Elliot Spitzer- Not So High & Mighty!!

[Johnd]

Well, I think Strat was just aiming for an off-hand remark for humor's sake

Yeah. My comment wasn't so much directed at him, as it was the general attitude at this scandal...his wife has nothing to do with his transgressions, and, I for one, think attacks on her are grossly misplaced.

Who was it above - Strat? - that commented as to it's no wonder we're all so cynical these days? I couldn't agree more.

Yes. But the cynic serves no one. Being a skeptic (otoh) can keep one deliberate and honest.

Either way, this is yet another sad commentary on our society.

 

[jinjuku]

I live 30 minutes away from Detroit. I don't get how the community out there can keep Kilpatrick and his thugs in office. The Mayoral elections just happened not to long ago and they put him right back in.

No wonder why Detroit is voted the nations worst city to live in. They would be better off with Marion Barry.

 

[Halon451]

Yes. But the cynic serves no one. Being a skeptic (otoh) can keep one deliberate and honest.

Either way, this is yet another sad commentary on our society.

Yeah, well things like this have taken place in politics since politics came to be - with politics there is always a juicy scandal or two waiting to unfold. I struggle with my own cynicism at times - there is an extremely fine line between cynicism and skepticism IMO. The only difference is the cynic has stopped believing there is hope. When you look at the state of our nation today, is it that hard to disagree?

 

[stratman]

Yup, my response, an after thought was a bit careless,it was meant in jest, he's solely to be blamed, scrutinized and lambasted for his actions, not only did he make a mockery of the office, but every honest DA in NY has to be feeling a bit disheartened, after all aren't they the good guys putting the baddies behind bars? Same with cops, when one falls it's a big disgrace, for their's is a position of trust and power and if you can't trust those that serve you....well.

 

[aberkowitz]

I've actually never held politicians to a higher standard- I hold them to the same standard that I'd hold anybody else to and it all comes down to trust. If a friend of mine cheated on his wife and spent thousands of dollars on hookers, I wouldn't drop him as my friend, but he'd probably lose a bit of my trust for a period of time. The key difference here is that all a politician has is his/her trust with the public. Unlike a friend of mine, there's no history of a personal relationship. Once that trust is broken, it can be almost impossible to repair.

 

[Johnd]

The key difference here is that all a politician has is his/her trust with the public.

And power. And that is why I hold them to a higher standard (professionally, not personally).

 

[masak_aer]

I view, most of the time, politics are dirty...this just confirms it further.

 

[Pyrrho]

It's a sad thing whenever a public figure falls like this. To be honest, my fear is that our children get desensitized to it. It's good to see that, despite politics or viewpoint, everyone agrees that what he did was at least wrong.

What is sad is that there are so many hypocritical politicians who are and do what they themselves denounce. When they get caught, that is a good thing. If there were more scrutiny of their lives, there would be greater certainty that such hypocrisy would be found out, and therefore fewer politicians would be stupid enough to do such things (or they would stay out of politics). I say, every "holier than thou" politician should have their lives examined with a fine tooth comb. And then reexamined every year, to make sure they are not saying one thing and doing another. Perhaps a big cash reward for "outing" them would be a good incentive to weed out lousy public figures.

The problem is the hypocrisy. Exposing hypocrisy isn't a problem at all, and, in fact, teaches a valuable lesson in keeping one's actions in line with one's claims.

 

[Halon451]

What is sad is that there are so many hypocritical politicians who are and do what they themselves denounce. When they get caught, that is a good thing. If there were more scrutiny of their lives, there would be greater certainty that such hypocrisy would be found out, and therefore fewer politicians would be stupid enough to do such things (or they would stay out of politics). I say, every "holier than thou" politician should have their lives examined with a fine tooth comb. And then reexamined every year, to make sure they are not saying one thing and doing another. Perhaps a big cash reward for "outing" them would be a good incentive to weed out lousy public figures.

The problem is the hypocrisy. Exposing hypocrisy isn't a problem at all, and, in fact, teaches a valuable lesson in keeping one's actions in line with one's claims.

I can agree with that, for the most part - they should definitely be exposed for what they are, no doubt. What's sad is that it exists in the first place. It all comes down to personal character, which says more about you than anything else in the world. One's actions speak for them. Do I necessarily care that Joe Six Pack next door to me is cheating on his wife? I really could care less - it's unfortunate for the wife and family involved, but it's their private affair nonetheless. A politician makes the decision to carry his life (and his family) along into the public spotlight by sheer virtue of his position. We elect our politicians in the faith that they will perform in the capacity they have promised - it is our interests at stake, which affects us all equally. This is why I hold them to a higher standard than Joe Six Pack next door - a politician's fall from grace represents a greater moral dilemna that afflicts our society as a whole. A politician's GREATEST asset IMO, is the ability to remain humble, and grateful for the responsibility he/she has been given. Actions like Spitzer's and any other self-serving yahoo in office can only help fuel public resentment against the very ones we put in office in the first place... across the board.

 

[stratman]

Unfortunately, today politics are run as a business, most that go in come out far richer than when they went in. Here in Miami, the mayor's office is very coveted for there hasn't been one mayor in Miami-Dade that hasn't been approached by developers and mega-builders for favors, I can say this with certainty.

 

[Johnd]

Well, it appears Mr Spitzer has made his share of enemies.

The Republicans of the New York Legislature are calling for his immediate resignation, and ex-NYSE director Ken Langone is quoted as saying that he is a "hypocrite" who "destroyed reputations," and "We all have our own private hells. I hope his private hell is hotter than anybody else's."

Ouch!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/11/exnyse-director-langone-_n_90897.html

 

[Halon451]

Holy crap - that is one of the best comments I have heard to date regarding this a-hole.

 

[10010011]

nobody here said anything about him being a Dem. so I don't know why you would have to go on the offense make it seem the conservitives were worse. Do you have a problem with them 1. cheating 2, being gay or 3. that they are Republican.
I don't think any of these guys left or right have lived a truthful life.
I'd bet there are the same amount of those self rightous smug ba**tards on both side of the isle.

Um... yeah sorry to jump the gun on the political crap. But having seen this posted on many many many forums there was always some Conservatives pointing in shame and the Democrat Governor. They all shut up really fast when I mentioned them three names.

 

[Johnd]

Well, now some entrerprising individuals are jumping on the bandwagon and selling "Client 9" T-shirts in New York (in reference to Spitzer's designation as Client 9 by the New York madam). Huh.

It's cooking time. And the fish is in the broiler. Spitzer better get out before he's fried beyond recognition. Boy he's made a lot of enemies. And whatever friends he thought he had are certainly staying in the shadows.

"I hope his private hell is hotter than anybody else's."


OUCH!!!

 

[masak_aer]

He is resigning....good...

 

[Hipnotic4]

The person doing "set-ups" got SET UP. I don't know why people are so surprised though, this kind of stuff happens all the time. Everyone does crooked **** now and then. Especially gov't officials, hopefully Mr. Paterson does good.

 

[Johnd]

The person doing "set-ups" got SET UP. I don't know why people are so surprised though, this kind of stuff happens all the time. Everyone does crooked **** now and then. Especially gov't officials, hopefully Mr. Paterson does good.

Well, it' not everyday that an elected official is brought up on federal charges. Let alone the highest official in a large state. And it's not everday that a high ranking public official is seemingly going down for paying $4300.00 per "fun hour." And that was the former "Crusader" of the state (against all that was illegal and evil).

Nope...I think this is definitely newsworthy (not that I need to listen to it on the tube every day for two hours). And I certainly don't believe that: "Everyone does crooked **** now and then." Everyone doesn't...because they have the willpower and moral compass to not think of such things, or refrain from such urges, should they arise. Just my $0.02 Hipnotic4. Peace, John

 

[Pyrrho]

Well, it' not everyday that an elected official is brought up on federal charges. Let alone the highest official in a large state. And it's not everday that a high ranking public official is seemingly going down for paying $4300.00 per "fun hour." And that was the former "Crusader" of the state (against all that was illegal and evil).

Nope...I think this is definitely newsworthy (not that I need to listen to it on the tube every day for two hours). And I certainly don't believe that: "Everyone does crooked **** now and then." Everyone doesn't...because they have the willpower and moral compass to not think of such things, or refrain from such urges, should they arise. Just my $0.02 Hipnotic4. Peace, John

Indeed, not everyone does crooked things. And accusing us all is, in fact, libel.

It is, however, not uncommon for someone to do crooked things. There are many who have done such things, and undoubtedly many will in the future. And when they are elected officials, who have gone out of their way to pretend outrage at other's vices, they deserve to be slammed hard if they do what they have been denouncing.

One should not be telling others to refrain from solicitation of prostitution, and to prosecute them, if one are going to engage in such behavior yourself. One should be consistent and honest. If he had run for office on a platform of encouraging and legalizing prostitution, it would be a very different matter. As it is, he deserves his downfall (assuming, of course, that he is really guilty, which appears to be the case).