U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-Forest Hills, finally decided to resign from his post Thursday. We can hope this will end the distractions from the real issues facing this nation and its officials, but given our culture's track record on political scandal, this likely will not happen. At least not for a while.
In a world fed constantly with information, true or false, the controversy doesn't seems to be going away. Much of the scandal has been caused by the leaking of personal, private messages via technology that has made access to almost any information possible.
Weiner should have realized that and considered the implications of his actions on his career and personal life. We should take note of the effects of revealing too much about ourselves online and through various forms of communication. Too often, trends, such as "sexting," can ruin reputations _ or, in this case, careers.
So widespread in our culture is "Weinergate" that online action figure company HeroBuilders.com has created Weiner actions figures _ censored and uncensored, depending on the purchaser's preference. The item is so popular that users have crashed the website bombarding it with orders. It recalls the President Bill Clinton dolls and other items sold following the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
With everyone from President Obama _ who called Weiner's actions "highly inappropriate," and said, "I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign" _ to most of his Democratic colleagues in Congress calling for his to step down, it's about time he listened.
When one of last year's disgraced New York officials, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, was one of the few lawmakers defending Weiner's actions up to this point, it seemed Weiner had little hope of remaining an effective lawmaker.
Of course, he would have been able to do his job only after his leave of absence and professional treatment in which he wants to, as he said, become a "better husband and a healthier person." We're not going to say he couldn't benefit from counseling, but the suggestion that this type of rehab could cleanse him of his sins is disingenuous, at best.
Regardless of any rules he might have broken _ which could include using the House gym as a site to take lewd photos of himself and sending them via Blackberry to several women -- Weiner should consider himself guilty of bad judgment, lack of self-restraint and of violating the trust of those who voted him into office as their federal representative. He also showed a disregard for the feelings of his wife and family, whether he committed actual acts of infidelity or not.
At least his resignation will save us from suffering through a possible House Ethics Committee investigation, which would have looked into whether he committed any punishable offenses.
Opinion
Glad to see Weiner step down
- Opinion
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
Let's not mince words. Today's college graduates have it rough when it comes to job prospects.
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NRA's senators ignored will of the people
Last month, the bipartisan proposal to expand background checks in the Senate failed with a majority of 54 senators voting to support the bill.
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Fracking moratoriums are ridiculous
A moratorium is defined as a delay or stopping of an activity. Recently some local town boards issued moratoriums that included prohibiting vertical gas drilling. Since the early 1800s, 70,000 vertical wells have been successfully drilled in New York state. About 14,000 are active, contributing 44,000 jobs, and permits are still being issued by the DEC.
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Fed ammo theories show who is gullible
Ask 10 people for their thoughts on the National Rifle Association, and you'll likely get a broad range of responses. But on one point, we can all agree - if a threat to the Second Amendment appears, the NRA will find out about it and quickly spread the word. That's why it was nice to see the NRA last summer shoot down one of the more absurd rumors that's been making the rounds: that the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are hoarding massive stockpiles of ammunition for secret, nefarious purposes.
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Natural gas boom is a false promise
Support for the Constitution and Leatherstocking Pipelines is based primarily on the false promise of affordable shale gas. False, since the price of this gas is too volatile to make it a reliable energy source in the future.
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Locally led baseball team deserves support
Springtime has finally come to us in the greater Oneonta area, with its warmth, sunshine, emerging shrubs, green lawns, with more smiles than frowns, and how we relish it!
- Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
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City should improve access to river
Many cities make the river running through it a focal point for its scenic qualities. By doing this, they attract more people to their city to spend some time there and also utilize the stores, restaurants and hotels.
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Otsego County veteran's director is top-notch
The veterans of Otsego County are being well-served by Jack Henson, director. I feel he is the best director that has ever served in this county.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
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We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
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THIS WEEK'S POLL
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It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
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Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
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Street Talk: May 20, 2013
Do you think that recent high school graduates have a harder time finding a job than previous generations?
- Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
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Public financing could cure pols' paranoia
Paranoia is an irrational fear of persons, places or events that have no basis in reality.
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
