i hope Weiner gets out of politics. There is a pattern here, between the fact that he likes to yank people's chains and the fact that he somehow thought he was untouchable. i read that REPUBLICANS had warned him that his online activity was being followed and he didn't stop. That, at least, suggests a sex addiction. At worst, it is semi-delusional, like his expectation that he wouldn't be found out when he cried, "Hackers!" That's very scary thinking.

There is evidence of his behavior all over the place, easily discovered. He is a smart man; he knows this. That he thought he could lie and get by with it in spite of common sense is a red flag that something is going on with him. It connects with his yanking chains on both sides of the aisle, which could mean that he thought he could survive politically in spite of not having a significant number of allies. Certainly having the Clintons on your side is good, but that connection was forged through his wife, not through his own actions.

The pattern is self-destructive. There is some grandiosity involved and massive amounts of denial. i agree with the New York Times. Psychiatry is indicated. And a 12-step program for sex addicts. The online flirting manifestation of sex addiction is quite common. It doesn't require physical contact to be a sex addict. Most sex addicts are not out there fucking everyone, in fact.

But it's not just thrill-seeking that is the problem. He has that grandiose, oppositional streak that many addicts have. And he is capable of lying to himself and others when the shit hits the fan. i wish him well, but he is not healthy enough to be in public service at this time.

Yeah, I'm pissed at Weiner. Yeah, I'm pissed at Edwards. Worse, though, I'm fed up with our puritanical society that focuses on sex shit and ignores real things that are happening that are destroying real people. Republicans all over the country are stripping women of control of their bodies, denying citizens the right to vote, taking health care away from the sick and elderly, and taking the food away from hungry children, in Washington these assholes are ready to destroy the entire country over the debt ceiling; and Weiner is the bullshit story that makes the headlines for days on end.

David Vitter got a standing ovation from his colleagues and still holds his office. If Weiner has to go, so does Vitter.

Eric Cantor prays for the families of republican legislators who get caught in sex scandals, but demands resignation from a democrat in the same situation.

Countless republicans who have done things far worse than Weiner have been supported by their fellow republicans; some still hold office, some have moved on to other wealth-making ventures, one is running for President. Elliot Spitzer actually reported on the Weiner case on his CNN news show with a straight face.

The rule about sex scandals being okay only if one is a Republican needs to end. Fucking hypocrites.

quote from a boston.com news article:

He is another politician using his power to harrass women. Some of them were willing, but the unwilling were exposed to his aggressive advances. These were not women he met in an online dating site.

The Strauss-Kahn and the Georges Tron scandals are more comparable than the Vitter scandal. Vitter procured prostitutes if i recall. Clearly some of the women in communication with Weiner were harrassed. That's not rape, but it's non-consensual, and it's exploiting one's position of power. Seriously, those women were talking to him because of his position as a congressman. They weren't just striking up a chat relationship online and hoping to flirt.

What is interesting to me is that he didn't create a pseudo and troll for women in someplace like Second Life. He could have had many opportunities for online sexual chat. He used the fact that he is who he is to get those women's attention. He exploited their respect for a member of Congress.

A prostition scandal or a good old fashioned affair at least does not involve non-consensual sexual behavior.

Yes- the hypocracy makes me crazy, too. All the GOP Christian right-wing praying and people like Ginrich saying God forgave him is such a crock.

My main concern is political- I don't want this to add to the difficulty of obama's re-election (and he is vulnerable due to the economic situation and the unemployment rate). I was feeling like the Dems could win back the House- and this kind of garbage can have an effect on this (re- Mark Foley). Plus, Weiner is one of the few progressive left-wing House members and I want him in the House! With Dennis Kucinich maybe facing being tossed out via re-districting, I don't want Weiner gone, too. His voice is needed. Which, like you, is why I could smack him for this goofy situation. The "moral" side of this doesn't matter to me. The political side, does in terms of the Dems winning back seats in the House as well as Obama being re-elected. Wouldn't mind more Dem senators, either.

Something I can't quite figure out is why the Dems are piling on him with calls for resignation. The election is still 16 months away. If they keep trying to distance themselves from Weiner publically, this will not die down. The fear is that he did something illegal, I think, that has yet to surface. My guess is that he did not do anything illegal. Stupid, yes- especially due to the BIG issues you list above. Some serious stuff going on that Congress needs to deal with.

I guess there is the threat that not "all" of the story has been reported- that there might be more. Weiner needs to hire an expert that deals with these things that can do damage control- which is exactly what politicians do in these situations. Vitter et. al. did.

This is exactly what I was pondering this morning while reading the NYT.

I know- I am wondering if some of the "between-the-lines" comments about Weiner not being very well liked by other Dems due to his abrasive ("arrogant" has been put out there, too) personality is true. Polls in his district show that the actual voters still would re-elect him (as far as these kinds of polls go).

Alabama's illegal immigration law
 

Earlier this decade the Alabama poultry industry started replacing african-american workers with undocumented workers because they could pay them less. I'm surprised that the industry let the politicians get away with this.

In other news, Weiner is now *yawn* page 27 news. Newt's campaign staff just quit, so he's the next big thing that everyone will be writing about.

I actually might tune into the GOP debate Monday to see what Newt Been Booted has to say. Just for the fun of it! He loves to hear himself speak. Wonder if there will be any Tiffany bashing! It amazes me that this idiot doesn't get that having an account with a $500,000 limit there might just piss off a lot of people in the US- how about the people losing their homes and have been laid-off for over a year and have lost everything in the recession headed by ultra-rich Wall Street types and protected by the GOP?

Maybe the Dems that felt they needed to distance themselves from Weiner have had their say and he will survive. But, we can bet the GOP House members will keep the story alive as we go on to to 2012.

24,000 pages of email from the former half-term governor of Alaska being released today. Anthony who?

Frankly I don't give a shit about his on-line stuff. I damn sure am not going to be casting a stone. I've done my share of on-line sex stuff over the years. I'm thinking back to my early days on the dash site when I was a chat whore ..........laughin......the Hot Tub got pretty hot sometimes!

There are other recovery programs besides 12 Step programs. AA is a religious recovery program. You don't need God/higher power/something outside yourself to deal with addictions of any kind.

There are secular organizations such as LifeRing Secular Recovery (www.lifering.org). There are others also.

Something that is bugging me about Weiner getting treatment has to do with some of the really assbite by-lines in the media. There are people that have addictive compulsions that can lead to serious problems in their work, relationships, etc. Have no idea if Weiner has a bona fide addiction- but it makes me angry that these kinds of addictions are not recognized as real and can be very detrimental to people.

Weiner is an intelligent guy- why would he rish his career or even his marriage by tweeting things like nude photos of himself and having online sex- he knew he would get caught. The right-wing morals police are all over left -wing or progressive representatives online.

He might be entering treatment as a political ploy to save his ass in the House, but maybe society will get it's head out of it's own butt and realize that there are addictions and compusions that regular old smart people have. We always want to see dysfunction or even criminality in POC or those in poverty or uneducated- we never can believe that someone like Weiner (JFK, Bill Clinton, et. al.) could not have control over what some might think is kinky or "acting just like a man"-you lnow, they can't possibly control their sexual urges).

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/ny...sign.html?_r=1

I cannot say if Weiner crossed negotiated boundaries in his marriage. She may well not care if he is sexting with adults.

As to risking his career, why should it, since it's all with adults? The police didn't find anything wrong with his texts to the 17 year old. Nothing to see there.

What the fuck business is it of the country what he does as long as it's adults and consensual? Why is this news? It has nothing to do with his qualifications or his performance of his duties as a member of the House; or as a potential candidate for Mayor of NYC. No one can say he has done a crappy job for his constituents. He is one of the few progressives folks in the House and Senate. I will never forget his House speech with blood veins sticking out on his neck and spit flying, while telling some Republican he was out of order and to sit down!!!!

The only reason anyone's sex life (RT and cyber) is important is when that person is a hypocrite like ALL the Republicans caught in sex scandles. Weiner is not a hypocrite.

We will never become a sex positive culture unless we realize consenting adults can do whatever they want with each other. It should not be news.

edited to add: just because he sex texts does not mean he is addicted for fuck's sake people.....

Oh, I agree about hypocrite GOP House & Senate members! And no, these actions in and of themselves do not mean anyone has any kind of addiction, sexual or otherwise. Poor judgement for a public office holder, yes.

Why the hell he did a week of BSing over this makes me crazy- and just made this a bigger thing than it is. He should have just said, "Yes, I sent the pic and it is of me." AND said "I have never campaigned on family values, therefore, my behavior is not hypocritical. What is between my wife and myself in our marriage is private." He made much of his own grief with all of the interviews for a week and angry cuts at reporters.

It is news because the moral police do follow liberal and progressive politicians online to do exactly this- make it a public issue especially during election cycles. Actually, there are the same kind of people trolling GOP members for the very same reason.

Frankly, knowing that this goes on would be enough for me to not give these jerks something to make a public mess out of. Why risk it when we are in the middle of one of the toughest economic down-turns in our history? Common people are hurting. I am counting on Congressional members like Weiner, Boxer, Kucinich, Wasserman-Schultz, etc. to stay in office and fight for my political ideals.

I agree that sex of any kind between consenting adults shouldn't be news. But the reality is it will used against a politician. Knowing this and doing this kind of stuff can also be viewed as kicking supporters that are having a hell of a time to stay above water or losing their homes, etc. right in the ass. Or, does Weiner have an addiction or high risk taking behavior even in the face of having the capacity to see negative results he does not have control over?
Or, is he now doing what so may politicians and celebrities do to get themselves out of hot water for stupid actions? The sex isn't the problem, the risk behavior and lack of impulse control is. Also, any idiot ought to know that public perception about bring shame ( even if that is not true for his wife at all) to one’s spouse will kick you in the butt every time.

How does one define a sex positive society? My bet is that would be all over a very wide spectrum.

I don't want to belabor the point but......

How do you that he has lack of impulse control? You make an assumption and it's a bit judgmental in my book. Why should he be ashamed? Why should his wife be shamed?

Sorry the only poor judgement he has shown is not telling the truth in the beginning.


As long as we keep throwing people under the bus because a bunch radical right wing religious nutjobs thinks his behavior is immoral, nothing will ever change. None of this is anyone's business. Period. Full Stop.

That is such bullshit. That's like expecting me to quit my job because I once drunk dialed a friend to tell her that she's hot.

I'm really disappointed in him for giving in like that.

I see the Dems going at him as a means for him to come back, actually. And I think that as politicians that are trying to get back to what is really important these days in Congress, they had no choice in taking shots at him. But what may be going on here, might be very different and positive for Weiner in the long run...

I hate it that we have lost a very animated progressive in the House- yet, I am amazed that so many people think that it was sexting and nude photos that are really why he lost support of his Democratic colleagues.

That is not why- lying to them and the public for over a week and doing so on no less than 5 major media shows with dumb, dumb explanations is why the Dems turned on him. Also, he has never been a team player and that is a mortal sin with these folks. Weiner isn’t liked all that much by Congressional Dems or the GOP because he is very outspoken- he does stand up for his beliefs and won’t back down. Most politicians in office are mush as far as I’m concerned- no back bone like his. Not one house member would co-sponsor legislation with him in the future or allow him a seat on congressional committees. Thus, his effectiveness to represent his district went down the toilet. And Weiner has been one hell of an effective progressive House member. Right now, his constituents are behind him, however, if it became obvious that he was dead in the House as their rep- they would have to let him go and back another candidate that could represent their concerns. That's politics. An ineffective House rep- no matter the reason will not survive and should not.

Dumb (really dumb) of him to come up with the story of being hacked and expect the public to believe it was just plain arrogance, I believe. Perhaps magical thinking in an age in which the media will did and dig. It really did not make sense to me that he would first go to a law firm and not the police or FBI if he was really hacked. So, at the onset, I didn’t believe him. Yet, I kept hoping it would die down. I don't give a flying hooray about the content of the texting, emails, or the damn pics. Or phone sex- even though, I know if I were married to him, it would matter. But that isn’t my call.

I do think his judgment and frankly, his infantile erect dick focused ego says he needs to deal with some things psychologically. Arrested development lingers in my clinical mind. I hope he really does seek treatment because I still think he can be elected as NYC Mayor in the future and would be a good one. And that is something he wants to do. In fact, his resigning and doing rehab and getting this whole mess out of the public eye is a smart thing to do in terms of a run for NYC Mayor as I see it.

I want the Democratic Party to demonstrate a higher bar than the hypocritical GOP in the House and Senate and Congressional members are not everyday people that get to do this shit and not have repercussions. Those days are gone for politicians with the media as it is today and the internet. Just a fact they have to deal with realistically. I wish he had consulted with a smart and seasoned political damage control expert immediately. So much of this could have been avoided.

I really am tired of the focus on the sexual behavior aspect of this- that is not the reason he is in this mess at all in terms of resigning- his lies and arrogant use of media keeping the damn story going and the future loss of effectiveness as a House member is the reason he resigned. The personal possibility of sex addiction is and should be a personal matter- but when these kinds of things get in the way of a Congress person’s effectiveness, not matter how, it just isn’t. I think it is really naïve to think that it would be- or at best unrealistic.

I say good luck in your resurrection Anthony, hope to see you either re-elected to the House in future elections with different colleagues around you to work with or as the Mayor of NYC. Maybe Govenor of NY.

Something distinct from all the politics here is the fact that Weiner did display key elements of sex addiction. One occurrence of a photo without a history of well over a year of the behavior he displayed is not the same as getting drunk and calling someone and telling them they are hot. There is a pattern here. Along with all of the great things the cyber world brings (including cyber-sex between consenting adults and couples), his patterns indicate a problem. His resignation due to the prior risk-taking behaviors is proof that he was out of control. When behavior leads to job loss or other problems in our relations, etc., IT IS A PROBLEM!

Something that keeps going through my mind about his resignation and his having a bona fide sex addiction is not based solely on any clinical perspectives. Anthony Weiner really does not have other skills and credentials (including a law degree) to make a living outside of holding office. His leaving his House post is very different than most Congressional members that can easily make a living outside of public office. He is not the book writing, public speaker type either. He isn’t warm and fuzzy and has not made a name for himself for anything that most people would pay to attend a lecture about. Well, maybe cyber sex, now. I think he is recognizing he indeed has a compulsion that will he needs to deal with and it is better to do so now while he is still young enough to get back on the political saddle within a relatively short time and not have this compulsion get him shot out of the saddle once again. His resignation demonstrates strength and positive self-care to me.

To be honest, I think his marriage might just go down the tubes eventually. His wife is herself an up and coming political figure and I don’t think she will “stand by her man” and risk being ridiculed for this by the women in the Democratic Party that are becoming real political power brokers. I bet Hillary Clinton has told her- “this is only the start of this - you can get out now without his BS taking you down.” If Anthony continues to take potentially damaging risks to her political future, she won’t stay with him.

Marriage between powerful politicians (or those asiring to be) are not fairy tale romance driven pacts, folks. And the role of women in politics has changed and finally getting to the point where they are not going to put up with someone stuck in adolescence with his dick size. Huma is quite capable of raising a child without being married to Weiner and still having that child be involved with her/his father in a positive way. Women do not have to remain in the same old roles anymore- especially smart, internationally acclaimed women with good political savvy and ambitions of their own. A political husband that could be a continual disaster waiting to happen is expendable in many political couplings. I have no idea what their marriage is really like or about, but something tells me given Huma’s age and aspirations, they will divorce within a couple of years if she can’t trust his risk taking behavior is not in check. I could be very wrong, but the initial calls and conferences between Weiner and Huma with both Clintons at the outset of this mess say to me this is a political power marriage not based upon romantic love. And I don’t have any judgment of how other people marry. It is their union. Then, Huma was off with Hillary Clinton for her work and continued counsel.

I know, I’m rambling, but I just don’t see this as a simple political gaffe that could have gone away- although his coming clean right off and taking that heat might have stopped so much of what has tumbled out. Like I said, I hope he times-out, reorganizes (both personally and public ally) and resurfaces in shape to either be re-elected to his seat (if it still exists after redistricting) or as a candidate for NYC Mayor. Then maybe Governor. I don’t think his political career is dead. Who knows, this might end up being a good thing if he does have compulsive ridden behaviors that would probably get him and his political career one way or the other. Hell, if the likes of Vitter and Craig (Ginrich & McCain), too can survive politically (and they ARE hypocrites)- Weiner can too in the long run.

Nope, this just isn’t about sexting and package pics…. I honestly am thinking about his resignation in terms of it being a means for him to clean his crap up and come back and be the progressive fighter I do think he is. Then, again, I tend to over think a lot of things and try to tease out positives possibilities. We humans are resilient and it because Weiner is NOT a hypocrite that I see him back in office eventually. Just the kind of "knee-jerk" liberal I am.

Giffords discharged- BUT...
 

Gabby Giffords' Rosy Recovery Needs Reality Check, Say Experts
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/gabby-g...ry?id=13829783

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...html?r=topnews

Weiner did not raise enough money for the Dem Party. Every Congressional member (both houses) is assigned a certain amount of money they must raise for the party. This is in addition to what they must raise for their own re-election. Seems Weiner was assigned $200,000 and he only raised $75,000. That is why they tossed his ass under the bus.

At least that is what I heard on (I think) the Randi Rhodes radio talk show.


Additionally his is not a corporate Dem like Pelosi and the rest of the Dem leadership. He and Greyson were the only real progressive populist members of the House. Greyson got beat in the last election and now Weiner is gone. Who are the progressives in Congress now? Please don't tell me Pelosi and Reid are progressives or any of the other leadership folks. They are all bought and owned by corporations just like the Repubs.

Frankly I would love for him to run for his seat in the Special Election and let his constituents in Queens and Brooklyn decide if he should stay or go.

VA Directive Issued on Respectful Delivery of Healthcare to Transgender and Intersex Veterans
 

VA Directive Issued on Respectful Delivery of Healthcare to Transgender and Intersex Veterans

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has issued a Directive to all of its facilities establishing a policy of respectful delivery of healthcare to transgender and intersex veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system or are otherwise eligible for VA care. The Directive reiterates that under existing regulations sex reassignment surgery cannot be performed or paid for by the VA and that all other medically necessary healthcare for transgender veterans is covered, including transition-related care such as hormones and mental health services. It also indicates that all VA staff must provide care to transgender patients "without discrimination in a manner consistent with care and management of all Veteran patients."

By setting an example of how healthcare providers in both the public and private sector should be treating transgender patients, this Directive is an important first step in securing equal access for transgender and Intersex veterans, and healthcare access for transgender people generally.

Directive on www.va.gov

There does seem to be a lot of "talk" about Weiner not exactly being loved by his House colleagues- that he never built up much "good will." The $ angle I have not heard, but I don't doubt that something could be up with that. I also don't see him as a team player and on one hand, I like that about him, yet know that this might not lend itself to being supported by other Dems in both the House and Senate. Part of politics and being a politician. Sad, but true.

The only other progressive I can think of is Kucinich who now might be un-seated by re-districting.

As much as I wanted him to be able ride this out somehow, I honestly believe he made his own mess by how he handled it from the start. It amazes me that he wasn't supported by someone on the Hill that referred him to expert consultants to guide him through this and control the damage. His shooting off his mouth for over a week with abrasive and really rather arrogant statements did not help him. But, why the hell Frank or Rangle didn't take him aside and give him refs to the consultants they have used- baffles me. Neither made any public statements about his resigning, nor any moralizing public comments. Both have had scandals that they survived. Actually, Frank said due to his past behavior, he felt he sure didn't have any right to put Weiner down.

I don't think he should join in the special election- the Dems have big fights with the \MediCare, Social security, Jobs Bills, and most important, the debt-ceiling that they need to be focused on. Weiner's mess did need to stop and I do believe he lost his effectiveness to represent his district.

As I said before, I don't think his political career is dead. If he does have a cyber sexual compulsion/addiction he needs to deal with it- for himself and his wife/family- the hell with House, one has a life outside of the House or Senate- whatever office they hold.

I still see him running for mayor of NYC which he wanted to do, especially in light of his district possibly vanishing. Hell, he could run for the Senate in NY. There just needs to be a respite where he is out of the news and some healing. He will be back- I really believe he will. I'm sure this experience has taught him a few things.

Interesting article by someone that does know Weiner-
 

http://www.mediaite.com/online/exclu...ist-hypocrisy/

This is from the early days of this mess- it goes to issues that to me, are important. I just don't think this a cut & dried "scandal" about tweets, pics and phone sex. Yes, I think he can re-emerge in politics, but to be honest as I read more about what really transpired, I think he's manipulative and arrogant and used his political office/power in a mysogynist manner. My feelings are not just based upon this article- the tweets, etc. can be read in their entirety. I detest the GOP family values hypocrites, but, I'm not all that thrilled with Weiner's integrity either. I don't like having a progressive out of the House, but, he's a bit of a hypocrite, himself. Now I am even more sick of politicians!


Exclusive Interview: Kirsten Powers Points Out ‘Predator’ Anthony Weiner’s Misogynist Hypocrisy


Democratic political analyst Kirsten Powers is not afraid to call them as she sees them, and in a Daily Beast column Wednesday afternoon, she blasted her friend (and ex-boyfriend) Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) for “sociopathic lying,” misogyny, and predatory behavior. In an interview with Mediaite, Powers gives her take on liberal suggestions that Weiner’s resignation should hinge on the disposition of Republican scandals like David Vitter’s, and the notion that Weiner’s scandal lacks the hypocrisy of Republican sex scandals.

In her Daily Beast column, Powers spoke emotionally about being manipulated by Rep. Weiner into defending him, based on lies:

In short, he was a friend whom I cared for very much, even if I thought he had issues he needed to deal with. It was because of this friendship that I believed him when he told me last week that he had done nothing wrong. In an email to me he wrote: “Why not to call the cops: Personal account, no federal case, we don’t know yet what they got, I didn’t send it, statements on sat, sun, monday, the girl said she doesn’t know me, I don’t know her. The people I follow are all people who ask. We’ve hired a law firm but not to protect me, to put together the team to figure out how we prevent and maybe civil or criminal next steps. We don’t know where this photo came from. We have theories. Until we know for sure we open up legal hornets nest if we say.”

He knew I was going on the show Hannity, where I would use this false information to defend him in front of millions of people. I did, and I regret it.

Her strongest condemnation, though, concerns what she calls Weiner’s “predatory behavior,” calling it “classic sexual harassment.”

“We know only about the women who were responsive to his overtures,” Powers said. “The odds are very high that he struck out with many, and other women were victim to his unsolicited sex talk.”

In fact, this scandal was touched off by what we now know was an unwelcome Twitter message, featuring an underwear-shrouded erection, to Gennette Cordova, a 21 year-old Seattle college student whom Weiner admits did not solicit it. Weiner characterized the tweet as a “joke,” which many women have pointed out is exactly the kind of deluded excuse used by IRL sexual predators like this subway pervert.Cordova has maintained all along that she never had any inappropriate contact with Rep. Weiner, a fact buttressed by her real-time reaction to the photo.

While elected Democrats have begun to call for Weiner’s resignation, liberal commentators have been quick to point out the lack of such calls by Republicans surrounding scandals involving the likes of David Vitter and John Ensign. They have also pointed out that Weiner’s scandal involved no actual sex, and that Weiner, unlike some of his Republican counterparts, never campaigned as a “family values” candidate. I asked Powers if she found either argument persuasive, what she thought of Weiner’s sex chat, and how she felt about Andrew Breitbart’s involvement in the story.

Tommy Christopher: How do you view Rep. Weiner’s actions, in context with other sex scandals involving the likes of Sens. David Vitter and John Ensign?

Kirsten Powers: What I find distinctive about what happened with Anthony is that it wasn’t an affair, it wasn’t, you know, a one-time event, it was predatory behavior. And it was behavior that was done in his official capacity. He wasn’t doing this as an anonymous person. He was doing this where you have people who saw him on TV or thought he was a good Congressman or whatever going to him and saying, “Oh, you’re such a great fighter for Democrats, Congressman Weiner.” And then he was using that position to, sort of, being predatory on the internet and I can’t remember which woman said it. She said, “I just want to talk politics,” and then it started getting creepy. So he’s using his official division, he’s not doing this, as much as he wants to say it’s in a private capacity, I highly doubt these women would have been talking to him if he wasn’t a Congressman.“I can tell you as a woman who has received very inappropriate things from people who have more power than me, it’s very intimidating. “

The sending the picture to the girl, to me it’s like sexual harassment. He’s a Congressman, she’s a student. He has tons of power. She looks up to him.

I can tell you as a woman who has received very inappropriate things from people who have more power than me, it’s very intimidating. And you often don’t even tell anybody because you’re so frightened of what this person could potentially do to you. And so, there’s a kind of harassment predatory aspect to this.

TC: The thing I want to know about the discussion of Ensign and Vitter and those guys is, do you think that even belongs in this discussion? Do you think that’s sort of a non-sequitur? Do you have any objection to people bringing it up?

KP: It’s not a non-sequitur in the sense that I brought it up, actually, when I initially said he shouldn’t resign. You know, I think I did after he lied to me, but prior to me understanding how extensively he had lied in the media. So, even though he had lied to me, actually, I was kind of saying, “Whatever, you know, people lie about sex scandals.”

It’s not that Anthony Weiner shouldn’t resign because David Vitter didn’t resign, even though that it’s sort of the conclusion I think, you can draw from it. I did bring up the David Vitter thing, but I brought it up in this context. I don’t want to listen to Republicans preach about this. You know what I mean?

“…liberals are supposed to be the feminists, the ones who stand up, you know, against misogyny, against predatory behavior against women, I mean, feminists used to do that, right?”

But upon more reflection, the point just is, “Shut up, Republicans.” We’re really not interested in listening to you on this stuff. Look at your own people. You know, “get off your high horse.” And that’s what I said on Greta. I said, “Get off your soapbox. David Vitter’s a Senator. Don’t start talking to us about how…” Because we keep hearing from Republicans, “Oh, we police our own party. Oh, we don’t have people like that.” That’s the aspect that I think is what you need to respond to, to bring up David Vitter in that context.

The problem with these kind of arguments is, is that our standard? “You’re not as bad as David Vitter? You’re not as bad as John Ensign?” I mean, that’s our standard? That’s not a standard. That’s juvenile. That’s just the vicious cycle that Washington is in. “Oh, you think we’re bad? Look at them.”

No wonder Americans hate Washington. I don’t cheat on my husband because other people cheat on their husbands. I mean, that’s not, that’s not a justification.

TC: What do you think about the idea that Weiner isn’t as bad as GOP politicians in sex scandals because he doesn’t preach family values?

I think if he had an affair, that actually is a valid argument. But this isn’t about family values. This is about liberals are supposed to be the feminists, the ones who stand up, you know, against misogyny, against predatory behavior against women, I mean, feminists used to do that, right?

When he sent that picture to that girl, it was not consensual. She did not ask for that picture. I don’t understand even how people can’t see that it’s so obviously sexual harassment. It’s not sexual harassment in a legal sense, she’s not working for him, but it is a person of power, and influence, doing something that is hostile to somebody who did not ask for this. It’s just kind of confusing to me. That has nothing to do with family values, and everything to do with what kind of standards do we have for members of Congress or members of the Democratic party in terms of how they treat women? And this seems to me to be kind of what the state of values of liberals are.

“It’s not about women having sex and people find that titillating. It’s about “I’m gonna gag this woman, she’s not going to be able to breathe.””

And then, I also think that I personally found that sex chat that he had to be misogynist. I’ve had liberals tell me, ‘Oh, no, it’s just normal or whatever.’ Common, maybe. But I wouldn’t call it normal.

(Powers is referring to an explicit sex chat with a Las Vegas blackjack dealer.) TC: But people say things in dirty sexts that they would never say or do in real life.

KP: I used to be of that point of view, but the more I’ve read about porn and the brain and the way it operates, it’s very hard to disconnect the two things. Once you start thinking about women that way, it’s not really that surprising that he thought that he could send a picture of his penis to somebody. It’s all kind of intertwined, and…

TC: So do you think the dirty talk, out of context, might not be so bad, but when you fit it together with everything else, is that what aggravates it?

KP: No. I think that any context about gagging a woman with your penis is something that I think is unhelpful to women. And I know that everybody says I’m a prude and… because I’m anti-porn, I’m a prude, and all that kind of stuff. But I’ve seen a lot of research, there are a lot of feminists who feel this way. This is not about the texts, this is just misogynist. This is just, you don’t need, the hardcore porn industry sells this to men.

It’s not about women having sex and people find that titillating. It’s about “I’m gonna gag this woman, she’s not going to be able to breathe.”

That’s what hardcore porn is about. I think that I just have a completely different perspective on it, than a lot of people do, but I really do believe that it’s misogynist. I don’t think, unless you think about women that way, I mean, why would you fantasize about something like that?

Do you want a leader who… I mean, if that was the only thing he did, then should he resign? I guess not. I don’t think he should be reelected. But that’s not the only thing he did. We have a whole pattern here of an attitude towards women that’s extremely troubling. And then, we have the… sociopathic lying. It’s not like your standard kind of… you know, I did an interview this morning with Curtis Sliwa, and he said, ‘Oh, Kirsten, you worked in politics, you know they’re all crazy. How does this compare to that?’

Yeah, exactly. They’re all nuts. But this is so far beyond like what you would expect.

TC: What do you think about Andrew Breitbart’s role in all of this?

KP: I think that there was a time, a pre-Breitbart stage when he (Rep. Weiner) would have gotten away with it. And I think it’s a very sad commentary on the media that they are very diligent in writing a front-page story about John McCain maybe possibly could have maybe had an affair that he didn’t have, but that John Edwards, they just have no interest in it. Maybe in this situation, it would have just, he could have gotten away with blaming a right-wing conspiracy and everybody would just be on their way, so that’s all the Republican’s fault. So I think it’s just another sad commentary on the media.

This just gets worse and worse. This kind of rhetoric should seriously give every American of conscience a moment of pause. This isn't a short step to "all Latinos are <insert stereotypes here>" this IS that rhetoric. Let me exhort everyone to go and Google and look up Nazi propaganda. Spend an afternoon with the subject and then see if you don't see very, very disturbing parallels. McCain walks right up to blaming undocumented immigrants with the weather.

Cheers
Aj

Along with the very historical political documentation of US rhetoric from the Chinese Exclusionary Acts to Enemy Alien Acts.

This dude robbed a bank for a buck in the hopes of getting health care in prison

As if conjured up by a presidential speechwriter to star in an anecdote about America’s dysfunctional health insurance system, James Verone, an unemployed 59-year-old with a bad back, a sore foot and an undiagnosed growth on his chest, limped into a bank in Gastonia, N.C., this month and handed the teller a note, explaining that this was an unarmed robbery, but she’d better turn over $1 and call the cops. That, he figured, would be enough to get himself arrested and sent to prison for a few years, where he could take advantage of the free medical care.

Just to make sure that no one was confused about his intentions, Mr. Verone made sure to let the teller know that he would be sitting on a couch in the bank, waiting for the police. Before he set out for the bank that morning, he also mailed a letter explaining his scheme to a local newspaper, The Gaston Gazette.

“When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me. This robbery is being committed by me for one dollar,” the letter read. “I am of sound mind but not so much sound body.”

In a television interview last week with a local news station, WCNC, Mr. Verone explained that he was hoping for a three-year sentence, which would give him a place to live and free health care until he was old enough to collect a Social Security check and buy a condo on the beach. “I’m sort of a logical person and that was my logic, what I came up with,” he said.

According to Diane Turbyfill, a Gazette journalist who also interviewed Mr. Verone, there was one flaw in his cunning plan. “Because he only demanded $1, he was charged with larceny from a person,” not bank robbery, Ms. Turbyfill wrote. “Still a felony, the count doesn’t carry as much jail time as bank robbery.”

.

Southwest Pilot Accidentally Broadcasts Misogynistic, Homophobic Rant

A Southwest Airlines pilot has been suspended after he accidentally broadcast his conversation about the "fags" and "grannies" that he works with as flight attendants...Because of a stuck headset microphone, this unnamed Southwest pilot, broadcast his thoughts about the "gays," "grannies," and "grandes" (which we can only imagine to mean overweight ladies) that comprise the crew of flight attendants he works with in Chicago... Instead of the conversation remaining private—he seems to be talking to a fellow pilot in the cockpit—the audio went out over the air traffic control frequency and every other plane in the Houston area...

The guy wasn't finished though. He goes on to complain that he never gets to go out with his co-workers, and the one time he did go out with two "chicks" from work, neither of them wanted to sleep with him. The audacity! He then shares his thoughts on how ugly the women who work in Houston are...

The pilots of other planes in the area quickly made it known that they weren't responsible for the broadcast. But the FAA was notified and they figured out who the culprit was, and Southwest announced that it had suspended the pilot after learning of the incident in March. He's since been allowed to return to his job, though, following some "diversity education," the airline said in a statement today.


--------------

Then today Southwest released this:

We are committed and dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of ethics in the industry; in fact we’ve built our Company’s reputation on the Golden Rule: treating others as you would like to be treated, with concern, care and respect. The actions of this Pilot are, without question, inconsistent with the professional behavior and overall respect that we require from our Employees. The Pilot in question has been reprimanded, receiving a suspension without pay for a length of time. Prior to being reinstated, he underwent additional diversity education to reinforce the Company's expectations for all Employees to demonstrate respect for others. The pilot is remorseful and has formally apologized to both FAA Controllers and his base Leadership. Southwest’s Flight Operations Leadership has also sent an apology to Southwest Flight Attendants and his fellow Pilots.

And the humbling process begins...

Potential downgrades in borrowing instruments
 

Obama's "nuclear option"
 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_888692.html

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Friday that invoking the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which states that federal debts "shall not be questioned," to continue paying government obligations is a strategy worth considering should a debt-ceiling deal remain elusive.

In late May, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner read directly from the 14th Amendment to a crowd of reporters, emphasizing the clause "shall not be questioned." And rank-and-file Senate Democrats are increasingly looking to the 14th Amendment as a way out of the debt-ceiling impasse, as HuffPost reported on Tuesday.

When asked about the Constitution's 14th Amendment during a conference call with reporters, Schumer, who leads Senate Democrats' communications effort, said, "It's certainly worth exploring."

But he warned the amendment would probably not come into play during the current debate over the government's congressionally imposed debt limit. "It needs a little more exploration and study," he said. "It's probably not ripe to pursue at this time, because it hasn't had that study and you wouldn't want to just go ahead and issue the debt and have one of the courts reverse it."

Legal scholars, however, argue that the courts couldn’t get involved because no party would have standing to sue. In order to have standing, a plaintiff needs to demonstrate that they have been harmed. Only Congress would have a plausible complaint, and the Senate would not agree to go along with such a suit.

Individual members of Congress, however, may be able to gain standing and challenge the president. But it is difficult to imagine that the current Supreme Court, one of the most pro-business in the past century, would hand down a ruling that dramatically harms Wall Street.

Schumer said that the next time the debt ceiling needs to be raised, the 14th Amendment option would get a close look. "It's something worth looking at for the next time around, but I don't think it's had enough fermentation -- examination, to employ at this time."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/...165829939.html


Obama asks SCOTUS for stay for Mexican National

I hope Holder/Obama obide by the 9th Court ruling. Just stop enforcing it, certify with the Joint Chiefs the military is ready and be done with it....NOW....TODAY.

It's a matter of leadership in the military. The leaders must lead.

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-puts-med...031442907.html

Obama just put SSN and Medicare on the table. I know how I feel about it, he just lost my vote.

Damn! Is this directly related to disability benefits via SS? That is the area of SS benefits that I think there should not be any cuts, period! I think that some of the other changes in retirement like means-testing isn't a bad thing, but to cut disabled people, especially aging disabled people is just wrong.

What the hell else will he cave in on? I think he should call the GOP's bluff and get the revenue end of this via people that make millions. The tax codes are so skewed toward them, it makes me sick. I don't believe that the GOP will allow default- they would be losing a lot in their bid for the presidency next year. This has gotten so rotten- and it will not end until/unless more Dems are elected to Congress. And I believe the GOP hates Obama so much that they would do anything to win in 2012.