HANG WIFF 'EM WEINER
Congressman Anthony Weiner should not resign.
He has been one of the most passionate and articulate defenders of the tens of millions of the needy and the unemployed and the uninsured and the forgotten people being hurt by the Republican agenda to funnel endless wealth to the already wealthy at the expense of those legions of the less fortunate.
It turns out he was a bit over passionate in one aspect of his private life as well, but as far as we know he broke no laws and did not hurt anyone directly other than himself and those closest too him - injuries that will no doubt haunt him the rest of his life.
Contrast the Democratic leadership and even the President trying mightily to force him out for consensual, albeit tawdry and bizarre behavior, with the Republican leaders who gave a pass to Republican Senator Larry Craig, arrested for soliciting sex in an airport men's room, and Republican Senator David Vitter, who name turned up as a client on the DC Madam's little black business book. We're talking criminal conduct here; but with no salacious photos being endlessly paraded on TV and the internet, Senator Craig got to serve out his term and Senator Vitter got re-elected by his Louisiana constituents.
Weiner deserves even more of a chance than the aforementioned Senators to finish out his term to do the important business he has championed since 1999. Letting him get his head straightened out mentally so he can return from his leave of absence, is not only humane to him and his family, it is fair to his constituents who have hired him seven times now to represent them, and have just sixteen months till they can can vote to fire or rehire based on his performance as their Congressman. They are the only boss he has, and if his current district polls hold up, he will handily be re-elected.
Hang wiff 'em, Weiner.
Originally published at www.chicagotribune.com, June 16, 2011
He has been one of the most passionate and articulate defenders of the tens of millions of the needy and the unemployed and the uninsured and the forgotten people being hurt by the Republican agenda to funnel endless wealth to the already wealthy at the expense of those legions of the less fortunate.
It turns out he was a bit over passionate in one aspect of his private life as well, but as far as we know he broke no laws and did not hurt anyone directly other than himself and those closest too him - injuries that will no doubt haunt him the rest of his life.
Contrast the Democratic leadership and even the President trying mightily to force him out for consensual, albeit tawdry and bizarre behavior, with the Republican leaders who gave a pass to Republican Senator Larry Craig, arrested for soliciting sex in an airport men's room, and Republican Senator David Vitter, who name turned up as a client on the DC Madam's little black business book. We're talking criminal conduct here; but with no salacious photos being endlessly paraded on TV and the internet, Senator Craig got to serve out his term and Senator Vitter got re-elected by his Louisiana constituents.
Weiner deserves even more of a chance than the aforementioned Senators to finish out his term to do the important business he has championed since 1999. Letting him get his head straightened out mentally so he can return from his leave of absence, is not only humane to him and his family, it is fair to his constituents who have hired him seven times now to represent them, and have just sixteen months till they can can vote to fire or rehire based on his performance as their Congressman. They are the only boss he has, and if his current district polls hold up, he will handily be re-elected.
Hang wiff 'em, Weiner.
Originally published at www.chicagotribune.com, June 16, 2011
posted by Walt Zlotow at 3:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home