I don't see them as comparable, GO time. A smoker (aside from being actually addicted, and I have yet to see proof anyone is addicted to a mistress) who recognizes smoking is harmful and wants to stop pushing tobacco is going after the tobacco industry, they don't demonize smokers, or say smokers should be barred from public office while secretly puffing. And smokers who recognize tobacco is harmful don't build a career by trying to impose prohibition of far less harmful substances on others. Not sure if that sentence is clear but I think you see my point. It's not just that Sanford did not live up to his ideals. Anyone who takes marriage vows and does not live up to them is not living up to his/her ideals. It's that his career was built on saying people who stray are unfit for office, while he carried out a long (not one hour) affair and demonizing monogamous committed couples while practicing what is indeed truly harmful to marriage. But then I suppose you could in a way call it traditional values, wife stays home with the kids while husband screws a discreetly hidden mistress.
No doubt. I like getting laid as much as the next guy. But come on, it's just sex. Is it really worth risking causing all this misery and humiliation? If you're in love with the babe, get a divorce and bang her every day to your heart's content. If you aren't, go download some porn and get over it.
You're right crandc . . . although some would argue sex can be an addiction, the cigarette analogy is way off because if they were publicly active against smoking, they would do what you mentioned. My point was that the drive of sex makes people do things that makes no rationale sense and I think really inhibits some peoples thought process for the time they are experiencing that drive. But whether these people can control themselves or not, clearly the hypocrisy is overwhelming. The way you feel about this situation was probably the way I felt when I heard Rush was addicted to drugs (when often I would listen to him refer to drug users as scum of the earth)
...oh, and sorry about being a public figure so this has to play out on TV for all your friends to laugh at. And I'm sorry about flushing my livelyhood down the drain... gosh, I hadn't considered how we're going to be putting food on the table from here on out. But I really do like the tie... honest! it doesn't matter what political party this guy was a part of, though it certainly casts more distrust on other moral crusader types. STOMP
Well you know you believe that, but every culture has different interpretations of marriage. Why should everybody live by your interpretation? Hell if were going to live by one persons interpretation, let's live by mine: Marriage is outdated. Marraige laws cause more problems than they are worth, and the governement should completely make it so it doesn't regulate marriage at all. Amazing how when somebody tries to force their way of life down your throat it doesn't feel so great does it? Imagine how people feel when you try to force yours on them feel. As for John Edwards, I agree. It isn't only republican. But John is a liberal. Liberals dont' make themselves to live the "clean life" that a religious conservative does. So I am sorry, but it just isn't as much of a hypocrite as a conservative republican having this happen. It just cracks me up though, because one side tries to make themselves out as religious goody goodies when really they are no better than the rest of us. They are human too. The facts are it is possible to fall in love with more than one person. You can try to live your life by some fake doctrine, but science says we will be attracted to many other people over our lives, and you are almost setting yourself up for failure. 50% of marriages fail in the first 2 years. That means by a little past 2 years, a majority of marraiges fail. That in itself is enough for me to see this is a bunch of bullshit. The facts are, people like to have sex and have a good time. Hell if it weren't for AIDS there would probably be something similar to Roman Orgies going on in congress.
You nailed it. People are prone to their own weaknesses, no matter what their personal beliefs. I'll bet that every obese person in the world knows that they shouldn't stuff themselves with food, but they do it anyway. Knowing that something is right doesn't mean that you can always accomplish it yourself. However, it's still worthwhile to promote what you know is right.
fall further/betray more people I could give a crap about a politician's marriage or sex life, but acting like you're a moral authority while being a complete hypocrite and neglecting your professional responsibilities so blatantly is pathetic. I can't believe anyone is defending this douchebag on any level. STOMP
Has anyone else noticed that, with the exception of Clinton, Democrats caught cheating resign (like Spitzer) while Republicans don't? Shooter, when he was Talkhard, once said conservatives are patriots by definition but liberals have to prove it. I guess the same goes for moral. No, I'm not a Democrat or a Republican. I agree sex can make people behave irrationally. But again, this was not some one night stand, this continued for a long time, and involved a lot of deception. Hardly an "oops" moment. And for you people younger than I am, which is most of you, a tip. Phone calls can be taped and emails never disappear. Someone else's pillow talk is bound to get howls of laughter. Prince Charles (telephone) and Governor Sanford (email) learned the hard way. I once had a significant other who sent letters that made me blush (but I admit I liked them). It was a long time ago when people communicated by writing on paper and putting it in an envelope with a stamp. When the relationship ended, one match and all were gone. So, if you want to pillow talk someone, do it the old fashioned way, on paper. Or even better, in person.
Ah, moral relativism. Unfortunately, Mr. Sanford took the same vows I did, as did John Edwards. Either those vows mean something or they don't. As for marriage being "outdated", there is the choice to not get married. Those two chose to do so, and rather than get separated or divorced, decided to violate their vows. I don't mind people living differently from me. I believe in gay marriage and polygamy among consenting adults. If people don't want to get married and just live together that's fine with me too. I do ask, however, that they be true to themselves. Once again, it seems you've made assumptions about me that were 180 degrees from where I actually stood. Wow, clearly you don't know much about John Edwards. He made himself the paragon of virtue by standing by his sick wife. He talked about religion in every campaign he undertook. How do you think a liberal gets himself elected to statewide office in North Carolina? And I love the idea that liberals are amoral. If anything, liberals hold themselves up as morally superior because they "care" so much about those that are less fortunate. Their philosophy holds that at its core humanity is selfless--it's everyone's responsibility to take care of everyone else. The idea of corruption in a liberal mindset is incongruous; "to each according to his needs, from each according to his abilities". I agree wholeheartedly. The last place I look for moral guidance is from a politician. Then again, I'm not a social conservative. Of course it's possible to fall in love with more than one person. I've loved at least five women other than my wife. I've been attracted to thousands more. However, that doesn't mean I'll allow myself to fall in love with another woman or that I'll give into my desires. The essense of strategy is making limiting choices. Marriage is no different. You limit yourself in several ways to receive a greater benefit. As I said before, I waited until I was in my late 30s to get married because I wasn't yet ready to make the sacrifices necessary to devote myself entirely to my wife and the family we would create. Until that time, I lived a Lucretian lifestyle.
