I can hear the bass tones of the Don Henley song, Dirty Laundry, as the press starts to latch on. It makes a sensational headline, front page news:"Republican Congressman resigns because of topless photos". But they are of himself, so what's the harm?
President Obama had topless photos while he vacationed in Hawaii, the main stream press breathlessly sent the images to us and boasted what an in shape president we are so fortunate to have.
Do we have a double standard here?
Obamas shirtless photos were while on an expedition/vacay in Hawaii, enjoying the surf and sun. Congressman Lee's was while he was on a different type of expedition, trolling for a good time.
In that context Congressman Lee, a married man, immediately resigned from office. It was the right thing to do, for the Congressman, his family, his party and the country. He needs to get out of the public spotlight and deal with his actions that have caused harm to his family.
There are too many seriously important issues facing our country right now and the last thing the lawmakers need is a morality scandal, the flames of which will be whipped by the press. It would be too much of a distraction at this crucial time while congress is trying to right our listing economic ship.
Our congress is peppered with quite a few who have had far more serious charges against them for misconduct while in office, yet they continue to stay, unmoved by public opinion.
Some of them only leave office after going through lengthy court trials, then get convicted and sentenced to jail. Others have been found guilty by their own congressional committees and have been censured by the full congress, yet remain in office. One sitting president made the country endure the process of public impeachment rather than resign. This lead to a polarization of our country and a lowering of moral values for our youth. The mantra of the day was "character doesn't matter", what only counts is can he do the job.
So from that perspective, Congressman Lee is a patriot for resigning, rather than dragging the country through another public scandal and/or lengthy court process.
8 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Porickseantuny | Feb 11, 2011, 05:10 PM EST
The real problem is that politicians looking for love in all the wrong places are wasting time that belongs to the voters. The business which you are not tending is much more important than your voyeurism.
SingleDonald | Feb 11, 2011, 11:40 AM EST
I share in the shame that a married man, like Christopher Lee (not the horror actor!)should behave in this fashion. However,I hold two valid positions: 1)If an unmarried man did this, he should not face any culpability. 2) It is justifiable to fight! I, a Republican, was vehemently in Bill Clinton's corner, in not wanting him to be kicked out of the Presidency. I even wrote my Congressman, Peter King, and asked him not to vote to impeach President Bill Clinton. My Congressman agreed, but Clinton was impeached in the House of Representatives. Happily, he avoided conviction in the Senate, with many Republicans voting in his favor. Monica Lewinsky was 22 when the liasons began, a consenting adult. Men, and women should not be forced out of jobs over things like this! I agree that it is inappropriate for married people to behave in this fashion, and I respect Congressman Lee's decision to step down. Yet, I would defend one's determination to remain in office! Exception: Governor Elliot Spitzer. As Attorney General, he went after prostitution rings. To actuallt become one of their customers, as a married governor, reeks of hyprocisy, illegality & immorality!
Monsoonman | Feb 11, 2011, 11:09 AM EST
Like democrat barney franks whose male lover ran a male prostitution ring from franks home? Franks then went on to bankrupt America, along with chris dodd with manipulating fannie and freddie mac to make housing loans to their democrat base who never had a prayer of making those house payments. The world is suffering financially from their moral turpitude....Yeah spread the wealth baby.
ripley838 | Feb 11, 2011, 10:48 AM EST
Apparently Congreesman Lee began "playing the field" long before he entered Congress. A typical Republican "businessman turned politician" family-values fraud.
Monsoonman | Feb 11, 2011, 10:35 AM EST
The truth is that if this was a democrat, it wouldn't have created a ripple in the press or in his party. Democrats have a much lower threshold of morality and not much is expected from them. But it looks like there is a new sheriff in the house with Speaker Boehner.
chesapeake | Feb 11, 2011, 10:05 AM EST
A non-event (unless you are in the liberal media). A man "trolls" sans shirt; and the media conjures up images of squalid sex exploits.Some of best-loved (by the liberal press) politicians were guilty of philandering while in office, For example: FDR, JFK, Bobby Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Wilbur Mills(he finally got caught)and so on and on adnauseum.
olovely | Feb 11, 2011, 07:50 AM EST
Another windbag anti-gay traditional values married GOP congressman looking for illicit sex in his private life? It's become a cliche. ANd this blog is idiotic. In dat, it's so manifestly stupid it doesn't merit commenting on.
hancock | Feb 10, 2011, 01:21 PM EST
Idiot.