government. Could personal use of his twitter account be considered misuse? No–it isn't a government website. It is a private business, therefore, I do not believe personal tweeting constitutes breaking any laws.
resign. He is security risk. Show bad judgement. Would not want him an any high level security briefing he'd probably tweet it to the world.
WRONG!!!
Resignation is his ONLY acceptable move, period. Anyone who stands behind this scum bag is a scum bag themselves.
This essay is far too reasonable to have any chance of public approval.
Hey woodhead, did you see who the writer's affiliations have been with?
Yes, professor at Princeton. Which makes her smarter than you by a mile.
If this were about anything other than sex, I may have respect for the calls for his resignation. However, it is about sex. It is always about sex in this country – or so it seems. Here is a bulletin: human beings have sex. Another: human beings do stupid things. #3: human beings can be stupid about having sex. #4: elected officials are human beings. Therefore, elected officials are human beings who have sex and can sometimes do stupid sex-related things. Now, the kicker is if he sent anything to underage girls whom he knew to be underage. That is a different matter and there is no concrete evidence that he did so – and just saying "well, everyone KNOWS he did" is not evidence. It is time to grow up. Besides, what he did was nowhere near the level of Sen. David Vitter's offense – actually using the services of a prostitute which is illegal – by the way, sending photos of your genitals to someone is not illegal. So, if Vitter resigns, then, yeah, Wiener can resign. Until that happens, he should stay. We are nothing if we lose our capacity to forgive.
I think some people just want to see a person fail–it makes them feel as if they are morally superior. The judgments of the ignorant unfortunately affect all of us since the ignorant folks vote. This mind-set could explain a bit about how we got into a financial mess–the general public votes in people who use scare/terror tactics to get us to cooperate with them while they kill off opportunities for the middle class.
People talk about "accountability" in the public sector, but where is the accountability of those who got our economy in this mess? Why aren't the fat cats on Wall St. paying the rest of us for their selfish misconduct? Instead, people are voting in politicians who want to cut programs for average citizens while allowing those who caused our suffering to continue living off of us.
But, really, let's publicly try a man for having a libido–because putting him down is more important than helping the people.
You may want to re-check your thoughts on the legality of sending someone obscene pictures over the phone. Before cell phones, (that could send pictures), there were/are many laws involving how just a phone conversation could be conducted.
Sex, Drugs and Lies is an American Culture.
Anne-Marie Slaughter loses all credibility when she states that Bill Clinton was one of our best Presidents. For a historian, she neglects to mention that a good portion of our current financial crisis and jobs issues can be traced to Clinton's administration. Just one example would be their loosening of trade restrictions with China to benefit Walmart, which led to the wholesale exodus of American manufacturing jobs to China.
What she does make clear though is that the decision should not be left to the voters, but that Weiner should do the right thing regardless of what the voters think. Voters do not always understand the issues and vote based on how a candidate appears rather than the values he exhibits through his life. Bill Clinton is a perfect example of style over substance and it is amazing that people still don't see how bad Clinton's Presidency was for this country.
He stood up in front of a microphone in the US Capital and told a big fat lie. He said his Twitter account was hacked and then, when he couldn't defend that absurd lie anymore, he fessed up. That's the part that concerns me. Sexting pics is between he and his wife.
And on which planet was Mrs. Slaughter hatched before she traveled to earth? A nation with no moral conscience has no reason to exist, nothing to defend, and nothing to live for... I am sure also Mrs. Slaughter would have no problem allowing Rep. Weiner to meet and get to know her teenage daughters (online or in person).
I agree that Weiner's constituents and wife get final say. However, resigning would be the best thing to for the institution of Congress, and out of respect for the office.
Our nation suffers from extreme partisanship. Ethical behavior is now often determinied not by what people see as right or wrong behavior, but rather whether the perpetrator is in your party or the other.
This abandonment of a clear and concise ethical code has resulted in Americans growing dissatisfaction of a government that seems not to be responsive to their needs. They grow increasingly cynical (and rightly so) of our pulblic servants (politicians) and and the offices they hold.
We hear heated personal attacks about our leaders all of the time that display a complete lack of respect. As Americans we need to respect our leaders. We may not agree with their policies, but they are our elected leaders. Whether it be the President, governor, mayor, councilman doesn't matter. If we cherich our country and our form of government, than we need to respect the offices to which we elect these servants.
This is why Weiner should resign. He betrayed the public trust to which he was elected. He violated the office itself. Should he be forced out? No. Should he do it becasue it is the last decent thing he could do? YES.
Excellent argument. His credibility is pretty much toast–this is the price you pay for trying to be a public servant. You lose your privacy, so you ought to tread lightly. He did not.
The press made a big deal out of this, not because it's relevant news, but because it's good for business. His mistake was lying. However, a good judge of a man's character is not how he avoids adversity, it's how well he handles it. Not that I condone telling falsehoods, but I'm sure there is no one posting here that has not lied about something in their lives. Let's see what he does now.
He shouldn't quit or we'll lose all the late-night talk show jokes.
Funny thing is that writers continue to refer to "his constituents" in New York. As if his relatively small constituency is the only constituency he represents. Of course his District controls whether he is voted in or out, but all Congressmen represent all of us in some form or fashion. A large majority of what Weiner votes on affects me as much as it affects his local constituency. So let's stop talking about leaving things up to the people who directly vote for him and let's recognize that we all, given his role, have a right to ask him to stay or leave. He may choose to ignore such advice, but we have a direct and relevant right to let him know our thoughts.
Really? So we can vote out the Tea Partiers in other states? That's great!
He should resign he lied and tried to pass blame to some anonymous hacker. Its not the act that is so bad it is the cover up. How can you trust a guyto do really important business who lies about something that is just politicaly embrassing. He really needs to just go. their are to many liars we just forgive so they more andthen we complain that our elected officialss arent honest with us. Well this will continue until both parties send the message that if you lie to us the people your out. If not don't complain when the next politician ies no matter what party.
I am wondering this......IF he were a republican, or someone that you disagreed with politically, would you make excuses? I doubt it. The commenters here would be calling for not only his resignation, but also his prosecution. It is the typcal hypocrisy of the American electorate.
Just look at it, anti-war protestors that beat drums outside the White House and invaded Crawford, Texas, are now silent when the current office holder has expanded our military involvement to now include Libya and Yeman. Those who supported Bush, now demand we pull ou troops out. I doubt there is a single poster out here that is defending Weiner that would not salivate att he possibility of such a scandal befalling Palin. Or an attacker of him just hoping such a scandal happen to Obama or Pelosi. We have grown to be a nation of liberal and conservatives that hate their opposites instead of a nation of Americans wishing to better the country.
The idea of everyone else is doing it is not a sufficent defense, it is grasping at straws. We should expect those writing and enforcing the laws of the country to at least be able to follow the laws of the country.
There was a portion of the article that I did agree with, I wish this was British style government. Then the President would either be a figure head, or would have to awnser to Congress. Imagine Obama having to face "Prime Minisister's Questions' every week? Like wise, I would hope for a vote of no-confidence on all 536 incompetents in DC
"We should expect those writing and enforcing the laws of the country to at least be able to follow the laws of the country."
What laws did he break, exactly?
I believe he is being accused of using government assets (i.e. property) to do this. And should the possibility be true that he has engaged in a conversation with a 17 year old New Jersey girl, that just adds to it.. My question, is how unethical does a person need to act before we say they are not worthy of the office?
Why does everyone act so surprised when men continue to do things like this? This is what they do. Popular culture/standards holds them to a make believe unnatural standard. They can't help themselves. Their thoughts and actions are driving by something beside their brains. Marriage and monogamy is not a "normal" thing for men. Marriage and monogramy was invented by society. This is not being self-destructive – this is what being a man is.
It is also natural for a strong person or group to exploit the weak for their own purposes, using your argument, then I should be able to treat those weaker than myself how ever i want. after all, it is the nature of things...
Great attitude Lilly. You'd make the perfect wife for Arnold!!!
I agree with the writer. Weiner's actions were, of course, despicable but were absent criminal behavior. I have yet to see one shred of evidence that he has been derelict in his job for the people of Queens, New York. Yes, he got himself caught and lied about it, which is not good. But show me a politician in Washington who hasn't lied about something, business-related or private, and I'll show you a $3 bill. It would be one thing if Weiner intentionally targeted under-aged girls with his nasty pics but he did not. I repeat, I do not condone ANYONE sending lewd pics to any unwilling recipient, regardless of age. Wiener might have a tough time receiving forgiveness from his family but again, what he did was disturbing and gross but not criminal. What Republican David Vitter did WAS illegal (use of prostitution) and not only did the Republican Party offer support and later forgiveness, he retained his political career. Now, I don't very much care for men who do what Weiner did but I hope he doesn't resign, especially if his New York constituents don't have a problem with his political leadership. Besides, there are a great many more politicians out there who are committing some sort of heinous, gross act right now; they just haven't got caught. It's not very likely that we will ever be able to elect ourselves a bunch of strict choir boys any time soon so before you get on your high horses and yell, "oh but he lied, he lied! How can we trust him??, remember that...
He SHOULD resign! He is pervert. At least what he was doing was with girls as far as we know right now. The Dems usually go after boys.
You have a short memory. What about Republican Senator Larry Craig? Picking up men in airport bathrooms. There's a Class Act. I have more........
And you never had a sexual experience outside of a committed relationship, whether it be all by yourself or with someone else? I would really find that hard to believe, but it can happen. Besides that, you have no right to judge a man for his personal business. If he did something illegal, then he would be a criminal. I'm still waiting for the evidence of criminal behavior, but I don't think anything is going to be found.
I agree. This is nothing but a reflection of our society. Republican Senator David Vitter from Louisiana was seeing prostitutes and had a diaper fetish but he's still in office. Larry Craig was trying to pick up guys in airport bathrooms and he didn't resign. Why the double standard? What Weiner did was wrong but it looks like he didn't break the law. Let the people decide.
Republicans have been cleaning up their act. The last 2 repubs with similary indiscretions did not last out the day of the breaking news. Boener got rid of one and the other resigned before Boener got a change to call him. Get with the new program. Nice try!
Weiner is a liar and cannot be trusted which is not debatable. His proven lack of ability to make good decisions is also perfectly clear. His own behavior has put him in the position of being a national securtiy risk and a prime target for blackmale. Any other questions as to whether he CAN stay in office?
The term is "blackmail." "Black male" is a completely different term.
You caught me, my bad. I have to believe that you are also smart enough to have gotten my point.
you couldn't of said it any better! kudos!
the only thing that irks me, is the WAY he was lying, by being in the face of the reporters, having the nerve to lecture them, calling them jack heads, framing breitbart, etc. remember; the only reason he came clean is because he was caught red handed, otherwise he would of still lied, and who knows how far he would of went to cover this up, perhaps casting a vote on some law, to keep it hush, the integrity of his office he holds cannot be trusted, i think he should resign
What is clear is that Weiner is unfit to lead....he has displayed a lack of ethics and integrity, he is a liar and a cheat, he cannot function in a crisis (as displayed during his joke of a press conference), and he cannot govern his own bad impulses. Yet there are those on here defending him and lecturing the rest of us that we should not judge him. That's a load of bull. We are not Europe, where they look the other way at their devient polititcians. This is the United States of America...home of the free and the brave, not the weak and perverted. Even in this jaded world, ethics and integrity DO still matter and in fact play a direct role in how one performs their job. Weiner has demonstrated that he is woefully lacking in those qualities and needs to step down...now.
Ethics...what a sticky wicket. Tread carefully here. His job was not to be a monogamous, private husband to the general public. Ethics refers to his job as a congressman. If he breaks a law, he should not be a law-maker. Should you be "outed" as unethical for looking at porn?
"Should you be "outed" as unethical for looking at porn?"....No, and neither should you. But that is not what Weiner did, is it?. Taking the recent events in their entirety....Weiner sexting/texting lewd photos to women who are not his wife, lying about it in a press conference, showing a lack of self-control and ability to think on his feet....these paint a picture of a man who in my opinion should not hold public office. So I want him to resign from office (notice I am not calling for him to go to jail, be tarred and feathered, or expelled from the country).
I agree with the writer. The people who elected him should decide if he is to continue in office. If recent polls are to be believed, they do not want him to resign. He was elected to represent the people in his district, not all the people of the United States.
That aside, while he showed a lack of good judgement in doing what he did, no charges have been brought. And, as long as he can perform his duties effectively, I think he has every right to stay.
How pathetic it is that "no charges have been brought" is a phrase used by so many to justify letting a heel like Weiner off the hook. If that is the standard we use for our politicians these days, then what does that say about the condition of this country?
Rangel stays, Weiner goes
I agree with this author. Weiner should not resign. The Democrats would love to be rid of him and go on to the nest thing. However I feel there is a undercurrent of political taking out a rival or pay back to this story as well. Weiner was a firebrand no doubt stepped on toes no doubt pissed off many in the conservative circles.
Unless the committee can prove criminal misconduct. This is a example of a person using bad judgement . He was brought down by a Tattle Tail. Remember no one loves a Tattle Tail. They seldom prosper in the long tern. Neither does any one love a liar unless it is for a specific purpose to protect his family . I feel Weiner was embarrassed to be caught lied to cover up & was caught . Pretty human as far as I am concerned . Next comes the test for his character how he deals with the situation and regains the broken trust of his constituency. If he can do that then this is for the best .
Weiner did nothing illegal and it's only been blown way out of proportion due to the times we live in. Media are pigs and this stuff is going to be run and run and run until people stop paying attention to them. Ensign and Vitter broke the law but stayed in office and never were criticized by the GOP for doing so.
Pathetic twaddle Citing previous examples of those who did not leave office does not constitute a meaningful defense. They should also have resigned. And, for the umpteenth time, it is not about the sex. It is about public deceit and maliciously false accusations of crimes. It is about complete lack of judgment and self-control. It is about arrogance and attempted abuse of power. (I am important, therefore, I am exempt from the rules.). As long as we tolerate dishonorable behavior by politicians, we will continue to have dishonorable politicians.
I cannot throw him under the bus for this. If his wife is fine with it then who am I to judge. On the lieing account it is just like Clinton 80% of men would lie the first time confronted with this type of question in public. He has apologized and it is time to move on. I don't care for the "I gotcha politics" going on with the media and certain individuals who use this for padding their wallets at others expense. These guys are like ambulance chasers.....a disrespectful way to do a job. I kind of cheapens both parties which to me is a lose lose proposition and anyone engaged in it as frequently as this guy has been should be questioned on everything he says and does. We all know who I am talking about here right?
Agreed. The people in the media are muck-rakers. Sorry CNN, but it is true. You want to sell a story, so you go after a person. I am not a Palin supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but for the life of me, I cannot understand why the media wasted time looking at her emails–it was three years ago. Leave the woman alone. In fact, leave all of them alone unless you have reason to believe they committed a crime. Cyber-flirting is not a crime, last I checked.
IIt's not like the Congressman intentionally exaggerated the case for an invasion of Iraq, leading to thousands of deaths and what will ultimately be at least a 3 trillion dollar hole in the treasury. That was a major offense against the American people. Weiner's offense, like those of Gingrich, Ensign, Edwards, Clinton, Larry Craig and countless others, was against his family.
Blah, Blah, Blah about Iraq. Put a cork in it Waka. What does Iraq have to do with a dirtbag like Weiner????? Grow up, kid.
So let me get this straight, the kind of hubris that Weiner is guilty of can be the very stuff that makes bold, decisive leaders that we so desperately need. Wow! Sign me up. The leadership training academy alone is worth the hardships of public office.
Correction... Bill Clinton broke the law. He lied to federal investigators. He did the same thing that Martha Stewart spent time in jail for. The only difference is, he was not prosecuted because he was a sitting and the justice department decided against it. As the chief was enforcement officer of the United states, he rose his right hand before a judge and investigators to tell the truth THEN LIED.
Slaughter is just a liberal Hack!!! Do you think she would be of the same opinion if Weiner had an "R" next to his name or if he was a conservative? And this woman is "teaching" at Princeton???? God help us!!!!!!
Ed
Vitter was WRONG but it was at least with women. How about Barney Frank and Gerry Studds???
I believed him when he said a hacker sent the fabricated picture. I’m sure this whole situation is just being taken out of context…
Interesting interpretation–the "hacker" to which he referred could have been his Twitter stalker, Breitbart. Notice Weiner never said definitively that the photos were NOT of him. He never lied about that. He just repeated a prepared statement about how this entire situation is not relevant to his work as a congressman. You could look at his words as...an interpretation of sorts.
Just like interpreting "I did not have sex with that woman" ??
Here in the Palin household we check our precious bodily fluids on an almost daily basis.
Ah yes the never ending blather of liberals who are far to quick to forgive their own, and even quicker to condemn those whom they disagree with. Weiner is at best, no better than the many who have come before him and fallen. At worst he may be pervert and a predator. He deserves the same fate as those who have been forced from power with their tail between their legs.
The Sex Scandal is not the issue. Its the lying and coverup that is the reason for resigning. I will accept that his cheating is a personal matter, but when he refused to accept responsibility and tried to lie about it, he lost all credibility as a Public Servant. Not only should he resign, he should be prosecuted for the coverup attempt.
I'm so sorry you think Weiner lied to you about his sexual non-relationships. I mean, he owes you and all other complete strangers so much more than that.
He lied to me about having a felony committed against him. He DOES owe me more than that, even if I do not live in his district. He caused a public panic every bit as much (in fact more so) as someone who falsely yells "fire" in a crowded theater. That is conduct unbecoming of a US Congressman.
Both party constantly try to tear down and bring down the opponents. Especially if they look like they are going to amount to something. The fear is that this person will be come succesfull and eventually pose a threat. What Anthony Weiner has done is bad. In comparison to other things that politicians have done, including many Republican and Democratic politicians currently in office, twittering such things should be punished accordingly.
There is no difference between twittering bad behavior and saying on National TV. Including calling our President a Nazi and other deplorable things that the Fox station spews out on a daily basis.
Regardless of his party affiliation, Anthony Weiner should stay and if has any kahones, should fight for his seat and work hard to get peoples confidence. A lot of money was spent in putting him on his office. Some good should come out of all this.
I think this man will be a better person in the long run for this. If his wife is willing to forgive and stand by him, we should admire that, and we should applaud that decision.
Let's stop tearing people down! We are all Americans!!
No standard for behavior or honesty for the ruling class of this country then huh? That's what you bring to the table – let them do what they want? You don't think that for the lawmakers, the elite ruling class, there should be strictly enforced ethical standards? Wow! I had a hard time getting my arms around why some of these people keep getting elected – you just cleared it up for me. I think (this is going to sound like crazy talk to you) that power corrupts and at the earliest sign of it (unethical behavior) we should boot them. Doesn't matter if they are a democrat or republican – unethical behavior should dealt with immediately. Why do we give them special treatment – would we not be fired if we did the same stuff on teh job? stop coddling those people and get a clue.
While I agree that Mr. Weiner need not resign over his repugnant online activities, I do believe he needs to resign based on the fact he lied to the public about the events. Mr. Weiner stated initially he wished for the media to simply go away so he could focus on important work.....now he's stuck in a rut going no where.
Go get a real job Anthony....at least then you'd retain some dignity.
Obviously very intelligent people do dumb things too. "LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN...CAST THE FIRST STONE." Those who are so critical are probably worse than who they are condeming.
and you are probably one of the people of whom you speak. My sin has absolutly nothing to do with my representatives and their ability to tell the truth.
Casting away ......
Sounds like I hit a nerve. Hmmmm.
If high testosterone is what Slaughter believes we need in public officials, then we should just elect a squad of adolescents to run Congress. Just like Rep. Weiner, they are influenced by raging hormones and lack the experience, maturity and judgment to control themselves. What could be better for Prof. Slaughter than a Congress full of little Weiners?
Isn't it interesting that politicians can lie to the whole country deliberately but when Martha Stewart lied to Congress she went to jail. Can someone please offer a reasonable explanation for this??
We need to clean house, we really do.If Weiner had one shred of common decency he would have resigned already.
100% agree.
Interesting article. I agree 100% with leaving it up to his constituents. As long as his actions are legal there is no reason he should not be allowed to be as stupid as the rest of us. The action showed questionable intelligence and dubious taste, but at least it was funny! Learn from Europe, stop being so prudish.
You have changed my opinion. (even though I thought Clinton should resign, as I was aligned as a republican at the time )
I can only vest my hope in bleeding hearts with your values.
Nobody seems to be investigating the circumstances that led to the photo that was up on Twitter for maybe 11 seconds (before being removed) getting "noticed" by someone besides Weiner and the intended receiving party. How can that photo have been noticed and distributed by a third party in such a short interval of time?
Breitbart was after him for ANYTHING that would appear illicit to take the focus off of Clarence Thomas's wife and her Tea-party connections, which Weiner was all over at that time. Coincidence? Hardly. Yeah, Weiner messed up by being sloppy with his personal recreation, but Breitbart was trying to stop him from investigating an apparent and glaring conflict-of-interest from the wife of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Where is THAT part of the story?
He's a public figure. You have to assume he is being watched constantly by thousands of observers, with both good intentions and bad. I highly doubt it was Breitbart himself who hit the page in that 11 second interval. But I do not doubt that someone sympathetic to Breitbart could have done it in that interval.
What a sad commentary on the state of America that many would allow this man to stay in office and represent them. He should not have the priviledge of holding office and being a representative of the U.S. Plain and simple.
Please Americans, raise your standards.
One major difference between Weiner and the others who cheated on their wives: The others did not falsely claim a felony had been committed against them in order to perpetuate their lies. For that reason alone, he should resign or be expelled. If Weiner made a false FBI report, then he most certainly did commit a felony. But even if he did not, he caused mass hysteria by claiming his computer account was hacked. That is unbecoming of a US Congressman, who are indeed held to higher standards than a normal citizen when it comes to legal matters such as this. It's like if you had an employee who pulled a fire alarm to clear a building so he could cover up being with a mistress. You would fire that employee on the spot, wouldn't you?
To the person upset with the nude pic... remember except for ONE PHOTO all other photos were exchanged by two consenting adults and most while he was a single man. The press has got them because they have been sold by the recipients to the media outlets. In some cases, the media also received the lewd photos the women sent to Weiner. Don't be a prude. ALL women contacted Weiner FIRST. This is not a man placing an ad on publc board like Craigslist. Had a right-wing nutcase not been screen capturing everything on Weiner's twitter feed, it would never have made news. The post was up for literally a few seconds and taken down immediately once the mistake was made. It was intended to be a instant message. It doesn't excuse the behavior but that is private behavior not public. Weiner has only his wife to answer to and his constituents... not Pelosi, not the GOP, not the press and not non-consitutents. He chairs no committees and holds no leadership positions, so he doesn't need to answer to Wasserman-Schultz either. If he can live with the political fallout, the he should stay!
Are you kidding me? the Dem party is definitely not the party of our fathers. You believe that there should be ethical standard of behavior for the highest elected officials in our country? That the ruling class of this country should not be accountable for unethical behavior? That is moral relativism at its finest.
You have got to take a second and think this through. if we (this country, the people, the other elected officials) fail to demand a reasonable standard of behavior and hold people accountable to it – the entire government will be filled with unethical, morally bankrupt, scrubs like Charlie Rangle, William Jefferson, Mark Weiner, Randy Cunningham, and Ted Stevens.
Please tell me what you people find so offensive about accountability and integrity and why you want constituents to make the decision when people like William Jefferson got reelected by the people in that district. We already know if he brings enough TARP money home – they’ll keep reelecting him.
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE?
The entire affair shows such poor judgment on Rep. Weiner's part, I for one would not vote for him again were I one of his constituents. I think the honorable thing for him to do is to resign.
We all make mistakes.
We all pay for them too. Anthony Weiner will pay for his by resigning from the house.
And he should.
He needs to take two of his cohorts with him when he goes. He should demand a full hearing in front of his accusers ,just as his rooted buddies demanded who, by the way, are making laws we must obey everyday.
Oh I hope Weiner does not resign. The fun we will have for the next year as the 2012 elections approach. "Be a Weiner, Vote for Obama" as a bumper sticker comes to mind to remind the public what the Democrats stand for. And his running to hide and get treatment (for what no one will say with a straight face) will be more grist for the mill. Having Weiner around and in office should be good for a couple percentage point swing away from Democrats and towards Republicans. So yes, please for the love of God stay in office. We'll award you a national medal of honor after we win the elections. LOL
Who cares if one of his victims was 17- he is a great Congressman fighting the tea-baggers. Let him register as a sex offender, then let him get back to work.
I'm going to consider him innocent until proven guilty on that one. But there is more than enough evidence to consider him guilty on other things, enough to demand his resignation.
Bill Clinton was disbarred in Arkansas for lying before a grand juryfor 5-years after he left office. Regardless of politics, that fact alone would be grounds for immediate resignation had it happened during his presidency no?
Where do I begin with the flaws in Ann-Marie Slaughter's logic?...
(1) A dubious assertion that high testosterone is a litmus of personalities to embark on a political career. How about female representatives?!
(2) A dubious assertion that high testosterone leads to cheating and lying or, additionally, that Weiner himself has high levels of testosterone. Uh, proof?
(3) Public servants make less than they would in the private sector. Baloney! They are paid very well, have lucrative pensions, and receive benefits packages that are often unmatched in the private sector.
(4) Who says career politicians are employable in the private sector, particularly at comparable wages if glad-handing and favor-swapping with the resources of others (which often lacks effective scrutiny) is what got them where they are to begin with?
(5) Political parties have a procedure for ousting ethics violators from their own ranks to prevent a death spiral to the party. Weiner has embarrassed his political associates locally and nationally, and since teamwork is key to garnering support, winning elections, and ultimately legislating he has done more to undermine accomplishments than he has to offer in return. Have we forgotten he's an adult, or that he knew the rules when he signed on?
I haven't even mentioned his cheating, lying, or unrepresentative sense of entitlement yet. Weiner apologists can go jump in a lake.
You misread what she was stating entirely. She was commenting that intelligent people are employable at a higher compensation than elected officials, not that all politicians would be employable at a higher compensation in private jobs. INTELLIGENT people can get higher paid jobs in the private sector so many of the really intelligent people don't seek office.
Its pretty well known that high testosterone guys tend to be more aggressive towards women. I don't think you need to go into some dissertation of facts to make that statement.
Also, the House of Representatives for my district here in Minnesota makes around 53K. I make 85k as an engineer. Do you REALLY think that reps are paid too much? Seriously? As a CEO or VP of any private company in this area you could expect to make six figures easy.
i think its pretty clear that the Representatives are certainly NOT overpaid.
ztank...
Weiner's salary is $156,117/year. Its true representatives are paid less in other regions, but salary is usually commensurate with duties, in other words, being a figurehead is not necessarily a full time job, especially when you consider staffers may be handling the brunt of an elected official's work. Also, the daily allowance allotted to representatives on 'session' days could double what you mentioned as a salary, not to mention free travel, vehicle, and fuel allowances. In terms of expendable income your lower salaried congressperson could easily be making more than you.
Okay, 'testosterone-guys' have hit on girls (or sometimes other guys). But plenty of guys with high testosterone also practice fidelity, are honest in their dealings with others, and meet obligations and responsibilities without duplicity every day. Its not an excuse. Slaughter shouldn't inject it into the dialogue. And there's still no proof testosterone was a factor in Weiner's behaviors.
The author talks about what selfless, open people our elected officials must be. What baloney. These are greedy, power hungry folks who have an almost religious passion for power. By her standards, protitutes are also selfless, open, outgoing people, and, to my eyes, there isn't much difference between them and politicians. Take off the rose-colored glasses, come down from your ivory tower and look at the fetid swamp that our political landscape has become. Sorry, there's no nobility here.
It's his thing. He can do what he wants with it.
"LISTEN UP YOU PUUUKKEEE" – Sgt. Slaughter
I had no idea Sgt. Slaughter was a political commentator as well.
LOL!
So let me make sure I understand the stance most of you are taking:
It's OK that he lied to and cheated on his wife (with multiple partners), the lied to his constituents for better than a week, lashing out at those who questioned him because how dare they ask him loaded questions. It's OK for absurd reasons such as "we all sin", "he didn't really do anything wrong", "he didn't have the FBI open an investigation, therefor no criminal charges should be filed", "positions of power make people like Wiener think they are invincible". Wow, pathetic. Let me ask you people something. If this man has been lying to his wife like this, what makes you think he is telling his constituents the truth, ever? He should step down, as he is no longer a credible/respectable holder of a publicily elected office.
By letting him stay your lowering the standard that we set for our elected officials, Lets be truthful as well if he was a Republican, All of you would be screaming for Blood! And you know it!
I've read that Weiner supposedly CAN'T resign because he needs the $–has nothing to fall back on (no business or law degree, etc.). That, by itself, offers proof enough that he should resign. The man not only has not an iota of common sense, but without any apparent special skill or experience, his position is nothing more to him than a paycheck. His constituents deserve a whole lot better!
I'd like our leaders to be honest, intelligent, creative, men and women of high moral character who work solely in the interests of the American people. Since that is not going to happen you have to pick which characteristics are the most important.
It starts by electing such people.
It starts by getting enough money into the hands of those people so that they can be a viable candidate that gets their name out to enough people to get elected. So, its really not up to us simply voting for such good people. Its up to corporations and special interests to give them enough money so that they can win...and corporations and special interests dont want to give money to honest, intelligent, creative, men and women of high moral character who work solely in the interests of the American people.
Simple as that.
Yet one more apologist who redefines his morals or the issue he chooses to pay attention to to suit his needs – if it keeps in-place one more person his professional culture tells him he should support.
All that study of "journalism" spent on rationalizing bad behavior – and the erosion of ANY standards at all costs.
Oh please. Get off your high moral horse.
If you are going to throw Wiener out get them all,those under investigation, those that already been investigated and found to be wrong. This is a one sided thing because he has no pull.I am not condoning what he did nor am I condoning what the rooted ones with pull have done. They owe the taxpayers. Wiener has taken only our trust as far as we know now.Either get all of them or shut up.
maybe all of our leaders & representatives, male and female, should sit about stark naked, and fondle their genitalia – - while discussing pressing matters of the day, with news cameras recording this vision – - and we let the whole world witness our cultural conditioning on display – - as some "individual hereon" has termed it .. Voters need to think what representation they wish for the money & benefits these creeps receive .. Lifetime pensions ? Opportuyity to pass laws requiring citizens to live one way while the legislators get a better package ? c'mon people !!!!
This simply amazes me that anyone can think that one can betray the public's trust in an elected position by lying and sullying the office with his indefensibile actions. This country has lost it's moral compass, refusing to hold individuals accountable and protecting the integrity of the offices they hold. Shameful.
All we have to do is to look on the internet and see what we have decided is acceptable.Humans built and fed this internet.We are cramming this way of life down our grand kids throats and wondering why all of this is happening and why they are failing in life.
I couldn't agree with Kem more., unfortunately it permeates every level of government and is ingrained in BOTH parties.
Who says we should not judge? He is a public figure and should be held to certain standards. These standards are not made up on the spot. They are long-time traditions. If Weiner's actions fall below these standards (and it appears they do) then it is right for us to "judge" him. I'm sorry but Weiner is not irreplaceable. Nor was Clinton. Or most any other politician. As much as they'd like us to think they're irreplaceable, they are just like all the rest of the rats in Washington–a dime a dozen. So go get a cushy teaching job at Harvard and get out of Washington, Weiner. There's many more rats waiting to take your place.
Most of our politicians,good and bad, ride in on the coattails of a presidential election. Until we finally decide that the party system is not working we will still get the castoffs. Local government function better where it is non partisan.School boards are usually a good example where sensibility rules.
Our country deserves much better than a Mr. Weiner. He brings shame not only to his family but disgrace to the members of Congress. His acts are forgivable but his lies are not. I take exception to giving him a pass because Bill Clinton got away with it. We need to raise the bar of conduct on our leadership, we seem to be pursuing the opposite strategy.
I think a lot of people in this thread are using words incorrectly. One is Pervert. Unless you really know what it means, be careful. He did nothing inappropriate with anyone under age and it takes two to have a conversation.
per·vert (pr-vûrt)
tr.v. per·vert·ed, per·vert·ing, per·verts
1. To cause to turn away from what is right, proper, or good; corrupt.
2. To bring to a bad or worse condition; debase.
3. To put to a wrong or improper use; misuse. See Synonyms at corrupt.
4. To interpret incorrectly; misconstrue or distort: an analysis that perverts the meaning of the poem.
n. (pûrvûrt)
One who practices sexual perversion.
So for this to be true, the people receiving the pictures need to complain. Let me remind you, what is abnornal for one person is not for another. IT TAKE TWO TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ON ANY LEVEL.
He has said he was wrong because of his family and righfully so. You all need to but-out of his private business and start checking on your own personal politicians and maybe your own private life as well. PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES.
Very well said.
I love the fact that you think a married man with a pregnant wife is not perverted for sending pictures of his junk to other women on the internet.
Shirley...here's my definition of a pervert – Rep. Anthony Weiner.
Never mind the fact that he used government resources to perpetrate his "non-perverseness" he fabricated a lie to blame others for his actions....
If you think thats a great quality in a congressman then you are not as educated as your post is trying to express.
Professor Slaughter:
I heard your Dalton commencement address last week. As a parent of one of the graduates, I enjoyed your message to the students imploring them to avoid doing what they don't really want to do, although I am still dealing with the predictable misuse of it by my teenager seeking to avoid unpleasant but necessary chores of a responsible household member!
In terms of your suggestion regarding Congressmen Weiner's constituents being the ultimate arbiters of his Congressional fate, I'd like you to reply to this and other comments on this board questioning the "lying" thing. Many here have expressed that the relevant issue point is not the questionable private behavior of the congressman, but the aggressive, mean-spirited, and, ultimately, fictitious accounts he gave during his blatant manipulation of the news media, even when faced with the evidence of his hand in the cookie jar. This is an issue which I (as a Weiner constituent) find most troubling.
Your preferred approach would force us in his district to wait until 2012 to express our thumbs up or down on his continued tenure, while giving him time to straighten himself out, and diluting the effectiveness of advocacy of the issues he was pursuing in his day job. I don't want to wait. I would prefer him to get help on his own time. I will gladly accept a replacement for the rest of this congressional term by the Democratic New York governor. If he wants to see what the constituents think, then he can run for the seat in 2012. We can't afford to lose focus in our federal legislature waiting for Weiner's rehabilitation to be completed.
Very well said Kudos
"I for one am deeply glad that Bill Clinton did not resign; he was one of the best presidents of my lifetime and left the country in far better shape than he found it"....I beg to differ. Yes, our economy was thriving during the Clinton years but largely in part to the non existent regulation of OTC Derivatives. We all see what part these "personal self interest" motivated money makers did for our county later on. To praise this sort of practice shows true ignorance and lack of knowledge...thus your credibility for this article and as a writer are gone...Weiner should resign.
Am I to understand Clinton was innocent but Wiener is guilty? Got to think on that one awhile.
I think we all do make mistakes at time sometimes I've to wonder who died and leave us boss why We cnt just leave ppl business alone ,so what he made a mistake its nt for us to judge him let his conscience b his guide,what if God should judge us for all we ve done wrong ?????its a family affair so u all see ur way out of it.
Need to find out why the underage person that was sent the email was not guided by her guardians also.They are responsible for her until she is 18 and is responsible for her education and how she gets it.
Spoken like true liberals.
If Sarah was going through the same scrutiny, would these same people be saying the same thing? If she was in office.
Need to quit worrying about Palin.She has more chance of becoming the Czarina of Russia.
...or Miss Trailer Trash 2012 at the Wasilla State Fairgrounds.
A Congressman's job is to make decisions that often have a global impact. Representative Weiner has demonstrated a continuing serious problem with his own decision-making processes. Furthermore, when challenged he attempted to lie discrediting his capacity for moral judgment. Regrettably his demonstrated poor decision making process made far worse when combined with a discredited ethical judgment brings his abilities as a leader into question. He must resign.
He said he was sorry,because he got caught lieing,and the photos and women started surfacing.Now lewd photos he took of himself,in a mirror in a Govt gym to send to women are made public.There's a 17 girl,so far,that we know of and his a/c had his Govt position on his twitter where he was messaging and sending photos.Going to rehab is a Hollywood joke where people go to make it look good if they're in possible legal trouble.His wife is pregnant and in a high Govt position going to other countries and how embarrassing for her and Clinton since the world is hearing and seeing this,so it's affecting the whole country.
It's crazy to ask Weiner to resign. Did Mark Sanford reason as governor of South Carolina, and that guy, disappeared with his mistress for 5 days and no one knew where he was, when, your disappearing from work over a woman, yeah, ok, resign, Weiner's issue with his Weaner though on the otherhand are between him and his wife.
So I assume, now that since lying to the world, cheating on your wife, taking perverted pictures of yourself and emailing them out to other women, having sexual conversations, sexting, sexual emails, while being married and being a US Congressman, is considered typical. I do not care if you are black or white, democrat or republican, you are still wrong and perverted, and you should resign. What is next? Will rape be a sub par issue, oh it will pass, they are all doing it now days... I assume steeling will also become a non-issue. Heaven forbid, murder, even though there are people out there who deserve to be exterminated, I assume that will be commonplace. Anyone taking up for this piece of trash is just as perverted as Weiner. No wonder why the USA is starting to stink up the place, the people who agree that he shouldn't resign, are the people who vote these deviants into their office in the first place, so in essence, you are the problem. It is bad enough you cannot recite a prayer in school, without claiming you will experience severe trauma, or The Pledge Allegiance, oh dear... The USA was much better off 50, 60 years ago, before I was born. I feel sorry for our future, with all the political correctness, church/school/military issues. We can try to save the world, but cannot and do not have the common since to save our selves. God help us...
It's up to his constituents. As of yet, there has been no proof of a crime. If the ethics committee finds he violated House rules, then maybe he has to resign. If you want all politicians who have sought extramarital company to resign, we'd probably have an empty congress.
Oh by all means, let's keep this filth in office. A sworn member of Congress, s3xting salacious emails and nud3 photos of his pathetic little self to multiple strangers and cultivating online relationships with teenaged girls while using government facilities to do so, all while being a newlywed with a pregnant wife. After all, this is the era of "Obama morality" - whom better to serve the American people.
=|
Barf.
Somewhere along the way we stopped holding our leaders accountable in the same way we are held accountable in our lives. Whether this "affects his ability to represent his constituents" is meaningless because they are supposed to be our leaders and should be held to higher standards. It seems they are held to lesser standards nowadays and this behavior is accepted and should not be. What does this say to the kids growing up nowadays...this is acceptable behavior? or if you're powerful enough then you can get away with it?
If a man lies about s sex picture it's the worst thing in the world. However when you have a politician lie to you about how they are representing you there is no outcry. Sex is sensational, yet what really matters to Americans is how their government is run. When no WMD were found in Iraq did anyone lose their job? No. Yet we sent thousands to their deaths over a lie. I guess some lies are ok while others aren't.
As long as the behavior isn't illegal I don't think it's anyone's business but his own.
I am not sure if making a false public statement of a felony crime being committed against him is a crime. It ought to be, but if it isn't, I am not going to give him a pass just because it isn't illegal. Maybe his marital indiscretions are not my business, but false public statements about a felony being committed IS my business.
As a U.S. Rep, Weiner was entrusted with a high level of national security and decision-making. He also had a dirty secret that he was desperate to hide. That combination made him a prime candidate for blackmail and could have made his wife a target for it as well. Even if you can accept his creepy perverted actions and the very cruel betrayal of his wife, the fact that he opened himself up to blackmail should be enough to force him out immediately.
Failure is not falling down, failure is not getting up again. He should stay on and let his constituents decide who represents them.
It's funny how everyone talks about his crazy behaviour as the problem.
I don't really care what his sexual preferences are.
The fact is he should resign!
The reason is that HE LIED TO ALL OF US saying he was hacked.
He does not deserve to serve the people.
He should stay and do his work. I would rather have all those in Congress who lied about weapons of mass destruction, year after year support military aggression towards people who have done nothing to us, and pay for wars but can not find money to give a cost of living increase to seniors resign.
What he may have done certainly does not impact his ability to vote more than members of Congress taking money from organizations trying to "buy" their vote.
"CODE OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT
There is hereby established by and for the House of Representatives the following code of conduct, to be known as the "Code of Official Conduct":
1. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives."
Ms. Slaughter / CNN,
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. I agree COMPLETELY that Weiner should stay. He is a radioactive, disreputable piece of dirt–a true scumbag–and I'd like notthing more than to watch him continue to caucus with the democrats for many, many more years.
My advice for you New York Democrats and media leftists is to keep defending this waste of human space. I sincerely hope you keep him–you'll do more to win elections for republicans than the Koch brothers...
Love it!
Sincerely,
Fred K.
IAs a woman I think what this guys did was stupid but that is no reason for people to go all half cock calling him a pervert. If he is then so are the women who also send picutures of themselves to him. Because we have not seen them doesn't mean they didn't sent it to him as well. I'm sure it went both ways. If we check into the backgrounds of every member of the Senate and Congress there would only be 4 of them left. Another Thing is if it was a crime to sent pictures of yourself to other people from our phones we all would be arrested and without jobs. For all of those people who are calling this guy a pervert I hope your background is squeaky clean. We all have done things we aren't proud off or no someone who have. I'm not saying what he did was right but who are we to judge. As long as there was no minors involve and these were all grown women I don't see the problem, To go around calling this man a pervert because he made a stupid mistake is very sad. The only person who he need to worry about is his wife.
It's sad how many people on here think sending pics of your junk is acceptable for a public official and shows what our country has become....
Do people forget that he lied about the pictures, about the tweets, he said that his acount was hacked that it was a republican conspiracy? He accused the media to be on a witch hunt for a week, he exploded at reporters saying 'how dare you accuse me of such things". He did a mini media tour of lies for three days, it was a calculated ploy deflecting blame with accusations against others. For that he is unfit.
He used poor judgement with what he did with the pix and communications, a very stupid thing but not illegal. But that lack of judgement is being applied by this man to lawmaking, to his duties in congress. If this is how he handles his own problems, imagine how he is handling the problems of the country?
The revisionist and apologetic approach of the write is ignorant of the important implications of Weiners behavioral insticnts which are directly applicable to his behavior with respect to his duties as a (arrogant smug and far left) US Congressman.
When one stonewalls and lies about an issue like this, there is no basis upon which to support any belief that he could ethically, fairly or practically author, endorse or vote on issues of legislative consequence. His first instinct and been shown to include hiding the truth so that he can self serve his brand of truth upon the public he as sworn to serve. He is a traitor to the congress, country and family. Put the f–ker out to pasture.
THIS IS WHY OUR COUNTRY IS IN THE SHAPE THAT IT IS IN... YOU IDIOTS DON'T HAVE THE IQ TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF A PERSON LIES ABOUT ANYTHING, THEY WILL LIE ABOUT OTHER THINGS ALSO!! THEY ARE UNDESERVING OF OUR TRUST. OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN DUMMED DOWN TO 95% SHEEP, 2% ACTUALLY RUNNING THE COUNTRY FROM VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE PLACES, AND ABOUT 3% OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION HAVE ACTUALL WOKEN UP AND CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT BEFOE OUR EYES.
ATTENTION SHEEP, NOW HEAR THIS:
WHEN A PERSON HAS AN ELECTED POSITION OF AUTHORITY IN THE GOVERNMENT, IT IS NOT JUST BETWEEN HIM AND HIS WIFE, IT IS BETWEEN THE EMPLYOEE (POLITICIAN) AND THEIR EMPLOYER (WE THE PEOPLE).... THOSE OF YOU WHO DISAGREE SHOULD HAVE YOUR VOTING RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY.
Amen
No offense but you are an idiot. Why are American so into punishment and overlooking redemption. He did something silly but many read into it as something else. He simply embarrassed himself and I am sure he has learned his lesson about social media and probably won't do it again. He will be a better person and representative for it. Simple!
Don't resign!! You're the best thing that's happened to the GOP in a very long time!!
Wow! CNN readers here are all for him staying on! Cool...... Let him stay and enjoy the photos and best check your daughters emails and facebook accounts.
@HAHA – try out Clinton, Kennedy & Edward!!! to say the very least! Keep you trap shut! This is not a republican or democrat issue. I am registered independent but I think the pervert should have the decency to resign. Of course, I don't think he know the definition of "decency"!
Face it if this guy was a republican none of you would be defending him.
It is sickening how many people are defending this guy. To all the people saying he sinned and should be forgiven, OK we can forgive him and he can leave government representing the people of the U.S. Forgiving and letting things go are 2 different things. With that mentality there would be no punishment. Peter Robinson above has made mention of doing worse and he has an important job. Guess what Peter, if you were not doing that job, someone else would. Anybody can be replaced. You can't say, "Look what a terrible person I was, but now I am a good person." and that is to excuse the punishment?
Then you got people saying well at least he didn't lie about weapons of mass destruction. Are you serious? Everyone in the government believed they did. Even all the liberal backtrackers who later liked to point out there was no WMDt. Did you not watch Weiner on TV lying up and down about being hacked and having a private investigation done? He lied and knew it. Many on the WMDs were just judging based on information, Liberals and Conservatives alike.
We are all sinners and that is a tired excuse to not hold someone accountable. All this lack of accountability is exactly why this country is going to the crapper in so many ways. Everyone wants to point the dang finger and make excuses. Wiener even said on TV that he was not sure if any underage people were involved because you never know for sure when you do this things on line. THAT IS WHY YOU DON'T DO IT". I am not some rich spoon feed politician or lawyer and I am smart enough to know that. He did this to himself and needs to go.
Things like this lead to serious blackmail of politicians and can possibly be very damaging to the people they represent. I am just amazed that this is all OK to some of you. We gripe about government and then do not want to bounce people like this out. Awful what society is becoming.
He is not sick...He just let his power go to head. He was even going to arrange to have his PR people talk with the first girl to get their lies straight. He knew what he was doing and figured he has the power to hide it, just like good ole Arnie out in CA.
I do not think Weiner should quit. He needs to listen to the voice of the people. I am so tired of the media trying to make decisions for the American people or just trying to make a story. WEINER DON'T QUIT! They'll forget about you when the next story comes alone. As one person commenting said, they lied about weapons of mass descrution and nobody asked anyone to quit.
You are so right. The voice of his own people Democrats, are telling him to quit. The voice of anyone with standards is telling him to quit. The voice of people not wanting people like this representing the government of the U.S. are telling him to quit. The voice of people who see the dangers of things like this being used for blackmail and corruption are telling him to quit.The voice of all the other hard workers who know they would lose their job for something like this are telling him to quit. The voice of people who understand that once he lost that trust by lying on TV and claiming to be hacked are telling him to quit.
People like you are telling him to stay. Luckily for the country most of the people are not that liberal that these things are OK.
he'll need to kick a dog to run into serious problems with the liberal media. no problem if you don't pay your taxes, "borrow" campaign money or tell lie after lie and get caught.
Why should the public suffer this fool any longer? He should resign immediately and get help to resolve his narcissistic pshycosexual behavours and then try to get a real job with this on his resume. I doubt that he would get hired; I wouldn't want him taking crotch shots on my company's time. Our society needs to get out of the weeds and fly well above this type of nonsense; we are all getting soft in the head!
So for some here Bill Clinton was a saint. He did discover a new way to moisten a cigar and leave DNA on a dress! But heh!!!
they economy was great so all is well! Same people also this Weiner is totally Ok to serve as he is their Progressive voice.
Folks Weiner, as well as Repub examples, is why people like me join the TEA party and say that we need to take our country back from the hands of those who are not fit to lead. Weiner and Newt both come to mind!
We will take it back and we will get people in office who serve us not themselves.
Why Weiner MUST go. simple. He is a Dumba$$. It's not whether what he did was inappropriate or not or whether he can be "cured" through treatment. You can't fix stupid. There's no treatment, no pill, no surgery...stupid is forever. And to be a congressman and tweet someone photos of yourself in the buff, whether your wife condones it or not...you have to lack good judgement. That is the real concern here. Do we want people obviously this stupid running our country? no. There are plenty more people in his district with his exact same viewpoints that can replace him. He's not irreplaceable. Just leave dummy.
Ms. Slaughter, you could not be any more wrong. This should not about who did what in the past and somehow managed to get away with it or be forgiven. American voters and taxpayers deserve better than this. We need to say–once and for all–that we're sick and tired of the people we cast our vote for disrespecting the office they hold. If you bring shame on your title, on your party, on the hardworking people of this country, then you don't deserve to have the job we entrusted you with, and you relinquish it to someone who does.
Right on the point! Disespect of the voters is so correct.
American voters deserve what they vote for.
If normal human beings are not qualified for public office, who is? As Ms. Slaughter states in this article, many of the people who would be good public officials will never run for office because of the unrealistic scrutiny placed upon a candidate. Not condoning Weiner's actions (stupid, stupid, and more stupid), but I still think this should be between him and his wife on the one hand, and him and his constituents on the other.
Q: 'If normal human beings are not qualified for public office, who is?'....
A: Normal people do not Tweet photos of their genitals to strangers.
Does that help clear things up?
I agree with Anne Marie Slaughter! I don't think he should resign. I didn't think Rep Lee should have resigned. These are issues between husbands and wives. Let the people of their districts decide next November. I just don't give a rats rear about what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their own bedrooms or on their phones.
But mostly, I'm pretty sick of the lazy journalism that is being played out on cable and network TV. They find one shiney object that looks like it might have some appeal and then they all stand around and rehash the rehasing that the other networks have rehashed already. UGH! There are other stories going on in the world. There are other people being effected by war, drought, flooding, dictators, disasters, jobless, lack of healthcare, ad infitium! Why oh why are we wasting more than 10 minutes on sexting and flirting ?!?!?!?!?! Its lazy journalists and cheap news departments taking the lazy way out. UGH! I've given up on network cable. Do I have to give up on print as well???????
what would Ann say, if the twitt would have gone to her and/or her daughter?
He should absolutely resign and step down. Not because of the photos or what he was trying to do, but for the first few days he lied to his constituents and claimed his account had been hacked, he didn't do it, etc. What he did with the photos and such, as disgusting as it may be, is his own personal business. Lying about it later is where its he's cheated on his voters.
I totally agree.
Wow. A politician told a lie.
In other breaking news: water is wet.
He should go not because of what he did but because he lied about it, tried to cover it up, and then finally apologized.
He screwed up. Fine. It's his own personal business. What is more important than family? Probably nothing but this person was fine with treating his wife like garbage.
When this caught the light of day, he came up with a hokey story to try to cover it up.
Be honest – if he is willing to lie about this, how could anyone ever trust what he says about any topic?
He should resign.
It was such a colossal error in judgement – how could think guy think that some young girl would find him attractive? – he is delusional!
Anyway, if you make a bad decision, you should pay the consequences. Congressman or not. Resign.
Very well written and thought provoking, thank you.
CNN must really hate doing these stories! LOL Main street media is burying these in the depths of their sites.
It was such a colossal error in judgement – how could this guy think that some young girl would find him attractive? – he is delusional!
Anyway, if you make a bad decision, you should pay the consequences. Congressman or not. Resign.
Amen I couldnt agree with you more there is a lot of hypocrisy and double standards on Capital Hill I think those who protest
should look in the mirror occasionally and say there but by the grace of God go I or there by the grace of god I have gone
This clown otta rethink his position on everything in life.
Did he really think announcing he was going into 'therepy' was going to gain him in any way?
He lied! He lied to himself & his wife & now he's lying to US.
He otta just sell everything he owns & leave the country forever. Try Israel, they like major assholes like him.
Sorry but you are wrong, the country will move on without Weiner or any corrupt R & D person. Both parties have corrupt people and if they do something wrong and break our trust. Then they should be gone too, there are tons of people ready to take there place and hopefully someone will be better than the slim we have now.
He's a liar. And he's a shout you down, in your face liar. He breached the public's trust when he lied and then only admitted the truth after confronted with overwhelming evidence of his lie. Also, his behavior is unbecoming of a member of congressman–he was engaged in lewd behavior with strangers and with minors and in public places. It's one thing for his family to forgive him, it's another thing to defend his behavior, and I can't believe that women are the ones defending his behavior. Is that the way you want your husband's to act? Do you want 45 year old men sending emails/texts/tweets of their privates to your daughters? What happened to common decency?
Once elected to congress Weiner represents more than just his constituents... when he votes along party lines he represents his party... when he appears on national and international media he represents the United States. In his private life his private family can forgive his transgressions... in his public life his family is powerless to forgive his transgressions. He made his perversions public when he tweeted his crotch photo to 40,000 people, he made his lies a public matter when he lied to the nation and tried to shift blame to others. He must resign and recede into private life where his family can forgive him if they choose to. He admits to suffering from mental health issues (his reason for therapy). We do not need a mentally ill congressman voting on issues of national importance. After he is cured he is welcome to run for public office again.
We dont vote for our officials to reflect the "culture" of the people or "society". We vote for them to "stand" for honor, respect, honesty and have good moral standings at all times as a public official. Public servants who display Weiner's behavior are a danger to his constituents and his state, as his actions reflect those of someone who can be bought and sold by the power of the "genitals". Our officials cannot be bought for the price of a prost*tution fee. Officials like Weiner place themselves in the position of being blackmailed and vulnerable to vote on important matters pertaining to the interest of his "pubic" instead of the interest of the "public". We do not need pubic officical. His actions and actions of those like him certainly do not reflect me or what I stand for or why I voted for him. He should know better and was expected to do better. He will become a rotten apple to the bunch and pretty soon, dont expect much out of his constituents either, except mayble nude photos of themselves on "twitter" world!
Agreed. However, his actions do not just have an effect on the constituents of the state of New York. This man is a FEDERAL legislator. The laws he drafts have application regardless of what state you live in. I am sick of hearing this is only an issue for the voters of New York. If the man is so truely arrogant and self-absorbed that he cannot see that his actions have already cost him his career, then I think there is no doubt the voters of New York would oust him the next go around. But, regardless, this is not merely a New York issue and, indeed, we all should be concerned.
I think any elected official should, at a minimum, have to meet the same standards as any employee of any private organization would have to meet. Oral sex in his office by a private company's executive with a subordinate would call for immedicate termination. But what politician would do that? (Hint, he worked at the White House in the top job).Weiner's behavior would get him fired too. But he's a congressman. Let him do as he pleases.
I say let his constituents decide. If he is doing what they elected him to do and they are happy with his performance then that is all that matters. he did not do anything illegal (that woudld be different). This is between him and his family. I personally don't like cheaters and would not vote for him again but i don't think he needs to resign.
All this outrage over twitter messages. i find it ridiculous that more people aren't outraged about all of the republicans cheating on their wives and having children out of wedlock. republicans are the ones actually RUNNING their campaigns on 'family values'. dems aren't. if my candidate ran on a family values campaign and then did this i would boot him – that is the epitomy of hypocrisy 9guess i shoudln't be surprised since most republicans are major hypocrits)
You do your cast of All Star philanderers wrong, Ms. Slaughter, by grouping Weiner in their midst. While cheating on one's spouse may be immoral, it hardly sinks to the level of depravity that includes sexting one's erect genitals and predatory trolling. I do agree, however, that as Weiner has broken no law (thus far) he is only accountable to his constituents. Should his district continue to support this type of character – they deserve him.
P.S. "They All Do It" is NOT a defense. And I am equally sick of the "he only hurt his wife" defense. Adultery is a sickeningly cruel and selfish act that leads to terrible suffering for the betrayed partner and for the family involved. It can and does end with broken families and even in suicide and murder. Enough! Anyone, male or female, who wants to behave like Weiner needs to STAY SINGLE and stop tormenting their spouses and childen to death.
If he was a Republican every one of you that says he should not resign would be singing another tune.
It is only the Democrats that can make a mistake and only have to apologize instead of resign
Anne-Marie, Thanks for being careful to list your two "Full Disclosures" - clearly, you have great personal connection to Spitzer and Weiner that the reader must understand. Frankly, that CNN gives you this platform is a problem - but its not your problem, it is CNN's. After all, would you be upset if there was a big Pro-Weiner article and buried in the last paragraph was the "small full disclosure" that the author was a paid public relations consultant for Weiner? Well, I would. Inclusion of the full disclosure statement doesn't really sweep away the fact that this opinion has a major conflict of interest. How about a headline that warns the reader? "Close Friend says Weiner is a Good Guy."
Part of your article is wrong... Clinton didn't just lie to the public. He committed PERJURY. If you can't grasp the concept of perjury being a crime, you shouldn't be writing for a media outlet.
I did not think David Vitter should resign and I do not think Weiner should resign. Weiner should take "persoanal " responsibility for his actions, and go on with his career. Americans like people who says, I was wrong, I am sorry to the ones I hurt, I am getting help, and I want to learn from my mistakes and move on. Hang in there Weiner, I wish Pelosi would go, but I am not from her state. Pelosi is obviously not a team player in politics, she is hard left and we need more middle of the road politiicans fighting for all Americans. Fight for New York, they voted for you. Fight for America, we need you. I voted for David Vitter the last time, because I admired his honesty in admitting his mistake, taking responsibility, and not quitting because other political figures recommended he quit. Lott screwed up, he did the first things when he made a mistake, but he quit and ran with his tail between his legs. We vote for you politicians to do the right thing for your state and the right thing for our country. It is a shame, it takes you all so long to come up with a budget every year and waste time on BS like this.
Wow,"Bill Clinton should not resign because he was the best president in my life time"
So in your opinion if the not so good one like Carter or Bush,they should resign or fired on spot,right ?
I enjoyed Ms. Slaughter's defense of Weiner almost as much as her defense of Chis Lee earlier this year, and Mark Foley back in 2006. (Oh wait – she never wrote those!). It's entertaining to watch liberals like Slaughter equivocate and tie themselves in intellectual knots when the accused is on of their own.
Weiner's cover-up is even worse than his sexting. The compulsive lying, the elaborate press conferences, his false allegations of criminal acts (hacking etc), his attacks on both CNN and CBS, and the aspersions cast on two innocents – Andrew Breitbart and Dan Wolfe – prove he's not fit for public office. His resignation is a no-brainer.
Breitbart and Wolfe, innocents? Now, that's funny!!!!
His career is over. Unfortunately, the only person arrogant enough to not believe it is the dick himself.
Ineresting turn of phrase for discibing that member of congress.
Wow,"Bill Clinton should not resign because he was the best president in my life time"
So in your opinion if the not so good one like Carter or Bush,they should resign or be fired on spot,right ?
It's pretty simple. He looked straight at the camera and lied keeping a straight face, he can never be trusted again by the public...he must resign. It doesn't matter one bit all the effort you put in, how smart you are, how much money you have ect...he lied with a straight face.
Is Weiner worst than the cheaters on both sides of the aisle? These cheaters lied and connected with actual bodies, and more than likely used taxpayers' money to do so. Who knows what type of pictues and movies they made? It's all very disgusting, but they all should be treated the same.
amendment 28
They need too be held to some standard
The author needs to go back and get a real education. First, everyone is NOT doing it. Second, her abysmally dismal understanding of basic, undergraduate-level ethics is, for a professor of political science, HIGHLY disturbing. There is no worse slippery slope than "everyone else is doing it." Here is a man who mass exposed himself via the internet in his government office, using a government computer, on government time. Here is a man who has attempted solicitation with 17-year olds.
The author needs to actually attempt to use that grey mass between her ears. It shouldn't take someone with two (2) law degrees to tell a University professor that she hasn't even the remotest inkling of the terms "ethics," "professional responsibility," or "government accountability for and by the people." Horible, uneducated drivel if I ever saw it.
Weiner may represent a district in New York, but he's also involved with decisions that have a nationwide reach. I could care less about the Twitter scandal itself, but his betrayal of the public's trust ought to be paramount here. If Weiner wants to continue a career in politics, let him stay in New York. The rest of our citizens don't deserve to be contaminated by his failure to comprehend basic ethics.
I am a Libertarian that votes GOP, and I seriously could care less whether he resigns or not, it didn't seem to effect his job, other people from outside sources (media) are now effecting his performance. If he decides to resign to work things out at home great, if not, he will probably get voted out anyways. Don't care about anyone's personal lives, don't care about their political affiliation either, doesn't smear either side for me, it is what it is, individuals doing weird stuff in their private lives, nothing else.
I'm a Libertarian as well and also I could care less what someone does with their spare time as long as the job gets done. But when you lie so easily and make up outrageous stories and back them up with more lies that is when it's time to quit. You can no longer be trusted. If he would have just said "No comment" I would be all about him staying in office but that isn't the case.
Weiner was obviously lying. Some of the other cheater were not so obvious. Makes me wonder if the others are more experienced liars.
If other people have done similar things and gotten away with it or been condoned then Weiner should skate free. It is important that his actions further the purpose of creating the lowest common denominator for human behavior. In the world of Ideocracy, Weiner would be considered a saint. We can stoop lower.
Yes, the world of Ideocracy....BUT in the REAL world, people are held accountable for their actions. No offense, but there are PLENTY of honest, moral, upstanding politicians in our government. The "everyone else is doing it" is a sickening attempt at bipartisan justification, not to mention beyond uneducated drivel.
In the real world, the constituents will hold a lying pervert attempting soliciation with 17-year olds to extremely high standards regardless of money, power, or PR team...just wait and see.
Doofus, looks like Taxlawyer49 didn't catch the sarcasm of your post. I did, but I'm a sarcastic person myself. When all else fails, lower your standards.
If Weiner was a Republican Ms. Slaughter and all the others who are supporting him would be demanding his resignation.
Just what we need;another spokesperson for lower ethical values.
I get the feeling that most of the respondents here don't know what online sex is. It is not about posing your pictures to a public place, so it has nothing to do with indecent exposure. It is a sexual conversation that requires the participation of both. So, it is similar to meeting someone at a bar, and later taking the conversation to your apartment where some nudity may take place, except that it is done online. There is nothing sick or deviant about it, especially for the new gereneration that lives online. So, old folks, if you don't know what it is, may be you should shut up.
I am also getting very tired of "corrupting minors" argument. Firstly, no minors were involved in his sexual conversations. Secondly, if they are having sexual conversations, and soliciting revealing pictures online, they are not innocent minors anymore. If you don't want your children to have sexual conversations online, ask them not to. Nobody is forcing them or tricking them. We are not going to raise your children for you! Thirdly, your teenagers are having sex, whether you like it or not. Get used to it, and stop moralizing. Teenagers are not children; they are sexual beings. Stop imposing your sexual hangups and frustrations on them, and on the rest of us.
If you were a lawyer, Vince, you would know that minors lack the capacity to give their consent to these types of conversations (especially when we are talking about who...a rich 50-year old in a position of EXTREME power, wealth, and notariety.) The fact Weiner is still around only goes to show how corrupt our system has actually become. If he were any employee working for ANY OTHER company using company time, offices, computers, and equipment to mass expose himself AND then LYING ABOUT IT, he would be gone the next day. ZERO TOLERANCE.
Seems like you need a mandatory lesson on how real life works.
I agree with the author on leaving up to the constituents. But I disagree with the assertion that he "betrayed his children" How did he do that? Doesn't someone "betray" their children much more by moving out of the family home and divorcing their mother? Yet when has a commentator wrote: "He betraying his children by moving out of their home and divorcing their mother" Why is it that there is not a full-scale media investigation when a politician divorces to determine if he unfairly abandoned his wife and family? How about other events in his life. Did he ever bully a girlfriend into having an abortion? Has any of the women politicians had an abortion? Have any of them had a venereal disease? Engaged in weird sexual practices? How many sexual partners have they had in their lives? The answers to all these questions could reflect on their fitness to hold office. Reporters - go to it!
The NOW branch in the Queens said they were giving Mr Weener a pass, because he votes the right way.I find this incredulous.Have they no problem with "flashers"
I think Representative Weiner should stay in office until his family decides, or, the people in his district decides. He maybe be a distraction to our party, but, to call for his resignation while Vitter still holds office is not right. We should tout that we have an elections process. If Rep Weiner gets voted out, then his own district fires him.
He and his family need to make the decision. Not our party. Our party needs to support him, not okey doke his behavior but support the process is a better term. If the Ethics Committee comes down on him then they need to convene a deeper inquiry into Rep Vitter the perv.
I can forgive his digital indisgressions if his wife can what I would not be able to forgive were I one of his constituents is that he treats the voters like they are stupid by denying especially if he knew there were more photos out there. As liberal Democrat I must say being treated like you are stupid may work for the GOPers (sure we can lower taxes increase spending and balance the budget...) but it does not work for us.
What Weiner should have said was "Yeah that's me.and you should see my good side." That would have said "nothing to be concerned about, I aknowledge my wife doesn't care so why should you? Unless of course his wife was also surprised in which case he was treating her like she was stupid too and she should dump him in a "New York Minute".
Ms. Slaughter, I take exception to the following statement:
"These traits, and indeed success itself, also correlates with high testosterone." That's a gender-biased remark, especially disappointing coming from a woman of your usual intelligence. Do you mean women can't be successful? Or are you just stating that successful men often think with the wrong head?
I agree with this article for the most part, though. Frankly, in this society, anyone who wants to run for public office needs a sanity check.
As for Me. Weiner, "a pathology for which he needs treatment" is your bottom line? Seriously? And what sort of treatment is available for stupidity? Many are in dire need . . .
What Ms. Salughter – and many other liberal apologists – have chosen to hide their face from is that this issue is not about sexual misconduct – it's about a high government official brazenly lying with a straight face to the media, the American publiuc and his congressional peers – and then trying to escape any accountability for it.
If he lied about this why is there the slightest reason to believe he wouldn't lie about using government resources to conduct his tawdry online activities (which he has also denied doing) or about taking bribes or about accepting illegal campaign contributions or any number of other items of misconduct in office?
Lying is wrong – period! No discussion!
It's astounding that Ms. Slaughter can be a professor whose apparent message to her students is: lying is o.k. and there really shouldn't be any consequence fromf doing it.
No discussion. You, sir, are a real american. You must also be perfect (which I doubt) to be able to make such an unequivocal and certain statement.
I think the point here is that everybody has skeletons in the closet. Ok, where do you draw the line. My yardstick is simple:
- competent people for a particular job. Not someone who makes it up as they go and gets the position because they are a good manipulator. The election process is supposed to help us figure it out but I have found that the media is a bunch of simpletons and focus on fluff rather than substance. Go back and look at this guys record through the prism of him being totally dishonest. Does it change your perspective on his comments or job performance?
- Someone I can trust and someone I respect. This dirt bag is in trouble, not because his sex drive is too high but because he is a pathologically lying, wife cheating, arrogant, delusional piece of crap with a totally broken moral compass. I wouldn't trust him enough to let him shine my shoes.
The reason I despise Bill Clinton is that he brought lying into the open for politicians and eventually minimized it as an issue. Now we always assume a politician is lying or is allowed to lie. Somehow lying has became a non issue.
I think he should stay.
And I wish that more people who are 'addicted' to commenting on these blogs would actually educate themselves before saying anything. Mr. Weiner DID NOT send photos to anyone who was a teenager. The parents of said teenagers have agreed with this. He needs therapy of some sort, and he needs his wife to kick his a** for months to come.
But there are almost an equal number of republicans and democrats who have failed us in this way. Does that mean that most politicians are like this... or does it mean that we, as a people are like this in general? We all know that obsessive compulsive disorders are common here in america. Maybe we need to address the national sickness that this is becoming and take a lesson from Mr. Weiner's decision to make bad choices.
But he should stay in office.
The man mass exposed himself via the internet on an employer-owned computer. If he had dropped his drawers in a subway station on company time and using company resources...do you think he would still have his job?
The man is a public servant. He fully a much larger a** kicking coming his way than the one he is receiving from his wife.
The main problem people have is NOT the sex scandal, but much more the scope, level and depth. This includes but is not limited to lying about it, alleging a criminal hacking, and pointing fingers to innocent parties. This also includes, but is not limited to, arrogantly bragging about how good his PR team is. (Though he might not have been too far off since I can assure you they are alive and well on these forums right now.)
There are very few republicans or democrats that have quite failed us in this way and that are still in office. There are none out there who have failed us in this way and who should still be in office. It is a slippery slope (and a outright fallacy I might add) to claim that "we are like this as a people in general." Personally, I am sickened and offended by this remark, as should every decent, hard-working American man who has achieved some level of professional success and has been faithful in their personal commitments and duties to their families.
Are you suggesting that most American and community leaders cheat on their spouses and then lie about it in private and to public newstations, tell the authorities they are being framed by criminals, point the fingers at their enemies causing (knowingly unwarranted) investigations, and then only come clean AFTER the evidence is so overwhelming that they can no longer hide. Do then these same men have the audacity to brag about the quality of their PR teams (as though nothing will ever come of it?)
You need a real healthy dose of reality bud. Nobody can be this ignorant.
I do NOT agree with the writer.What happens in the past should continue?Is that how she raised her childeren?
I want people in Congress who have integrity and common sense, which does not remotely describe Anthony Weiner. Also, I don't buy into the notion of his going through treatment for an alleged "pathology." He has a personality disorder, for sure, but that is not the sort of thing that works itself out through through rehab; it is, to a large degree, his essence, and not conducive to elected office.
I read about half of the article. The writer is truly an idiot. If leaders can not be held to high standard...not woth continuing...
You've got that right. Her moral compass is all out of kilter, but I'm finding that most dems are this way anymore. Where are the feminists out there. So now you can be a democrat Internet groomer of women and get a pass.
Don't forget about Barney Frank when he hired a male prostitute to do house work and other perverted stuff. What Wiener did, as offensive as might be, isn't as bad as what other public officials have done.
So two wrongs make a right? This is wonderful thinking. No wonder our government is, indeed, an absolute trainwreck.
Of course he should resign. Too much time and energy is being taken up by this. This issue is distracting congress and they need to get back to the business of running the country. Also, Weiner was elected to be a public servant, not to spend his time dallying in the internet and committing the crime of indecent exposure. I'm totally aghast that he is wanting to take time off from his duties to enter rehabilitation. He needs "rehabilitation" to know the difference from right and wrong behavior???
Weiner needs to go, not because of his texts, but because he is a liar. This is not about inappropriate conduct towards women. This is about honesty, integrity and accepting personal responsibility. Worse, he intentionally led the media and the american public on a wild goose chase with his assertion that his twitter account had been hacked. Whether his wife forgives him for his betrayal of their marraige is her choice. But once he chose to lie about his actions, he no longer should be able to hold office. .
With friends like you, Elliot needs no enemies
Just because others didn't resign doesn't mean it's acceptable and that they, too, shouldn't have resigned. However, when giving the list of the unfaithful, Ms. Slaughter should remember that Mr. Schwartzenagger, whatever you may think of his or his actions, wasn't in public office when he committed his infidelity. He may have been unfaithful, but his actions weren't during his term of office. As for the comparison with Mr. Weinter, Mr. Schwartzenagger and others were in consensual relationships; Mr. Weinter apparently simply sent material to random, unknown people.
Sorry, but to me that's a big difference.
We should not lump everyone who does something sexual in the same boat. What Weiner did was very mild–mostly sex talk and flirtation. High school kids do this every day. He committed no crime, he did not harass anyone. No complaints were filed. There was no physical contact. This was not porn he sent–you see the same thing on TV every day. I hope he does not resign. WE need to distinguish sexual harassment and sexual affairs from sexual flirtations. What Weiner did was trivial by comparison to what others have done. Good grief. We should not be so prudish.
The problem, Sarah, is that he is not a "high school kid." Rather, he is married 50-year old leader of our Federal government.
As stated before, the fact this is a "sex scandal" involving multiple (known) women (and a 17-year old) is not what people are so upset about. Much rather, it was the way he handled it. He knew what he did was fully wrong. But he blatantly lied, danced around the issue, bragged about his PR team and (worst of all) pointed fingers at innocent parties KNOWING they were innocent. Is this someone you want writing your laws?
WE need to distinguish sexual harassment and sexual affairs from sexual flirtations.
________________________________________________________________________________________
As a lawyer, i would greatly appreciate your defining for me sexual harrassment. I would like to correct that no claims have been filed....yet. You cannot claim there was no harrassment just because no known claims have been filed. He certainly put himself into a postion for potential claims for harrassment and (worse) blackmail.
If you were a school district emplyee you would be fired. Every district has a morales clause. This guy should be thrown out. He would be fired in any other industry. Holy crap, the people supporting this guy are pond scum....
The actions of Clinton and Spitzer don't justify those of Weiner. All three were wrong. We can't have people like these making decisions for our nation or states. Let them wallow in their filth out of the public arena.
Keep Weiner, he is just what the democrats need.
Apparently, the creepster Obama is voting "present" on this one.
Bravo.
You're crazy.
As long as they are doing something good for society – we should forgive people for their lack of morals or character. After all, neither morals or character matter in todays society.
If hooker-prone David Vitter, and closet queen Larry Craig didn't resign why the hell should Weiner? Did he do anything illegal? NO. Both Craig and Vitter did yet they didn't resign. The USA has to get over it's nonsensical morals kick and fix the country's problems.
Delusional article. Bill Clinton should have resigned. He lied.. embarrassed our country, broke his oath of office
What a bunch of drivel. He should resign. Period. Quit the politically correct baloney already and face the fact this guy is a liar. No amount of time in rehab will make up for this huge character flaw. Yes, it is time to stand up and expect more from our elected officials on both sides of the aisle. Wrong is wrong. If you cannot act in a professional manner as an elected official, it is time to step down and never be heard from again. FIVE soldiers were killed last week – does anyone know their names.? Have you seen anything other than a short article about the loss of their young lives? Of course not......
She lost me the minute she called Clinton a great President.
It amazes me that so called educated people can us such ignorant and down right stupid arguements. The issue is that he lied and he did it repeatedly, same as President Clinton. I really don't care about the sexual part if it is between consenting adults. I don't want to hear about whether or not their families forgave them or not. The arguement that President Clinton left the country better off 'in the writers' opinion is also an ignorant arguement; there were people that thought Hitler had made them 'better off'. The most fundumental issue is whether or not we the people can trust our elected people to tell the truth. The one area where Clinton really left a legacy is that mnany of us now think its not so bad if they lie. Why do we think the stupid ass Edwards went so far with his lie? Just think about that for a second longer and see if you really want us to go down the slippery slope.
As a member of Congress, Weiner is answerable only to his constituency. Regardless of what the rest of us might think, in the absence of a crime, it is up to the members of his district to make the call as to whether his actions warrant his removal (and recent polls seem to indicate that they do not). Like it or not, the rest of us should feel bound by their judgment.
Weiner's capacity to function under the physical duress of full arousal, send a quick digital photo, bathe, and then arrive to work with a clear conscience, was nothing short of a heroic demonstration of pure industry. http://tinyurl.com/3b7gnhh
this lady is a twit. She says she believes that Slick Willy Clinton's lying didn't affect his governing? You've got to be kidding. Millions of dollars, time and resources were channeled to drudge up what he already knew to be true. Lady, get a life and fix that moral compass. Your types is what is bringing this country to a moral crisis.
Wiener was going after the criminal Clarence Thomas, and that's why the rethuglicans are obsessed with Wienergate...makes sense. Clarence Thomas belongs in prison, as does his wife, for their criminal offenses against the American people. Wiener may be a bit of a fool, but sending legal communique's to people who are above the age of consent is not something we need to be wasting time on. $30 BILLION every week is spent on war and keeping the pentagon going. $30 BILLION every week. Think about it.
what exactly was Clarence Thomas' charge for going to prison may I ask?
It is time for the Speaker of the House to have a meeting with Weiner and all other cheaters and demand that they give seminars for young men to discourage them from behaving as they did. They should be required to identify the negative consequences of their actions.
This writer is as twisted as Weiner. That everyone else does it, is nothing more than an excuse for one to seek self-gratification regardless of the harm is may do to others.
If a person is willing to cause hurt, shame or betray their own families, or those that love them, the very idea that somehow they will treat YOU or anyone else honestly or with integrity, is absurd. That a person is a politician is irrelevant.
The thing he did that would hurt him most if I had to consider whether or not to vote for him in 2012 (not likely, I don't plan to move to Queens) is that he was not able to realize that the Jig was up and fess up as soon as the thing started to break. How he could continue to think he could continue to cover this up once the "cat was out of the bag" would make me wonder not only about his honesty (he continued to lie even after admitting to some things) but his ability to assess the likely consequences of his actions and the actions of others. That is certainly part of the job of a legislator, or it should be.
Thank you to the precious few here who have identified the REAL issue – the fact that Rep Weiner LIED repeatedly for almost a week, until the evidence against him was so insurmountable that he had no choice but to come clean. Is this what we should be looking for in a leader, Ms. Slaughter? A person who will sell his soul not to get caught, and continue playing a charade until he has no more outs? Go back and watch some of Weiner's interviews during the first week of this scandal – the media asks him reasonable questions like "If your twitter account was hacked why haven't you called the police?", and Weiner's response is to berate and belittle the reporters while trying to obfuscate the undeniable fact that he is LYING. For a week this man "couldn't say" if the pictures were of him???COME ON!!
Character is what you do when no one is looking. Anthony Weiner showed the world his real character while no one was looking (or so he thought), and showed it again by lying while the entire world was watching.
Don't you actually have to pull out the Wiener in order to commit "sexual misconduct?" The man just played around on the internet. What's the big deal? Can any poster here say they haven't done something similar at some time in their lives?
As an example, look at Vice City, the video game. You kill people, car jack, etc... it's on a machine and you never actually do any of those things. Same with Wiener. He didn't *do* anything.
What does Gingrich has to say to Weiner about lying?
Well, since Gingrich is a Repuglican, he is far worse. I've never seen a liberal democrat do wrong. But like most right wingnuts, Gingrich is a lying hypodrite, two qualities liberals are immune to.
Since I agree with his politics I wan't him to stay. I only worry about the character of those I already dislike.
As a teacher, I can tell you that kids are closely watching what adults do . . . if, for nothing else, to find a convenient excuse for their unacceptable behavior. We must remember that our children are our future leaders; and, when they see that certain unethical behavior is excused, without consequence, they learn that the bar is very low, indeed. One of the most important things that we teach our children is that when they participate in behavior that is contrary to rules, regulations, or generally accepted behavior, there are consequences. When these "bad boys of politics" are let to continue in their careers, it sends a destructive message to our children. Yes, the issue is one that Mr. Weiner and his wife need to reconcile (if, at all); but the larger issue is that he is a public servant, one who is bound by a standard of behavior. If he violated that standard, he should pay the consequences . . . and NOT be given a CNN prime time spot.
No offense, but Representative Weiner proves himself everyday as he fights the good fight in the house. You need to resign as a teacher I think.
Sanford lied repeatedly about his extra-marital affair and then confessed after returning fromBuenos Aires. I believe all of these guys, including Weiner, should resign. However, there is no consistency in expectations or punishment for these cases. IT WILL BE UP TO THE DECENT AMERICAN PEOPLE TO HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR.
I have zero tolerance for morons like you... go suck on the teat f the right right sow and drink the milkl of idiocy..... Weiner should be put on Mt. Rushmore... both him and his genitals. Repuglicans, just accept it.... you have no moral ground to stand on, and men like Weiner define morality.
Remember kids, don't feed the trolls, this idiot Rex is obviously trolling, dont fall for it!
A real class act there Rex. You and Weiner are pals, right?
Yes instead of me, listen to the "wisdom" of "sick of these politicians".... waits.... waits......
In the realm of ideas, whether Rep. Weiner should resign can be argued either way in the context of similar scandals.
But there are two key things that are not similar. The first is that it is the images that are what all the fuss is about, not
actual human conduct. People may not agree with prostitution, but everyone understands it. On the other hand, not too
many people can relate to a man lying down naked with an erection and placing a camera between his feet and taking
photos. The second difference is where they ended up, the internet. So, it's a new question whether a politician can
can be a viable public figure with these lurid, flasher-like images preserved forever in digital clarity in cyberspace.
i
I agree with Rob.... people have done far worse than Weiner has, but they dont take pictures of it and send them to the web. which i guess makes Rep. Weiners crimes lesser, but far, far more stupid....... but not as stupid as the most intelligent conservative ever.
Let's just give him the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Pathology of Weiner's behavior? The pathology is reacting to what he did as if it really is important, critical, or relevant. On one hand we praise and honor diversity while the other hand is tied behind our backs as if Queen Victoria still dictates what human behaviors are acceptable. Even that Mrs. Brown was a hypocrite and the world jeered. Did she resign? Of course not. Leaders are humans not saints. Pathology-no. Pathetic- sure. People who make Mrs' Brown's and Mr. Weiner's behaviors catastrophic are pathetic. Totally.
A distraction? Too much time being used up? So tell me, every time the media shark attacks a politician he should resign? Sorry... that gives the media way too much power. All the media has to do is character assassinate someone and force them to resign? Wow! don't "journalists" have ethics anymore? Voters decide who goes and stays. Not "objective" journalists. Voters vote every two years for representatives- not every day or week. This is not a singing or dancing contest. The media is forcing Weiner to resign, not voters. Sad to see Obama kowtow to TMZ. Boo. Hiss.
At the time of the Clinton sex scandal, Liberals asked "Where's the Harm?": Here's your answer. And if Weiner stays in office, the next incident down the road could be even worse- The full sex act on the internet? Sex with minors? Lord knows. Yes, I know that we can't expect common decency from a Liberal Democrat, but is there a way to bribe Weiner into leaving?
Of course he should resign. Professionals have a code of conduct. They must bring no embarrassment to themselves or to the people they serve. This government is heir to the Continental Congress, not the idiot frat boy clubhouse where Anthony Weiner first decided he was entitled to do whatever he wants.
Why is it ok to see a decapitated head rotting in the back of a trunk in a CSI episode at 9 pm but its not ok to see a congressional weiner? Palin doesn't exactly wear a granny shawl to cover her honkers. Why is it ok to use drones to kill human beings without due process but not ok to run around naked in Central Park? The real perversion is violence in any form. Nudity and sexuality are not innately violent or criminal. Hating Weiner for private and silly behaviors is perverted because your hatred of him is pathological and arguably violent and invasive. Leave him alone. Misconduct? Please. When was the last time you pleased yourself? Emphasis- pleased. Go please yourself. And, yes, I think I will. Good night!
On Anthony Weiner, I'm caught between the rock and the proverbial hard place. Politically, I like his views; he's an outspoken critic of the hard right... so I don't really want to see him resign. On the moral issue of him texting pictures of himself... well, I'm pretty neutral on his Twitter improprieties. However, he did lie, and he did so often and blatantly; I believe in 27 interviews. Now I don't delude myself into thinking that politician don't lie; they lie often and seriously (take WMDs for example). But as a matter of ethics, lying does have consequences for a person in politics, and should weigh significantly in one's political career. This was the issue at stake in Clinton's improprieties, not his liaison with Lewinski. The question of him resigning is legitimate.
But what is more disturbing is the copious amount of Jewish people in the media who are complicit by reason of their tacit and sometimes outspoken tolerance of Anthony Weiner's deeds; a closing of the ranks, so to speak. Certainly, it's up to his constituents to decide whether or not Weiner is fit for office. But where were the throngs of Jewish journalists asking if we've gone too far with the story of Representative Chris Lee story (the congressman who bared his chest on Craigslist, which is similar to Weiner's story). And where were the Jewish journalists being sympathetic to Representative Lee's wife. Weiner, on the other hand, seems to be getting special treatment in the media.
Whether it's politically expedient for my political view is not important. Yes, I like Anthony Weiner politically, but he should not get special treatment from the media.
Did Weiner show his Wiener? heheheheh
And while Americans waste time squabbling over some that has nothing to do with them; while the important issues get thrown under the bus. Europe laughs because half of them are having affairs left and right and people could care less.
How can a party allow a person like Newt Gingrich to run if Congress mandates the resignation of Wiener.
Why are American so into punishment and overlooking redemption? He did something silly but many read into it as something else. He simply embarrassed himself and I am sure he has learned his lesson about social media and probably won't do it again. He will be a better person and representative for it. Simple! btw with Twitter followers have choices. If they do not appreciate Tweets from someone simply unfollow. Some people are so shallow they simply cannot think deep enough.
So the author is saying that as long as the republicans degenerates stay in office , the Democratic degenerates should also stay in there? sounds like tit for tat playground mentality.
so while Weiner goes on a leave of absence for an undetermined period of time, the people he represents , have no voice in the House of Representatives.
Men and women in power seem to be very narcississtic. I guess it takes a bold ego to hold public office. Nevertheless, our leaders should restrain their urges to display themselves sexually and should refrain from extramarital affairs. I've been told men have the need to spread their seed. Well, let them spread their seed with their wives in the privacy of their home with no cameras. I don't care how important their job is, men and women should learn to control themselves. If they can't control themselves, then they can't contraol their jobs either. I don't want people like this representing me. Their lack of morals appalls me.
Now Anthony you know you are less guilty that your own chief quad master, so hold on to what’s yours. This kind of stuff happens every day in our everyday lives. We have lots of children that originated from others that are being raised by nice men like you. We call those guys sperm donors.
We just have a few questions. Was she in a hostage situation or was it an offering of love, lust or commotion. Well, the numbers are adding up and aren’t looking right.
Hey, it doesn’t matter to me as long as it doesn’t end up having anything to do with my assets or my allotted funds that are to be replenished here very soon.
I think the law here states that if you are married at the time of birth then you are the legal Father. It may vary state to state, so check it out.
Looks like you get to keep your job. Next time strip down all the way and maybe you can be a model for my city to glorify the reproduction of the human species. I told the Arabs they can pick out the tits as long as I get to pick out the dicks and I asked them to send pictures right away so I could get started designing. They still haven’t sent me any pics, but I here they totally got it going on in the ocean. I thought they would be mad at me for being so open, but no, those dudes are so cool. Maybe one of those cool dudes is the parenting partner. If so, it looks like you rule as far as diplomats go.
Anyway, as far as I say – it’s not who loses the sperm; it’s who takes up the responsibility. And, sometimes it takes not just a village to raise children, but the world.
Please don't decide Mr Weiner is toast
He surely has problems, but there's something to boast
What he has gained in his peculiar position
Is precious and thundering name recognition
Republican hopefuls race from place to place
"Please remember my name!"; "Please remember my face!"
Look, if you will, what Mr Weiner has done
Not one penny used from of his own campaign funds
His name and his face are known near and far
He's a spot-lighted, featured new media star
Now, every sentence he chooses to say
May make the front page the very next day
Now is his time to be thinking like hell
What a great chance to serve America well !
His now well-known name will surely be blest
If he skillfully steers us from our present dark mess
Think carefully, sir, choose well every word
You can be sure you will be heard
A deluge of lemons on your head has been made
Do not wimp out; just make lemonade
(A good place to start is last week's GPS suggestion of an infrastructure bank. Particularly, if returning vets are offered good jobs on the projects. And, yes one more thing-KEEP YOUR DAMNED PANTS ON ! ! !
If the Democarats and the Republicans put this much energy into working on solution to resolve the problems facing America like putting people back to work BOY! we would not be sitting at 9.5 unemployement. Mr W einer needs to work with hisfamily and the people he work for and no one else. I'm so sick of hearing this crap over, and over for what ever reason. All new network shut the hell up about Mr Weiner you are beating a dead horse. Hey I got a news item for you "MY GRANDMA AND YOUR GRANDPA WERE SITTTING BY THE FIRE-YOUR GRANDPA GOT CAUGHT EATING MY GRANDMA SITTING BY THE FIRE". HEY! What do you think????
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