Slog
News & ArtsMonday, June 6, 2011
Politics Live Slogging Weiner's Press Conference
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 1:23 PM
The Man Has Balls: I'm not talking about Wiener. I'm talking about Weiner's Javert. TPM:
Andrew Breitbart, personally in attendance at Rep. Anthony Weiner's press conference, just took to the stage, grabbed the mic and held forth to the assembled media. This was before Weiner took the stage. Our reporter on the scene, Eric Lach, says Breitbart claimed to feel "vindicated." Not clear yet what he is vindicated of.
Breitbart crashed Weiner's press conference. Walked up to the podium before Wiener arrived, but after the cameras were rolling and video was being livestreamed online, and gave a statement himself. I think Breitbart is a liar and an asshole... but... you gotta admire his balls. Here's hoping pics of Breitbart's actual balls surface sometime soon.
Here's Anthony Weiner: He's "made terrible mistakes," he has "not been honest with myself, my family, my constituents..." Weiner admits to sending the original underpants pic via Twitter to "a woman in Seattle," and issues the first of many apologies to his wife. He admits to "inappropriate conversations" with six other women online. Some took place before his marriage, some after. He never met any of these women in person. Weiner is being very emotional—he's clearly struggling to hold back tears. He admits to being deeply ashamed, and agrees to take questions. The first question is, predictably, if you're so sincerely ashamed, why aren't you resigning?
He says he's not going to resign.
And why should he? Clinton didn't, Craig didn't, Vitter didn't, Weiner shouldn't.
Sometimes I hate reporters: "Why would you do this after you were married?" Um... because members of congress, like members of the press, get horny sometimes. And sometimes male members of congress, like male members of the press, think with their dicks. And sometimes men—married men—rub one out with an assist from the World Wide Web. Film at 11. Weiner was horny and went online and flirted and beat it a few times. He created his own porn, his own interactive porn, like millions of other Americans have done, and continue to do, every damn day. And the Internet provided Wiener with the same thing it provides for tens of millions of other men in monogamous relationships: needed release, safe variety.
And here's the inevitable "professional help" question: Is he going to seek professional help. Because horniness is an illness. Wiener is being asked to apologize to Andrew Brietbart... and he does. Ugh.
A reporter asks if Weiner was drinking or using drugs—if he has a problem—because only a man who has a drinking problem or a drug problem could get caught up in something like this. Do reporters know what men are like? (And lots of women too?) This desire to pathologize behavior that isn't sick—that is, indeed, very common and human and completely and instantly understandable—is itself pathological. Weiner does not have a problem. He has a computer. The whole world has Weiner's problem: same old horniness, brand new box.
Another reporter points out that the woman were young—some as young as 21. So now Weiner's a pedophile. For flirting with adults.
Weiner's asked, again, if he has an "addiction." The pathologizing is, again, pathological. To his credit Weiner isn't taking the bait/easy way out: he isn't pleading sex addiction, drinking problem, or drug problem.
A reporter points out that some of the women Weiner interacted with were young enough to be his daughter. Oh, the horror. Newsflash: Straight men want to fuck women who are young enough to be their daughters. Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Larry King, Rush Limbaugh—all married to women who are "young enough" to be their daughters. How can reporters sit at a press conference and insist that no man—except one with an addiction to sex, drugs, or alcohol—could ever lust after, flirt with, fuck senseless, or marry a woman who was more than 13 years his junior? Do they read their own papers?
"Will you help to support Arnold's lovechild?" some class act calls out. "Were you full erect or are you capable of more?" Other reporters are tut-tutting the heckler/asshole, but their questions weren't much better.
And scene.
2
Working on rendering the pics soon - had to take some pix with my iPad2 and paste them into the image software ... Damn but it's fun making fake stuff!
5
God, if he'd just come out in the beginning saying, "You know what, that's me, and I'm an adult, and adults do these sorts of things and usually expect privacy. Good day, sir. I SAID GOOD DAY, SIR!" then maybe we could start changing the way this gets played out in the press.
7
I don't care. Wiener's voting record is flawless and his head - politically, at least - is in the right place. I think the man has a good heart (have you seen him verbally go after heartless Republicans on the floor of the House?), and if he's guilty of sending schmuck photos to women, then yeah, not too cool, but not the worst thing in the world either. Arrested development, probably. Happens a lot with overachievers. They concentrate on education and career and miss out on some of the more salient social niceties.
Of course, I'm a bit prejudice in the sense that if a nice, smart, thoughtful Jewish boy sent me a picture of his package in grey knot boxers, my first reaction would be, "When and where, Anthony?"
Of course, I'm a bit prejudice in the sense that if a nice, smart, thoughtful Jewish boy sent me a picture of his package in grey knot boxers, my first reaction would be, "When and where, Anthony?"
8
It's not like our nation's reporters have ever had any important questions to ask, like "where are the weapons of mass destruction?" Dick pix are about the most they can handle.
10
@5- Ziggity. What you propose would be TERRIFICALLY impressive, but apparently such honesty is impossible with politicians. I wanted to hear those words from Bill Clinton over 15 years ago, and here we are in 2011 still doing back-flips into teacups for sex-negative reporters' questions.
Business as usual: Repubs lie, deny and justify their sexual hypocrisy. Dems grovel and beg forgiveness for their (not so) private sexual activities. And it's always the Rethugs who get off scott-free to continue passing laws against normal folks.
This joker will probably have to resign, so a 'good, family-values' Rethug can take his place. Amurika can't handle honesty and truth about anything.
Business as usual: Repubs lie, deny and justify their sexual hypocrisy. Dems grovel and beg forgiveness for their (not so) private sexual activities. And it's always the Rethugs who get off scott-free to continue passing laws against normal folks.
This joker will probably have to resign, so a 'good, family-values' Rethug can take his place. Amurika can't handle honesty and truth about anything.
11
Get ready for shots of Bernie Sanders stepping out of his Dodge Stratus without pants or undies.
Maybe the tabs will splash a big star and an “OOPS!” over his $#@! ala Britney Spears.
Maybe the tabs will splash a big star and an “OOPS!” over his $#@! ala Britney Spears.
13
I'm so glad it was him! Those pics are HOTTER now that I know the person attached to them is one I like.
14
I think 'where is your wife?' was the worst of all the horrible questions. As if she is expected to be up there with him.
16
I'm not as internet savvy as most on here. Can someone please tell me how he could possibly do this stuff under the illusion that no one would ever find out?
Yeah, it's normal. I don't care about his private life, but we don't live in a world of fair-minded individuals. We live in a state of war against billionaires that own wholesale one and a half of our two political parties. They employ people that will do anything, no matter how vile, to serve them.
So How could Wiener take pictures of himself, send them through his official twitter, not expect to get caught, and not expect it to ruin his political career?
Am I wrong for thinking the guy is an idiot?
Yeah, it's normal. I don't care about his private life, but we don't live in a world of fair-minded individuals. We live in a state of war against billionaires that own wholesale one and a half of our two political parties. They employ people that will do anything, no matter how vile, to serve them.
So How could Wiener take pictures of himself, send them through his official twitter, not expect to get caught, and not expect it to ruin his political career?
Am I wrong for thinking the guy is an idiot?
19
@14 That's the precedent that's been set. I noticed it too. I miss the crying wife portion of the conference.
@12 Good question. I'm hoping 'ready.jpg' gets released for us to see.
@Dan He's not struggling to HOLD BACK tears, he's struggling to PULL OUT tears. He knows he has to look as sympathetic as possible in order to gain America's the media's forgiveness.
@12 Good question. I'm hoping 'ready.jpg' gets released for us to see.
@Dan He's not struggling to HOLD BACK tears, he's struggling to PULL OUT tears. He knows he has to look as sympathetic as possible in order to gain America's the media's forgiveness.
21
fwa@16. i am equally puzzled by this. then again, i'm not a man. but...when the little brain takes over, does that really mean that the big brain in rendered into utter paralysis? i mean, really.
22
Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner. Weiner.
Of course he doesn't help by pronouncing it wrong, but still. Weiner.
Of course he doesn't help by pronouncing it wrong, but still. Weiner.
23
This is where the sexes overwhelmingly diverge. We women can keep our dicks in our pants. That's why we should rule the world.
I echo everyone else who has said it's a wonder that a politician can think of getting away with this kind of behavior--particularly, after lying to the national press about it.
And, I'm very sad that this episode has probably given Brietbart an 18-foot boner.
I echo everyone else who has said it's a wonder that a politician can think of getting away with this kind of behavior--particularly, after lying to the national press about it.
And, I'm very sad that this episode has probably given Brietbart an 18-foot boner.
24
Dan's central point here (I think it's his central point), is that not only is all this stuff hypocritical and judgmental, it's also destined to make our political leaders into more and more of a (non-boy-raping) priestly class. Which is a scary thought. I don't want boring, never-made-a-mistake-in my-life control freaks running my country. I want people who are more, y'know, like me: personally flawed, but generally well-intentioned toward others
25
Chris Lee resigned because of a shirtless photo. How come there was no support for him from Dan Savage then? Surely, his was the lesser transgression. Oh, yes, he was a Republican. Oh the hypocrisy is deafening!
29
So, how do we take down Briebart? Some theatrical ostentatious fuck like him should have lots of skeletons in the closet. I'm pretty sure we could find worse dirt on him if we looked for it.
30
Perhaps he thought he was sending that as a private message, rather than as a regular tweet.
More surprising incidents of incompetence with technology have happened to 46 year old men.
And if you're running in New York City, I think you can afford to be a little less apologetic about being horny like everybody else. I guess he doesn't listen to Dan haha
More surprising incidents of incompetence with technology have happened to 46 year old men.
And if you're running in New York City, I think you can afford to be a little less apologetic about being horny like everybody else. I guess he doesn't listen to Dan haha
31
Godammit, I hate when politicians do this. They get caught with their pants down and their first reaction is to lie despite seeing that LYING DOESN"T WORK over and over, ad nauseum. Instead of lying, try telling a reporter to fuck off, it's a private matter!
32
I guess it's all in the name and that there's pics, but the fact that a politician's proclivity for flirting makes the news is fucking sad.
33
Glad to see that this is being handled by SLOG with the same rational even handedness as it used in the Chris Lee incident!... Oh... Wait. (But then that was TOTALLY different. Right?)
34
"Chris Lee resigned because of a shirtless photo. How come there was no support for him from Dan Savage then? Surely, his was the lesser transgression. Oh, yes, he was a Republican. Oh the hypocrisy is deafening!"
There isn't an entire industry devoted to take down unfaithful Republicans. They can protect their own, and we weren't shouting for him to go down (for that) either.
I don't understand what you're up in arms about here, we're ok with Republicans resigning because their policies are for the most part terrible and harmful, not because they sucked a dick or cheated on their partners.
There isn't an entire industry devoted to take down unfaithful Republicans. They can protect their own, and we weren't shouting for him to go down (for that) either.
I don't understand what you're up in arms about here, we're ok with Republicans resigning because their policies are for the most part terrible and harmful, not because they sucked a dick or cheated on their partners.
36
@25: Really? Nobody really went after Chris Lee. Gawker got a hold of the photos and posted them on the Intertubes and within hours Lee had decided to resign. Nobody was clamoring for his blood or for his resignation, nobody really condemned him. He decided to resign either because he felt the mini-scandal would hamper his ability to legislate, or because he's an enormous pussy.
37
Good thing Huma Abedin is employed by someone with a bit of experience in this department:
http://www.mediaite.com/online/newlywed-…
http://www.mediaite.com/online/newlywed-…
38
By the way, I'm disgusted at some of the sexting the male readers have been doing to female MSM journalists.
Seriously, guys, they don't want to see pics of you without underwear.
Seriously, guys, they don't want to see pics of you without underwear.
39
I'm not sure that men are socially or emotionally mature enough to be allowed unsupervised Internet access. :-/
40
I don't think he needs to resign. But I still maintain that a 46-year-old sending dick photos to college students is creepy.
41
@17 BEG- Yes sir, I think you're correct. Maybe Weiner should write an acoutic song about it ala Taylor Swift! lol
43
@17 yes.
By the way, there is no truth to the rumor or the pics that prove that Breitbart is engaged in a BDSM relationship with me in a same-sex way.
he's a bottom, not a top.
I just wanted to clear that up.
By the way, there is no truth to the rumor or the pics that prove that Breitbart is engaged in a BDSM relationship with me in a same-sex way.
he's a bottom, not a top.
I just wanted to clear that up.
45
“I'm not going to make a moral judgment here, but you gotta appreciate the Darwinian efficiency of the way this scandal played out. Any congressman so stupid as to think he could get away with trolling trawling Craigslist for adulterous sex without getting caught, is obviously too stupid even to serve in Congress.” – Goldy 2/9/1
Is this standard in play for anyone stupid enough to trawl Twitter in view of all of his followers?
Is this standard in play for anyone stupid enough to trawl Twitter in view of all of his followers?
46
@45: What "standard"? Weiner is incredibly fucking stupid. Edwards was incredibly fucking stupid. You're grasping and failing to find inconsistencies.
48
This is just a side point -- but I totally thought "Weiner's Javert" was a terrific euphemism. It's getting hard to tell what *isn't* a euphemism at this point.
50
if dude had just admitted to it ages ago, no one would care anymore.
Plus that girl wouldn't be getting the bad side of media attention.
Plus that girl wouldn't be getting the bad side of media attention.
51
@49: As an expression of frustration, yes. Demanding either of them resign, no.
http://www.angryblacklady.com/2011/06/02…
If you want to talk about "standards".
http://www.angryblacklady.com/2011/06/02…
If you want to talk about "standards".
54
It would appear that another version of the photo has turned up, revealing the originally circulated pic to have been an upside-down version (perhaps that's why he lacked "certitude" about it?!). The pic, when re-oriented to align with gravity (see here: http://cannonfire.blogspot.com/2011/06/t…) shows what looks, to me, like a man with his hand in his underwear. So no actual boy-parts visible in the photo at all. The 180 degree shift in perspective changes a lot.
I also have a theory as to why the picture was originally "upside-down" - since, with his right hand "otherwise engaged", he'd have had to use his left to take the picture - and with the shutter release being on the right-hand side of most cameras (though I'm not sure how Blackberries and other smartphones work), he could have turned the camera upside-down in order to take the pic more easily.
I also have a theory as to why the picture was originally "upside-down" - since, with his right hand "otherwise engaged", he'd have had to use his left to take the picture - and with the shutter release being on the right-hand side of most cameras (though I'm not sure how Blackberries and other smartphones work), he could have turned the camera upside-down in order to take the pic more easily.
56
@51 "As an expression of frustration?" Really? Really?
I think my brain fell out of my head reading that rationalization.
I think my brain fell out of my head reading that rationalization.
57
I wouldn't give a fuck even if I was hooked up to an automatic fuck-giving machine. Press coverage of worthless shit like this detracts from coverage of important political issues. But for the record, people caught doing this kind of nonsense should say something along the lines of "I was horny, I'm ok with what I did, and it's none of your fucking business how, why, or what I fuck." We should stay out of congressional sex lives as much as we want them to stay out of ours.
58
I managed to get a Dan Savage quote into the comments on the NYT Live Blog: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0…
(Comment #164, if anyone feels like recommending it so that more people are more likely to see Dan's sane response to Weinergate.)
(Comment #164, if anyone feels like recommending it so that more people are more likely to see Dan's sane response to Weinergate.)
59
Nothing sadder than a Weiner with no balls.
I don't care about his voting record or sexual preferences. He should be booted next election for lack of judgement and for trying to cowardly sleaze his way out and doing the now-too-common congressional perp-walk.
I don't care about his voting record or sexual preferences. He should be booted next election for lack of judgement and for trying to cowardly sleaze his way out and doing the now-too-common congressional perp-walk.
61
@45
did I miss something where everyone commenting here is responsible for Goldy's comments? from what I can tell, most people on Slog can't stand him. oh yeah and don't forget to go fuck yourself.
did I miss something where everyone commenting here is responsible for Goldy's comments? from what I can tell, most people on Slog can't stand him. oh yeah and don't forget to go fuck yourself.
62
i think i'm more likely to vote for him now, if i were his constituent. he's hot.
and totally, totally normal.
and totally, totally normal.
64
We need politicians focused on jobs, not blow jobs. That's all there is to say about this. This guy is a liar. Next.
65
One wag among the Guardian's readers noted: "The girthers were right!"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/richard-…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/richard-…
67
He should resign, not for sending the photos, but for lying to the American people. What a scumbag.
68
I don't care if a politician is stupid in his private life. But I do care when they say stupid things and defend the indefensible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AQ8rq12…
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-li…
Of course, Weiner's a Democrat, so for some folks here, he automatically deserves support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AQ8rq12…
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-li…
Of course, Weiner's a Democrat, so for some folks here, he automatically deserves support.
70
Naughty chat and pic swapping with other adults is very common and entirely legal. Like hang-gliding, blood sausage, and Julia Roberts movies, it isn't to everyone's taste, and it may frighten or gross out some folks, but part of living in a free society is respecting the rights of other grown-ups to make their own choices.
72
I can't believe he lied about it. There was no chance that is was going to be glossed over so he should've just come clean to begin with and dealt with the fallout/non-fallout with his wife in private.
73
Wait--why are you liking him to Javert? Javert was hounding an actual criminal who'd actually broken the law. He left people's private lives well alone.
74
Oh come on, Dan.
A. It's pathetic.
B. It's sleazy.
C. He lied.
D. He used the old Clintonian excuse: he didn't have sex with "that woman."
E. He makes Breitbart (sic) look good.
F. His stand on Israel-Palestine stinks.
G. Grey underpants? Grey?
A. It's pathetic.
B. It's sleazy.
C. He lied.
D. He used the old Clintonian excuse: he didn't have sex with "that woman."
E. He makes Breitbart (sic) look good.
F. His stand on Israel-Palestine stinks.
G. Grey underpants? Grey?
75
He has no reason to resign. His actions in no way contradict any of his political platforms, or stances he takes IN HIS JOB.
He's not a member of the hypocritical "morality police", and let's be honest: this might be the tamest "sex scandal photo" ever released.
oh, no. a super-progressive man in politics whose stances have always been based on logic, reason and fairness tweeted a pic of his boner, in underpants.
Wow. This is SUCH a scandal.
*yawn*
He's not a member of the hypocritical "morality police", and let's be honest: this might be the tamest "sex scandal photo" ever released.
oh, no. a super-progressive man in politics whose stances have always been based on logic, reason and fairness tweeted a pic of his boner, in underpants.
Wow. This is SUCH a scandal.
*yawn*
77
It'd be kind of fun if ADULTS everywhere started tweeting their crotches in solidarity.
I even have girlie boxer briefs :)
I even have girlie boxer briefs :)
78
@36 "within hours Lee had decided to resign...He decided to resign either because he felt the mini-scandal would hamper his ability to legislate, or because he's an enormous pussy."
Or because he knew there was much much worse that would come out if he tried to brazen it out. That's where my money is.
Or because he knew there was much much worse that would come out if he tried to brazen it out. That's where my money is.
79
With each new tech there most assuredly was a scandal--- from the telegraph to railroads to radio etc...poor judgement is near universal across space/time....
His indiscretion is incental to todays reality. It is the lies and the early clumsy attempts at a coverup that will most likely sink him, though there are few among us that would have acted differently when faced w/ embarassing exposure like that..
And Breitbart is even more odious IMO for his involment in this, and he will get his ass handed to him in due time.
His indiscretion is incental to todays reality. It is the lies and the early clumsy attempts at a coverup that will most likely sink him, though there are few among us that would have acted differently when faced w/ embarassing exposure like that..
And Breitbart is even more odious IMO for his involment in this, and he will get his ass handed to him in due time.
80
@75
Watch the youtube video at #68 and tell me how much "logic, reason, and fairness" you see there.
Watch the youtube video at #68 and tell me how much "logic, reason, and fairness" you see there.
81
Dan, listen to #68 and #80, and watch Weiner saying "there is no Israeli occupation of the West Bank":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AQ8rq12…
This is evidently not the first time he's been caught in absurdity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AQ8rq12…
This is evidently not the first time he's been caught in absurdity.
82
One more thing, and this excuses nothing but should be noted for what it is: Weiner is a newlywed and until recently has been living the ideal American bachelor in D.C. persona, and the things he was doing would have been far less scrutinized if he were not thus married in the eyes of God and Law.
BTW, from what I can tell, his new marriage is solid --despite the writ large missteps any 40 something power oriented new husband would most likely make.
BTW, from what I can tell, his new marriage is solid --despite the writ large missteps any 40 something power oriented new husband would most likely make.
83
One look in those undershorts and you can see that he clearly leans to the left.
Anyway, Pelosi's saying things about an Ethics Committee investigation, for fuck's sake. When have I ever heard a republican leader say the same amid a sex scandal of one of their own. Pfft.
Anyway, Pelosi's saying things about an Ethics Committee investigation, for fuck's sake. When have I ever heard a republican leader say the same amid a sex scandal of one of their own. Pfft.
86
the reason some are not so offended that he lied is because something really stinks about the way this got out. it smells of entrapment, blackmail, or character assassination. breitbart and yeah, THAT woman know that Weiner is screwed when the truth gets out, regardless of whether or not he lies. he's screwed even though what he was doing was not nearly as bad as what the rest of us are doing, bc a stupidly large fraction of voters hold politicians up to some ridiculous purity standard.
GAH. Breitbart really really stinks like crap to me. what a disgusting man.
GAH. Breitbart really really stinks like crap to me. what a disgusting man.
87
@86 Simply amazing you find fault with the muckraking journalist rather than the sleazy scumbag tweeting dick pics to coeds.
88
wtf is up with the question of sexting (fainting salts needed) some girl young enough to be his daughter??
i mean he is 46, so thusly it is entirely rational that a 32 year old chicka could be his daughter.... 14 y/o guys can and do father childrens.
that they(the outraged press) would not have feigned shock if it was a 32 year old woman speaks volumes...
i mean he is 46, so thusly it is entirely rational that a 32 year old chicka could be his daughter.... 14 y/o guys can and do father childrens.
that they(the outraged press) would not have feigned shock if it was a 32 year old woman speaks volumes...
90
So, Dan, as a sex-advice columnist, have you gotten any response from news outlets to explain this type of behavior? Maybe Joy Behar will have you on.
92
Look, I'm a Weiner fan, and there is nothing inherently pathological about tweeting a dick pic, but there is something profoundly fucking stupid about tweeting a dick pick if you are an elected official. So fucking stupid that it might qualify as pathologically self-destructive. Pics on the internet never die, dumb fuck! You may have thrown away a Dem seat in the House and a great political career. That's something I have a right to be angry about.
93
Whoa Dan, chill the fuck out. I love me wome Weiner and I don't love me any Breitbart, but it was a dumb story to begin with. Weiner did like a child and rather than taking pride in his work that others percieve as wrong, he lied and pointed the finger at the messenger. He really did owe that man an apology. As for the rest of it, non-story.
95
I just watched some of his denial interviews again. It's really scary how really very comfortable he is with lying. Not just concealing the truth, but great big whooper lies. Sociopathic.
96
What Weiner did was stupid, and I'm certainly disappointed that he lied about it, even though lying about an affair/messing around has got to be the single most common of the Big Lies humans do.
However what REALLY has me pissed is the self-righteous fan fluttering going on on the liberal side. Pelosi saying she wants an ethics investigation. Really Nancy? Lobbying, campaign finance violations, undue influence of foreign governments don't bother you, but one of the strongest liberals in the House messing around does? Fuck you.
This bullshit has got to stop. It should have ended at Clinton. Anyone who isn't vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy because they tout family values and has not broken any laws (real laws, not "conduct unbecoming") should have their private lives left in fucking peace. If his wife wants to divorce him, that's her perogative. However this attitude that any recognition that our public officials are flawed humans who think with their dicks/twats and cheat on their spouses/visit sex workers/are conflicted about their sexuality is a scandal shows that the American public has the collective maturity of a 12 year old.
I'm personally writing Weiner today, to tell him he was an idiot for doing this....and that he has my support for re-election because he's the strongest liberal in Congress and because reasonable people need to start a backlash against puritanical pearl clutching.
However what REALLY has me pissed is the self-righteous fan fluttering going on on the liberal side. Pelosi saying she wants an ethics investigation. Really Nancy? Lobbying, campaign finance violations, undue influence of foreign governments don't bother you, but one of the strongest liberals in the House messing around does? Fuck you.
This bullshit has got to stop. It should have ended at Clinton. Anyone who isn't vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy because they tout family values and has not broken any laws (real laws, not "conduct unbecoming") should have their private lives left in fucking peace. If his wife wants to divorce him, that's her perogative. However this attitude that any recognition that our public officials are flawed humans who think with their dicks/twats and cheat on their spouses/visit sex workers/are conflicted about their sexuality is a scandal shows that the American public has the collective maturity of a 12 year old.
I'm personally writing Weiner today, to tell him he was an idiot for doing this....and that he has my support for re-election because he's the strongest liberal in Congress and because reasonable people need to start a backlash against puritanical pearl clutching.
97
87
"tweeting dick pics to coeds" is really not that bad of an offense. there are a lot of people who think that.
"tweeting dick pics to coeds" is really not that bad of an offense. there are a lot of people who think that.
99
I <3<3<3 my Weiner. I will support him no matter what. He is just human...not some chaste super hero. Plus, now I love him even more because I know he is packing real heat. yum!
100
How silly. everyone panics and lies poorly when caught out. If you are hiding something in the first place, you are not going to be able to NOT lie.
Man shows package on internet, yawn. Its only upsetting when it is hypocritical package showing via a 'traditional marriage' republican
Man shows package on internet, yawn. Its only upsetting when it is hypocritical package showing via a 'traditional marriage' republican
101
100 demonstrates better than any post here what Orwell meant when he recounted those bleating sheep of Animal Farm. Four legs good, eh, 100?
102
@98: And you apparently have been living in Sugarplum Happy Fairyland all of your idiot life. There's nothing creepy about sending sexual tweets to consenting adults, and "co-eds" (how quaint) are adults, whether you like it or not. Unless it turns out that the tweets were unwanted stalking or the targets were actually underage instead of in your imagination, the only sleazy thing going on here is the really disgusting sex-negative shaming. Pull your pearls out of your panties, develop some fucking perspective, and stop pretending to be horrified.
103
@101: At least we have the capacity to self-criticize. Never see Republicans bitching about their candidates in these threads, do you? (Low-hanging fruits like Palin or "RINOs" like McCain and Paul don't count, I'm talking actual constructive criticism.)
104
@98
or just humanity in general. isn't it weird to you that America was supposed to be this nation which challenges the idea that the people in charge rule by divine right, and yet it seems to be nearly every conservatives', and even a few liberals', wet dream to have this separate grouping of better humans running government? I want real people to represent me, not caricatures of unattainable morality. of course I would prefer it if they didn't do stupid shit like Weiner did, and if so, they would at least have the class to own up instead of trying to hoodwink people (because it works so well!), but unless he did something illegal, his future as a congressman should be up to his constituents alone.
or just humanity in general. isn't it weird to you that America was supposed to be this nation which challenges the idea that the people in charge rule by divine right, and yet it seems to be nearly every conservatives', and even a few liberals', wet dream to have this separate grouping of better humans running government? I want real people to represent me, not caricatures of unattainable morality. of course I would prefer it if they didn't do stupid shit like Weiner did, and if so, they would at least have the class to own up instead of trying to hoodwink people (because it works so well!), but unless he did something illegal, his future as a congressman should be up to his constituents alone.
105
better... why don't all you douchebags you would normally support a strong progressive candidate like Weiner, but can't seem to let this go, be the change you want to see and run for office?
106
I love Dan, but how in the hell is Weiner's behaviour "instantly understandable"? I find his behaviour baffling. Actually, the impulse to pathologize it seems "instantly understandable" to me, because it reeks of self-sabotage.
Sending Twitpics of your cock to college kids? Really? Dude, that's SO fucking sloppy. How did you NOT know you were going to get caught? I wouldn't use Twitter to send racy photos of myself to anyone and I'm a private citizen. I'm not an elected official who's under public scrutiny. Come on.
And sorry if I sound "sex negative", but being horny isn't a great excuse for doing this. If he was horny, maybe he should have tried having sex with his beautiful and accomplished wife of LESS THAN A YEAR before he took to the Twitterverse to show off his dick to undergrads.
Sending Twitpics of your cock to college kids? Really? Dude, that's SO fucking sloppy. How did you NOT know you were going to get caught? I wouldn't use Twitter to send racy photos of myself to anyone and I'm a private citizen. I'm not an elected official who's under public scrutiny. Come on.
And sorry if I sound "sex negative", but being horny isn't a great excuse for doing this. If he was horny, maybe he should have tried having sex with his beautiful and accomplished wife of LESS THAN A YEAR before he took to the Twitterverse to show off his dick to undergrads.
108
"There's nothing creepy about sending sexual tweets to consenting adults". When did she consent? By following him on Twitter? And how is controlling the urge to expose you dick to women "unattainable morality"? Sorry, but to those who see this as a non-issue please define when it becomes the "unwanted stalking" you are actually opposed to. When it is someone less attractive and not famous? If I'm in a bar, surely it is OK to drop my pants since nobody is clearly "actually underage"--the same with workplaces, too, right? Even the most sex-positive person here has limits to public sexuality,even between adults. The main issue for me is Weiner's dishonesty, but go ahead and call me a prude for me having problems with his crudeness too. And don't BS me that you're fine with naked congressmen banging pages on CSPAN even if they're concurrently railing against Israel. You know you--and society--have, and should have, social limits on the behavior of elected officials.
109
@25- The hypocrisy is that the GOP spends a lot of time telling other people how to run their sex lives. When it turns out the "Family Values" are for other people, that hypocrisy.
110
@108: They were talking privately before this. Not to defend the choice, but if you seriously think that he immediately sent out pictures of himself to EVERYONE who followed him and happened to be an attractive woman, your perspective is skewed. This isn't the same thing as flashing people in public, what a terrible analogy.
111
I see Mr. Savage is not only an expert on giving advice on how to insert different types of objects into our butts, but now is also an expert on morality. Let me guess… he’s supporting Wranker for the children…..so they won’t be bullied because dad has pics of his dick floating about the Internet.
And BTW he didn't "crash" the event"..he was asked to go up on stage by reporters and make a statement (for the children of course).
And BTW he didn't "crash" the event"..he was asked to go up on stage by reporters and make a statement (for the children of course).
112
@111: "he was asked to go up on stage by reporters"
My gosh, I wonder what networks asked him to take over the presser?
My gosh, I wonder what networks asked him to take over the presser?
113
Danny, suck it....
Weiner is a worthless diseased piece of shit and nothing anyone else says or did mitigates that fact one iota.
Weiner is a worthless diseased piece of shit and nothing anyone else says or did mitigates that fact one iota.
114
He's done, and should be.
First thing he does is lie to our faces after being caught.
Then he only comes clean when Breitbart busts him, the only one in the press actually doing his job.
Now it turns out Weiner may have been "rubbing one out" with a 17 year old girl. Is that OK too, Dan? How will all those past columns about consent and power imbalances rub one out against this situation now?
So many of the left elevate power and keeping power in office and wether a voting record is what they agree with....and rank it over common decency most people instinctively know. Except for the left...the sole freedom they sell is the freedom of dick and pussy with no consequences. On everything else, 'diversity' goes right out the window.
Everyone had nads, yes. But only some think we should be ruled by them and excuse all else. The rest of us know this path leads to what we see in Weiner.
I know it's tough to bear, but the reality is this...outside the capital hill enclave, beyond the streets of frisco, and outside the beltway is the real world. Where this kind of activity does not get approval of grown men following their dicks away from pregnant wives and rubbing em out with 17 year olds. As it turns out, the real problem here is that the folks on the left don't like being judged by socially conservative morality they don't like which says his actions are wrong.
I'm sorry, but that's the way the nation outside the enclaves sees it, the great unwashed not 'advanced' enough to think rubbing 'em out with a 17 year old is just fine.
First thing he does is lie to our faces after being caught.
Then he only comes clean when Breitbart busts him, the only one in the press actually doing his job.
Now it turns out Weiner may have been "rubbing one out" with a 17 year old girl. Is that OK too, Dan? How will all those past columns about consent and power imbalances rub one out against this situation now?
So many of the left elevate power and keeping power in office and wether a voting record is what they agree with....and rank it over common decency most people instinctively know. Except for the left...the sole freedom they sell is the freedom of dick and pussy with no consequences. On everything else, 'diversity' goes right out the window.
Everyone had nads, yes. But only some think we should be ruled by them and excuse all else. The rest of us know this path leads to what we see in Weiner.
I know it's tough to bear, but the reality is this...outside the capital hill enclave, beyond the streets of frisco, and outside the beltway is the real world. Where this kind of activity does not get approval of grown men following their dicks away from pregnant wives and rubbing em out with 17 year olds. As it turns out, the real problem here is that the folks on the left don't like being judged by socially conservative morality they don't like which says his actions are wrong.
I'm sorry, but that's the way the nation outside the enclaves sees it, the great unwashed not 'advanced' enough to think rubbing 'em out with a 17 year old is just fine.
115
He's done, and should be.
First thing he does is lie to our faces after being caught.
Then he only comes clean when Breitbart busts him, the only one in the press actually doing his job.
Now it turns out Weiner may have been "rubbing one out" with a 17 year old girl. Is that OK too, Dan? How will all those past columns about consent and power imbalances rub one out against this situation now?
So many of the left elevate power and keeping power in office and wether a voting record is what they agree with....and rank it over common decency most people instinctively know. Except for the left...the sole freedom they sell is the freedom of dick and pussy with no consequences. On everything else, 'diversity' goes right out the window.
Everyone had nads, yes. But only some think we should be ruled by them and excuse all else. The rest of us know this path leads to what we see in Weiner.
I know it's tough to bear, but the reality is this...outside the capital hill enclave, beyond the streets of frisco, and outside the beltway is the real world. Where this kind of activity does not get approval of grown men following their dicks away from pregnant wives and rubbing em out with 17 year olds. As it turns out, the real problem here is that the folks on the left don't like being judged by socially conservative morality they don't like which says his actions are wrong.
I'm sorry, but that's the way the nation outside the enclaves sees it, the great unwashed not 'advanced' enough to think rubbing 'em out with a 17 year old is just fine.
First thing he does is lie to our faces after being caught.
Then he only comes clean when Breitbart busts him, the only one in the press actually doing his job.
Now it turns out Weiner may have been "rubbing one out" with a 17 year old girl. Is that OK too, Dan? How will all those past columns about consent and power imbalances rub one out against this situation now?
So many of the left elevate power and keeping power in office and wether a voting record is what they agree with....and rank it over common decency most people instinctively know. Except for the left...the sole freedom they sell is the freedom of dick and pussy with no consequences. On everything else, 'diversity' goes right out the window.
Everyone had nads, yes. But only some think we should be ruled by them and excuse all else. The rest of us know this path leads to what we see in Weiner.
I know it's tough to bear, but the reality is this...outside the capital hill enclave, beyond the streets of frisco, and outside the beltway is the real world. Where this kind of activity does not get approval of grown men following their dicks away from pregnant wives and rubbing em out with 17 year olds. As it turns out, the real problem here is that the folks on the left don't like being judged by socially conservative morality they don't like which says his actions are wrong.
I'm sorry, but that's the way the nation outside the enclaves sees it, the great unwashed not 'advanced' enough to think rubbing 'em out with a 17 year old is just fine.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Foie Gras Tastes Like Cat Food by Callan Berry
-
SL Letter of the Day: The Tell-Tale Handjob by Dan Savage
-
Cap Hill Is Becoming a Little Like What? by Charles Mudede
-
Pizza Update: Breaking the 5-Minute Barrier by Goldy
-
President Obama Says NSA Spying Is "Transparent" by Paul Constant
-
Today in the Surveillance State: The "War on Reality" by Brendan Kiley
-
Slog Bible Study: Leviticus 20:9 by Goldy
-
The Full Text of David Guterson's Controversial Commencement Speech by Dominic Holden
-
Egyptian Theatre to Close at the End of This Month by Paul Constant
-
The Monday Morning News by Goldy
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (115) RSS