my mistake: re Anthony Weiner

[eddief]

not worth discussing.

[pbarry]

You can't make this stuff up.

[Louis]

The only thing worse than talking about A Weiner is talking about the Royal Baby.

Eddie - I was kidding (because there's lots and lots of talk about the Prince). I hope you didn't remove your post because of my comment.

[eddief]

just had second thoughts about my contributions here or lack thereof.

The only thing worse than talking about A Weiner is talking about the Royal Baby.

Eddie - I was kidding (because there's lots and lots of talk about the Prince). I hope you didn't remove your post because of my comment.

[e-RICHIE]

He said today that it was behind him.
Believe it atmo.

[Louis]

just had second thoughts about my contributions here or lack thereof.

Hey, at least you didn't post a picture of you-know-what.

BTW, “your health care rants were a huge turn-on.”

[charliedid]

Behind, in front, either way.

[eddief]

if he could get us single payer i would not care what he does with his stem being too long.

Hey, at least you didn't post a picture of you-know-what.

BTW, “your health care rants were a huge turn-on.”

[Louis]

if he could get us single payer i would not care

Now you're sabotaging your own thread with a serious subject. :eek:

[firerescuefin]

Which was Eddie's idea from the beginning. (Neither good or bad)

[eddief]

for premeditation and ulterior motive. In this case it was more like the Ryan Braun fall from grace conversation. No more, no less. Just another self absorbed, narcissistic, media whore. oh yeah. single payer.

Which was Eddie's idea from the beginning. (Neither good or bad)

[Tony T]

You can't make this stuff up.

"...he pleaded with New Yorkers to trust his assertions that he is now a changed man, despite the news that his online adventures — some conducted under the pseudonym of Carlos Danger — had persisted through last summer, after the birth of his child."

[dekindy]

I think they ought to elect that pathetic pervert and let him bankrupt the city.

[93legendti]

As long as we agree with his stated policies, what difference does his morality, truthfulness and character matter? Nominate him for president, I say.

After he is term limited, he can come to Detroit and finish the job Kwame Kilpatrick started...

[Bruce K]

Danger Will Robinson, Danger !!!!

BK

[fiamme red]

Danger Will Robinson, Danger !!!!Yes, Carlos Danger. ;)

[professerr]

We are all, uh, connected:

"The Vogue story hinted in 2007 that she [Weiner's wife] had dated actor John Cusack and cyclist Lance Armstrong. "

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/23/politics/huma-abedin-profile

[cmg]

the wife looks like a modern day version of Frida Kahlo.

[slidey]

I'm assuming, for his...err...its sake (hisss...it lives!!), that pre-existing conditions will be covered as well?

his stem being too long.

[93legendti]

the wife looks like a modern day version of Frida Kahlo.

How long till she runs for senator and then president?

[rwsaunders]

Didn't Carlos Danger play shortstop for the Pirates in the 80's?

[tuxbailey]

His name and the scandal... it is just too much. Like it was set up perfectly for late night talk show jokes.

[zap]

Does Weiner's wife still work for Hillary.........:hello:

[BumbleBeeDave]

;)

[tuxbailey]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/972073_10201630791321792_1497602337_n.jpg

[redir]

You can have a name like Carlos Danger too!

The Carlos Danger Name Generator

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/low_concept/2013/07/carlos_danger_name_generator_use_our_widget_to_get _a_name_like_anthony_weiner.html?fb_ref=sm_fb_shar e_toolbar

[akelman]

I don't think Anthony Weiner should be mayor, but that's because I don't agree with him on a wide variety of issues. Beyond that, though, did he break any laws? Is there any compelling evidence that his text relationships were non-consensual? Or with minors? I ask because it seems like if we're going to start disqualifying people with impulse-control issues from elected office, we're going to run out of qualified people pretty quickly.

Again, I dislike both Anthony Weiner's politics and his persona. He's always struck me as a self-aggrandizing tool.* But I'm having a very hard time caring that he likes sexting** with consenting adults.

Anyway, let's talk about Trayvon Martin, because that will be a great discussion.

* Sorry.
** I hate myself for using this word.

[akelman]

Also, from now on please call me "Pascual Dynamite". Thanks.

[witcombusa]

I don't think Anthony Weiner should be mayor, but that's because I don't agree with him on a wide variety of issues. Beyond that, though, did he break any laws? Is there any compelling evidence that his text relationships were non-consensual? Or with minors? I ask because it seems like if we're going to start disqualifying people with impulse-control issues from elected office, we're going to run out of qualified people pretty quickly.

Again, I dislike both Anthony Weiner's politics and his persona. He's always struck me as a self-aggrandizing tool.* But I'm having a very hard time caring that he likes sexting** with consenting adults.

Anyway, let's talk about Trayvon Martin, because that will be a great discussion.

* Sorry.
** I hate myself for using this word.


Weiner is an idiot...

perfect for politics

[Louis]

But I'm having a very hard time caring that he likes sexting** with consenting adults.

Ari, call me a prude, but given all the weirdness we already have in our society, I think it's probably a good idea that we do not elect a small-time pervert (that we know of, there may be more going on behind the scenes) to be mayor of one of our country's greatest cities.

[akelman]

Ari, call me a prude, but given all the weirdness we already have in our society, I think it's probably a good idea that we do not elect a small-time pervert (that we know of, there may be more going on behind the scenes) to be mayor of one of our country's greatest cities.

Exchanging sexts with consenting adults is a perversion? I mean, it's not my cup of tea*, but I'm having a hard time, given the givens, seeing how this is anything other than his and his wife's business. I tend to think that, so long as people are living within the law, their private life should be just that: private.

* I prefer to pretend to be one of the My Little Pony characters.

[akelman]

Having said all of that, I want to reiterate that I wouldn't vote for Weiner for dogcatcher, much less mayor of NYC.

[Louis]

^^^ that's why I called him a "small-time" pervert. Most "normal" guys that are happily married don't do that stuff. (that I know of)

[Likes2ridefar]

Having said all of that, I want to reiterate that I wouldn't vote for Weiner for dogcatcher, much less mayor of NYC.

same here!

[dekindy]

I ask because it seems like if we're going to start disqualifying people with impulse-control issues from elected office, we're going to run out of qualified people pretty quickly.



I cannot believe I am reading this. I have always agreed with the statement that we get the government we deserve. We had better start demanding better.

[93legendti]

I think people with impulse-control issues should be in charge of our largest cities, especially those with powerful police forces, and preferably those that have major ports with ocean access. If the UN happens to be in one of those cities, even better.


We had a mayor with impulse-control issues in Detroit. It worked out really well. After Kwame Kilpatricks's 8 years or so in the Manoogian Mansion, multiple members of his administration were in prison for corruption. Kwame is also in prison and owes the City $1,000,000 in legal fees. The murder of Tamara Green at the Mayor's Mansion is still unsolved. Her family is a big fan of pols with impulse control issues. I wonder how Mary Jo Kopechne's family feels about pols with impulse-control issues?

I'm sure Detroit's bankruptcy after Kwame's tenure is just a coincidence....

[Louis]

Adam, you're just reveling in this bankruptcy - I'm glad someone's enjoying it.

I've said it to you before, I'll say it again, schadenfreude is not a healthy feeling.

[akelman]

Louis, what's the affirmative argument for why a voter should care about the sexual dalliances of their elected officials? Again, let's assume, as appears to be the case here, that said dalliances take place between consenting adults and are in all ways legal. If there's a good argument -- other than the unity of virtues -- I'm really willing to listen.

[akelman]

I have always agreed with the statement that we get the government we deserve. We had better start demanding better.

I couldn't agree more. But I'm guessing that we disagree on what "better" means in this context.

[SBash]

if the weiner wins free hot dogs for all who voted for him.:banana:

[firerescuefin]

Louis, what's the affirmative argument for why a voter should care about the sexual dalliances of their elected officials? Again, let's assume, as appears to be the case here, that said dalliances take place between consenting adults and are in all ways legal. If there's a good argument -- other than the unity of virtues -- I'm really willing to listen.

His sexual behavior has made a mockery of his marriage..and he continues to show a complete lack of respect for his wife (in public and in private) by continuing on in his behavior.

He is a liar...and do you remember how ridiculous this charade was in its former iteration.

If his wife can't trust him...and he doesn't care enough about her and his career (knowing that this behavior is close to destroying it)....then as a faceless constituent, how I can I trust that he is not going to put his own desires/agenda ahead of my own.

This is such a no brainer to me...that I have a hard time believing it's being discussed. He is not trying to sell used cars...he wants to lead a major US city. If you cannot be trusted in private...then how in the hell can you be trusted in public.

Added: If he was single and Sexting 10 women a night...I couldn't care less. He is a liar and a cheat...sorry have higher standards than that for elected officials (idealistically)

[Louis]

Louis, what's the affirmative argument for why a voter should care about the sexual dalliances of their elected officials?

I'm not a resident of NYC, but if I were I would hold the mayor to a higher standard than simply "it's legal, private, and between consenting adults."

Furthermore, AW acknowledges this requirement, because he's lied a number of times in his attempts to cover up the whole sorry affair.

[Rueda Tropical]

We had a mayor with impulse-control issues in Detroit. It worked out really well.

I guess we can attribute the entire crash to poor impulse control on Wall Street the :) The crooks in Detroit are nickel and dime amatuers compared to the crooks who run the banks. Of course the Wall Street crooks got bailed when they should have been doing time with Detroits ex mayor.

As to Weiner, it's creepy that this guy insists on putting himself and even worse his wife through ongoing public humiliation. It's like watching a slow motion train wreck.

[firerescuefin]

I guess we can attribute the entire crash to poor impulse control on Wall Street the :) The crooks in Detroit are nickel and dime amatuers compared to the crooks who run the banks. Of course the Wall Street crooks got bailed when they should have been doing time with Detroits ex mayor.

As to Weiner, it's creepy that this guy insists on putting himself and even worse his wife through ongoing public humiliation. It's like watching a slow motion train wreck.

Does that make Adam's point any less valid...no it does not. Do the Wall-Streeters make you want to justify putting guys like him in power. You're much better than your response.

[yngpunk]

Louis, what's the affirmative argument for why a voter should care about the sexual dalliances of their elected officials? Again, let's assume, as appears to be the case here, that said dalliances take place between consenting adults and are in all ways legal. If there's a good argument -- other than the unity of virtues -- I'm really willing to listen.

I'm not Louis, but I will call you Pacual Dynamite...now will you buy one of the bikes I have for sale?

Seriously, why should a voter care about the sexual dalliances for their elected officials? Because they should care about something enough to vote. You think NYC politics is bad, so you should see Chicago and Illinois politics. Everyone knew that Blagojevich was under investigation during his re-election campaign, and yet he still got re-elected.

[PQJ]

firerescufin and rueda - well said (or in modernspeak, "like").

MODS: AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING REDUNDANT, PLEASE CAN YOU SEE ABOUT ADDING "LIKE" FUNCTIONALITY OR SIMILAR. THANKS!

[akelman]

His sexual behavior has made a mockery of his marriage..and he continues to show a complete lack of respect for his wife (in public and in private) by continuing on in his behavior.

Absolutely true. That said, do you want a list of elected officials whose affairs have been public or semi-public knowledge? How about a list of current officeholders? Also, it's up to his wife what she's willing to tolerate. I think he's a disgusting piece of filth. She insists that she loves him. Go figure. Has she made a devil's bargain? Maybe. Or maybe there's no accounting for taste and no knowing what's happening in another person's relationship.

Regardless, I don't see how this is an argument for why constituents should care.

He is a liar...and do you remember how ridiculous this charade was in its former iteration.

I do. Have I mentioned that I think he's filth. Well, I do. Again, though, if we're going to say that liars and cheaters can't hold elected office, we're in deep trouble. If it were up to me, I'd love to make honesty a requirement for office holding, but that's not the world we live in. As for ridiculousness, this particular charade seems less significant to me than Weiner's abysmal record in congress. He's a failure in ways that matter! So let's judge him on those grounds!

If his wife can't trust him...and he doesn't care enough about her and his career (knowing that this behavior is close to destroying it)....then as a faceless constituent, how I can I trust that he is not going to put his own desires/agenda ahead of my own.

Show me more than a handful of national-caliber politicians I can trust. No, I mean REALLY trust. I don't believe, given current political realities, that there are more than a handful of such people out there. And of course if I trust a person, given my partisan identification, there are legions of opposition-research twerps just waiting to destroy that person's reputation. Again, I'm afraid that the current political realities militate against inherently decent people seeking high office.

This is such a no brainer to me...that I have a hard time believing it's being discussed. He is not trying to sell used cars...he wants to lead a major US city. If you cannot be trusted in private...then how in the hell can you be trusted in public.

With all due respect -- that's a lot of respect, by the way -- this isn't an affirmative argument; it's bluster. That something is "a no brainer" to you doesn't necessarily mean much to me. And the same should be true in reverse. The problem is that, as I said above, I can produce a long list of effective leaders, from both sides of the aisle, who have cheated on their spouses, who have lied to their constituents, who have been really horrifyingly bad people in countless ways. But we live in a different time, and these kinds of foibles make the national news more often and more quickly than they did in the past.

Added: If he was single and Sexting 10 women a night...I couldn't care less. He is a liar and a cheat...sorry have higher standards than that for elected officials (idealistically)

I don't not care. I just don't think that his sexual proclivities are the reason that people should be ruling him out as a decent option for mayor. Again, there are better reasons to think he's not up to the job.

[akelman]

As to Weiner, it's creepy that this guy insists on putting himself and even worse his wife through ongoing public humiliation. It's like watching a slow motion train wreck.

I couldn't agree more. The whole thing is totally sickening. My opinion -- based on nothing at all -- is that getting caught and publicly humiliated is part of his kink, that, in other words, he gets off on having an entire nation know that he has extramarital affairs. It's just gross. And worse than that, I didn't agree to be part of his menage a tout la monde, and I wish the press would leave me out of it. All of that said, his wife seems to get something out of the relationship, so that's her business/problem.

[Louis]

NYT story with more details (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/nyregion/racy-exchange-with-weiner-began-with-angry-message-blog-editor-says.html?smid=pl-share)

Let's face it, this guy's an idiot at so many levels it's mind-boggling to think that he considers himself qualified to be mayor of anything, let alone NYC.

[fiamme red]

Seriously, why should a voter care about the sexual dalliances for their elected officials? Because they should care about something enough to vote. You think NYC politics is bad, so you should see Chicago and Illinois politics. Everyone knew that Blagojevich was under investigation during his re-election campaign, and yet he still got re-elected.There's talk about Buddy Cianci running again in 2014 for mayor of Providence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/magazine/buddy-cianci-enjoys-life-without-the-squirrel.html

[akelman]

There's talk about Buddy Cianci running again in 2014 for mayor of Providence.

I lived in Providence during more than one of Buddy's terms in office. He was a complete scumbag -- in almost every way imaginable -- and a VERY effective mayor of a city that was, in most other instances, ungovernable.

[akelman]

Let's face it, this guy's an idiot at so many levels it's mind-boggling to think that he considers himself qualified to be mayor of anything, let alone NYC.

Again, I completely agree. I just think this level -- meaning the scandal -- is among the least important for voters to consider, and yet it's all the press wants to talk about.

[Louis]

Again, I completely agree. I just think this level -- meaning the scandal -- is among the least important for voters to consider, and yet it's all the press wants to talk about.

What's more fun to talk about - policy or pornography?

[akelman]

What's more fun to talk about - policy or pornography?

For me? Well, you probably know the answer. But I'm pretty much out of step with the times.

[choke]

Let's face it, this guy's an idiot at so many levels it's mind-boggling to think that he considers himself qualified to be mayor of anything, let alone NYC.IMO that is true for the vast majority of politicians.

[akelman]

Here's (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57595370/george-h.w-bush-shaves-head-for-2-year-old-cancer-patient/) one of those politicians who I think was relatively trustworthy. In the linked article, he's demonstrating yet again why I always thought he was a decent human being (noblesse oblige ftw!). But of course, as everyone in the DC press corps knew, he had a mistress the entire time he served in high office. That the major news outlets were willing to keep his secret tells you pretty much all you need to know about how times have changed.

[fiamme red]

NYT story with more details (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/nyregion/racy-exchange-with-weiner-began-with-angry-message-blog-editor-says.html?smid=pl-share)

Let's face it, this guy's an idiot at so many levels it's mind-boggling to think that he considers himself qualified to be mayor of anything, let alone NYC.He's very stupid or very naïve or both:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/24/nyregion/allegations-surface-of-explicit-exchanges-by-weiner-after-his-resignation.html?pagewanted=2

At one point, Mr. Weiner called the woman “a walking fantasy.” But he also seemed aware that the conversations could be dangerous, and later asked the woman to “do me a solid. Could you hard delete all our chats.”

[jblande]

Anyone ever read that passage about Nero's wedding to the freed slave Pythagoras? Somehow cannot help but think of Tacitus' retelling if the story.


A good friend, a professor in Europe, who is a permanent visiting professor at the R1 university where I teach said about all this that it is so exciting to be able to watch the downfall of the US as it unfolds. I wish I could be as amused by it as he is.

[firerescuefin]

Perhaps you're a realist and I'm an idealist. Whether your a leader of a department of a college, a CEO, a fire chief....etc. you set the tone and others (especially the weak willed) will justify their actions/ will follow the leader. Lying, cheating, and the inability to check yourself (when it matters...and apparently he wife and career dont matter enough) lowers the bar on a very grand scale IMO. We're gonna have to agree to disagree (on the points we disagree on) my friend.



Absolutely true. That said, do you want a list of elected officials whose affairs have been public or semi-public knowledge? How about a list of current officeholders? Also, it's up to his wife what she's willing to tolerate. I think he's a disgusting piece of filth. She insists that she loves him. Go figure. Has she made a devil's bargain? Maybe. Or maybe there's no accounting for taste and no knowing what's happening in another person's relationship.

Regardless, I don't see how this is an argument for why constituents should care.



I do. Have I mentioned that I think he's filth. Well, I do. Again, though, if we're going to say that liars and cheaters can't hold elected office, we're in deep trouble. If it were up to me, I'd love to make honesty a requirement for office holding, but that's not the world we live in. As for ridiculousness, this particular charade seems less significant to me than Weiner's abysmal record in congress. He's a failure in ways that matter! So let's judge him on those grounds!



Show me more than a handful of national-caliber politicians I can trust. No, I mean REALLY trust. I don't believe, given current political realities, that there are more than a handful of such people out there. And of course if I trust a person, given my partisan identification, there are legions of opposition-research twerps just waiting to destroy that person's reputation. Again, I'm afraid that the current political realities militate against inherently decent people seeking high office.



With all due respect -- that's a lot of respect, by the way -- this isn't an affirmative argument; it's bluster. That something is "a no brainer" to you doesn't necessarily mean much to me. And the same should be true in reverse. The problem is that, as I said above, I can produce a long list of effective leaders, from both sides of the aisle, who have cheated on their spouses, who have lied to their constituents, who have been really horrifyingly bad people in countless ways. But we live in a different time, and these kinds of foibles make the national news more often and more quickly than they did in the past.



I don't not care. I just don't think that his sexual proclivities are the reason that people should be ruling him out as a decent option for mayor. Again, there are better reasons to think he's not up to the job.

[Louis]

IMO that is true for the vast majority of politicians.

In which case, why do Americans on both sides of the partisan divide keep reelecting them? What exactly are you saying about the vast majority of American voters?

[akelman]

A good friend, a professor in Europe, who is a permanent visiting professor at the R1 university where I teach said about all this that it is so exciting to be able to watch the downfall of the US as it unfolds.

Europeans have been predicting the downfall of the American empire since before it was even an empire. That said, it does feel a bit like things are falling apart at the moment. But I tend to wonder if that's because a) the economy is terrible, and it always appears that the end is nigh when times are hard; and b) as I get older, I'm falling apart myself and see my decline reflected around me. This is why I retreat to into the world of My Little Pony.

[firerescuefin]

Anyone ever read that passage about Nero's wedding to the freed slave Pythagoras? Somehow cannot help but think of Tacitus' retelling if the story.


A good friend, a professor in Europe, who is a permanent visiting professor at the R1 university where I teach said about all this that it is so exciting to be able to watch the downfall of the US as it unfolds. I wish I could be as amused by it as he is.

I could go about 10 directions with this. I'll agree on the fall from grace...don't see how he could find it exciting...or how that will benefit him or the country he is from...and maybe I've missed something, but see the same issues pervasive throughout much of the EU.

[Louis]

This is why I retreat to into the world of My Little Pony.

Ari, please keep your kinky sex life to yourself.

[akelman]

Perhaps you're a realist and I'm an idealist. Whether your a leader of a department of a college, a CEO, a fire chief....etc. you set the tone and others (especially the weak willed) will justify their actions/ will follow the leader. Lying, cheating, and the inability to check yourself (when it matters...and apparently he wife and career dont matter enough) lowers the bar on a very grand scale IMO. We're gonna have to agree to disagree (on the points we disagree on) my friend.

Yeah, I'm agnostic about the power of leadership. I used to think it was just bunk -- I was pretty convinced by structural explanations of change -- but that was before I became one of the leaders.

[choke]

In which case, why do Americans on both sides of the partisan divide keep reelecting them? I wish I knew the answer to that one....

What exactly are you saying about the vast majority of American voters?I will defer to one Henry Louis Mencken - "No one in this world, so far as I know-and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me-has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people."

[EDS]

Louis, what's the affirmative argument for why a voter should care about the sexual dalliances of their elected officials? Again, let's assume, as appears to be the case here, that said dalliances take place between consenting adults and are in all ways legal. If there's a good argument -- other than the unity of virtues -- I'm really willing to listen.

As a NYC voter I can tell you that the character of a candidate matters to me and if I believe the candidates character is suspect then that leads me to believe he lacks the ability to lead and is not a proper representative of the people of the city.

Trust should be important. If you can't trust a candidate to do the right thing why would you want him in office?

On top of all that Wiener is anti-bike, so we as a forum should universally loathe him.

[fiamme red]

On top of all that Wiener is anti-bike, so we as a forum should universally loathe him.He's not against bikes, he's against "protected" bike lanes -- or at least was, you can't tell with a flip-flopper like him.

[texbike]

IMO the guy has a right to his sexual perversions. That's up to him and his wife to decide how far it can go.

My issue is that during the course of this entire thing he has displayed a complete lack of common sense and a lack of judgement which points to an inability to make the right decisions when it counts. To me that is the scary part and something that we can't have in our politicians (even though we do - we just don't need to add another one).

Perhaps he should choose another calling (such as a lobbyist for the "National Hotdog Council"?).

By the way, I refuse to call Ari "Dynamite Pascual". However, I am willing to call him "Rainbow Slash" in keeping with the My Little Ponies theme... :rolleyes:

Texbike

[EDS]

He's not against bikes, he's against "protected" bike lanes -- or at least was, you can't tell with a flip-flopper like him.

His presence in office would only add fuel to the fire of certain elements of the NYPD to harrass cyclists.

On top of that he would bankrupt the city and be a source of constant embarassment.

I am sure he is a great guy to have a beer with though.

[akelman]

IMO the guy has a right to his sexual perversions. That's up to him and his wife to decide how far it can go.

My issue is that during the course of this entire thing he has displayed a complete lack of common sense and a lack of judgement which points to an inability to make the right decisions when it counts. To me that is the scary part and something that we can't have in our politicians (even though we do - we just don't need to add another one).

Perhaps he should choose another calling (such as a lobbyist for the "National Hotdog Council").

By the way, I refuse to call Ari "Dynamite Pascual". However, I am willing to call him "Rainbow Slash" in keeping with the My Little Ponies theme... :rolleyes:

Texbike

Totally agreed. His handling of the issue has been a joke. But then again, he's a world-historical doofus.

[djg]

Didn't Carlos Danger play shortstop for the Pirates in the 80's?

We'll distinguish Weiner by his nickname. Carlos "Stranger" Danger.

[Rueda Tropical]

Does that make Adam's point any less valid...no it does not. Do the Wall-Streeters make you want to justify putting guys like him in power. You're much better than your response.

There is nothing in my response that justifies anything. It's absurd that we get a leap from some NYC politicians sexual issues to corruption in Detroit.

[pbarry]

Before we label these petty proclivities as a sign of the decline of America, please remember the extracurricular activities of (just) two 19th Century U.S. politicians: Aaron Burr's gun play on the cliffs in New Jersey, and President Grover Cleveland, (Ma, Ma, Where's me pa?).

[93legendti]

There is nothing in my response that justifies anything. It's absurd that we get a leap from some NYC politicians sexual issues to corruption in Detroit.

Absurd indeed:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/29/kwame-kilpatrick-sex-scan_n_99315.html

"DETROIT — A series of often explicit text messages from Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's former chief of staff appear to show she had a long-term romantic relationship with the mayor and that he played a role in the firing of a police officer who sued the city.

The embarrassing messages between Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty from 2002 and 2003 appear in an 18-page document released Tuesday on the orders of Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Colombo Jr. in response to a lawsuit by the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News.

The document was obtained from the computer of Michael Stefani, an attorney who represented three police officers in whistle-blowers' lawsuits against the city that were settled last year for $8.4 million. The text messages were taken from Beatty's city-issued pagers..."

[Rueda Tropical]

Anyone ever read that passage about Nero's wedding to the freed slave Pythagoras? Somehow cannot help but think of Tacitus' retelling if the story.


A good friend, a professor in Europe, who is a permanent visiting professor at the R1 university where I teach said about all this that it is so exciting to be able to watch the downfall of the US as it unfolds. I wish I could be as amused by it as he is.

Your European professor should take a look at Europe. Thanks to its focus on debt reduction and the lack of political unity behind their common currency Europe is in worse shape then the US. The unwinding of the disastrous economic effects of Reagan/Thatcherism has been painful but there is a chance we are moving towards more productive policies.

[93legendti]

Weiner took a page out of Kwame's playbook:

"An investigation by the Detroit Free Press turned up a lengthy series of text messages between then Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and city official Christine Beatty, exposing a romantic relationship that they both denied in court while testifying in a city lawsuit. Both were married at the time of the affair. In September 2008, Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice and agreed to serve four months in jail. Announcing his resignation, Kilpatrick remained defiant, proclaiming, "I want to tell you, Detroit, that you done set me up for a comeback." Kilpatrick was released in Febraury 2009, just weeks before the Wayne County Clerk's Office released — uncensored — the roughly 1,400 text messages that Kilpatrick and Beatty exchanged via city-issued pagers."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1721111_1721210_1721124,00.html #ixzz2a0yNBzkD

THIS is what happens when you elect a mayor with impulse-control issues:

http://detroit.about.com/od/governmentpolitics/a/scandal.htm

Highlights:

"2003: Exotic dancer Tamara Greene, rumored to have been at the Manoogian party, was shot to death while sitting in a car with her boyfriend.
Detroit Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown and Harold Nelthrope, a Kilpatrick bodyguard, were fired by Kilpatrick. They brought a lawsuit in response, alleging retaliatory termination and discrimination for cooperating with the police investigation into the mayor...

2005: Lt. Alvin Bowman filed a lawsuit against the city for retaliatory transfer following his investigation into the Manoogian party and Green’s death.

2006: Bowman’s case was settled for $340,000.


2007: A $6.5 million verdict was awarded in the whistleblower lawsuit brought by Brown and Nelthrope in which Beatty and Kilpatrick testified that they did not have an affair. The mayor originally wanted to appeal the verdict. In an apparent reversal, however, he settled with Brown, Nelthrope and Harris for $8.4 million. It would later be discovered that part off the settlement included a confidentiality agreement concerning the content of text messages between the mayor and Christine Beatty, his Chief of Staff and alleged romantic partner. The confidentiality agreement was not reported to the City Council when they approved the $8.4 million settlement amount....

July, 2008:

Kilpatrick allegedly assaulted two police officers when they tried to deliver a subpoena to his friend.
Kilpatrick traveled to Canada, thereby violating the conditions of his bond
David Bing expressed interest in running for mayor in 2010.
August, 2008:

Kilpatrick was in court on multiple bond violations and spent time in the Wayne County jail as a result, ultimately receiving a tether..."

[Louis]

Wow Adam - thanks for this information.

The scales have lifted from my eyes, and I now agree with you 100% - the Kilpatrick - Weiner connection is unmistakeable.

[Rueda Tropical]

Weiner took a "

None of this has anymore to do with Weiners weird behavior then the Virginia governors corruption or the San Diegos Mayors sexual harrasment or the louisiana Senators sex scandal or a million other examples of politiicians behaving badly has to do with Weiners behavior. Unlike Weiner what these other guys did is likely illegal.

You may be obsessed with the ex mayor but that does not make it relevant to this.

[akelman]

Eh, not worth the time.

[majorpat]

I saw about a minute of his press conference and thought to myself, "is there no shame anymore?"

[93legendti]

None of this has anymore to do with Weiners weird behavior then the Virginia governors corruption or the San Diegos Mayors sexual harrasment or the louisiana Senators sex scandal or a million other examples of politiicians behaving badly has to do with Weiners behavior.

You may be obsessed with the ex mayor but that does not make it relevant to this.

Try reading what I posted more carefully...the category is 'Mayors and Mayoral Candidates with "impulse-control" issues'.

A forumite opined that "impulse-control issues", as it relates to Weiner and his sexting, shouldn't disqualify a candidate for office.

I showed exactly what happens when a married Mayor with "impulse-control issues" is in office, sexts with another woman, and the damage that ensues.

I am really sorry you don't like the recent history that rebuts the argument that Weiner's actions shouldn't disqualify him as a candidate for Mayor.

At first, you tried to dismiss the Kwame reference as "corruption". Now you know better and have changed your argument.
If you live in NY and vote for Weiner, good luck!

[nighthawk]

I saw about a minute of his press conference and thought to myself, "is there no shame anymore?"

Exactly what I was thinking. How he sleeps at night is beyond me. He is a joke to everyone in his life, and to millions of people across the world. What a terrible life to have created for ones self.

[Rueda Tropical]

Try reading what I posted more carefully...the category is 'Mayors and Mayoral Candidates with "impulse-control" issues'.

A forumite opined that "impulse-control issues", as it relates to Weiner and his sexting, shouldn't disqualify a candidate for office.

I showed exactly what happens when a married Mayor with "impulse-control issues" is in office, sexts with another woman, and the damage that ensues.

I am really sorry you don't like the recent history that rebuts the argument that Weiner's actions shouldn't disqualify him as a candidate for Mayor.

At first, you tried to dismiss the Kwame reference as "corruption". Now you know better and have changed your argument.
If you live in NY and vote for Weiner, good luck!

1st if I lived in NYC I would not vote for Weiner. What he did may not be illegal but his behavior in general disqualifies him for me. Creepy guy. Still has nothing to do with the behavior of kwame who is a crook. Creepy behavior between consenting adults is not the same as corruption and bribes as the Detroit mayor, Virginia governor and more then a few other politicians engaged in. Politicians who take money know exactly what they are doing its not about impulse control. Weiner seems to have some personal issues but he hasn't been involved with taking money.

[Louis]

1st if I lived in NYC I would not vote for Weiner. What he did may not be illegal but his behavior in general disqualifies him for me. Creepy guy. Still has nothing to do with the behavior of kwame who is a crook. Creepy behavior between consenting adults is not the same as corruption and bribes as the Detroit mayor, Virginia governor and more then a few other politicians engaged in. Politicians who take money know exactly what they are doing its not about impulse control. Weiner seems to have some personal issues but he hasn't been involved with taking money.

But they're both Democrats. That's all that matters to Adam.

[PQJ]

Wow Adam - thanks for this information.

The scales have lifted from my eyes, and I now agree with you 100% - the Kilpatrick - Weiner connection is unmistakeable.

LOL. Kilpatrick Weiner connection sounds like an Irish German hotdog hybrid you'd find at HD1 hotdogs in Atlanta (http://www.hd1restaurant.com/). Like many of the offerings there it is probably of the tastes great but not so filling variety, though I'm sure it would go well with apfelstrüdel.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Bloomie is no saint either (who is, really?). Has had quite a few harassment charges in his day (not sure if he was mayor yet, but def when he ran his namesake company) that "disappeared" when he settled them with pretty huge checks (mid 6 figures iirc). With gag orders attached. Maybe if Weiner had deeper pockets........

IMO, Weiner is getting attention because of the sad state of the people running. The state of NYC is going to very interesting in the near future.

[yngpunk]

Try reading what I posted more carefully...the category is 'Mayors and Mayoral Candidates with "impulse-control" issues'.

A forumite opined that "impulse-control issues", as it relates to Weiner and his sexting, shouldn't disqualify a candidate for office.

I showed exactly what happens when a married Mayor with "impulse-control issues" is in office, sexts with another woman, and the damage that ensues.

I am really sorry you don't like the recent history that rebuts the argument that Weiner's actions shouldn't disqualify him as a candidate for Mayor.

At first, you tried to dismiss the Kwame reference as "corruption". Now you know better and have changed your argument.
If you live in NY and vote for Weiner, good luck!

But in the end, it's up to the voters to decide whether someone's "impulse-control issues" (or criminal record for that matter) whether or not their qualified for office. Heck, Illinois got Blagojevich, Mike Madigan, a couple of Jacksons, and a slew of other, lesser politicians. Sad as it may be, the population gets who they vote (or don't vote) for.

[Tony T]

Bloomie is no saint either (who is, really?).

In 2001 Bloomberg said that there are term limits so Giuliani cannot to stay on an additional 3 months due to 9/11
Then, when his 2 years were up he extended the term limit by arguing that he is needed during the Wall Street financial crisis.

That says it all about the man.

[yngpunk]

IMO the guy has a right to his sexual perversions. By the way, I refuse to call Ari "Dynamite Pascual". However, I am willing to call him "Rainbow Slash" in keeping with the My Little Ponies theme... :rolleyes:



A room mate of mine used to give the name "Slash" (of Guns and Roses) when ordering pizzas, and the pizza place would always mess with him, putting his name down as, Flash, Dash, and even Trash.

According to Slate, you can call me "José Enrique Smash"

[oldpotatoe]

We are all, uh, connected:

"The Vogue story hinted in 2007 that she [Weiner's wife] had dated actor John Cusack and cyclist Lance Armstrong. "

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/23/politics/huma-abedin-profile

Couldn't be..she doesn't have blond hair and look like his mother.

[93legendti]

But in the end, it's up to the voters to decide whether someone's "impulse-control issues" (or criminal record for that matter) whether or not their qualified for office. Heck, Illinois got Blagojevich, Mike Madigan, a couple of Jacksons, and a slew of other, lesser politicians. Sad as it may be, the population gets who they vote (or don't vote) for.

Agreed.

[cfox]

I don't think you can simply write off his behavior as business between he and his wife or consensual adults. He utterly lacks judgement, control and risk management skills. Sexting his junk cost him a congressional seat, but knowing that he still wasn't able to stop himself from doing it again even with plans for a political comeback. I think that strikes voters not of the arrogance of the typical philanderer, but of someone with a weird compulsion desperate for help. He really isn't fit to run a car wash let alone govern a city-state, to say the least.

When a clown like this runs for office (and actually gains some traction) the question I always have is, is this the best guy you can come up with??

[pdmtong]

see the update today?

"It's not dozens and dozens," he said. "It's six to ten, I suppose, but I can't tell you absolutely what people are going to consider inappropriate or not."

[yngpunk]

see the update today?

"It's not dozens and dozens," he said. "It's six to ten, I suppose, but I can't tell you absolutely what people are going to consider inappropriate or not."

I've read his tweets posted on The Dirty (so you don't have to) and it makes one wonder how he had time to do anything else...all he talks about is how he is constanly looking at the 22 year old's picture and getting off. If it is indeed six to ten, then one wonders how he had time to do anything else. Heck, maybe this is the better alternative than having some of our politicians actually run the government.

[Tony T]

see the update today?

"It's not dozens and dozens," he said. "It's six to ten, I suppose, but I can't tell you absolutely what people are going to consider inappropriate or not."

Yes, who's to say which twit-pic's he sent to younger women are inappropriate?
He should just post all of them, and let the voters decide.

[William]

He's just getting ready for the erect....I mean election! (http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/cold-open-anthony-weiner-campaign-video/n37364/)




;)
William

[pdmtong]

He's just getting ready for the erect....I mean election! (http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/cold-open-anthony-weiner-campaign-video/n37364/);)
William

you've been waiting the entire thread for that one.

[William]

you've been waiting the entire thread for that one.

Well, I didn't want to wait too long before I brought it up.:rolleyes::)






William

[yngpunk]

He's just getting ready for the erect....I mean election! (http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/cold-open-anthony-weiner-campaign-video/n37364/)




;)
William

Groan...time to lock this thread if the comments devolve into this...:)

[PQJ]

Elections, length, bringing stuff up and groans. Oy vey. This will be little Weiner's legacy. I can see it now . . . Weiner tweeting a picture of himself, on his couch, looking at a wall of his tweets.

[Bruce K]

Well, no one can say that we mods don't have a sense of humor, no matter how warped it might be.

:eek:

BK

[tuxbailey]

Groan...time to lock this thread if the comments devolve into this...:)

No, keep these coming.... I mean... never mind. :banana::banana::banana:

[1centaur]

If I'm being serious, I think a political servant should have a sense of gravitas and understand what's important in life. You should be there for others and take the responsibility very seriously. So far, he has not even taken his marriage vows seriously; he's all about himself and leopards don't change their spots.

But in a lighter vein, I wish he'd get elected just so he could resign in a sexting scandal (and his wife would dump him). I'm sure the Leno-esque jokes would flow freely: "Once burned, twice shy, three times...oh heck, who's counting?"

[Ardan MacNessa]

http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u524/faceplant2013/Faceplant%20Facebook/cuneo_zps769f6518.jpg (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/faceplant2013/media/Faceplant%20Facebook/cuneo_zps769f6518.jpg.html)

[Pyramor]

Does anyone have a link to the video Jay Leno had on last night about Weiner?
It really was special.

[Tony T]

Does anyone have a link to the video Jay Leno had on last night about Weiner?
It really was special.

I didn't see Leno last night but try: http://bit.ly/12rRazg
...is this it: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/anthony-weiner-time-life-collection/n39374/

[J.Greene]

Didn't Guiliani have affairs before, during and after his stint as mayor? I don't see folks linking him to corruption and bad for New York. I wouldn't vote for the guy(Weiner)either, I think he's scummy, but there's a lot of fiction wrapped up in the already held politics here.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

In 2001 Bloomberg said that there are term limits so Giuliani cannot to stay on an additional 3 months due to 9/11
Then, when his 2 years were up he extended the term limit by arguing that he is needed during the Wall Street financial crisis.

That says it all about the man.

Yes, and when the vote for term limits looked like it wasn't going to go his way, he "removed" those not in favor and "installed" those who were, Quinn was one in Bloomie's corner I believe. Sure the "favor" will be returned with his "glowing" endorsement of her becoming the next mayor of NYC. Yeah, I so miss living there.

Guiliani is another sweetheart. Informs his wife they're separated via press conference.

[93legendti]

If you're looking for corruption re Weiner, for starters, take a look at his wife's sweat deal...

http://t.worldnewsandwire.com/worldnewsandwire/#!/entry/huma-abedin-fails-to-respond-to-senators-inquiry-into-her,51d76a29da27f5d9d0f2b035/2

Meanwhile, to suggest Rudy and Weiner's behavior is the same seems odd. From the FIRST go round, before he claimed he was healed and his wife pronounced him a good father and good husband:

"On May 27, 2011, using his public Twitter account, Weiner sent a link to a photo on yfrog[10][19] of his e**** p**** concealed by boxer briefs to a 21-year-old female college student from Seattle, Washington, who was "following" his posts on the social media website.[20]...
On June 1, Weiner gave a series of interviews in which he denied sending the photo and suggested that someone, perhaps a political opponent, had hacked into his accounts and published the photo.[22] Weiner also said he could not say "with certitude" that the photo was not of him. He suggested that the image might be doctored, saying, "maybe it did start being a photo of mine and now looks something different or maybe it is from another account".[23][24][25] He did not ask the FBI or U.S. Capitol Police to investigate the incident[26] but said he had retained a private security firm to look into this matter because he felt it was a prank, not a crime.[27] Several liberal bloggers accused Wolfe and Breitbart of planting the photo and message as part of a scheme to defame Weiner.[28]"

[Tony T]

Weiner's recklessness in sending pic's to women he doesn't know personally may someday get him communicating unknowingly to a minor. For his sake, I hope that doesn't happen, cause it will mean jail time for him.

[PQJ]

If this thread had a poll attached to it, I bet it would be voted in the top 3 most pointless threads in forum history. I think even the OP would agree with me. Shame on me for getting this far into it.

[Tony T]

See a pointless thread, read a pointless thread, comment on a pointless thread how pointless the thread is....;)

[Ardan MacNessa]

Does anyone have a link to the video Jay Leno had on last night about Weiner?
It really was special.

http://youtu.be/kUEMm-2NGOI
Time Life Collection

[dave thompson]

http://youtu.be/kUEMm-2NGOI
Time Life Collection

Well done!

[Louis]

If this thread had a poll attached to it, I bet it would be voted in the top 3 most pointless threads in forum history.

You're missing the whole point of it. :banana::banana::banana:

[Tony T]

Looks like thinks are starting to point down for Weiner:
Weiner’s Campaign Manager Quits (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/nyregion/weiners-campaign-manager-quits.html?hp&_r=0)

[oldpotatoe]

Weiner's recklessness in sending pic's to women he doesn't know personally may someday get him communicating unknowingly to a minor. For his sake, I hope that doesn't happen, cause it will mean jail time for him.

I hope he does..maybe that's where he belongs..or with a therapist....if he shows this kind of poor judgement in his personal life, he will show poor judgement in his professional life. He is a sicko-along with the Mayor of SD.

[eddief]

so it looks like we won't have to call a doctor due to having our erection lasting more than 118 messages. i knew this was pointless after i originally pressed the return key.

[Louis]

One has to wonder how Anthony's life would have turned out had his last name been Cohen or Seligman, instead of Weiner. Perhaps he would have been just a little less fixated on living up to his name.

[1centaur]

Or even if it had been pronounced "Whiner" as most "ei" names are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wienermobile

[eddief]

of the oscar meyer cohen mobile.

One has to wonder how Anthony's life would have turned out had his last name been Cohen or Seligman, instead of Weiner. Perhaps he would have been just a little less fixated on living up to his name.

[Ardan MacNessa]

"John Oliver's Epic Takedown Of Weinergate (http://youtu.be/DK8hgba0fw0) ."

[54ny77]

would be a boon for nathan's if elected. think of the marketing tie-in's....

;)

[Louis]

Some analysis on why AW feels compelled to act as he does:

Story in NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/nyregion/weiners-behavior-prompts-a-question-why-did-he-do-it.html?smid=pl-share)

Obviously a slow-motion train-wreck happening before our very eyes.

His pattern of behavior is intriguing to mental health professionals and experts on sexual behavior, who — while they emphasize they cannot offer an authoritative diagnosis without examining him — discussed a variety of possible explanations for such conduct.

Some suggested the indiscretions might be an addiction with neurological roots. Others theorized that Mr. Weiner, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, could be meeting sexual needs unsatisfied in a marriage. And still others said he might be driven by a combination of a mood disorder and feelings of inadequacy to seek reassurance about his masculinity from women he had never met.

[crownjewelwl]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/anthony_weiner_sext_girl_bikini_JaqFvJBKQulQCQGmQD Ix8M

[54ny77]

Maybe he'll appoint John Boehner as Deputy Mayor?

Think of the slogan capabilities!

[93legendti]

Tsk, tsk he used campaign funds?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/28/anthony-weiner-private-investigator-twitter-hacking-lies_n_3667680.html


"Ultimately this proved to be a lie by the former Congressman, but a new report alleges that Weiner may have spent tens of thousands in campaign cash to "investigate" the claim he knew all along was absolutely fake.

The allegations were brought by the New York Daily News on Sunday, after reporter Greg Smith wrote that campaign spending records show Weiner spent $43,100 in campaign contributions on private investigations firm T&M Protection Resources."