Senator Ensign resigns from GOP leadership after affair
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0
SezWho2
One day the human race is going to look back on the concept of fidelity and laugh--if we survive that long.
I don't think this makes the Republican party look hypocritical. Yes, the Republicans are supposedly the party of family values, but the Democrats don't deny "family values". They only have a more liberal interpretation of "family".
The man fell short of his professed beliefs. That in itself doesn't make him a hypocrite. It makes him human.
We have to stop following stallions while expecting them to act like geldings.
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zurcronium
SezWho,
Yes, that is how Europe would reply to this story or other civilized places. But not the US. Ensign savaged Clinton when he had an affair, while he was probably having one like Newt and so many other republicans, and insisted that Clinton resign. Will he resign, probably not. Like Craig he will just hang in there until his term ends and the voters of NV reject him.
It is hypocrisy for the republicans to project a moral facade and insist that others hold to that standard while in the meantime they are are morally corrupt as can be. This guy was pretending to adhere to promise keepers while he was having sex with a married employee. It is so typical of the christian right wing faith-based bush worshiping republicans to live a lie and hope no one finds out.
If this man had true character he would follow his own advice for Clinton and resign. He wont because he is corrupt to the core like so many others in his party. Liars and cheaters, just about everyone of the so called moral republicans. Lets not forget Ted Haggard who was praying with Bush everyday to redeem the USA while he was paying for gay sex while hopped up on drugs.
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JoeBigs
Faux News, breaking story, live from the office of the Right Honorable Walter P. Farright.
Dear fellow far right wingers, our dear brother Ensign is being accused by the liberal media that he was involved in an extra marital affair. But as you all know, far right wing Republicans can never do anything like that.
I say to you that this can not be! No, this can not be at all. These accusations are all lies, lies I tell you!
No far right wing Christian Republican would ever do anything wrong! NO, no, I tell you this this a plot, a plot I tell you, the far left extremest trying to...Pardon me folks my aide is telling me something. this better be good Billy!.....
(whisper,whisper) what what do you say, he admitted to it? What an idiot, didn't he go to the Karl Rove seminar on how to lie and get away with it? (whisper, whisper) Ah, what?, and he did what to her with that? (whisper, whisper)...
Now as I was saying, I think that we should give time for our dear friend, the good Senator Ensign and his wife to find peace in what happened. We need to leave them be because this is a private matter.
Things like this happens to all good far right wingers and when we do it, it just is not our fault. We should never be blamed for any wrong doing. Why you may ask, well it is because god loves far right wing republicans and hates everyone else!
Thank you for your time and do not forget, this was most likely a deep plot by the far left to bring another good far right winger down!!
This could only be better if there was a small person in a threesome with him....LOL
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JoeBigs
Now we do a little background into our dear friend, the righteous Senator Ensign...
He was chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-ranking spot in the leadership.
Good to see that the Republicans have such honorable men leading them.
Let us see how he use to feel about extramarital affairs and politicians who have them....
(wiki) In 1998, after President Bill Clinton admitted to having committed adultery with Monica Lewinsky, Ensign called on him to resign, saying, "He has no credibility left."
What a good christian, do as I say not as I do.....Love those types...LOL
Ensign said: Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.
Hm he really is a believer in the sanctity of marriage....What a good christian!!!! LOL
Tell you, this guy was one of the stars of the far right wing. He was suppose to be that shining example of what being republican means.
Well he is an example alright, he showed us what the far right Christian Republicans are all about. Nothing but talk......
0
SezWho2
zurcronium,
I'm not familiar enough with Ensign to judge whether or not this is hypocrisy, so my fall-back position is that it is not. I don't remember (I suppose I could look it up but it doesn't seem worthwhile.) his comments during the Clinton affair. I don't know the extent or tenor of his remarks on family values.
My points were basically three:
First, a man may say one thing and do another without being a hypocrite. I apologize for drawing on American literature, but I kind of see it like this: Elmer Gantry--hypocrite; Arthur Dimmesdale--not. I think an assessment of conscience is fundamental to judgments of hypocrisy and I cannot assess Ensign's.
Second, I think it is awfully difficult for a political party to be hypocritical. It could be comprised of hypocrites but the party itself will be hypocritical only with a failure of mass collective conscience. And as for the composition of the Republican party, I doubt that it is any more or less riddled with people who have secrets to keep than the Democratic party is.
Finally, we in the US seem to subscribe to an evolutionary brand of capitalism in which some people are just more fit to succeed while at the same time subscribing to a kind of moral egalitarianism, a socialism of values, if you will. We've got to stop that nonsense. Successful politicians are, quite simply, different from the rest of us and we cannot judge them by the same standards.
In fact, less judgment all around might be a very good thing.
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JoeBigs
That is where many people are mistaken, like many you are judging Ensign for what he did. But in fact by his actions he has brought unwanted light to the Republicans.
He has totted the party line for years and and became one of it's leaders. He is not just a man who was having an affair. He was one of the leaders of the party who had an affair.
He was suppose to be an example of what a Republican was suppose to be. But what he has shown is that the Republican leadership is tainted.
The party was in disarray before this new black eye hit the leadership.
The Republicans did not need this extra wound.
After so many years of calling the Democrats morally empty, this shows that their leadership is the one empty...
He was one of the leaders of that party...
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teleprompter
Nevada (Vegas) has lost billions in revenue and incomes because of what Harry Reid's party has done to the national economy and the local housing market. We'll see if things are as bleak for Ensign's party as the 'enchanted' media likes to insist...
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yabits
Funny. I don't see Harry Reid's name anywhere in the article. Was he out there demonstrating his unfaithfulness too?
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yabits
Oh, there he is. LOL!
Must be tough to be a Republican.
0
bushlover
zurcronium asks if he will resign but the title of the article says it all. He did resign. I suspect that zurcronium did inhale unlike Big Billy.
0
Altria
I really don't care what he does in his private time.
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JoeBigs
It appears that someone was about to expose his affair if he did not beat them to the punch.
I suspect it was either his ex-mistress or come news paper.....I love it when these type of stories hit the papers...LOL
Classic dancing there teleprompter....Trying to make the story about ole Harry rather than Ensign, nice.....LOL
0
Sarge
"the popular President Barack Obama"
We'll see how popular he is in 3 and a half more years.
0
Sarge
"Ensign, 51, belongs to the men's Christian ministry Promise Keepers"
That's rich.
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SezWho2
With respect, that is where you are mistaken. I'm not judging Ensign at all. I didn't judge Clinton, I didn't judge Edwards and I'm not judging Ensign. It's none of my business.
What you say about the Ensign's affair as it impacts the Republican party is mostly true, I think. The party didn't need this. I don't think there is any question that the Republicans have, especially of late with their unholy alliance with certain Christians, positioned themselves as the party of "family values". And I don't think there is any question that Ensign's behavior is inconsistent with those values.
But falling short of embodying those values does not invalidate them. And, touting the values while falling short of them does not necessarily make Ensign a hypocrite. Before I would judge, I would need a lot more information than will probably ever be forthcoming in this matter.
I have been faithful to my wife throughout our marriage. However, Ensign has something that I don't have--opportunities in abundance. I don't have a lot of fillies presenting themselves to me (or maybe I'm just too busy too notice and too tired to care). Ensign probably does. Any human being can lapse--if you even consider that to be a lapse.
0
JoeBigs
But in this case there is a difference, he was a leader. He was someone that many looked up to and he should have watched himself. Not because he was a politician, but because he was a leader. It is sad that we as a nation do not hold our leaders to the fire more often.
Give you an example, my Father is a Baptist/Born Again preacher. My Father and Mother travel to prisons and preach the Christian faith to men and women in those prisons. He is also a member of the promise keepers and many other Christian groups. He and my Mother are far right wing Republicans and we disagree on many points. But where we agree is on is people in leadership positions.
(No we never speak politics when we get together...LOL)
He is a leader within his church and knows that. He has never gone against my Mother in all the years they have been married. Nor has he ever broken a single word he has ever given anyone.
He has a saying that I hold dear to my heart. Goes like this ,"It does not matter if a woman jumps on top of you. If you stray it is not her fault, it is your."
Leaders do not show fault, they lead by example. He did one good thing, he resigned. But from what it seems like, someone was about to go public with his affair. If no one ever would have forced him to come clean he would have stayed quiet.
That is not a leader........
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SezWho2
Yes, that is your point. I hope you understand that it is also my point. We seem to have different expectations of our leaders.
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Molenir
How amusing to hear this. When people attempt to hold Obama to the fire, you are the first to jump in and defend him. Oh wait, only Republican leaders, I gotcha, shoulda said that in the first place. Democrats of course can do no wrong. Even when they're wrong, they're not wrong.
So basically what you're saying is, that Ensign was right. Clinton should have resigned. I mean, thats what I'm reading here. The one thing you applaud him for his resigning his role in party leadership, seems like the ol hypocritical double standard is still holding sway.
I wonder why it is, that whenever anything bad about a Republican comes out, we see all this ranting by the loons. Yet if something bad comes out about a Democrat, its either utter silence, or immediate defense.
Please note here, you don't see one thing in my post that is defending Ensign. The only thing I'm doing here is mocking your own reaction to this article. Ask yourselves, why is it you feel this way? Because a leader did something wrong, or because a Republican did something wrong?
0
JoeBigs
I expect the best for my vote and for my country. I want men and women of character leading it. When people like Ensign and Clinton damage our reputation that really hurts us as a whole.
Leaders lead by example.
Yes, he has yet to show that he has done anything wrong. Unless you know that President Obama has had an affair? Having an affair is a clear sign of someone who lacks character.
Take Bill Clinton, he had some good policies but he lacked character and for that I could not trust him. I voted against him both times.
Yes, in my book Bill Clinton should have done the right thing and stepped down for what he did. I do not like politicians who lie to my face. Showed the his true character when he tried to dance.
But, I must also fault the republicans. Instead of having him resign through other channels they tried to impeach him. The republicans wasted so much of our money to get political points. That made me very angry with the party.
You and other here believe me to be a Democrat, there you are highly mistaken. I am to the left when it comes to certain things and right in others. Hell in some areas I am farther to the right than you...LOL
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Molenir
Come on now Joe, thats nonsense and you know it. I directly quoted you, and responded on point. You try to change the subject so that its all about an affair, rather then what you said. You said, that when he is wrong, we should hold him accountable. That by your own words, should include our current President. When he is wrong, rather then leaping, to his defense, you should properly criticize him. Regrettably that is not what you have done. I hope to see you amend your behavior in the future.
I think there are a lot of people who really do believe that Republicans impeached Clinton because of his affair. Hell, there are probably Republicans, including some who voted for impeachment, who feel that way. However thats not actually why he was impeached. The actual reason when it came down to it, was because he lied under oath. He committed perjury. The highest official in the land, the one sworn to uphold the law, and the constitution, broke it, in lying under oath. Thats what it was really about. Of course dems and as I said, even some Republicans thought it was because of an affair, but really, that was nonsense. All you have to do, is go back and read the articles of impeachment to see I'm right.
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Molenir
Oh, forgot to add, myself, I don't think Clinton should have resigned. I thought he was doing a decent job as President, even if I didn't agree with him on a lot of issues, and I thought he was an embarrassment for the Lewinsky thing. I do think he deserved to be impeached. When the proof became overwhelming, that he had committed perjury while under oath, while President, I thought he deserved to be tossed out. Gore should have been President.
0
smithinjapan
I agree with SezWho AND zucronium. The man is human, and did what millions of other humans do on a day to day basis. That being said, the man often represented himself as something BEYOND human since he has on many occasions referred to adulterers as a kind of sub-human species. He has spoke openly about how painful his upbringing was on account of his HORRIBLE father, and how he espoused family values and what not, all the while a pure and simple hypocrite. Had he not been so adamant in condemning such behaviour, viciously attacking others who have done the same thing, all could be easily forgiven. As it stands, they cannot, and he should be subject to more or less the same criticism as he laid on others.
I agree with yabits, too. Must indeed be a tougher day than normal to be Republican.
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JoeBigs
I believe that the Topic is about Senator Ensign having an affair. It has nothing to do with President Obama.
I will ask you the same question,"why are you trying to avoid the topic?"
That is where we differ, as an Independent I expect allot from those that are elected. They (any elected public servant) needs to be above reproach. If they are not, then they should not be public servants.
My advantage is, I am not loyal to any party, my loyalties rest with the Constitution.
Correct he lied to the American people, for that he should of resigned. His character was flawed from the get go, he did not deserve to hold the title of President.
0
adaydream
Okay he screwed outside the family. Remember that coime election time.
Next.... < :-)
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SezWho2
As I said before, that is the nub of our disagreement. Please do not wave the flag at me. I, too, expect the best for my vote and for my country.
I want men and women of ability leading it. The added requirement that they conform to our mores adds, in my opinion, nonsense to the mix. I can't say that what Ensign did here shows a lack of character.
As far as I know, except for the fact that Ensign's paramour was not 15, it could have been like R.P. McMurphy said:
0
Nessie
...But what's a cornerstone without a little mortar on the side?
0
skipthesong
no one here is looking at the real issue here.... let's at the very least find out how that lady looked.
0
Shiva78
This man is a Promise Keeper. Only, he does not keep his promises. He is a hypocrite. I cannot say what his exact words were against Clinton, but I am not inclined to think it was not only about the perjury. It only makes him double the hypocrite. Him and so many of his party are always going on and on about family values. But, he not only violated his own marriage, but also the marriage of another. Double again the hypocrite.
Understand, outside of his hypocrisy, I do not care about his extra-marital affair one teensy bit. If only he and his party could shut their faces about such things, they would enjoy what little leeway the Democrats get, but its not really all that much.
I look forward to the day that affairs and such are granted as much attention as their toilet habits, because that is all the attention they deserve from us. The sooner Americans stop voting for people on such silly and useless platforms as filial chastity, the better. America has genuine issues to think about.
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RomeoRamenII
The guy admitted his quilt and did the right thing. He is more of a man then any democrat I know of.
0
Mittsu
How very Japanese - he admitted his guilt and quit. would have admired him more if he hadn't previously espoused family values and Christian nut views.
0
Madverts
"He is more of a man then any democrat I know of."
Heh, well I'm just glad that another man isn't involved in the affair, in light of the resent scandals that shook the GOP's bottom.
0
skipthesong
The sooner Americans stop voting for people on such silly and useless platforms " Hey, we always vote on silly and useless platforms - that's American!
0
SuperLib
Scientists are close to isolating that evil Republican gene. In the meantime, take precautions. I hear if a Republican sneezes on you, you might get infected.
0
yabits
LOL!! Perjury rises to the level of an egregious offense when the lie affects the outcome of case in which testimony is being given. If I'm called to testify at a trial and I lie about my middle name or my age, untruth about such trivial details would have no bearing on the case.
Remember it was the Republicans -- many of whom, like this latest philanderer Ensign, were shown to be having their own problems with other women -- who actually thought that it was OK to subject a sitting president to a trivial and groundless civil lawsuit brought on by someone who claimed she would not get promoted unless she played with the governor's winkie. Not only that, but that a lie told about having a relationship with someone completely unrelated to the case rose to the level of "high crimes and misdemeanors."
The "evil Republican" trait is this tendency towards complete and utter sanctimonious hypocrisy. Fortunately, there were enough decent Republicans that, even though they held the majority in Congress, none of the charges against former President Clinton got even a simple majority of votes, much less the level needed for removal.
0
adaydream
I initially thought that he was doing the right thing. Then I read the post by RomeoRamenII. I rethought my opinion about this announcement by Sen. Ensign.
He didn't decide to out himself for the goodness of his heart. He wouldn't be saying a thing if it wasn't trying to beat someone else at the microphone. Someone else was about to let the information out. We'll hear more in a few days about this.
He's trying to save his political career before if statters below his feet.
Ensign is no better than a democrat, an independent or a socialist. He's a cheater on his wife/family and nothing else. Sure that means he's adultrist, liar and hypocrit.
So he's just another jerk who screwed up his marriage, someone else's marriage and his political and he's tryting to save his political career. < :-)
0
Molenir
Lets hope so. All you loons, look around, find the nearest rational, person, and get them to sneeze on you. Sanity can only help.
Ah, so his lie, which had a direct bearing on the case, is egregious then. Thank you for agreeing on that subject.
Umm, you don't read much history do you. Clinton was impeached. Meaning more then sufficient number of Representatives thought he was guilty. Not on all charges, some of them weren't sustained, but most of them. The Senate failed to convict, however the simple fact that Clinton was impeached says something significant. Only one other President in history has been impeached. Politics? Perhaps. I'm sure there were some Republicans who voted the way they did, simply because they didn't like Clinton. I believe most however voted as they did, because they believed in the merits of the charges. Looking back, I still do. Clinton was a decent President who violated the law he was sworn to uphold. Gore should have been President. This really doesn't have much to do with Ensign and his admitted affair. The one good thing about this whole thing, is that Ensign didn't go on national TV and deny the whole thing, only to come out a few weeks later and admit he lied to the world. Even if he only did it because it would come out eventually. The fact is, he came out, owned up, took responsibility. Thats more then most people would have done.
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yabits
The fact is, Ensign has not resigned from the Senate, as the Republican hypocrites, liars and philanderers expected Clinton to resign from his office.
Only a Republican would believe that the results of an election should be overturned (via a totally partisan impeachment) over a minor ethical violation: a "lie" about Woman-B that is totally unrelated to the civil trial involving Woman-A.
0
Madverts
molenir,
You wouldn't want fellow Republican Ted Haggard sneezing on you mate.
0
Molenir
lol, I'm already a conservative, I don't need it. You on the other hand could do with a healthy dose.
Back to the issue, and on a more serious note.
Did they? There was some talk of him stepping aside. You say minor ethical violation, but the charges sustained against him were of perjury and obstruction of justice. I don't call those minor violations. Look up the penalties for such. And this from the highest elected official, the one who is tasked, and who has sworn to uphold and defend the law and the constitution? I said this several times here. I don't think Clinton should have resigned. I do however think he ought to have been impeached. That Democrats were so partisan they couldn't see that, is to this day, something I view as being very sad. In retrospect of course, had he either resigned or been impeached, Al Gore would probably have been President for the past 8 years. You wouldn't be complaining about that though would you?
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zurcronium
The Clinton impeachment proceeded along party line, it was a huge diversion and cost millions, accomplished nothing and waste years of congressional effort that could have been directed to healthcare.
Ensign did not resign his senate position, only his token leadership post. If he was a man of character, which obviously he is not, he would resign from the senate totally.
Another thing, Ensign doubled the salary of his mistress while they were having sex. I think that is called prostitution. Add that to the list of charges for this loser.
0
zurcronium
Molenir, the dose you talk about from Ted Haggard may require shots to cure. But you raise a good point, a drug to cure republicanism would be a major breakthrough for society. I know from experience on this site that logic and common sense do not work.
0
Molenir
I find the comments on this particularly amusing. Just think, if there was a cure for liberalism as well. How much better off everyone would be.
Regarding what you said about Ensign. Why should he resign his senate seat? He made a mistake, admitted it. Resigned his leadership role, why step down completely? I'm not trying to justify what he did, but lots of other people have had affairs. Hell its almost commonplace in Japan. Why hold him to a higher standard? Because he supposedly holds himself to a higher standard? Everyone makes mistakes. As long as no one is harmed, they admit them, then why not allow everyone to move on? He'll face the voters soon enough, and the people in his home state can decide whether or not, what he has done deserves additional punishment.
I understand, you like the news focus being diverted from your boy in the white house, and what they're trying to do to the economy. But at least try to keep things in perspective here ok.
0
smithinjapan
Molenir: "The one good thing about this whole thing, is that Ensign didn't go on national TV and deny the whole thing, only to come out a few weeks later and admit he lied to the world. Even if he only did it because it would come out eventually."
Sorry bud, but he was carrying on an affair for a number of months until the fall of last year, and is confessing now because the whistle is sure to be blown. It's simply been a lie of omission until the fear of it coming to light prompted him to 'confess'.
I will give him SLIGHT credit for not denying it, unlike Republicans Mark Foley, Ted Haggard, Larry Craig, Bob Allen, and Glenn Murphy Jr. with their denial of gay sex encounters (not to mention the heterosexual love affairs!). Still the same kind of 'family values' preaching and ultimate hypocrisy as Ensign, but Ensign doesn't deny his crimes. In short, as has been said, yet ANOTHER Republican hypocrite, and plenty of people trying to take the focus of his hypocracy by talking about Clinton and what not (hence I steer you back to your own party, since you want to get political... not just you, Molenir).
0
smithinjapan
Molenir: "Regarding what you said about Ensign. Why should he resign his senate seat? He made a mistake, admitted it."
Because everything he claims to have espoused was a lie, and he cannot therefore possibly serve in any capacity as a leader. What's more he persecuted others for the exact same thing he did himself, and so he should face his own words when he demanded Clinton resign, for example.
0
Beerplease
Yes, I know, I "think" is correct.
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JoeBigs
Leadership by example is a long dead concept for most politicians today.
The blunt truth is, if he would have had the moral fortitude to be a real man, he would have never cheated on this wife. But with most hypocrites it is ,"do as I say, oh, opps you caught me in another lie."
Ensign was one of those who yelled for Clinton to resign when he was caught with his pants down for the.....Wait I lost count...But he was on his high Christian moral horse when it came to someone else.
But, now that his dark history has been exposed he is doing the far right wing hustle. Funny how the far right is circling their wagons trying to save this cheater.
Protect those who have no morals, then cloak yourself in the flag of Christianity. How hypocritical is that?
I for one know what Bill Clinton is all about. He is an open book that many times have been read. While the far right Christians pretend to be an closed book of virtue that is perfectly kept.
But the fact is they are all the same, just one hides the truth while the other just not care.
If you call it, then walk it.....Ensign must resign, no way around it....
Talk is cheap until it falls on your tongue.
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zurcronium
I could not have made a better point about the shallow morals of the so called christian conservative republicans. They hold themselves to higher standard which they then fail but attack others if they also do not meet that same standard. Palin has a daughter who gets knocked up and has a kid out of wedlock, but she is forgiven for being a failed parent, which any democrat with a pregnant kid would be called by the zero moral minority types.
Half the republicans who went after clinton were cheating as well. This list is very, very long. Some with men and not women. The republicans are corrupt, out of touch, tone deaf, immoral and totally confused about reality. Thank you oh thank you mr. bush.
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zurcronium
Turns out that not only did ensign increase the salary for his mistress but also for her husband while he was having sex out of wedlock.
Could there be a three way thing going on here? Anything is possible with these tightly wrapped so called moral christians.
0
Taka313
I think the senator acted wisely by resigning.
Honestly, I could care less if the guy cheated on his wife. However, when you join a group like the Christian Ministries Promise Keepers, well...you agree to take on added responsibility and accountability.
The CMPKs third promise is for marital fidelity and the senator broke that promise.
He did the honorable thing in resigning, in my opinion. I believe more politicians should follow his lead in situations such as this.
Taka
0
Molenir
So, what you're saying is, that whenever a Dem is exposed as a liar and/or a hypocrite, they should resign right? Just trying to extend your argument back to your own party. Somehow I don't believe you'd feel this way if it was Obama, or Pelosi that was having the issue. In fact Pelosi is a good example. She is having serious ethics issues, and yet, where are your calls for her to resign?
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying Pelosi should resign, I'm saying that if you extend your argument about Ensign, then the logical extension of that argument, is that it should apply equally to Dems, who claim to be upholding such high standards as well. I think stepping down from his role in the leadership was more then enough, and that it should be left to the voters to decide whether or not to retain an admitted adulterer.
0
smithinjapan
Molenir: "So, what you're saying is, that whenever a Dem is exposed as a liar and/or a hypocrite, they should resign right?"
If it is, as in this case, a clear cut example of not practicing what you preach, then yes. For example, I never heard Clinton swearing up and down that fidelity is the utmost important thing in marriage (or it being one of the top creeds of the organization I preach from), etc.
For example, if I went around demonizing people who solicit young girls in Shibuya for 'enjou-kousai', and make it my mission to have them arrested or what have you, and then am caught doing it myself, I should certainly be removed from my position (which advocates others be punished for the same crime).
Lying is one thing, and never to be encouraged. But flat out hypocrisy is something else.
"Pelosi that was having the issue. In fact Pelosi is a good example. She is having serious ethics issues, and yet, where are your calls for her to resign?"
Go back and check the threads on Pelosi supposedly lying about knowing about torture, and you'll see that I clearly say she should be canned (if it's proven that she knew, and even if not since she's been rendered ineffective and detrimental to the party). Try doing a little less speculating and a little more research.
"I'm saying that if you extend your argument about Ensign, then the logical extension of that argument, is that it should apply equally to Dems, who claim to be upholding such high standards as well."
I never ever said it should apply to Republicans only, did I? But whom is this article about, and what were many of my posts in reply to? I think EVERYONE who goes directly against the things they preach ADAMANTLY should be forced to not only do some real soul-searching, but to resign from their jobs if the job or IN the job they used said preaching for gain and/or to reprimand others. In this case the people cannot vote any time soon for the man (or against him), if I'm not mistaken. While perhaps it should indeed be up to the voters, that's not going to be an option for some time.
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yabits
The hypocrisy extends itself when you consider the daily hounding that former congressman Gary Condit, and former governor Elliot Spitzer received for their acts of sexual misconduct.
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zurcronium
So now Ensign is attacking the husband of his sex toy for forcing him to admit he was a cheater and liar. That is rich. But so typical of the standard line the immoral take when accused of their own sins.
Again, the honorable thing is for this scum to resign immediately. Like Craig should have done when his gay sex was discovered. Wont happen though even Ensign insisted Clinton resign.
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inkjet
another confused liberal. maybe we could keep a tally.
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zurcronium
inkjet,
better to keep a tally of the number of pious preaching promise keeper republicans who are cheating on their wives and then paying with republican party money for sex. That should keep you plenty busy.
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Nessie
...of the St. Augustine vein. St. Augustine, who said "Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet." Personally, I'll settle for chastity and faith, as long as you capitalize them and send them in together.
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zurcronium
Inkjet,
one more for to add to your list of republican cheaters. What is wrong with these people.
Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Wednesday he's been having an affair with a woman he visited on a secret trip to Argentina and said he'll resign as head of the Republican Governors Association. Sanford, a rumored 2012 presidential candidate, refused to say whether he'll leave office. "I've let down a lot of people, that's the bottom line," Sanford said at a news conference. He said he's known the woman about eight years, but their relationship turned into something more a year ago while he was on an economic development trip to Argentina. Sanford, a 49-year-old father of four, choked up during remarks to reporters. He said his wife has known about the affair for the last five months. Sanford revealed Wednesday morning that he'd gone to Argentina for a seven-day trip. For two days after reporters starting asking questions, his office had said he had gone hiking on the Appalachian Trial.
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yabits
Yes, I was wondering when JT would report on "l'affair Sanford."
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zurcronium
The governor admitted to just about everything he could admit to in a twenty-minute press conference. Yes, he cheated on his wife. Yes, he lied to his staff. Yes, he lied to the media. Yes, he abandoned his position and ran off to South America to try and sort out his love life. Yes, he thinks that people should be disappointed in him. And, yes, he's actually taking at least some responsibility for being irresponsible. Sanford is resigning as head of the Republican Governors Association, a traditional stepping-stone position for a presidential run. No word on whether he's resigning as governor--following the lead of New York Democrat Eliot Spitzer--but it is probably safe to say he won't be on the ballot, for president, vice president or any other position in the immediate future. The governor, who flew home this morning after a Father's Day disappearance to Buenos Aires, is finished politically.
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zurcronium
How about this republican fall from grace . . .
hroughout his career, this Georgia lawmaker has been one of the biggest moral charlatans in American political discourse. While he was impeaching President Bill Clinton for lying under oath about his affair with Monica Lewinsky, Gingrich said that Clinton had shown "a level of disrespect and decadence that should appall every American" after he had reduced the office of the presidency to the "rough equivalent of the 'Jerry Springer' show." The whole time, of course, Newt was cheating on his second wife with a woman more than 20 years his younger (who would later become his third wife). And then there's the matter of his first wife, with whom Gingrich initiated a divorce while she was recovering from cancer surgery.
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zurcronium
This is amazing, 100% proof of the hypocrisy of the right wing christian thumper crowd . . .
And this kind of hypocrisy isn’t confined to the politicians. It permeates the electorate. While conservatives fight to “defend” marriage from gays, they can’t keep theirs together. According to the Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract, states that went Republican in November accounted for eight of the 10 states with the highest divorce rates in 2006.
Conservatives touted abstinence-only education, which was a flop, when real sex education was needed, most desperately in red states. According to 2006 data from the Guttmacher Institute, those red states accounted for eight of the 10 states with the highest teenage birthrates.
And, a study titled “Red Light States: Who Buys Online Adult Entertainment?” that was conducted by Benjamin Edelman, an assistant professor of business at Harvard Business School and published earlier this year in the Journal of Economic Perspectives found that subscriptions to online pornography sites were “more prevalent in states where surveys indicate conservative positions on religion, gender roles, and sexuality” and in states where “more people agree that ‘I have old-fashioned values about family and marriage.’ ”
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