SEX SCANDALS

From AlterNet:

Anthony Weiner Has Problems with Monogamy. Does 
that Disqualify Him from Holding Public Office?

We could get up in arms about his duplicity toward the general public. We could act indignant about the fact that he hasn’t been forthcoming about aspects of his intimate life. But why not instead be angry that we live in a country that requires him to be dishonest about his struggles with monogamy in order to maintain his career? Maybe we instead should be outraged by the hypocrisy of everyday Americans shaking their fingers at Weiner — and then using that same digit to tap out a sext to someone other than their spouse.

He isn’t a Spitzer. He hasn’t campaigned to make sexts illegal. Nor has he, like some conservatives, fought against same-sex marriage on the grounds of preserving the sanctity of marriage. His hypocrisy is a deeply personal one: He said that what he did was stupid and then he did it again.

More here.

Okay, some political sex scandals are legitimate.  Like when there's hypocrisy undercutting a politician's on-the-record philosophical and policy stance, as with anti-gay politicians or leaders who get caught with their hand in the cookie jar.  Something to that effect.  Or when it involves something illegal, as with David Vitter and his relationship with the notorious DC Madam, or that Republican governor who kept taking trips down to South America to liaison with his sweetie on the taxpayers' dime.  But really, none of that has anything to do directly with the sex itself.  It's all context and situation.

That's why there's no such thing as a legitimate political sex scandal.  Because sex is personal business having absolutely nothing to do with a politician's ability to do his job.  I mean, sure, it might make his personal life more difficult, which might indirectly affect his job performance, but so do "irreconcilable differences," or a death in the family, or illness, and so on.  That is, the bullshit I've been hearing for many years attempting to justify some Sturm und Drang about a politician or leader having sex with someone he shouldn't is pretty weak.  

So Bill Clinton lied.  Anthony Weiner lied.  Big deal.  I would lie, too.  It's none of your damned business, and screw you for acting like it is.  This is an important truth: the only reason such "scandals" exist is because the news media knows they'll get better ratings because everybody really likes both hearing about famous people having sex with the wrong people, and then condemning famous people for having sex with the wrong people.  Not that I'm particularly sympathetic toward famous people who cheat.  But neither can I ever be okay with distracting titillation-crap masquerading as "news."

Our society has real problems affecting millions and millions of real people every day.  Politicians cheating on their wives is not one of those problems.  It's not even close.  We've got work to do.  Screw this shit.

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