Originally Posted By gadzuux People are neglecting to make an important distinction - this isn't part of his job performance, and it's none of our business who he sleeps with. Sure, he made an error in judgement within his personal life, and the people involved have every right to be upset and to think whatever unkind thing they like. We don't. We're not the aggrieved party here, and as such we don't have the right to sit in judgement of him or publicly condemn him - except perhaps for registered voters within san francisco - seven months from now. Stepping back from the specifics of newsom's situation, and looking at the broader view - once again we see the "morality police" quick off the mark to express shock and disdain for someone else's actions - actions that have zero effect on their own lives. Whee - what fun.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka Funny thing about discussion boards...people tend to discuss things. Nearly ALL of the topics on this board have zero effect on our lives and yet, here we are discussing them.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Yep. It was brought to my attention by the media and I'm expressing my opinion. I'm certainly not shocked. Irritated that I'm not subjected to this story on every news channel and newspaper - yes. Disappointed that again the cracks start in about SF politics and people. So I'm discussing it.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Again, call me silly, but I think character is important in our leaders. And yes, I think our leaders should have strong morals. Crazy me.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Discussion is great - I'm all for it. But there's some level of 'piling on' and denigrating him for actions that are none of our business. >> You think when the affair started he called up his campaign manager (and presumably good friend) and told him about it? Of course he has lied. << Is this really how you think? Because he kept the affair a secret - that qualifies as a "lie"? It's this kind of moral absolutism that causes so many people to think of republicans as being the pinnacle of hypocrisy. If you've ever transgressed and kept quiet about it, you too are a "liar". At least in some people's eyes.
Originally Posted By Shooba I don't expect politicians to be perfect, but they should to some degree, lead by example and provide a good example of morality to the populace. If they don't, they don't necesscarily deserve to be fired or impeached or whatever, but I think it's too simple to dismiss it as "none of our business".
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>we don't have the right to sit in judgement of him<< He's a public official, and keep in mind that the City and County of San Francisco has business relations internationally, too. So, when the mayor does something stupid, people are going to talk about it. He knows that. And the next time he tries to help make gay marriage recognized, you know what will happen -- his own "lapse of judgement" will reflect on that issue by association. "That guy doesn't respect marriage -- he's a fine one to be telling us what marriage should be." It's nice to say "Hey, man, anything goes" but meanwhile, back in the real world, these things do matter, they do reflect poorly on the city. Signed, Chief 2ooney Morality Police, Central Division
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, gadzuux...here is the litmus test. Have an affair. Don't tell your wife about it. When it becomes public...tell your wife you didn't REALLY lie to her........and then see what her response is. And then, ask your best friend how he would feel if you slept with his wife and didn't tell him. Candidates ask for our trust when they want our votes. Well, if their wives can't trust them....why should we?
Originally Posted By DAR Plus let's remember this the next time any politician chooses to give a lecture on moral decay to the American people.
Originally Posted By gadzuux He doesn't have a wife - he's got a 20 year old girlfriend named Brittanie Mountz (apparently she does). So he passes your "litmus test".
Originally Posted By Lisann22 <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/asmussen/" target="_blank">http://www.sfgate.com/columnis ts/asmussen/</a> I think you got it right Kar2oonman. LMAO!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Oh, so it is ok because he was cheatee and not the cheater? Glad we cleared that up. Sorry I belittled this fine man. My bad.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I think saying what he does in his personal life is none of our business takes laissez faire too far. He's a public figure, and he's taken great pains to become one. That puts his entire life up for scrutiny. Back when he decided to take the law into his own hands and make gay marriage "legal" in San Francisco, he overstepped his official authority and led a lot of gay couples to believe they were, for a time, legally married. I'm all for gay marriage, but the court case that resulted because of that episode was properly decided. He lost, and those marriages were annulled. His grandstanding at that time was incredibly poor judgment. I tried to follow him as closely as I could during all this to see if he knew what he was doing and was simply trying to get the issue to the fore, or did he think he could really do that. My conclusion was he felt he could do that. The guy gives the impression he thinks he's made out of teflon. Screw who he hurts, he'll say an insincere I'm sorry and do the now trite "moving on." here, he sees a woman he wants, the hell with if she's married much less to whom, he's Gavin Damn Newsom and he'll do what and who he wants. Saying I'm sorry here doesn't cut it. He's made at least two really bad judgment calls in my book. He should be quickly ushered out of office by the voters at the earliest opportunity. Politicians to a degree require arrogance, but not like this.
Originally Posted By DAR You know, some of the items in your last paragraph could describe someone else these days, someone with a little more power than Newsom...just a thought.
Originally Posted By friendofdd It's been said in this topic that it is none of our business. Perhaps it will become our business if he calls a press conference and makes a big, public deal out of it. Oh wait. He's done that, hasn't he? Is there any thing that does/would make it our business?
