Rep Weiner Caught in Sexting Scandal

[SuperJay]

But just so you know, SJ, military people do endure extensive military background checks, the more extensive the higher level of clearance you have. And also dependent upon your position you may just be required to fill out and turn in fiscal disclosure forms as well.

Yep, I'm aware. And yes, my point was facetious - to show how ridiculous the whole "we pay your salary so you have no more privacy" statement really is. If we citizens had a right to know everything private about our public servants, nobody would ever run for office.

It's an unspoken rule... like being a celebrity or a sports star... when you take public office, you will be under scrutiny and your private life will be infringed upon.

Right, of course - that's a given, and any adult in this country is aware that public servants by defintion lead more public lives than ordinary citizens do. (Indeed, our laws typically make that distinction where it's appropriate, esp. in dealing with defamation - slander or libel - because being a "public figure" does of course mean that your expectations are different than an ordinary citizens.)

You stated that "we pay their salaries" so we should have a right to know about their private lives. Now you've walked that back to just stating the obvious - "well, being a public figure means you'll have less privacy." Go ahead and move the goalposts as you so desire, but don't pretend that you're somehow refuting my statement by making different claims now than you did previously.

 

[kochman]

I think some people need not take things so bloody literally...

 

[Grisu]

Because in our country, sending dong pictures from an official twitter account *is* perceived to be our business. If he just kept saying "no comment", the story wouldn't have gone away.

ok, I didn't know about the "official twitter account" part, that wasn't in the OP so in a hypothetical situation where he used a private twitter account from his home, would you still say it's your business to know?

Allowing people like this to stay in office and turning blind eyes to their indiscretions leads to rapists heading the IMF.

did you really just arrive from sending sexually explicit pictures of yourself to your mistresses at raping women with barely a leap? I hope I'm misunderstanding you here...

 

[SuperJay]

I think some people need not take things so bloody literally...

Or, you could actually say what you really mean, but since you'd prefer someone else do the work, I guess we can just assume you mean something different than the meaning of the words you choose to write.

Now that I know you don't really write what you mean to say, I'll keep in mind that what I'm reading and what you're thinking may be completely different. That's a problem that should really get remedied somewhere between your brain and your fingertips, though.

Moderator Action: There's no need to make it personal. Please refrain from such personal attacks.
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[MobBoss]

Yep, I'm aware. And yes, my point was facetious - to show how ridiculous the whole "we pay your salary so you have no more privacy" statement really is. If we citizens had a right to know everything private about our public servants, nobody would ever run for office.

Except I just showed you that its not ridiculous and does exist commensurate with ones particular level of government responsibility. In fact, I think its actually a good thing for all government employees be subject to such checks since their salaries are indeed being paid with tax dollars.

I already pointed out how often private employers make such disclosure subject to being employed by that particular company. Why should the taxpayers, as employers of public servants be any different?

And I also disagree with you that no one would ever run for office. Of course they would. You know that.

 

[bhsup]

ok, I didn't know about the "official twitter account" part, that wasn't in the OP so in a hypothetical situation where he used a private twitter account from his home, would you still say it's your business to know?

Yes, absolutely. He's essentially cheating on his wife by doing that. I don't want immoral, amoral, unethical, whatever people leading this nation. It is definitely our business. If they cannot be trusted to be moral in their personal life, they sure as hell cannot be trusted to be moral in public life.

did you really just arrive from sending sexually explicit pictures of yourself to your mistresses at raping women with barely a leap? I hope I'm misunderstanding you here...

I wasn't connecting those TWO specific incidents. But looking at the IMF dude, it's clear from things coming out how that he was known for improper behavior and it was winked at because that's apparently behavior that is allowed to flourish over in France with regard to their politicians. Had he been forced out of public life and not allowed to continue his political career with his "i can do anything" attitude, maybe he wouldn't have assaulted a lady in a hotel.

 

[Grisu]

Yes, absolutely. He's essentially cheating on his wife by doing that. I don't want immoral, amoral, unethical, whatever people leading this nation. It is definitely our business. If they cannot be trusted to be moral in their personal life, they sure as hell cannot be trusted to be moral in public life.

That's his and his wife's business, IMHO. But hardly grounds for stepping down (the lying about it is, though) Btw, what would your position be had he been single?

I wasn't connecting those TWO specific incidents. But looking at the IMF dude, it's clear from things coming out how that he was known for improper behavior and it was winked at because that's apparently behavior that is allowed to flourish over in France with regard to their politicians. Had he been forced out of public life and not allowed to continue his political career with his "i can do anything" attitude, maybe he wouldn't have assaulted a lady in a hotel.

that's all pure speculation, but if he really is a rapist (and we don't know that for sure yet, innocent until proven guilty, etc) he probably would have raped at some point anyway, just as a private person instead of some big shot....I'm sure that would have made a huge difference to the victim /sarcasm I think it's a rather bold assumption to make that tolerance for such behaviour and rape are even loosely connected.

 

[bhsup]

That's his and his wife's business, IMHO. But hardly grounds for stepping down (the lying about it is, though) Btw, what would your position be had he been single?

And never lied about it? Just said "yeah, that's my junk. what of it!" ? Fine, stay in office. Kinky weird, I personally think, but I don't understand the new ultra modern dating rituals anyway.

 

[MobBoss]

And never lied about it? Just said "yeah, that's my junk. what of it!" ? Fine, stay in office. Kinky weird, I personally think, but I don't understand the new ultra modern dating rituals anyway.

That being said, I would hope that most people wouldnt vote for such an oddball.

Seriously, behavior doesnt have to be illegal for it to be disqualifying for elected office.

 

[SuperJay]

And never lied about it? Just said "yeah, that's my junk. what of it!" ? Fine, stay in office. Kinky weird, I personally think, but I don't understand the new ultra modern dating rituals anyway.

First I laughed due to the description of Tweeting your dong to the world as "an ultra modern dating ritual," and then I realized with growing horror that you know, he's actually right.

 

[bhsup]

Oh, I agree entirely and he'd not get my vote if that came out. Just saying not really worth forcing him from office. Let the next election seal his fate... though we're talking New York here.

 

[kochman]

Or, you could actually say what you really mean, but since you'd prefer someone else do the work, I guess we can just assume you mean something different than the meaning of the words you choose to write.

Now that I know you don't really write what you mean to say, I'll keep in mind that what I'm reading and what you're thinking may be completely different. That's a problem that should really get remedied somewhere between your brain and your fingertips, though.

Lighten up, Francis.

 

[Grisu]

And never lied about it? Just said "yeah, that's my junk. what of it!" ? Fine, stay in office. Kinky weird, I personally think, but I don't understand the new ultra modern dating rituals anyway.

thanks for the clarification, it seems we don't disagree that much then. I wouldn't call for him stepping down if he had used private means and hadn't lied about it, even if he was married, but on the rest I pretty much agree with you

 

[BasketCase]

Don't care any more than I care when any other politician screws up. Yes, politicians are dirtbags. We already knew that.

 

[Jeff1787]

What if he had an (R) next to his name and not a (D)? No doubt most of the media would be asking for his head. And I mean the one above his neck!!

 

[Smellincoffee]

I find the US's lack of an energy policy and general history of foreign relations more scandalous, but hey -- whatever.

 

[warpus]

Do you want something as important as the economy being voted on by a guy who sends pics of his junk to women and then lies about it?

Not me.

Thats why we give a crap about it.

Politicians do far worse things than showing off their genitalia and lying about it. I'm not saying what he did was right, but the level of outrage and media coverage of this is a bit over the top.

 

[Formaldehyde]

It certainly is, much like Clinton's affair. It is just partisan politics as usual.

 

[MobBoss]

It certainly is, much like Clinton's affair. It is just partisan politics as usual.

If this is only about partisan politics, then how do you explain Nancy Pelosi being the loudest voice calling for an ethics hearing on the issue?

I mean this simply isnt a partisan issue, and plenty of democrats are calling for his resignation as well. His actions here are simply undefensible.

 

[Zelig]

I mean this simply isnt a partisan issue, and plenty of democrats are calling for his resignation as well. His actions here are simply undefensible.

There will always be people who try to defend politicians' actions, whatever they are.