Thursday, March 13, 2008

The Way It's Supposed to Work

Eliot Spitzer, the "untouchable" governor of New York, has resigned over the fallout from questionably-motivated Hookergate investigation.

Okay, regardless of the fact that Spitzer was obviously singled out for investigation because of the many enemies he'd managed to make, both during his term as New York's attorney general and as a sworn enemy of Wall Street corporatist corruption, regardless of the fact that those "questionable" withdrawals from his bank accounts wouldn't have gotten a second look if he were, say, Merrill-Lynch honcho and huge Rethug cash donor John Thain, and regardless of the fact that the "Federal Case" against him rests on an archaic -- some would say sophistic -- interpretation of the racially-based 1910 Mann Act, the fact remains, bottom line, that Spitzer, the erstwhile paragon of virtue, was guilty of consorting with prostitutes, to the tune of, by some estimates, $80,000 or more.

But, and here's the big difference between Spitzer and Rethugs like Larry Craig and David Vitter, Spitzer (like notorious Rethug child molester Mark Foley) did the right thing and resigned.

That's not something you'll see very often from the Rethug camp -- someone willing to man up, admit his mistakes and take responsibility for them. Take a hint, Larry and Dave -- this is the way things are supposed to work when a public official violates the trust that the people have empowered him with.

5 Comments:

billie said...

thank you :) one would almost think you were from new york :) in the end, it doesn't matter the particulars- he was a powerful democrat who knew the stakes were high- and was stupid enough to continue his crap. that's what roasts me. the extramarital sex is between him and silda- but the fact that he wouldn't curb his enthusiasm- in a pivotal election year- knowing that there was only a 1 seat republican majority in the state senate- and knowing that bruno et al were gunning for him- irks me no end. pride goeth before a fall- i would add stupidity.

Anonymous said...

That's not something you'll see very often from the Rethug camp -- someone willing to man up, admit his mistakes and take responsibility for them.

Hey Farns, you left out a couple of names... How about Cold hard cash Jefferson who was videotaped accepting bribes and yet was re-elected by democrats (I guess they are used to corrupt democrats) And then there was the pervert Jerry Studds Dem. Mass. He was actually having gay sex with pages.
He was cencured but allowed to stay in Congress.
He was made a committee chair and remained in congress untill 1996. He got caught in 1983.
Another is Mel Reynolds Dem Ill.
He molested at least 2 girls.
He was tried convicted and sent to prison. He was pardoned by Bill Clinton & Jessie Jackson gave him a job.

Nw, what were you saying Farns?

Unknown said...

He must have really fallen afoul of some powerful people! Since when have the rich been prosecuted with the same set of law-books as they hit us over the head with? ;)

"Pepsiholic" -- good point. The republocrats are all just a bad as one another.

Farnsworth68 said...

Thanks, BM. I absolutely love NYC and I've always considered myself an "honorary citizen without portfolio" of New York.
And "...one would almost think you were from new york..." -- that's high praise indeed from a New York resident. Thank you.
Oh, and DO: Don't encourage PH; it only fuels the fire of his uninformed kool-aid-drinking wingnut rage.
--The F Man

jae said...

"He must have really fallen afoul of some powerful people!"

Read what Greg Palast has to say about Spitzer's 'problems':

http://www.gregpalast.com/elliot-spitzer-gets-nailed/