Wednesday, January 21, 2009
News Should Sam Adams Resign? A Slog Poll
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Just Out, Portland's gay newspaper, just called on Sam Adams, Portland's gay mayor, to resign for fucking an 18 year-old and lying about it instead of, you know, bragging about it. Just Out's call for Adams' head comes on top of the Oregonian and Portland Tribune's previous calls for Adams to resign. But what does Slog think?
Sam Adams, mayor of Portland...
This Slog poll, like all Slog polls, is tamper-proof, scientific, and legally binding.
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1
wait a second, i was under the impression that one adult having consensual sex with another was legal. still legal? okay, then...issue?
2
George Bush fucked millions of school children in America, and no one's calling for his resi... oh wait.
(Ok, that was stupid and predictable, whatever, you handed it too me.)
(Ok, that was stupid and predictable, whatever, you handed it too me.)
3
Way to support your people, Just Out. Sex with an adult is legal, and lying about a personal event in his PERSONAL life, which happened prior to his mayorship, really doesn't have anything to do with how he runs the city.
Weren't these people the same ones crying foul when Clinton got in trouble for sleeping with Lewinsky? Didn't we all decide we didn't care about polititions sex lives as long as they weren't hypocritical? What's the big deal???
Weren't these people the same ones crying foul when Clinton got in trouble for sleeping with Lewinsky? Didn't we all decide we didn't care about polititions sex lives as long as they weren't hypocritical? What's the big deal???
4
The notion that he waited until the kid was 18 is pure bullshit. And even if he did, I have had it with these disgusting men who feel that having sex with a high school kid who lives at home with his parents is appropriate.
BTW, I am a 47-year-old gay man who was having plenty of sex by age 15... with other teenagers. I am glad I did not meet any men older than my father to fuck with. He was NO mentor.
BTW, I am a 47-year-old gay man who was having plenty of sex by age 15... with other teenagers. I am glad I did not meet any men older than my father to fuck with. He was NO mentor.
5
The way I see it, the problem isn't the sex - it's the way he lied about it, asked Beau to lie about it, totally covered it up, and tarnished the reputation of others who tried to expose it in 2007.
In a very real sense, he lied to protect his image and get elected. For me, the issue entirely revolves around the fact that he has destroyed his trust with the people of Portland. The sex itself is of no consequence.
In a very real sense, he lied to protect his image and get elected. For me, the issue entirely revolves around the fact that he has destroyed his trust with the people of Portland. The sex itself is of no consequence.
6
Adams like so many Gay men his age lust after men half their age, for reasons I can not fathom. Lust all you want for what ever it is you want, but gheezuz don't totally flush your brains down the toilette doing so.
10
I'm no big fan of Sam Adams and didn't vote for him, but I am just beyond disgusted as once again people are having a collective conniption over a public figure's private sexual life. It was consensual, it was legal, and the reason he lied about it is because an opponent was trying to use it to invoke the "scary gay predator" image to benefit his own campaign. It never should have been an issue -- and if it hadn't been, he wouldn't have felt like he needed to lie about it.
11
Request denied by WatchGuard HTTP proxy.
Reason: one or more categories denied helper='Default' details='Adult/Sexually Explicit'
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Host: podcasts.thestranger.com
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Reason: one or more categories denied helper='Default' details='Adult/Sexually Explicit'
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Host: podcasts.thestranger.com
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12
Unless he knocked up the kid, in which case he should marry him ...
oh, wait, you said Oregon, not Alaska.
Never mind ...
oh, wait, you said Oregon, not Alaska.
Never mind ...
13
I don't think he should resign because I believe Portland can forgive Sam for his bad judgment (I don't care if his behavior was legal -- lying is not ok, and sleeping with someone that much younger when you are an elected official is poor taste). If we can move on, Sam can continue to do his job better than anyone else we have available to us -- the reason we elected him in the first place.
14
@4 has a lot of guilt, apparently. Lots and lots.
Breedlove likes men older than him, so pretending he's a victim is full of more horseshit than W's lawn.
Breedlove likes men older than him, so pretending he's a victim is full of more horseshit than W's lawn.
15
To me it's not about the age difference, or even him lying about it. It's that he had the relationship with someone over whom he was working in a position of authority. That was the unprofessional behavior, and that's why it should have some bearing on his current professional career, I think.
16
As long as his sex life is legal, it's no one's business. Even if he chooses to lie about. We can hardly expect all our elected officials to come clean about every aspect of their sex life. What do we want to know, the websites and positions? Why should this have any bearing on his official capacities?
20
EVERYONE has lied about sex. sex should be the one thing that politicians can lie about with impunity (unless it involves abuse or breaks the law).
holy cow. sex, so what!!!!
holy cow. sex, so what!!!!
21
I look at Adams and he seems like one of those ultra-stable preppy/jock gays that are usually in longterm, age-appropriate relationships for years. I can only wonder then how much of a temptation this has been (or did he always have a thing for young tail?)... Why would he go through the trouble of having a "Platonic Relationship" to wait for the sex, while running for office? At some point during all the "waiting" for consensual sex (whether it was a few days or weeks) - wouldn't he have some critical capacity to say - hmm, maybe I'm commiting political suicide here? No - something sounds fishy here - maybe he "opened the package early" (just saying) - but in any case - this Nabokavian plotline is murky (*and the fact that this story shares both a Lolita arc and the fact that there are quirky named protagonists is no accident).
I think like Lolita, we have a political narrative with a very challenging text: We got our great gay leader - and he's made very icky choices. What do we do next with him? Disown him? Gays certainly find it difficult to come up with a moral center (or any moral center for that matter), but at the same time - when we're running for public office, we do have to be above reproach on somethings. I guess had he been in any other job, we wouldn't necessarily have the outrage we do now.
I think like Lolita, we have a political narrative with a very challenging text: We got our great gay leader - and he's made very icky choices. What do we do next with him? Disown him? Gays certainly find it difficult to come up with a moral center (or any moral center for that matter), but at the same time - when we're running for public office, we do have to be above reproach on somethings. I guess had he been in any other job, we wouldn't necessarily have the outrage we do now.
22
In Adams favor, the relationship was consensual, non-coercive. Plausibly, it was legal - though suspicions remain sufficient to support a criminal investigation. (The two had been acquainted only briefly - April to June - and had met only a very few time prior to Breedlove's 18th birthday.)
On the other side of the scales, Adams incontrovertibly and quite deliberately defamed and damaged an individual whose conduct turns out to have been innocent and honest. That takes the matter outside the bounds of personal privacy.
He arguably let his interest in sustaining the deception determine at least one inappropriate Mayoral appointment and strongly considered another (but relented under pressure).
He apparently won the election on explicitly false premises.
It's not a slam-dunk, but signs point to "resign" even if further investigation turns up nothing new.
On the other side of the scales, Adams incontrovertibly and quite deliberately defamed and damaged an individual whose conduct turns out to have been innocent and honest. That takes the matter outside the bounds of personal privacy.
He arguably let his interest in sustaining the deception determine at least one inappropriate Mayoral appointment and strongly considered another (but relented under pressure).
He apparently won the election on explicitly false premises.
It's not a slam-dunk, but signs point to "resign" even if further investigation turns up nothing new.
23
Just thinking here-- The Apoplectic Apologists at Just Out need to be kicked out of the little tent in Portland. Not just for smugly decrying Dykes on Bikes or Dyke March, not for crying foul whenever a gay does something wrong, not for shrieking about the existence of bathhouses. No, for being reactionary assholes cowing to the whims of a mainstream media that clearly has an agenda. Not like they really meshed well with the gay life of PDX or got along with groups like SMYRC, of course.
Immediate pearl-clutching, shrieking and flailing with no time to take it all in. They just want to "belong", ignoring that the media they're trying to belong with is seriously right-wing.
Immediate pearl-clutching, shrieking and flailing with no time to take it all in. They just want to "belong", ignoring that the media they're trying to belong with is seriously right-wing.
24
@22: He was elected because he's very involved in the community, walks blocks, meets people, shakes hands, smiles, has an open door policy and is willing to forge ahead with policies that most other cities (like Seattle) won't even consider.
Not because of appointments or false promises. He was elected for his prior political conduct.
If the kid is 18, then what the fuck is wrong?
Not because of appointments or false promises. He was elected for his prior political conduct.
If the kid is 18, then what the fuck is wrong?
27
Maybe at the time the young man didn't want his family to know about his private life. There were two people involved here, after all. It's not all only about Adams.
Does anyone know how the relationship came to light, or what the new evidence was that forced this all out now?
Does anyone know how the relationship came to light, or what the new evidence was that forced this all out now?
28
If Portland were Prague this would have already been made into an overpriced bit of barely hard porn. But then they would also have been cute.
29
@27: Willamette Week is aching over Adams appointing a rival paper's reporter to his staff and flagged the assumption that she was involved in a deep cover-up and the position was to keep her quiet and not, you know, to maintain a positive connection to the alt-press.
30
@ 24 -- Not false promises. False accusations, successfully (if only temporarily) directed at a potential rival for the office (also gay, as it happens).
Let's get real -- there's more scumbaggery here than chickenhawking on company time.
Is it enough to disqualify him? Opinions can differ.
But if you choose to argue on the basis that it's just private sexual behavior, you're not arguing about the Sam Adams story.
Let's get real -- there's more scumbaggery here than chickenhawking on company time.
Is it enough to disqualify him? Opinions can differ.
But if you choose to argue on the basis that it's just private sexual behavior, you're not arguing about the Sam Adams story.
32
Beth @ 27 -- Here's a starting point
http://wweek.com/editorial/3510/12093/
which anyone would be wise to read before opinionizing.
http://wweek.com/editorial/3510/12093/
which anyone would be wise to read before opinionizing.
33
Why was a consenting adult asked if he had sex with another consenting adult? I don't see how it is anyone's business. He shouldn't have lied, he should have said "Who I have sex with is none of your business. My personal life is personal".
34
The 18 year old adult was an aide in state government in Salem, not in Portland government with Sam Adams. Adams was only a "mentor" in that Adams mentored him in dating. The only thing Adams did wrong was to deny his relationship. Who cares, we've all done worse.
35
@33: yeppers. More politicians need to start saying none of goddamn biz when asked questions about sex.
36
Who fucking cares? He should stay in office, see if it blows over, and, if it doesn't, he'll be out on his ass in four years. And I thought Seattlites were obsessed with petty bullshit.
37
Boyoboy, I've done worse. Hecka worse. But I've also been careful to avoid situations that require me to swear oaths to be honest with the public if elected.
I fiigure Adams should resign only if he a) can't see any harm to the public in his lying, b) sees the harm and believes he's likely to do it again, or c) feels an inner need to atone to that extent.
In any case, I'd sure like to learn of Adams grappling even a little with the principles involved in lying to the public once you've taken the oath of office. Lie 1 was as a Commissioner running for office, Lie 2 was keeping Lie 1 hidden while Mayor.
By his Commissoner oath, and again when inaugurated Mayor, he said he'd "faithfully, honestly and ethically perform my duties." Does it honor that oath, does it keep faith with the voter, is it honest, is it ethical, to lie in a public statement to curry votes while campaigning? To hide the lie once you've won the more responsible public office?
I'd like to read his views upon wrestling with those questions. Holy crap, Idol's on!
I fiigure Adams should resign only if he a) can't see any harm to the public in his lying, b) sees the harm and believes he's likely to do it again, or c) feels an inner need to atone to that extent.
In any case, I'd sure like to learn of Adams grappling even a little with the principles involved in lying to the public once you've taken the oath of office. Lie 1 was as a Commissioner running for office, Lie 2 was keeping Lie 1 hidden while Mayor.
By his Commissoner oath, and again when inaugurated Mayor, he said he'd "faithfully, honestly and ethically perform my duties." Does it honor that oath, does it keep faith with the voter, is it honest, is it ethical, to lie in a public statement to curry votes while campaigning? To hide the lie once you've won the more responsible public office?
I'd like to read his views upon wrestling with those questions. Holy crap, Idol's on!
39
Y.F. @ 33 -- And what did Adams say instead?
How many members of the community (gay, journalistic, both or otherwise) did he misuse by prompting them to recoil n outrage at the "smear"?
How many people -- direct acquaintances and otherwise -- did he place in untenable positions while striving to maintain the sham?
How many relationships among third parties did he poison out of political ambition?
How many members of the community (gay, journalistic, both or otherwise) did he misuse by prompting them to recoil n outrage at the "smear"?
How many people -- direct acquaintances and otherwise -- did he place in untenable positions while striving to maintain the sham?
How many relationships among third parties did he poison out of political ambition?
40
"The notion that he waited until the kid was 18 is pure bullshit. "
Oh. So you were there for the actual sex? You didn't take any pictures, did you? Please tell me you didn't take pictures - it was bad enough you were there spying on them.
Unless they asked you to watch. That's something else entirely. And really none of our business, so you shouldn't be talking about it.
Oh. So you were there for the actual sex? You didn't take any pictures, did you? Please tell me you didn't take pictures - it was bad enough you were there spying on them.
Unless they asked you to watch. That's something else entirely. And really none of our business, so you shouldn't be talking about it.
41
Unless there was a farm animal involved, I see no reason he shouldn't continue as Mayor of Portland.
42
Sam put a knife into Bob Ball for even suggesting Sam had a sexual relationship with Breedlove. Gosh, who hurt the gay community more by his behavior and lying and covering up? Sam.
43
One bit I particularly enjoy is that the reason so many people think Adams was his boyfriend's boss is the canard Adams himself invented, pretending to be his gay "mentor" as a way to cloud the truth that he was fucking the kid. Ha HA!
I don't think he should resign, by the way, but dang, he better not screw up any more.
I don't think he should resign, by the way, but dang, he better not screw up any more.
44
@42: No, Ball was suggesting far worse than that and you know that. And so does Ball.
@39: The worst offender is not the one who has the secret, it's the one who keeps it. If there was indeed any grievous information being hidden, then any number of those folks would have come out to say something. The media and gay elite of Portland, regardless of fluffy endorsements, have long hated and loathed Adams for his cushy position in the Portland establishment. Indeed, there has been a seething and unsettling amount of animosity growing since he started suckling at Mayor Katz's teat, and mainly because he's underspoken in terms of advocating for gay rights and often is seen as abusing the label of "that gay politician" by not dismissing it which is strong currency in Portland.
@37: The only literal ethical slip may be in hiring Amy J Ruiz, but even then that one is questionable because she can just as easily be removed from her post by a commissioner or commissioners (and may be the ultimate case).
@39: The worst offender is not the one who has the secret, it's the one who keeps it. If there was indeed any grievous information being hidden, then any number of those folks would have come out to say something. The media and gay elite of Portland, regardless of fluffy endorsements, have long hated and loathed Adams for his cushy position in the Portland establishment. Indeed, there has been a seething and unsettling amount of animosity growing since he started suckling at Mayor Katz's teat, and mainly because he's underspoken in terms of advocating for gay rights and often is seen as abusing the label of "that gay politician" by not dismissing it which is strong currency in Portland.
@37: The only literal ethical slip may be in hiring Amy J Ruiz, but even then that one is questionable because she can just as easily be removed from her post by a commissioner or commissioners (and may be the ultimate case).
46
Q: What's the difference between Sam Adams the Mayor and Sam Adams the beer?
A: You have to be 21 to suck down the beer.
A: You have to be 21 to suck down the beer.
47
Sam Adams lied to get into office! I wonder what the outcome of the election would have been if voters knew about his indiscretion. Especially when he waited until the young man was 18! He is a SICK minded idiot who needs to STEP DOWN!
49
@ RonK, Seattle,
Damned if I know.
The only reason I don't think he should quit over this is because I'm sick of the whole "let's pander to the value voters (who don't care about actual qualifications, education, and skills) to get elected" political crapola that's been coming from Republicans for years now. Who Adam sleeps with has no relevance to his ability to run a city, which is all anyone involved should have said when the subject came up.
Damned if I know.
The only reason I don't think he should quit over this is because I'm sick of the whole "let's pander to the value voters (who don't care about actual qualifications, education, and skills) to get elected" political crapola that's been coming from Republicans for years now. Who Adam sleeps with has no relevance to his ability to run a city, which is all anyone involved should have said when the subject came up.
54
@28- If you don't think Adams and Breedlove are cute, you're blind. This is one thing I think we can all agree on.
55
Who can blame him? [Rhetorical]. 18 year olds are ripe for the picking. Of course, now having said that, I can never run for public office. My words have ruined me.
57
Oh Jesus, who gives a shit? As if who this guy fucks affects how he runs a city. I bet if this were a straight older man and younger woman, nobody would care.
59
He lied and the issue here is that the bar is higher for elected officials, especially after the last 8 years in DC and the new political climate of accountability. He lied to preserve his political career. As a 42 y/o person in public office, he had sex with a teen 25 years his junior whom he was counseling. That he waited until the kid was 18 so it would be "legal" is pathetic; if it wasn't, he wouldn't have lied or given a job to a reporter to cover it up (apparently). He's reintroduced negative (and incorrect) stereotypes of gay men as pedophiles (and those in our community supporting him need to have their heads checked), and he has permanently and negatively impacted this kid's reputation.
Mr. Adams, please resign in short order and let Portland move on.
Mr. Adams, please resign in short order and let Portland move on.
60
Adams did nothing illegal. He had consensual sex with another adult. So what about the age difference. Should the government start regulating that too? It's nobody's business except for the two people who had sex.
Adams was not Breedlove's boss. They didn't work in the same office. They didn't work in the same branch or level of government. They didn't even live in the same city. Nor was he in any formal capacity a counselor to Breedlove.
They met, felt a mutual attraction, and had a brief relationship. Adams was not married. He wasn't one of those "straight" folks who bash gays between gay sexual encounters.
Adams shouldn't have lied about it, but he wasn't under oath, and people shouldn't have been prying into his sex life.
Adams was not Breedlove's boss. They didn't work in the same office. They didn't work in the same branch or level of government. They didn't even live in the same city. Nor was he in any formal capacity a counselor to Breedlove.
They met, felt a mutual attraction, and had a brief relationship. Adams was not married. He wasn't one of those "straight" folks who bash gays between gay sexual encounters.
Adams shouldn't have lied about it, but he wasn't under oath, and people shouldn't have been prying into his sex life.
61
this is just ridiculous. assuming he is honest about the relationship starting when he turned 18. this is a private matter and he has a right to keep it that way. if he was married it would be one thing, we can question his infidelity and lack of judgement, but can we really question his privacy?
62
There's a very good reason any gay man of Adam's age who has been around this area for a while would make damn sure his boyfriend was 18 years old before doing anything. That reason is Steven Farmer.
Farmer was far from a role model, but he was dragged through the mud and locked up for twenty years for consensual bareback sex with an 17 year old whom he theoretically gave HIV to.
It's an ugly story, one that many of the air-dryed and eyebrow-plucked dissemination advocates blanche at mentioning, but it had quite an impact at the time.
Farmer was far from a role model, but he was dragged through the mud and locked up for twenty years for consensual bareback sex with an 17 year old whom he theoretically gave HIV to.
It's an ugly story, one that many of the air-dryed and eyebrow-plucked dissemination advocates blanche at mentioning, but it had quite an impact at the time.
63
@56: Are you sure? The majority of what I have read was constant references to his expensive and "crazy" ideas like bike lanes and streetcars and his near-sycophant attachment to Mayor Katz. He's been dismissed as a wonk (hence "Honk for the Wonk") and hard-trenched insider.
@59: It's not "Portland" that is freaking out, it's the media, which I need to remind all of you, is headed by a right-wing rag and a paper written by the guy who created Bibleman. Mayor Potter got a walk from the media because he was center-right on most matters, something that plays well with the media, but like the Seattle Times here, most of the media will play any left or center-left candidate as a threat. And you're an idiot if you think Breedlove had no part in this and that Adams was a predator.
@59: It's not "Portland" that is freaking out, it's the media, which I need to remind all of you, is headed by a right-wing rag and a paper written by the guy who created Bibleman. Mayor Potter got a walk from the media because he was center-right on most matters, something that plays well with the media, but like the Seattle Times here, most of the media will play any left or center-left candidate as a threat. And you're an idiot if you think Breedlove had no part in this and that Adams was a predator.
64
Call me old-fashioned, but a 40+ year old man cavorting with a 17-year old boy, calling it platonic "mentoring" and getting it on with him shortly after his 18th birthday smacks of a classic case of grooming. Still, I would have given him a technical pass if he hadn't subsequently: (1) prominently mentioned his boyfriend, and (2) lied about getting it on with the kid. To me, this screams out poor judgment and general tackiness.
65
how many under 18 are there? that is why he better quit and git... criminal stuff looming
you who could believe for a miunute "they waited" - for you, I have a list of good bridges cheap, cheap, cheap ...
Some of you are stupid to the max, age of consent and stat. rape are the real issues
he is toast and will be lucky to stay out of jail
and toast that squawks lies ... All of the good friends of Buea will spill all, and others will show up ... mark this post
you who could believe for a miunute "they waited" - for you, I have a list of good bridges cheap, cheap, cheap ...
Some of you are stupid to the max, age of consent and stat. rape are the real issues
he is toast and will be lucky to stay out of jail
and toast that squawks lies ... All of the good friends of Buea will spill all, and others will show up ... mark this post
66
Sam didn't just lie about his personal life. He lied by smearing the person he said was smearing him.
And while generally speaking one's personal sexual life is his/her own business, that's just not quite true for a mayor ~ the chief citizen of the community. Asking a mayoral candidate if he had an affair at 42 with a kid who just graduated high school is absolutely a fair question and let voters decide whether or not that casts a shadow on that candidate's judgement.
Lying in the interest of getting elected CERTAINLY shows a lack of judgement. And not only that, but is anyone listening to Adams' justification of the lie? That he DIDN'T BELIEVE VOTERS would believe that the sex had occured only after his partner reached legal age. He DOUBTED THE JUDGEMENT OF THE VOTERS he was courting. That's you and me and all of us. Is that ok?
I'll be sad to see Sam resign. But he probably should.
And while generally speaking one's personal sexual life is his/her own business, that's just not quite true for a mayor ~ the chief citizen of the community. Asking a mayoral candidate if he had an affair at 42 with a kid who just graduated high school is absolutely a fair question and let voters decide whether or not that casts a shadow on that candidate's judgement.
Lying in the interest of getting elected CERTAINLY shows a lack of judgement. And not only that, but is anyone listening to Adams' justification of the lie? That he DIDN'T BELIEVE VOTERS would believe that the sex had occured only after his partner reached legal age. He DOUBTED THE JUDGEMENT OF THE VOTERS he was courting. That's you and me and all of us. Is that ok?
I'll be sad to see Sam resign. But he probably should.
67
It has nothing to do with Sam being gay. It has nothing to do with his actions being legal or illegal. We don't know the answer to that question yet, and to me, it's splitting hairs. If he were a STRAIGHT man who had bedded a girl/ young woman of 17/ 18, I would still think he was a pig and a looser, even if not a criminal.
It has to do with the fact that he LIED and had others lie for him.
It has to do with the fact that he screwed all those who supported him and he gave the bigots the kind of fodder they just salivate for.
OK, maybe I'm holding him to a double standard. I live with MY double standards, fair or not, because they are a reality.
He fucked up. He did something piggish and really, undignified, then he lied about it.
Go home, Sam. I hope it was worth it.
It has to do with the fact that he LIED and had others lie for him.
It has to do with the fact that he screwed all those who supported him and he gave the bigots the kind of fodder they just salivate for.
OK, maybe I'm holding him to a double standard. I live with MY double standards, fair or not, because they are a reality.
He fucked up. He did something piggish and really, undignified, then he lied about it.
Go home, Sam. I hope it was worth it.
68
Some have touched on this, but I think it bears repeating: there are a lot of young guys out there who like older guys, not because they're looking for a sugar daddy, but just because they're more sexually attracted to older guys. They prefer a guy who's actually an adult (imagine that!) to all the silly little queens around their own age. Was this the case here? I see no reason to think that the attraction wasn't mutual; as much as one may dislike him personally, Sam a handsome guy. So when it comes right down to it, it's just two guys hooking up. Unlike many here who make the sexual relationship and the age difference The Big Issue, it's just not really an issue with me. I might be biased, though, because I have a number of friends that I would (non-judgementally) consider "chickenhawks," and they're really great guys, not the "creepy ol' troll" image that one might conjure up at all.
But it comes down to this: if Sam Adams REEEALLY likes the young guys (and so what if he does?), and will thus "leave a trail" of intimate contacts in his past that many would find questionable, I think that disqualifies him from being mayor of a big city right from the get-go. It's an either/or, Sam: you can have the boys or you can have the mayoralty. You can't have 'em both. Because it will inevitably lead to blatantly lying to the electorate, repeatedly, and that's exactly what we've got here. And that should no longer be tolerated by the people.
He needs to go. We need to start making our elected officials accountable to We the People, because, as much as it's a cliche, we really do control the ultimate power, and the ultimate responsibility here. We can no longer tolerate politicians telling bold-faced lies to us. Exaggeration, spin, different shades of the truth, OK, but not out-and-out lying. I think our accepting polticians lying to us is what is REALLY fucking up our democracy, much worse than 8 years of Bush could do alone.
More...
But it comes down to this: if Sam Adams REEEALLY likes the young guys (and so what if he does?), and will thus "leave a trail" of intimate contacts in his past that many would find questionable, I think that disqualifies him from being mayor of a big city right from the get-go. It's an either/or, Sam: you can have the boys or you can have the mayoralty. You can't have 'em both. Because it will inevitably lead to blatantly lying to the electorate, repeatedly, and that's exactly what we've got here. And that should no longer be tolerated by the people.
He needs to go. We need to start making our elected officials accountable to We the People, because, as much as it's a cliche, we really do control the ultimate power, and the ultimate responsibility here. We can no longer tolerate politicians telling bold-faced lies to us. Exaggeration, spin, different shades of the truth, OK, but not out-and-out lying. I think our accepting polticians lying to us is what is REALLY fucking up our democracy, much worse than 8 years of Bush could do alone.
69
Adams should resign.
One, many people here in this conservative city of Portland believe that politicans should not use their star power to seduce and have sex with teen agers, regardless of whether it is legal. We already had one mayor do that.
Two, and far more importantly, Sam Adams lied about it. He lied to cover up something he was ashamed of in order to get elected.
Three, he appears to have abused his power to keep this quite. He got Breedlove a job he was not qualified. He gave a reporter who was investigating him a job in his administration over more qualified people. He had his staff coach Breedlove about how to lie to the press. This is how Adams has operated for years, as early as his days with Katz. The man does not think the normal rules apply to him and will abuse his power to keep and maintain his power.
Four, Sam has let down the gay community and its supporters. Like it or not, Sam was a role model for the gay community and a trail blazer. Just like black, women or other minority trail blazers, Sam's actions can open or close opportunities for people that follow him. His actions will harm the gay rights cause.
Five, and maybe most important, Sam cannot be an effective mayor. He had many good goals and many people put their hopes for a better city on Sam. Despite his show boating and me first attitude that is similar to many politicians, Sam had great promise and could have accomplished much as mayor. Now he cannot. When more than half the city wants him to resign, he can continue on, but he cannot be effective. For the sake of everything Sam wanted to get done, he should resign so that someone else can get things done. Is this about protecting Sam, or the liberal agenda those of us in Portland want to see accomplished?
More...
One, many people here in this conservative city of Portland believe that politicans should not use their star power to seduce and have sex with teen agers, regardless of whether it is legal. We already had one mayor do that.
Two, and far more importantly, Sam Adams lied about it. He lied to cover up something he was ashamed of in order to get elected.
Three, he appears to have abused his power to keep this quite. He got Breedlove a job he was not qualified. He gave a reporter who was investigating him a job in his administration over more qualified people. He had his staff coach Breedlove about how to lie to the press. This is how Adams has operated for years, as early as his days with Katz. The man does not think the normal rules apply to him and will abuse his power to keep and maintain his power.
Four, Sam has let down the gay community and its supporters. Like it or not, Sam was a role model for the gay community and a trail blazer. Just like black, women or other minority trail blazers, Sam's actions can open or close opportunities for people that follow him. His actions will harm the gay rights cause.
Five, and maybe most important, Sam cannot be an effective mayor. He had many good goals and many people put their hopes for a better city on Sam. Despite his show boating and me first attitude that is similar to many politicians, Sam had great promise and could have accomplished much as mayor. Now he cannot. When more than half the city wants him to resign, he can continue on, but he cannot be effective. For the sake of everything Sam wanted to get done, he should resign so that someone else can get things done. Is this about protecting Sam, or the liberal agenda those of us in Portland want to see accomplished?
70
Very well-said, #69, and could not agree with you more or add anything to it. All you others who think Adams should NOT resign, please read the above comments out loud so it can sink into your brain. Adams need to resign already.
71
Why does your poll say I already voted? I did not already vote.
Is this poll really tamper-proof and scientific?
Is this poll really tamper-proof and scientific?
72
As long as Americans are hung up about sex, people will lie about it. So until we grow out of our Puritan heritage, we're all a bunch of hypocrites if we insist people in public office who lie about their sex life (Sam Adams, Bill Clinton, John Kennedy) have to leave public office.
73
I agree with #33. Sam should have said his sex life is his own business and left it at that. He's wasn't very adept at handling the inquiry. Then again, perhaps he couldn't say this because he's run as, music please, "An Openly Gay Man". That brings sex into the purview of public interest in making their minds up about who they would vote for. By lying, he circumvented the democratic process allowing a false impression. I agree with #66 "Asking a mayoral candidate if he had an affair at 42 with a kid who just graduated high school is absolutely a fair question and let voters decide whether or not that casts a shadow on that candidate's judgement."
The hang-up is more about the more mature man doing the teenager (adult at 18, ok, but still living at home with his parents). Come on! That's just stupid. Especially on the heals of being Breedlove's mentor. As for #63, Portland's not freaking out, but city hall could focus on the business at hand if Sam would come out strong and deal with it or step down. One or the other, but sooner better than later.
The hang-up is more about the more mature man doing the teenager (adult at 18, ok, but still living at home with his parents). Come on! That's just stupid. Especially on the heals of being Breedlove's mentor. As for #63, Portland's not freaking out, but city hall could focus on the business at hand if Sam would come out strong and deal with it or step down. One or the other, but sooner better than later.
74
Adams should stay in office and lead Portland during this time of economic crisis, as was always his intention. This whole thing is disgusting and I honestly wish everyone wasn't discussing it.
This part of his life was never for the public's consumption. Even if he did lie, it was only because Bob Ball, his opponent during the elections, tried to conjure up a sex scandal. That makes his competitor scum who clearly couldn't win an election based on the issues, which is why we elect people. Not for being virgins.
I've already ranted about it here.
I'm going to sleep. I live in Seattle and would consider driving down for his rally just to show solidarity, but I don't think I can stomach burning that much gas over something this stupid. Let the man do his job.
This part of his life was never for the public's consumption. Even if he did lie, it was only because Bob Ball, his opponent during the elections, tried to conjure up a sex scandal. That makes his competitor scum who clearly couldn't win an election based on the issues, which is why we elect people. Not for being virgins.
I've already ranted about it here.
I'm going to sleep. I live in Seattle and would consider driving down for his rally just to show solidarity, but I don't think I can stomach burning that much gas over something this stupid. Let the man do his job.
75
So I wonder how many other (18 yr olds) guys the Honorable ( ROFLOL) Sam Adams has had?
He really likes young cock I guess eh?
He really likes young cock I guess eh?
76
Lookin for interns in all the wrong places, lookin for love with sperm on their faces, lookin for love in office spaces, lookin for love hittin all of the bases.
"Damn I'm good" quoted from Sam Adams after he jismed a cute little intern just the other day.
"Damn I'm good" quoted from Sam Adams after he jismed a cute little intern just the other day.
77
This poll question leaves out a lot of relevant information regarding the cover-up which is the key. Read the Willamette Week article (Stranger/Mercury competitor). It's not the sex. Sex is great. It's the cover up.
79
He should resign. He F'd a 17 year old BOY and then not only lied about it, but asked the poor kid to lie about it too. What does that say about him as a person? Who cares if he is gay or not, and if he is easy on the eyes....so what. He is a liar, and can no longer be trusted.
GET OUT SAM! YOU F'd UP.
If he were straight, and had F'd a 17 year old girl he would be strung up!
Quit being homophobic and giving him preferential treatment because he is gay. Who the F cares? I do not care who he F's except when it is against the law, and he is an elected official. And, then he lies about it, and asks a boy to lie about it too.
And, I have good information that Beau was only 17 when they were F'ing. And yes, it was consensual but it is still against the law to do it, and downright sick to ask the boy to lie about it.
RE- think this one and get him out before more skeletons start falling out of the closet!
GET OUT SAM! YOU F'd UP.
If he were straight, and had F'd a 17 year old girl he would be strung up!
Quit being homophobic and giving him preferential treatment because he is gay. Who the F cares? I do not care who he F's except when it is against the law, and he is an elected official. And, then he lies about it, and asks a boy to lie about it too.
And, I have good information that Beau was only 17 when they were F'ing. And yes, it was consensual but it is still against the law to do it, and downright sick to ask the boy to lie about it.
RE- think this one and get him out before more skeletons start falling out of the closet!
80
The below was so well-said by a poster on OregonLive.com that I'm pasting it here as my response because I 100% agree with it:
"...Sam abused the power of his position to smear a political opponent, conspired with others to maintain the coverup, and sanctimoniously played the homophobia card to shift the conversation and gain sympathy he didn't deserve.
In so doing, he abused the trust of all Portlanders and set back the cause of equality for gay and lesbian people.
He needs to go."
"...Sam abused the power of his position to smear a political opponent, conspired with others to maintain the coverup, and sanctimoniously played the homophobia card to shift the conversation and gain sympathy he didn't deserve.
In so doing, he abused the trust of all Portlanders and set back the cause of equality for gay and lesbian people.
He needs to go."
81
If he lied to get the office, is he still lying to keep the office and will he continue to lie while in office?
It is a testament to his poor character that he has not yet resigned.
It is a testament to his poor character that he has not yet resigned.
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