Slog
News & ArtsThursday, January 22, 2009
News Slog Readers Don't Want Sam Adams to Resign
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 8:20 AM
The results of our tamper-proof, scientific, legally-binding poll are here. Revealing photos of Beau Breedlove here. "Crumbling support" for Adams, and speculation on chances of resignation, here.
2
Adams lied to the voters to protect his electability. He coerced an 18 year old to lie, thereby violating the camping rule of intergenerational dating. He's distracting the leadership of Portland from tackling massive local problems like 9%+ unemployment.
If he cares about anyone other than himself, he'll resign.
If he cares about anyone other than himself, he'll resign.
3
The Stranger thought an ouster was called for when straight Republicans got caught with their pants down - or lying about it afterwards. Why not this guy? Double standard, maybe? Even the mayor seems now to be suggesting he's culpable: "We have a standard for our politicians, and I violated that standard," he says. He lied and misled voters; it's clear he didn't think he could get elected if this information was timely known. Time to find someone worthy of the office.
6
If Beau was his intern he should resign. Just like a High School principal fucking an 18 year old student.
7
3, It wasn't that "straight" republicans had gay sex and lied about it. It was that they secretly had gay sex while condemning homosexuality.
Adams did not go on hateful tirades against having sex with younger adults.
He had sex with a consenting adult.
Adams did not go on hateful tirades against having sex with younger adults.
He had sex with a consenting adult.
8
6, Beau was not an intern for Adams. Beau was not an intern in Adams' office, nor was Beau an intern for the Portland City government. He was an intern in another city, for another level of government.
9
I'm so glad the Mercury has been covering this story - it's a good place to find out about those fact things around this.
If you haven't seen the Mercury's new column "The Sam Adams Retirement Blog" you should check it out. It seems to have Wm-tm Steven Humphrey's jam-smeared fingerprints all over it.
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/…
If you haven't seen the Mercury's new column "The Sam Adams Retirement Blog" you should check it out. It seems to have Wm-tm Steven Humphrey's jam-smeared fingerprints all over it.
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/…
10
8, how did they meet? Was it as a social event or as part of Beau's internship? If he met him as a visiting intern there to learn from him then its more akin to a Principal fucking an exchange student.
11
From Just Out's blog, it seems Adams has more support here than there... maybe he should be our mayor!
12
I like how it's a crime for Adams to accept the advances of someone who has long favored older men. Where is the line drawn for the kid? "Oh, you cannot date anyone older than 7 years your senior."
Also, if there were shenanigans, Breedlove's ex (who is 38, by the way) would have come screaming out of the woodwork to say "he was 17!!!" since it's clear that he hates Adams.
Also, if there were shenanigans, Breedlove's ex (who is 38, by the way) would have come screaming out of the woodwork to say "he was 17!!!" since it's clear that he hates Adams.
15
10, No, Adams was never in anyway a formal, counselor for Breedlove. Adams met Breedlove when Adams was on a lobbying trip to Salem. They happened to strike up a casual conversation, and it was Breedlove who pursued Adams. The news story with all this info is posted somewhere on the slog.
16
He did nothing unethical in my eyes. He lied to keep a personal matter a secret. I think that should be expected. His running for office should not damage the reputation of anyone he has had past or present relationship with. If my employer or clients pried into my sexual life I would be incredibly offended. I think the media should be ashamed for putting him in that situation. There was no story there and they pressed it to the point where the protective lie became the story.
On a similar situation, I don't believe the media should 'out' gay people. It's a huge decision and responsibility and I don't believe anyone should 'come out' until they are ready.
The public is fascinated with gay people and what they do in private. It really sucks. I'm tired of answering personal questions from straight people. Fuck you. Leave me alone.
On a similar situation, I don't believe the media should 'out' gay people. It's a huge decision and responsibility and I don't believe anyone should 'come out' until they are ready.
The public is fascinated with gay people and what they do in private. It really sucks. I'm tired of answering personal questions from straight people. Fuck you. Leave me alone.
17
Rob since Adams and Breedlove both admit lying about this whole deal how can you even begin to know what really happened?
I wish that Adams had refused to answer questions about his personal life beyond denying any inappropriate behavior.
I wish that Adams had refused to answer questions about his personal life beyond denying any inappropriate behavior.
20
17, So the people of Portland should run this man out of town on a rail based on the unknown? If anyone has any evidence of wrong doing, they should bring it out into the open, and stop this whisper campaign.
It makes me sick that people can't read and comprehend a news story. They post all these made up "facts", and then demand that Adams resign based on their imagined scenarios.
It makes me sick that people can't read and comprehend a news story. They post all these made up "facts", and then demand that Adams resign based on their imagined scenarios.
22
How could he not fuck that guy? He's hot as a mofo... I'd definitely tap that were he to prefer the female persuasion.
23
It's really a shame that just the hint of an active sex life is enough to banish a skilled politician to the nether realms. Obviously Adams broke no laws, had a right to keep his private life private, didn't violate anyone's wedding vows, no one was hurt...But none of that matters. Now that the electorate has learned that he actually has an active libido, his career is over.
Please God, give Obama the strength to resist the opportunities sure to come his way.
Please God, give Obama the strength to resist the opportunities sure to come his way.
24
Online rhyming dictionaries are dangerous.
When Adams lied, nobody died.
When Adams lied, misdirection applied.
When Adams lied, questioners' homophobia implied.
When Adams lied, coverup supplied.
When Adams lied, was his oath set aside?
When Adams lied, gay mentoring hit an ebb tide.
When Adams lied, to Beau's eyebrows wax overapplied.
When Adams lied, nobody died.
When Adams lied, misdirection applied.
When Adams lied, questioners' homophobia implied.
When Adams lied, coverup supplied.
When Adams lied, was his oath set aside?
When Adams lied, gay mentoring hit an ebb tide.
When Adams lied, to Beau's eyebrows wax overapplied.
26
@16 - "If my employer or clients pried into my sexual life I would be incredibly offended."
Yeah, but I'm guessing you're not an elected public official. Elected leaders, whether it's a mayor, governor or president, will always be subject to more intense scrutiny of their actions (yes, even in their personal lives) because they are in a position of public trust.
Yeah, but I'm guessing you're not an elected public official. Elected leaders, whether it's a mayor, governor or president, will always be subject to more intense scrutiny of their actions (yes, even in their personal lives) because they are in a position of public trust.
27
I still don't think he should resign. I think he should be given a second chance to prove he can be trustworthy and act in Portland's best interest.
28
To those who think that the "scandal" is a non-story and that the "publication" that broke it is a piece of shit, write to the Willamette Week and tell them that publishing this stuff is going to get them nothing but their own bad press:
Letters to the Editor, go here:
http://wweek.com/columns/letters#35.11
And here's a nifty little page where you can "ask the Editor" (note the pretientious Shepard Fairey Obamaesque knockoff, which is supposed to be the Editor, WTF?)
http://wweek.com/columns/askeditor/
Letters to the Editor, go here:
http://wweek.com/columns/letters#35.11
And here's a nifty little page where you can "ask the Editor" (note the pretientious Shepard Fairey Obamaesque knockoff, which is supposed to be the Editor, WTF?)
http://wweek.com/columns/askeditor/
29
And WTF again - the Willamette Week endorsed Adams WHILE keeping tabs on his sex life, for the purpose of "exposing" him? Oh wtf.
30
@26 - Yeah, I realize that, of course. But most public figures sex lives aren't public unless they were caught doing something wrong. ie Spitzer, Clinton, Craig, Foley. In this case, it seems wrong to be openly gay and be in a daddy-son relationship.
If polititions wanted to participate in watersports with their spouses, then no...we don't have a right to scrutinize their actions. If they are cheating on their spouses, then yes, i do believe the media should bring it to the public's attention.
If polititions wanted to participate in watersports with their spouses, then no...we don't have a right to scrutinize their actions. If they are cheating on their spouses, then yes, i do believe the media should bring it to the public's attention.
31
@26 - And no one forces public officials to run for office. It's a voluntary thing and anyone running for office who isn't prepared to handle intense public scrutiny is naive, incompetent or a fool. Adams screw up is that he lied. Prolifically. And convinced a (very) young adult to lie on his behalf -- that's pretty sleazy in itself.
But if anything, Portland is probably even more relaxed and liberal that Seattle when it comes to sex and other personal matters. Having spent a fair amount of time in Portland, I don't think this would have seriously affected his race for mayor. If he had said at the beginning, "I have only dated adults and I am not going to discuss my personal relationships in a public forum", that probably would have been the end of it.
But if anything, Portland is probably even more relaxed and liberal that Seattle when it comes to sex and other personal matters. Having spent a fair amount of time in Portland, I don't think this would have seriously affected his race for mayor. If he had said at the beginning, "I have only dated adults and I am not going to discuss my personal relationships in a public forum", that probably would have been the end of it.
32
@29: They manufacture stories like this-- get it now? The fluffy endorsement was an effort to not be "that guy" and get shunned, but they also left it open for the possibility to pull this betrayal aspect. Expect further driving on this, even if Adams is exonerated to a higher degree than expected.
@31: It was his private life, something he should not have to justify. It does not make a lick of difference to his capacity to run a city, and he's long been calling the shots behind Tom Potter's back. In fact, he was the Obama to Potter's W for most of 2008. Lying about your personal life is not tantamount to lack of ability to lead.
@31: It was his private life, something he should not have to justify. It does not make a lick of difference to his capacity to run a city, and he's long been calling the shots behind Tom Potter's back. In fact, he was the Obama to Potter's W for most of 2008. Lying about your personal life is not tantamount to lack of ability to lead.
33
Rob, I asked you how you could possibly think you know what happened when the two involved admit that they have been lying for two years.
17, So the people of Portland should run this man out of town on a rail based on the unknown?
Rob, I asked you how you could possibly think you know what happened when the two involved admit that they have been lying for two years.
34
@32 - Adams didn't have to justify his personal life, but he needed to not lie about it. But his lies, convincing Beau Breedlove to lie, and the bone-headed appointment of the reporter covering the story to a lucrative public job do call his judgment into question.
And good judgment, as well as a demonstrated capacity to maintain your principles under pressure are a key component of effective leadership. Adams own actions have created serious questions about his ability to lead Portland. If he can't respond forcefully and effectively with a case for why he should remain mayor, then he should resign and let someone else lead the city.
And good judgment, as well as a demonstrated capacity to maintain your principles under pressure are a key component of effective leadership. Adams own actions have created serious questions about his ability to lead Portland. If he can't respond forcefully and effectively with a case for why he should remain mayor, then he should resign and let someone else lead the city.
35
Smartypants, he's been running Portland since he became Commissioner. If you honestly think Potter was calling the shots, then you have no clue.
36
McG @ 33. I'm going by what is being reported. I'm not going to assume wrong doing based on unfounded accusations. If you have any evidence to the contrary in this matter, please present it.
I could accuse you of having sex with barnyard animals. Should you resign from your job based on that?
I could accuse you of having sex with barnyard animals. Should you resign from your job based on that?
37
I'm sorry, maybe I lived in Canada for too long, but what's the big deal?
It's not like they weren't adults or did it in a public restroom ...
It's not like they weren't adults or did it in a public restroom ...
38
i'm sure it didn't take much to ask breedlove to lie. if i was him, i would lie to the media too, to get them off my back and because i don't need the whole world to know about my sex life. he's fucking 21 years old already. if you stop treating him like a child, maybe people will stop thinking of sam adams as a pervert.
39
@35 -- it's arguable whether Adams was calling the shots or sabotaging Potter. But a good friend of mine worked for Potter, so I'm biased. Besides, that's not the point.
The point is that by lying, convincing others to lie, and hiring for a taxpayer-funded job a reporter who was investigating him, Adams has broken the public trust that is (in my opinion) an essential aspect of leadership. Why he lied is a separate issue. Unless Adams can re-establish that trust, then he is seriously damaged goods. So damaged that I would question his ability to serve Portland effectively as mayor.
The point is that by lying, convincing others to lie, and hiring for a taxpayer-funded job a reporter who was investigating him, Adams has broken the public trust that is (in my opinion) an essential aspect of leadership. Why he lied is a separate issue. Unless Adams can re-establish that trust, then he is seriously damaged goods. So damaged that I would question his ability to serve Portland effectively as mayor.
40
39, can you provide any evidence to support your claims. From your own statements of bias, it really looks like you are for the other guy. You just don't like Adams, and for that reason, you think he should step down.
41
I say he stays in office and brings the ship down with him.
A little political genocide might do everyone some good.
A little political genocide might do everyone some good.
42
@ 40 - I live in Seattle and don't really care who is mayor of Portland, as long as he or she is ethical, effective and serving the public interest. Which are my basic standards for anyone in public office.
So aside from having a friend who worked for Potter (who was critical of both Potter and Adams), I'm not sure where you're taking issue with my statements.
Adams has acknowledged that he lied and asked Breedlove to lie. It's also public record that he hired the reporter who was investigating for a public job. a job for which the reporter herself acknowledges she has no relevant experience. All of this is a violation of the public trust -- Adams has to re-establish trust or move on.
So aside from having a friend who worked for Potter (who was critical of both Potter and Adams), I'm not sure where you're taking issue with my statements.
Adams has acknowledged that he lied and asked Breedlove to lie. It's also public record that he hired the reporter who was investigating for a public job. a job for which the reporter herself acknowledges she has no relevant experience. All of this is a violation of the public trust -- Adams has to re-establish trust or move on.
44
AJ aka Alex Jon is into guys way older than him and thus identifies with this Breedlove person. It's obvious that AJ is defending Adams out of sheer blind projection of his own situation.
I mean, come ON dude you've been vehemently posting in every thread. Go bad to sucking your 50 year old daddy's cock and let the intellectuals handle this one for fuck sake.
I mean, come ON dude you've been vehemently posting in every thread. Go bad to sucking your 50 year old daddy's cock and let the intellectuals handle this one for fuck sake.
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