But lo and behold! If you needed any further proof that we have always been a nation obsessed with other peoples' sex lives, apparently there have been high government sex scandals dating back to the 1700s. Now, you may not have any interest in Alexander Hamilton's sex life, but who's to say this blog never gives you a history lesson?
My question is this: does dishonesty in one's personal life make the person unfit for public service? Is it assumed that an individual with that much power (read: ego) is going to screw around just because they can? Should we care or not?
18 comments:
Wasn't it Henry Kissinger who said that "power is the greatest aphrodisiac"? If that ugly little troll could get laid just because he was Secretary of State, well, case closed.
Gee, when I saw the headlines, I was wondering what real news they tried not to write about....lol
Truth hurts and I suppose some people just don't come 'clean'....I think :)
I suppose in theory an inability to keep ones trousers shut has no bearing on a public position. However, dishonesty does (or should). If a person is dishonest in one aspect of their life can we be confident it is an isolated occurrence? I don't know, what do you, and your readers think.
Those men and women with high National security clearances must "keep it in their pants" and that goes for Presidents as well as Military, CIA, FBI, etc. We worry about where security leaks arise and the answer is always right there...bedrooms. (Or Oval office or where ever.) TREASON!!!!!
I'll bet he's hating his life right now. :) And that other guy, too. And that woman? I have no words. I still don't understand where the second woman comes in - not that NPR hasn't covered it to death.
I think I have gleaned from all this that secrets were shared in there somewhere on both sides. And the fact that that woman sent crazed emails anonymously - at the very least, it affects the dignity of the general. And I could just imagine everyone sitting around a table discussing our nation's security and everyone looking at him thinking, "What were you thinking?" I guess we know what he was thinking. :)
And the lol cat made me lol!
My view - if a guy can't be honest and faithful to the woman he married and professes to love, how can he be trusted with anything else?
Kind of a double-edged sword.
I would have to say "yes", dishonesty in one's private life will make someone unfit (albeit temporarily) for public office.
The one undeniable fact is that we hold people who run for/succeed in getting public office to a higher standard of honesty.
Doesn't matter what kind of proclivity you may have in your personal life, you have to be honest about it when you're in the public eye.
It seems like Americans love a good adultery story. Whether it be Thomas Jefferson or Bill Clinton or Ashton Kutcher, Americans love sex. Doing it, talking about it, punishing people for doing it, punishing people for not talking about having done it; shit. Don't you people ever sleep when you're in bed.
For crying out loud, the only time an American president was involved in a scandal that wasn't sex related was Nixon and that still had something to do with a hotel.
Can't your officials just take bribes like everybody else?
WIGSF: I am totally laughing my ass off, because you nailed it!
As for how I feel about this...I suppose I'm totally cynical, but I expect everyone in a government position, say, above the library board, to lie.
I dont know why everyone is caring so much about this
Oh, that is a tricky question...
But I suppose that one may do a great work ...I don't think one is unfit for public service...although...here in Portugal we do have the same situation....
xo
Hmm I think if a person is dishonest in their personal life it has a away of seeping into every part of their lives.
I refuse to read anything about this, and I'm proud to say I don't know anything about it. I don't want to. I just really don't care.
There is nothing new under the sun.....All of this has always been and always will be, according to one source. If it makes one unfit for service...then no one can serve.
People are people and even though we want them held to higher standards..they still have the same faults and temptations we all do.
I say about Everything--Don't ask- don't tell. Don't snoop- don't tell! But if you get caught--PAY THE PIPER!
J
More interesting opinions...ABFTS, it's kind of like eating too much fudge. You feel a bit sick afterwards, but just can't help it!
Moral turpitude clauses still exist.
And beyond the morality of the situation, they come with risks. Stories are legion of government officials...some high ranking, some not...that had their various antics open the door to blackmail that led to serious consequences.
In other words, whether it is something a person thinks is immoral is irrelevant...it is a genuine security risk to have someone with the potential to affect public welfare whether through law or military, a person who has left themselves vulnerable like that should be removed.
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