So by now I am sure you are aware of Congressman Anthony Weiner’s resignation. Fox News carried the live coverage for most of the afternoon last Wednesday. But, is this really news?  Weiner’s extramarital affairs should be covered by the media that covered Tiger Woods’ downfall or Jesse James numerous liaisons. Shows like “Extra” and “E News” should worry about this. CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News though?  I don’t think so. This was a case of the media dictating the story and eventually causing the sad and tragic outcome of a brilliant politician’s career ending tweet.

I agree that what Rep. Weiner did was gross. But, come on morality police, half the married men in America are doing something that gross or grosser. There are specific websites designed for married men that want to have an online flirtation or a down and dirty affair. As gross and disgusting as this is, it happens every day in our society. I don’t want to see pictures of any politicians in his underpants or read transcripts about his bulge in his pants. This is not news. This is the reliving of the 90’s and Monica Lewinsky’s stained dress.  This is between Weiner and his wife and I don’t want to know about it.

Someone in some control room decided that this was a story. I have actively tried to avoid this story for over a week. The media does not operate on the principle of supply and demand. It is a case where the media decides the news and we say “ok.” Weiner’s cybersex is not news. It just isn’t. There are real actual scary things happening out there. The economy still sucks, banks are still illegally foreclosing houses on poor American families, unemployment is running out, homelessness is growing, there are still 2.5 wars that we are officially involved in and countless other secret operations that we are carrying out. Thousands of humanitarian events occur across the world yet America focuses on Rep. Weiner’s Facebook and Twitter activity. I am pulling out my hair. The cybersex of Anthony Weiner is only news to his wife and no one else.

The sad thing about Weiner is that he resigned. Democrats joined with Republicans to sell out one of the more promising and progressive voices of the party. It is a giant double standard that Weiner had to resign when Senator David Vitter is still in office.  David Vitter committed a CRIME with his affairs because he liked prostitutes. Apparently that is okay though. Senator John Ensign not only had an extramarital affair with one of his top aides’ wife, but used his influence as a Senator to pressure other staff members to keep quiet about the affair. After Ensign’s aide found out about the affair, Ensign used his influence to get the man a great job for a lobbying firm even though senior aides are prohibited from lobbying the Senate for a year after leaving their posts. The former senior aide, Douglas Hampton, used Ensign to push through legislation that benefitted his company.

It is a complete double standard and the list goes on and on. All politicians lie to some degree and especially to cover up their scandals. But, there is a difference between lying to spare your personal life or your reputation and lying to cover up criminal charges. Let us not forget that.

Image Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanprogressaction/

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About the author

Erin Chavez
Erin Whitney-Chavez has been writing professionally since 2009. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure University and received a Master of Arts in mental-health counseling from Argosy University. Erin Whitney-Chavez is a licensed mental health counselor and has worked in the mental-health field for more than 10 years.

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