Yes, you know who I mean.
I like Congressman Weiner because he’s been a powerful voice for The People – not just the ones he represents but all those who lately have no one to truly speak for them. He wasn’t afraid of taking on the idiots on Fox “news” and calling them out. He was abrasive in doing it as well. All the better.
So when the news broke that he allowed something very private to become public and then lied about it, I was really disheartened. Truly. As one of the most vocal voices against republicans, he *had to know* that they were gunning for him. Had to. I am far from a political analyst and even I could see that. He left himself wide open (no pun intended) and all some others had to do was wait for him to mess up. And he did. Big time. (Understatement, much?)
What went on with these other women is not my business. It’s his and his wife’s. That’s it. But everyone else seems to think they get to pass judgment on someone’s very public mistake. I don’t agree. I don’t. And not just because it’s someone I genuinely like and support.
All the moral ‘poutrage’ is bullshit, IMO. People do stupid shit all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. Did he break any laws? Not that I can see. Was he a moron for doing this when he’s clearly a target for the right? Hell yeah.
And those congresscritters who are calling for his resignation – WTF, people? You’ve got a few criminals right in your midst acting like they give a shit about anything other than making more money for private corporations (oh hai Clarence Thomas, John Boehner, et. al). Get off your high fucking horse and do your damn jobs. Leave Congressman Weiner to deal with a private issue privately.
And yes, I’d be saying the same thing if it were a republican in this situation. Shake my head, think “Dumbass” and that’d be the end of it. There are at least fifty more important things that need attention (jobs, budget, etc) rather than this. Our media is just atrocious. Appalling AND atrocious! Fuckwits, the lot of them.
(Can you believe I wrote about something other than my boring life?? I know, right?)
I so totally agree with you.
People do this all the time. It's a mistake, maybe a fetish, but you don't know the 'all' to the story and the 'all' is, like you said, between him and his wife.
People should look at what he does otherwise. Everyone has flaws, you know. Just because you're in the spotlight doesn't mean you get a super power that helps you to never step outside the lines.
My recent post just do it
Forced is a tough thing to prove. But yes, there are women who said they thought they were chatting innocently with a congressman (or a real estate agent, which for some reason he used) and then, hel-lo! Weiner's weiner. Unasked for. Do these women say they feel violated? Not that I've heard. But I can just imagine how I would feel, talking about health care, when that arrived in email. And he did text a high school student right before and after his wedding. While her parents agree he said nothing untoward, the fact of these emails is disturbing.
I know how you feel. I'm a Clintonista. Was lying about Monica Lewinsky under oath impeachment-worthy? Of course not. But it was an unfortunate, ugly incident that wasn't worthy of him, his family or the office. And I hate that I even know Monica Lewinsky's name. That poor girl.
All this said, your blog — your opinion stands. That's as it should be and I respect you 100%, and I appreciate you letting me say my peace.
Ok, here's my dissenting view: It hasn't been proven that all those women wanted to see weiner's weiner. If it's bad and ugly when Brett Favre forces his intentions with an unrequested, explicit photo, it's just as bad when it's someone whose politics I agree with does it. Just because a woman is over 21 (or maybe 18) doesn't mean she deserves to open her phone or her email and see that. It's a predatory, aggressive — though admittedly not illegal — act. Just as Monica Lewinsky wasn't legally a victim of that scandal — with a man I admire far more than Anthony Weiner — and even consented (and as yet we don't know all these lucky Weiner photo recipients did) doesn't mean she wasn't harmed. Like Nancy Pelosi and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, I am a woman first and I find his behavior offensive (and, unlike in the Clinton scandal, possibly indicative that he's in great personal pain). Also, Fox news being hypocritical and Breitbart being a jerk doesn't make Anthony Weiner less offensive. It just means there are no good guys here. Sorry, Lisa. I know we have disagreed before (I still think the POTUS could have shown greater vision and leadership during the BP oil crisis in terms of galvanizing us toward green energy and jobs). And I respect that this is your blog. But as a survivor of sexual abuse, I respond very strongly to situations like this one, and through a less political prism.
My recent post Im Disturbed
Gal, I understand and maybe I am seeing things through a different prism. I had the impression that he had an online relationship of sorts with these women and that he wasn\’t sending unasked for photos. If that were truly the case, with all the dirt that\’s out there now, I suspect we\’d have heard about it. But who knows? I think he made a big mess of a very messy thing to begin with and was a dumbass about it. I still don\’t think that\’s cause for resignation. If it\’s shown that he forced these things on someone, well, that\’s a different story and I\’d be with you on that. We really just don\’t know the whole story. I truly value your insight on things because I can become sorta myopic on stuff from time to time.