The story is not a pretty one. Another sex scandal in Florida by the very person who replaced the last person involved in a sex scandal. Is there no end in sight?
According to CNN.com News “Florida Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney called on the House ethics committee to investigate his own behavior after ABC News reported that he paid a former staffer who was also his mistress $121,000 to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit.”
What really has people up in arms is that Mahoney, a married man, was voted into office to replace Republican Rep. Mark Foley who resigned when allegations surfaced about misconduct with White House pages Sex scandal
To take a look at some of the other scandals and disappointments we have seen this past year, read on.
John Edwards: Cheating, Chemo, and Commitment ran as one of my Providence Journal editorials.
The cheating privileges given by Samantha, Sex in the City, to her young lover while she was undergoing chemotherapy underscores the devastating effects of treatment. Although I wrote about it for my monthly Op-ed column for the Providence Journal, “Of DNA and Desire” I had no idea that the John and Elizabeth Edwards story would surface. Today the issue of infidelity is all the more poignant in the face of reality.
Despite the parade of infidelity scandals among politicians — the outrage and finger-pointing with the John Edwards story is searing. Why? Because in most of the other scandals, there was always a question: Did the wives know? Was there a silent arrangement?
John and Elizabeth seemed to portray a perfect marriage. Their family survived the tragedy of their teenage son’s death with an admirable sense of faith and love. Even though he wasn’t our presidential pick, we appreciated the family man.
Perhaps it is the loss of an image that really angers us most today. We have come to expect certain tawdriness in our politicians. And with George Bush we knew that one day a movie would portray the closet filled with skeletons. The new Oliver Stone film “W” promises to rattle those bones.
But John and Elizabeth were models. And we needed an icon. Are we really appalled at what he did to Elizabeth or what he did to us? What happens behind closed doors is a matter between husband and wife. But when one is a public figure running for president then it seems all bets are off. Today the media is questioning their inability to do the digging to get at the truth.
But what is the truth? And what is the message? I like what Shmuley Boteach said in The Jerusalem Post a few days ago: “Why Men Like John Edwards Cheat.” He pointed out that Elizabeth believed John should continue pursuing his presidential dream despite her metastatic breast cancer. It was an example for their children to know that despite difficult battles, life goes on.
Boteach says, “But perhaps an even more important lesson to the convey to our children is that what will truly make them special in life is not becoming president but being committed and loving family members who always put each other first.
As we sit and wonder and judge – I am reminded of an often-quoted phrase from my grandmother, straight from the Bible, “Let he who is not guilty cast the first stone.” (August 17th)
Eliot Spitzer and Raging Hormones: Never mind the fact that word in Washington is that Republicans pay more for prostitutes than Democrates, the fact seems to be that the men whom we send to lead us in Washington are being led by their raging hormones. Do we remember the report from Crooks and Liars that said: “Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a person briefed on the federal investigation.”
Is this a way to turn a rising star into a falling star? Isn’t this kind of thing usually handled at the state level? No, I am not cutting him slack. I am often too outspoken about adultery – “for every time you cheat, you will be cheated!”
Sen. David Vitter: from scandal to applause: In terms of Democrats and Republican scandals – they don’t quite seem equal. Remember Vittner? This link bears a second look at the man who allegedly paid for sex, the man who called for Clinton’s impeachment.
Here he is returning to the Senate to applause: Republicans Celebrate Hypocrisy
Maybe it is true. Power corrupts. Sad for wives. Sad for children.
Copyright 2008 Rita Watson