It's a good thing the media stopped calling him the next JFK so that they could call Obama the next JFK. They could have had egg on their faces right now. He was a dirt bag opportunist Lawyer and politician, so why would he not be a dirtbag husband??
Sleazy, slimy, call it what you want. But, first, I never presume to know the inner details of someone else's relationships. And I don't really want to; it isn't my business.
Second, people are "sleazy" and "slimy" all the time, but people's personal lives really oughtn't be used as breaking news.
In fact, I remember a number of legislators just this past Wednesday saying that what any public figure, appointed, employed or elected, does after the hours of 9am and 5pm is irrelevant.
6:28 Ahhh, you are wrong!!! They are likely taking a move out of the Governor Paterson playbook. Admit, get it out in the open and move on.
However, I do have to agree that cheating in any form shows a weakness in character. Multiply that by the fact that his wife had cancer.
Most shocking is Ms. Turner's comment. People with integrity care. Ms. Turner is not mature enough to understand that hurt and pain that infidelity can have in a marriage or long-term relationship. Perhaps the photo she proudly posts by her name is a snapshot into her own values.
Americans, some of us, hope that fidelity is still a value held in high regard.
It is all about practicing what you preach, right? I mean, why did the media make such a big deal about Sen Craig? Was it the homosexual activity which damned him? Or the fact he supported legislation which could be seen as anti-gay.
Brittany, here is a guy who could have been our VP. He was looking for the presidential nomination. He preached about rightousness. That is why we care.
I am by no means perfect and have made tons of mistakes but with Edwards there is a hypocrisy factor, the guy was portrayed as the loving husband standing with his wife but in reality he was a scumbag.
I guess if a legislator or public official wants to go out and get drunk on his own private time..that would probably be fine but if he/she was to get in a car and drive home...that's certainly an issue.
So I'm not sure who the legislator was or what the context was but I tend to disagree with them.
Hypocrisy is the name of the game. You can be sure that the Edwards will be no where near the Democratic Convention...but President Clinton will be center stage.
McCain's private life is equally hypocritical, as evidenced by the repugnant divorce from his sick wife, as are many of the self-righteous "family values" Republicans who have been caught with their pants down.
Let's see how the fragile male ego crumbles when a high-powered women elected official is caught cheating.
Sorry Brittany, I have to answer to my wife, an elected official has to answer to all his or her supporters and the public at large.
You're right; you are definitely morally superior.
To sit in self-righteous contempt as you exploit the suffering (and privacy) of another individual is an honorable and worthwhile activity. Passing judgment on the indiscretions of others must make it a lot easier to ignore your own.
Glad everyone is feeling better just through knowing that someone else is worse.
Is cheating on a sick spouse somehow worse than cheating in general? What about cheating on a really kind, gracious spouse? And if you're cheating on someone who is a complete ass, does that make the actions more of an equalizer?
If what he did is wrong, it's wrong. But no one has any right to start magnifying the issue through arbitrary and unrelated logic.
12:23, I guess the ultimate question is whether or not being a public figure is the forfeit of any expectation of, or right to, privacy. Whether it is someone holding public office or the Britney's and Paris' of the world, I do not think that fame and renown should waive this right.
Of course you have to answer to your wife. And of course she must answer to her constituents. But, the public has no right to delve into someone's personal life.
She needs to answer the public on her record and positions. You need to answer to her on personal matters. There really isn't much room, or reason, for crossover.
I don't know if you were responding to me or to someone up above, but if it was to me I'd have to say that this isn't about moral superiority, it is about complete and utter bullshi*.
I agree -- it IS complete bullshit. I'm sick of seeing this crap.
I want to know about Edwards' (or McCain's or Clinton's or Spitzer's or Paterson's or Craig's etc. etc. etc.) sex life about as much as they'd like to know about mine. It's disgraceful.
Brittany and Phoenix, no one cares squat about your private lives. But when you are an elected official, private indiscretions can lead to extortion, political favors, or policy decisions that can hurt all of us.
If one wants the spot light, one needs to take the heat. This is not about morality, it is about good government.
11:33, you're also deluding yourself if you believe political favors wouldn't occur without private indiscretions. It's the way business gets done in this sad excuse for a democracy.
Extortion, favors, policy decisions, whatever, will only be a factor when the public actually cares about this rubbish. I, personally, do not. It's between Edwards and his family.
The hysteria around this nonsense is what enables any impropriety, not the other way around.
If anyone is alive today and believes that government can ever possibly be characterized as "good government"--let alone "great government"--then y'all need to smoke something very strong and very often to get that notion out of your system and come back to reality.
24 comments:
looks like no vp slot for Edwards.
It's a good thing the media stopped calling him the next JFK so that they could call Obama the next JFK. They could have had egg on their faces right now. He was a dirt bag opportunist Lawyer and politician, so why would he not be a dirtbag husband??
who cares?
Somehow it seems like if you were to line all the major politicians up in two lines...
One line of pols that were in monogramous relationships - no cheating or other sleasy stuff...
One line of pols that "trip the light fantastic" from behind a facade of alleged monogamy...
It might look something like this:
----
-------------------------------
So, like Brittany said:
Who (other than those closest / those that are personally hurt / those that made bad choices for mates...) cares?
One's personal life is one's personal life, and I'll bet not too many of us live in houses that don't have ANY windows...
So watch out for rocks...
Pick the best of the litter...
And contemplate your own (as must I) reflection.
N.S. / Phoenix
Wow, human kindness!!!overflowing!!!
Humans, the only animal that takes pleasure in the pain of one of its own.
Mark Twain said it "There was really only one Christian and they got to him early and crucified him."
Have a nice weekend...smitty
Britt:
I guess if you subscribe to those New Paltz values than it's no big deal :)
It's pretty slimy to cheat on your wife but when she has cancer it brings it to an entire higher level of sleaze.
Careful JB!
Sleazy, slimy, call it what you want. But, first, I never presume to know the inner details of someone else's relationships. And I don't really want to; it isn't my business.
Second, people are "sleazy" and "slimy" all the time, but people's personal lives really oughtn't be used as breaking news.
In fact, I remember a number of legislators just this past Wednesday saying that what any public figure, appointed, employed or elected, does after the hours of 9am and 5pm is irrelevant.
Want to pull out that flip flop pic again?
Cheat on spouse, cheat in your job, accept conflict of interest campaign contributions, cheat on contracts awarded, all the same!
6:28 Ahhh, you are wrong!!! They are likely taking a move out of the Governor Paterson playbook. Admit, get it out in the open and move on.
However, I do have to agree that cheating in any form shows a weakness in character. Multiply that by the fact that his wife had cancer.
Most shocking is Ms. Turner's comment. People with integrity care. Ms. Turner is not mature enough to understand that hurt and pain that infidelity can have in a marriage or long-term relationship. Perhaps the photo she proudly posts by her name is a snapshot into her own values.
Americans, some of us, hope that fidelity is still a value held in high regard.
It is all about practicing what you preach, right? I mean, why did the media make such a big deal about Sen Craig? Was it the homosexual activity which damned him? Or the fact he supported legislation which could be seen as anti-gay.
Brittany, here is a guy who could have been our VP. He was looking for the presidential nomination. He preached about rightousness. That is why we care.
Brittany:
I am by no means perfect and have made tons of mistakes but with Edwards there is a hypocrisy factor, the guy was portrayed as the loving husband standing with his wife but in reality he was a scumbag.
I guess if a legislator or public official wants to go out and get drunk on his own private time..that would probably be fine but if he/she was to get in a car and drive home...that's certainly an issue.
So I'm not sure who the legislator was or what the context was but I tend to disagree with them.
Hypocrisy is the name of the game. You can be sure that the Edwards will be no where near the Democratic Convention...but President Clinton will be center stage.
McCain's private life is equally hypocritical, as evidenced by the repugnant divorce from his sick wife, as are many of the self-righteous "family values" Republicans who have been caught with their pants down.
Let's see how the fragile male ego crumbles when a high-powered women elected official is caught cheating.
Sorry Brittany, I have to answer to my wife, an elected official has to answer to all his or her supporters and the public at large.
I really liked Edwards... but whatever my views... past or present on this...
Either he or his wife will probably now write a book (or series) - be "born again" - make a movie - or all of the above..
And make millions to billions via
that route!
What a circus!
N.S. / Phoenix
You're right; you are definitely morally superior.
To sit in self-righteous contempt as you exploit the suffering (and privacy) of another individual is an honorable and worthwhile activity. Passing judgment on the indiscretions of others must make it a lot easier to ignore your own.
Glad everyone is feeling better just through knowing that someone else is worse.
Is cheating on a sick spouse somehow worse than cheating in general? What about cheating on a really kind, gracious spouse? And if you're cheating on someone who is a complete ass, does that make the actions more of an equalizer?
If what he did is wrong, it's wrong. But no one has any right to start magnifying the issue through arbitrary and unrelated logic.
Really not sure what is so offensive about my photo, but I'd love to be filled in.
12:23, I guess the ultimate question is whether or not being a public figure is the forfeit of any expectation of, or right to, privacy. Whether it is someone holding public office or the Britney's and Paris' of the world, I do not think that fame and renown should waive this right.
Of course you have to answer to your wife. And of course she must answer to her constituents. But, the public has no right to delve into someone's personal life.
She needs to answer the public on her record and positions. You need to answer to her on personal matters. There really isn't much room, or reason, for crossover.
Brittany,
I don't know if you were responding to me or to someone up above, but if it was to me I'd have to say that this isn't about moral superiority, it is about complete and utter bullshi*.
N.S. / Phoenix
NS/Phoenix, just responding in general.
I agree -- it IS complete bullshit. I'm sick of seeing this crap.
I want to know about Edwards' (or McCain's or Clinton's or Spitzer's or Paterson's or Craig's etc. etc. etc.) sex life about as much as they'd like to know about mine. It's disgraceful.
Brittany and Phoenix, no one cares squat about your private lives. But when you are an elected official, private indiscretions can lead to extortion, political favors, or policy decisions that can hurt all of us.
If one wants the spot light, one needs to take the heat. This is not about morality, it is about good government.
11:33, extortion is illegal. Infidelity isn't. "MYOB"
11:33, you're also deluding yourself if you believe political favors wouldn't occur without private indiscretions. It's the way business gets done in this sad excuse for a democracy.
Extortion, favors, policy decisions, whatever, will only be a factor when the public actually cares about this rubbish. I, personally, do not. It's between Edwards and his family.
The hysteria around this nonsense is what enables any impropriety, not the other way around.
If anyone is alive today and believes that government can ever possibly be characterized as "good government"--let alone "great government"--then y'all need to smoke something very strong and very often to get that notion out of your system and come back to reality.
7:19's comments are interesting, but whatever do they mean exactly? Care to expound, 7:19?
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