Jackson Free Press

So, another politician has gotten caught with his finger on the "send" button, or in this case, the "tweet" button. We all know how this movie plays out. Politician has vice; politician gets caught; politician denies impropriety; politician denies again; politician is presented with irrefutable evidence; politician comes clean and apologizes. Repeat. You'd think after so many scandals on Capitol Hill, public officials would take greater care with their personal business, especially if it's the kind of personal business that detractors could frown on.

It would seem that our public servants fancy themselves as invincible. But perhaps that's because voters make it seem that way. We volunteer for their campaigns, shower them with donations and praise, applaud them at speaking engagements and then send them off to work miracles on our behalf. We liken them to supermen or saviors. They are chauffeured and catered to, and the press follow them around. They get invitations to the swankiest parties and eat at the most elegant restaurants.

But, alas, they are regular people—human beings with human failings. They have human urgings and make human mistakes. Yet, somehow we are surprised, angered and disappointed when these mortals make mortal mistakes, even when these miscues do nothing to diminish their job effectiveness.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., made a mistake. Then he lied about that mistake numerous times. He finally came clean. His string of lewd photos to other women is an issue that he should take up with his wife, however, and not with us. That doesn't mean I agree with or condone his behavior. He was out of line for using government-issued equipment to have those salacious exchanges, but after being punished for that, he should be allowed to go back to the business of serving his constituency. Weiner has been dubbed a rising star in the U.S. House of Representatives, and though extramarital follies don't make him the most popular guy, it in no way has bearing on the job his voters sent him to do.

It's also sad how both Democrats and Republicans use these instances to play partisan politics. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, called for the resignations of Republicans Mark Foley and Chris Lee, but she only wants Weiner investigated. Republicans want Weiner to resign his seat, but uncomfortably tried to ignore the actions of former Sen. Larry Craig, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, all from their party.

In my opinion, outside of drug abuse or domestic violence, a politician's personal screw-ups, sexual or otherwise, are his or her business. These are men and women with prestige, prominence and power. And as long as the world is here, there will be persons who are attracted to that prestige and power. And some lawmaker will again fall victim to temptation.

Should this end Weiner's career? Perhaps. Will it affect his vote on the budget? I doubt it. Should he have taken responsibility for the photo when he was first asked? Absolutely!

Just like the media-generated phenomena of Sarah Palin and Donald Trump, "Weiner-gate" is yet another distraction from the issues that are facing the rest of us. I wonder if the media would be as interested if lawmakers began tweeting photos of health-care solutions.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

163789

Comment

I'm not surprised that a Weiner did something weiner-like. What surprises me is the myth that some women are less violent and more tolerant than others based on race, ethnicity, upbringing and background. While this myth might appear to be truthful, Tiger Woods says that myth is some bullschick and he has a lost or irreparably harmed golf game to prove it. The last thing freaks need is more avenues to practice their craft. Kaze did a good job of setting forth or describing the trappings that set up failures for the politicans and us voters. If quintessential republicans like Vitter can keep his job so can Weiner who only wanted to show the women what he was working with. Maybe he's a fan of the rapper Mystical. Watch yourself!

Author

Walt

Date

2011-06-08T23:56:54-06:00

ID

163791

Comment

Indeed Walt. As I was told while becoming a member of our dear fratrnity, any traits you have good or bad, while be amplified when faced with temptation head on. With the convenience of all things that come with being a public official, if you've got some of those vices it's best you take actions to be more responsible. I don't give a flip if you're a freaky character. Don't care if you like to party hard. Don't care if you like to play the slots. I'm ashamed at hw mch time the media is spending on this. But it's because we have made them think this is what we want to hear. Weiner's no distraction, the democrats lack of backbone is. I always chuckle at the righteousness of the pundits when hunans do human things. You expect perfection from imperfect beings. If Weiners a bad congressman then his voters will send him home. If he used government equipment then fine him. Punish him. Then leave him alone. If he's like me, then getting grilled by your wife is much worse than any reporter, dem, or repub.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2011-06-09T07:33:10-06:00

ID

163798

Comment

I get what you're saying about lawmakers being human and making stupid mistakes. I agree they are human and with that goes the possibility of them doing things that are maybe not very wise. But I also think if they show that kind of poor decision making as an on going habit we should get them out of reach of anything important before they make stupid decisions when it really does count. Why shouldn't we hold our elected representatives to a higher standard? Especially when that is what they tell us we should expect if we vote for them. Don't they, at that point, become not who they claimed to be and, as such, owe it to their constituents to step down? Also, you say that these kinds of personal issues don't really effect their job as elected officials. Doesn't having something like that hanging over them make them more susceptible to blackmail and extortion? How can we trust people, who would knowingly and willingly put themselves at that kind of risk, with any kind of power. I think it's Mr. and Mrs. Weiner's business what he does with who, I couldn't really care either way. But if he is a freak like that he shouldn't be a congressman unless he wants to be the freak congressman from NY. If he lets his freak flag fly upfront with nothing to hide and if he still gets elected then awesome for him.

Author

WMartin

Date

2011-06-09T16:29:12-06:00

ID

163802

Comment

If my last name were "WEINER" I would certainly changed it before bringing children,especially males, into the world to be the butt of many jokes. His behavior is a problem and the behavior should be classified as obsessive/compulsive. Many people suffer from OCD; however, it become a real problem if it is out of the realm of behaviors that are socially acceptable. Nobody cares about people who count, check, pace, ect; however, when the compulsion involves taking nude picture and forwarding them to Jane-Q-Public, it takes on a different type of management because criminal charges could be brought against the individaul if the pictures end up in the hands of a minor. I'm with others on this issue: We need to get back to the real issues and let Weiner's constituents vote him out if they think what he has done gets in the way of his ability to represent them. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will seek professional help for what appears to be an unmanageable problem with dire consequences if not managed.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-09T19:50:24-06:00

ID

163806

Comment

This is my deal with Weiner-gate, the Dems were on blast alert when Congressman Chris Lee (R) was caught online with his shirt off, so he went ahead and resigned. Congressman Weiner should have learned from the Chris Lee fiasco. I knew after the Lee incident, it was gonna be dog eat dog, and then it was congressman Weiner, who got on the floor and cussed the living sugar out of Republicans, during the health care debate. Fella is gonna have to resign, albeit I like the spunk in the little fella - but he is gonna have to learn to survive in the analytical world. Now-a-days, you gotta be a better saint than Jesus, in order to stay above the fray in politics

Author

Duan C.

Date

2011-06-10T11:40:05-06:00

ID

163809

Comment

Congreeman Weiner maintains he's not resigning but he will take a leave of absence to get counseling just as the republicans do when caught with their pants down, shirts off, hands in the cookie jar, getting spanked, or caught cheating on their wife and girlfriend, et al. Pelosi and other important Democrats are calling for Weiner's resignation too. Countless republicans are doing likewise. Republicans calling for a Democrat to resign because of immorality is like the devil arguing Jesus isn't who he says he is because he got mad at the moneychangers and turned over the table. All Congressman Weiner needs is some time away from his cell phone, camera and mirror and to get with his minister and counselor to get de-weinered. Go Weiner. It's your birthday.

Author

Walt

Date

2011-06-11T17:04:01-06:00

ID

163810

Comment

Smart move (taking time off to get professional help) and he just might weather the storm. CNN is reporting that a 17yr old has been corresponding with Weiner; however, none of the texts have been "across the line". This was the danger of his compulsivity that I spoke to on an earlier blog. He is hanging by a thread and the ice is certainly thin. Congressional Republicans haven't any right to say anything about Weiner's behavior. They have too many skeletons that are already out of the closet.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-11T19:35:01-06:00

ID

163812

Comment

If a person has been trusted enough by their community, nation, whatever, to represent them and their concerns, they should consider that a privledge, an honor. I don't care about who this fella is showing his privates to. But what I do care about is his terrible decision making abilities, his lack of morality, his clear need for sexual attention (assurance), his first instinct led him to lie and deny. Nothing about this to me screams leader. In fact, the act itself is small in comparison to how he has handled himself thereafter which really could have been telling about the type of man he is and the type of leader he is. He failed - miserably - in my opinion. So if he has been up to now, "doing his job", it was only a matter of time that his deficiencies would take over his rational thinking and that would ultimately affect those who he is to represent. My two cents....he's a creep!

Author

Queen601

Date

2011-06-13T11:22:55-06:00

ID

163813

Comment

Oh and by the way....so what if there are others. If they are smart enough to NOT get caught, they are one up on this guy and those like him.

Author

Queen601

Date

2011-06-13T11:24:41-06:00

ID

163815

Comment

No argument from me, Queen601. He has his hand too far into the cookie jar. I saw Weiner on a MSNBC news report this am. He looks tired, sick and worn. I really felt sorrow for him, but, I know that the people in his life (family, friends and above all, his pregnant wife) are suffering also. He did warn his wife about his texting and submission habits of sexual materials; however, it is beyond me that she did not think that this was a severe problem and that the marriage would not heal a deviant issue that had years in the making. Democrats have so much at stake. I hope that he will resign so that issues of unemployment, the economy and the ending of our wars can again take center stage. If we can not get back on message, chances for the Dems are slim and none.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-13T14:05:41-06:00

ID

163817

Comment

Who knows what the wife was thinking....maybe that being with him would fit her professional ambitions??? Who knows. I personally don't believe she's shocked at all by any of this. But what do I know.... As for the dems....this situation is not, in my opinion, going to break the dems. If republicans can bounce back from Newt's foolishness, this situation certainly seems minimal.

Author

Queen601

Date

2011-06-14T08:16:01-06:00

ID

163819

Comment

I disagree strongly with your statement about this not affecting his job. Had it been only one woman I could see forgiving him for being human because sometimes things happen that are hard to control. But this is a man who used the worst possible judgement in going out and looking for it and a man who's morals are bad at best. None of us are perfect by any means but those who represent us as "the people" must be held to a higher, a much higher standard than the rest of us. A man that will do what he did is capable of doing alot worse. And a man who will put himself in that postition could be extorted had someone else gotten their hands on the info before it went public. I cannot even begin to understand how you think that this doesn't effect his ability to do his job. Morals may be old fashioned and out of style but they still mean something to most of us

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-06-14T09:17:16-06:00

ID

163825

Comment

@ Alex093 "I cannot even begin to understand how you think that this doesn't effect his ability to do his job." I read back through several of the comments and found that most spoke to the issue of morality and Weiner being responsible to his wife for marital infractions. I know many week-end drunks and other drug abusers who work five days a week and perform as excellent employees. They aren't worth a flip on the week-end. I have worked with people who have dark sides, but, they are able to perform unbelieable task on their jobs. Often, the alcohol, drugs or other mal-adaptive behaviors serve as an antagonist to behaviors that would be much worse, i.e., while drunk or masturbating without pause, one does not think about his/her problems that cause so much emotional pain. The only way, in my opinion, to address this issue is to put it into the contex from which it originates, a mental challenge and more often than not, associated with physical, sexual, emotional abuse or with issues of grief and loss. These negative behaviors are symptoms and one only heals when he/she is treated for the root cause(s).

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-14T16:48:30-06:00

ID

163826

Comment

I don't know what your experiences are in life but mine have taught me that those who abuse drugs and alcohol on weekends gradually start doing it during the week and don't try to tell me otherwise. I don't know what that has to do with the discussion but it's insane

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-06-14T20:39:07-06:00

ID

163832

Comment

@ Alex0393 "I don't know what that has to do with the discussion but it's insane." You also said, "I don't know what your experiences in life are but mine have taught me that....". My experiences include that of having over 30 years of practice with individuals who are mentally challenged and with diagnosis ranging from mood and thought disorders,and alcohol and drug abuse. I also served 7 years as MS's State Opiate Treatment Authority. I retired Jan. 2011. The information I gave is not based on one individual's symptomatology with the disorder: It was based on statistical evidence supported by many experts in the field of alcohol and drug abuse. Individuals who fall into this diagnosis are called, Functional Alcoholics. I do not deny your fact that some functional alcoholics become dysfunctional and experience the eventuality of job loss, divorce,jail, medical problems to include cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension and the list goes on. I've spent many years working with the "insane"; however, I never thought of myself as fitting into your assessment. You never know. LOL!

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-15T17:52:29-06:00

ID

163836

Comment

After all the intercourse between Congressman Weiner and others he finally rolled over, had a cigarette, and went to sleep. Resigned that is. What a weiner?

Author

Walt

Date

2011-06-16T17:53:50-06:00

ID

163837

Comment

Forgive me for my use of the word "insane" but drug abuse is a subject I am particularly passionate about. My experience includes being a weekend drug user for years while simultaneouly running a very successful business. Then one day I woke up to find myself a full fledged opiate addict which is something you obviously are familiar with based on your post. Opiate addicts are attracted to and gradually surround themselves with other opiate addicts and I found all of us had the same story which was one of recreational abuse that took over. I managed to hide my addiction for a couple of years but as it seems was the case with others I council to now, it just slowly became the wallpaper of all my thoughts. And like so many others my addiction started with an abcessed tooth and a trip to the dentists office. My passion comes from remembering my own drive to do whatever it took in order to feed that demon and becoming everything I'd ever hated in my life. And as such I made numerous compromises I lived to regret and my point is the strong possibility exists for those who are in political office who find themselves with addictive problems. Even though I'm confessing this under the guise of a screen name it is still the first time I've ever openly talked about it. Donna I don't know if it fits in with the journalistic path of your magazine but if you ever run short of subjects a story on opiate addiction and how common it is would be a good one. Mainly because there are so many "closet" addicts who have monthly prescriptions and therefore consider themselves above addiction. Anyway, I got off the subject and I do respect your position and your experience on this justjess but at the same time my own personal experience leads me to believe that sooner or later it catches up with you. And I was one who sought treatment several times before my addiction was made public yet I still could not control it. In all the rehabs, detox, etc. I was never made aware there was a drug other than methadone that could give opiate addicts their life back and once I was introduced to it, I was given back control of my life and I have not taken that for granted. I wasn't aware there was a Mississippi Opiate Authority, what exactly is the function of this group?

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-06-17T04:38:50-06:00

ID

163839

Comment

Weiner's mistake was lying about it in the first place. He should have just said, "yes, I did it. It was intended to be something private between adults, you bunch of peeping toms!" He was an idiot for doing this and thinking he wouldn't get caught, but it's still none of my business. It's not like it was illegal (like using prostitutes, Sen. Vitter).

Author

Tre

Date

2011-06-17T09:09:56-06:00

ID

163841

Comment

@ Alex0393 No harm intended: No harm done. My hat goes off to you for sharing a part of your life and I think that your blog is in keeping with Kaze's title, "Yet Another Distraction." There are many types of addictions; however, the end product have many similarities. The jokes about Weiner and the inappropriate questions cause sadness for me. It's as if he woke up one morning and decided that he would engage in this behavior. It's not that simple: The germ of the problem is rooted in something other than the agent that relieves the pain. MS has only one Methadone (Opiate) Clinic. It is located here in Jackson @ 500 E. Woodrow Wilson - across from University Medical Center. There are approximately 300 clients who are registered there. Before MS had a program, sufferers of this addiction had to travel to areas contigeous to MS, i.e., Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee. The "Powers That Be" denied the prevelence of opiate addicts and the very thought of allowing a Methadone Clinic to set up shop was out of the question for many years. The State Opiate Treatment Authority functions under the Department of Mental Health, Bureau of Alcohol and Drugs. The Authority oversees Opiate clinics to ensure that they are compliant with the State's Minimum Standards and that clients are treated with dignity and respect. The "Authority" investigates grievances, handles exception requests and evaluates programs for State Certification. It is my hope that Former Congressman Weiner will break through the chains of denial and that he will be able to address his problem the way you have spoken to your past issues and with celebration as he is able to heal.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-17T23:15:03-06:00

ID

163842

Comment

Thanks for overlooking my probably too strong opinions at times. I've always been of the opinion that our public officials should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us because they are supposed to represent the best of the group they serve. I cannot speak intelligently on the sexual acts of the good Congressman. While they seem pretty risky if not downright strange I do know sex brings out the "different" in alot of people. Not that this is always a bad thing mind you, in fact I can think of more than a few times it wasn't a bad thing at all but.. anyway. I just disagreed with the weekend drinker and drug user being ok to serve thing I guess because it did hit a personal note with me. As for the original subject matter I have to wonder what would happen if someone with an agenda that was not for the public good had gotten their hands on the congressmans pictures etc. instead of the press. I could seen where he could be extorted into voting in such a way that maybe he otherwise would not have. Drug addiction shows up sooner or later in the lives of addicts so those around them can see what's going on usually, or those who don't choose to ignore it. In those cases maybe help can be arranged whereas in an extortion situation no one can see the obvious signs until it's too late. That, would be where I disagree to an extent with the article. Anyway,I enjoyed the discussion and good luck with your retirement. If you spent that much time dealing with people like myself the Lord knows you deserve a peaceful one and if I had to guess you've earned it

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-06-19T03:14:24-06:00

ID

163849

Comment

We can both blame Kaze. He is always able to come up with topics to get the blood heated and sparks flying! LOL! I agree that Former Congressman Weiner could have ended up in a much more vulnerable spot had he been discovered by an individual who held him hostage for silence. Thanks for your kind wish for my retirement. So far, So good.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-20T16:11:33-06:00

ID

163853

Comment

I hear you Jess an Alex, addictions aren't a laughing matters. Leno and other talk show comedians should be ashamed of themselves. I enjoyed your exchange. Personally, I could never engage in such childish behavior as making fun of others for weird behavior or addictions. I'll admit his behavior is unbecoming and unusual for a Democrat.

Author

Walt

Date

2011-06-20T17:06:50-06:00