Comments on: Sarkozy Would Have Flubbed Our Fidelity Test http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html The War of Ideas in the Middle East Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:18:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Craig http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54589 Craig Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54589 <p>Nicely put, Phil.</p> <p>Back during the Monica scandal, I was in a business meeting with a couple of guys from a French company. One of my colleagues asked them what people in France thought about the scandal. They laughed and said, "In France, you can't get to be President without a good sex scandal. You have to show the people you're a man!"</p> Nicely put, Phil.

Back during the Monica scandal, I was in a business meeting with a couple of guys from a French company. One of my colleagues asked them what people in France thought about the scandal. They laughed and said, "In France, you can't get to be President without a good sex scandal. You have to show the people you're a man!"

]]> By: Leila Abu-Saba http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54590 Leila Abu-Saba Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54590 <p>I'm still with you, Phil, and I'm the wife who's got cancer.</p> <p>Maybe I'm just a libertine. Or world-weary. Or something. I'm more judgmental about that volleyball player offering her ass to be slapped to the President - and the other one posing with her butt cleavage showing - than I am about Edwards' infidelity. Really. I have been spouting off for two days about how the office of the President deserves the respect of covering up asses and belly buttons. </p> <p>Explain this contradiction to me, that I want the women's volleyball team to cover up to get photographed with the President (and refrain from sticking butts out to be slapped in public) but I don't care if Edwards had sex with that woman. I guess I believe in public decorum and private profligacy. </p> <p>But I think I would be pissed if my hubby fathered a child with his mistress, after I'd given him four, two of them under extreme physical duress which might have contributed to my cancer. Speculating on Elizabeth E here - remember she went through massive fertility treatments in her late 40s to have those last two, after their teenaged son died. It's not the sex, it's the procreation, dammit! (PS my hubby doesn't have a mistress, AFIK, I'm theorizing about the Edwardses here)</p> I'm still with you, Phil, and I'm the wife who's got cancer.

Maybe I'm just a libertine. Or world-weary. Or something. I'm more judgmental about that volleyball player offering her ass to be slapped to the President – and the other one posing with her butt cleavage showing – than I am about Edwards' infidelity. Really. I have been spouting off for two days about how the office of the President deserves the respect of covering up asses and belly buttons.

Explain this contradiction to me, that I want the women's volleyball team to cover up to get photographed with the President (and refrain from sticking butts out to be slapped in public) but I don't care if Edwards had sex with that woman. I guess I believe in public decorum and private profligacy.

But I think I would be pissed if my hubby fathered a child with his mistress, after I'd given him four, two of them under extreme physical duress which might have contributed to my cancer. Speculating on Elizabeth E here – remember she went through massive fertility treatments in her late 40s to have those last two, after their teenaged son died. It's not the sex, it's the procreation, dammit! (PS my hubby doesn't have a mistress, AFIK, I'm theorizing about the Edwardses here)

]]> By: Glenn Condell http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54591 Glenn Condell Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54591 <p>'We sacrificed a really smart guy, Gary Hart, to this sort of investigation, lost an important mind on international relations. New York lost a really smart governor, Eliot Spitzer.'</p> <p>What do these two, along with Edwards, have in common? They are not Republicans. If Larry Craig hadn't been pinged by a cop he'd probably still be stalking pages in toilets. And wherever did Jeff Gannon/Guckert go? What about the rent boy scandal of the early Bush 41 years, which involved the mysterious death of one Craig Spence?</p> <p>Some political parties are more equal than others when it comes to outing shenanigans. Or maybe the GOP doesn't have as many transgressors. Certainly they don't have so may 'important minds' or 'smart governors'. </p> <p>Or Governators for that matter. Is Arnie as pure as his lack of scandal might indicate? I don't care, unless others are being targeted for being on the other side of the aisle. </p> 'We sacrificed a really smart guy, Gary Hart, to this sort of investigation, lost an important mind on international relations. New York lost a really smart governor, Eliot Spitzer.'

What do these two, along with Edwards, have in common? They are not Republicans. If Larry Craig hadn't been pinged by a cop he'd probably still be stalking pages in toilets. And wherever did Jeff Gannon/Guckert go? What about the rent boy scandal of the early Bush 41 years, which involved the mysterious death of one Craig Spence?

Some political parties are more equal than others when it comes to outing shenanigans. Or maybe the GOP doesn't have as many transgressors. Certainly they don't have so may 'important minds' or 'smart governors'.

Or Governators for that matter. Is Arnie as pure as his lack of scandal might indicate? I don't care, unless others are being targeted for being on the other side of the aisle.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54592 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54592 <p>I'm entirely with you on forgiveness and personal acceptance.</p> <p>I'm not with you on his publicly lying.</p> <p>I'm also not with you on his competence to be president. Its not just the formation of policy, its the implementation of policy. And, noone can implement policy broadly if his word is substantively questioned.</p> <p>The honorable thing to do would have been to mentor and actively support others without baggage to articulate the message.</p> <p>As its our responsibility as adults to control our tongues and pens, its also our responsibility to manage our sexual expression. That does not diminish the potential for passionate consensual sexual relation. </p> <p>Sarkozy lives in a society in which discreet extra-marital affairs are often tolerated among the wealthy. (Class is another element of the issue, that wealthy and powerful have a selective permission to sensuality that working people don't.)</p> <p>Ageism is another issue. That young women are not prospective property, especially of the wealthy elderly.</p> I'm entirely with you on forgiveness and personal acceptance.

I'm not with you on his publicly lying.

I'm also not with you on his competence to be president. Its not just the formation of policy, its the implementation of policy. And, noone can implement policy broadly if his word is substantively questioned.

The honorable thing to do would have been to mentor and actively support others without baggage to articulate the message.

As its our responsibility as adults to control our tongues and pens, its also our responsibility to manage our sexual expression. That does not diminish the potential for passionate consensual sexual relation.

Sarkozy lives in a society in which discreet extra-marital affairs are often tolerated among the wealthy. (Class is another element of the issue, that wealthy and powerful have a selective permission to sensuality that working people don't.)

Ageism is another issue. That young women are not prospective property, especially of the wealthy elderly.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54593 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54593 <p>What did you think of Clinton's repeated philandering and most importantly, lying about it, including under oath and in somber sincere public confession?</p> What did you think of Clinton's repeated philandering and most importantly, lying about it, including under oath and in somber sincere public confession?

]]> By: Todd http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54594 Todd Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54594 <p>I'm more interested in the timing of sex scandals than I am in the actual scandals. That being said, I'm no fan of infidelity.</p> <p>I don't believe that the reporting of sex scandals has much to do with the feminine perspective of the reporters. I would bet that most known scandals among the famous and powerful are ignored by reporters. I'm far more curious about why massive corruption is ignored by media members of either gender. </p> <p>For the most part, the members of the media seem far more concerned with shaping society as they see fit, and occasionally being a tool for personal destruction, than they are in honestly reporting news that is useful to society at large. </p> I'm more interested in the timing of sex scandals than I am in the actual scandals. That being said, I'm no fan of infidelity.

I don't believe that the reporting of sex scandals has much to do with the feminine perspective of the reporters. I would bet that most known scandals among the famous and powerful are ignored by reporters. I'm far more curious about why massive corruption is ignored by media members of either gender.

For the most part, the members of the media seem far more concerned with shaping society as they see fit, and occasionally being a tool for personal destruction, than they are in honestly reporting news that is useful to society at large.

]]> By: matter http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54595 matter Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54595 <p>Take a closer look at the bottom of the AP article you linked to. The infamous Nedra Pickler, a known Republican partisan, is listed as a contributor.</p> <p>If the AP were even slightly objective, they would mention that McCain cheated on his first wife multiple times, and likely cheated on Cindy to boot. </p> <p>If one proven affair disqualifies Edwards from politics forever, McCain should have been banished to the political wilderness long ago.</p> Take a closer look at the bottom of the AP article you linked to. The infamous Nedra Pickler, a known Republican partisan, is listed as a contributor.

If the AP were even slightly objective, they would mention that McCain cheated on his first wife multiple times, and likely cheated on Cindy to boot.

If one proven affair disqualifies Edwards from politics forever, McCain should have been banished to the political wilderness long ago.

]]> By: tomwhite http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54596 tomwhite Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54596 <p>To answer Phil's question: the phony shock when a pol gets exposed as "not faithful to wife" is all that's left of the old, so-called Christian morality, that is, its hypocrisy. The rule is, (borrowed from the Jewish testament), Keep to the Law when the spirit has fled. Tom White</p> To answer Phil's question: the phony shock when a pol gets exposed as "not faithful to wife" is all that's left of the old, so-called Christian morality, that is, its hypocrisy. The rule is, (borrowed from the Jewish testament), Keep to the Law when the spirit has fled. Tom White

]]> By: JH http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54597 JH Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54597 <p>1) Edwards has young children<br /> 2) his wife has been ill (on/off)<br /> 3) he is the supposed champion of the<br /> working man ("two america's")<br /> 4) he used his own wealth (or campaign funds)<br /> to buy his way out of the scandal).</p> <p>This confluence of factors offends the <br /> sensibilities of white America. Obviously<br /> the social fabric is very worn and has gaping holes, but it's not gone yet.</p> <p>Also,</p> <p>Barney Frank<br /> Gerry Studs</p> <p>These two were involved in scandals that were quickly brushed under the rug.</p> 1) Edwards has young children
2) his wife has been ill (on/off)
3) he is the supposed champion of the
working man ("two america's")
4) he used his own wealth (or campaign funds)
to buy his way out of the scandal).

This confluence of factors offends the
sensibilities of white America. Obviously
the social fabric is very worn and has gaping holes, but it's not gone yet.

Also,

Barney Frank
Gerry Studs

These two were involved in scandals that were quickly brushed under the rug.

]]> By: JH http://mondoweiss.net/2008/08/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html/comment-page-1#comment-54598 JH Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/08/13/i-said-the-other-day-that-john-edwards-cant-be-my-poster-boy-for-an-attack-on-marital-norms-hes-my-poster-boyyahoo-is-sayin.html#comment-54598 <p>1) Edwards has young children<br /> 2) his wife has been ill (on/off)<br /> 3) he is the supposed champion of the<br /> working man ("two america's")<br /> 4) he used his own wealth (or campaign funds)<br /> to buy his way out of the scandal).</p> <p>This confluence of factors offends the <br /> sensibilities of white America. Obviously<br /> the social fabric is very worn and has gaping holes, but it's not gone yet.</p> <p>Also,</p> <p>Barney Frank<br /> Gerry Studs</p> <p>These two were involved in scandals that were quickly brushed under the rug.</p> 1) Edwards has young children
2) his wife has been ill (on/off)
3) he is the supposed champion of the
working man ("two america's")
4) he used his own wealth (or campaign funds)
to buy his way out of the scandal).

This confluence of factors offends the
sensibilities of white America. Obviously
the social fabric is very worn and has gaping holes, but it's not gone yet.

Also,

Barney Frank
Gerry Studs

These two were involved in scandals that were quickly brushed under the rug.

]]>