Weiner To Mag: Internet Probably Caused Mayoral Bid Collapse

[hrmjustin]

NY1News

What caused Anthony Weiner's downfall in the mayor's race? Maybe it was the Internet.

Weiner offers that theory in a GQ magazine profile called "The Year of Living Carlos Dangerously."

The title is a reference to the alias he used while sharing sexually charged messages with a woman online.

In the article, Weiner says "Maybe if the Internet didn't exist? Like, if I was running in 1955? I'd probably get elected mayor."

http://www.ny1.com/content/news/190592/weiner-to-mag--internet-probably-caused-mayoral-bid-collapse

[zazen]

1. classic deflection of responsibility by entitled philanderer

So the Internet seduced him into sending sexual messages with women outside of a committed marriage? It wasn't his fault? It made him do it?

Or would he approve of serial cheating a la Don Draper and simply disapproves of how much easier it is these days to get caught?

I don't know whether to call yhis sex addiction or narcissism. In either case, it's NEVER their fault.

[hrmjustin]

4. He should blame himself.

[PoliticAverse]

2. Well he has a good point, if he hadn't sent those pictures via the Internet he wouldn't...

have gone through what he did...

[hrmjustin]

3. The sad thing for him is he would have likely won if he did not screw up like this.

[TommyCelt]

66. See, I woulda won...

...if I hadn't lost. If ONLY I woulda got more votes...

[last1standing]

5. Oh good. Now we'll get to hear from the Morally Pure Brigade again.

I didn't support the guy in the primaries but I certainly support him and his wife living the life they choose without judging them.

I guess those who attack him for his personal life also support the fundies who condemn "the gay lifestyle." Since you can be gay and just not have sex, it should be fine. Right?

[hrmjustin]

6. I think it has to do with the fact he is blaming others for his issues like the internet instead

of saying flat out he did it.

I was going to vote for him but when it was clear he could not control himself I said no more.

[last1standing]

7. I'm not a fan of the hairshirt look, myself.

I don't think the guy should do penance for living his private life as he sees fit so long as he doesn't hurt others in the process. As there's no proof that his wife is all that upset over this "revelation" he is justified in not taking any blame.

As for his comment, it's true. The internet has allowed for things that once were, and should be, private to be easily used for political and exploitative purposes.

[hrmjustin]

8. No he should not have to do a public penance. Only what his wife makes him do.

I just don't want him to run again for anything.

[last1standing]

9. Why not? What does his personal life have to do with his politics.

There were better candidates for NY mayor but if Weiner had been the most progressive candidate with a record of accomplishment I would have supported him (moot point since I'm not a NY resident). That goes for both before and after he was outed for having sexual desires.

What made him a good candidate in your eyes before this drama that changed so much afterward? Did his ideas for the city change? Did he stop advocating for positions you believe in?

Or did his personal sex life offend your sensibilities?

Not voting for a candidate because of their sex life is asinine. Would you withhold your vote from a non-virgin or someone who has sex with the same gender? Personally, my morality doesn't extend to invading other people's bedrooms - or webcams.

[hrmjustin]

10. He was good at what he did. He was a fighter. But he has no self control so that is why I will not

vote for him. And a person who has no self control should not be the mayor of the city of New York.

[last1standing]

11. What on Earth made you think he had self control before this latest incedent?

Weiner made his career by becoming a firebrand. His comments were always on the edge and he never tried to work with the other side to get bills passed. Like Alan Grayson today, Weiner said the words most of us thought but knew we'd never say. That was his charm and it worked in the House but not in an executive position.

But again, this was hardly news to anyone who has even skimmed his bio or casually watched his career. The only "new" thing to come out of "Weiner-gate" was that he hadn't stopped having pseudo-sex with strangers over the internet.

[hrmjustin]

12. I have been following weiner since the mid 90's.

I know what he is about. I was willing to overlook his sins but when I found out he did not stop his sexting till after a year he resigned then I said no more.

[last1standing]

13. "Sins?" That word marks the difference between us. I don't consider sex a sin.

And I don't expect others to live by my private moral code.

You judged his "sins" while I critiqued his ability to handle an executive office. Roosevelt had affairs while in office while GW bush likely did not. Who was the better president? (Hint: The answer has nothing to do with what they did with their dicks).

[hrmjustin]

14. Cheating on your wife is a sin. Whether he actually did it or just did it over the internet he did

this. I decided not to vote for him because it was became clear in August that he was imploding and not going to win. Also he said he was still doing this stuff a year after he resigned from office. He knew as early as three months after his resignation he was leaning toward a run for mayor.

I was under the impression he learned his lesson. He did not. This is why he did not get my vote.

[last1standing]

15. It is your opinion that it is a sin. Some of us don't believe in your "sin."

So what you're saying is that you stopped supporting him because other people stopped supporting him. Of course, then you say it was because he sexted after resigning from Congress.

On one hand, you didn't like him when he wasn't popular and on the other it was because you wanted to control how he used his penis.

Both are very bad reasons to stop supporting a candidate.

[hrmjustin]

16. What I said was I was willing to give him a second chance.

But when more came out I said no more. Which is my right. I vote here!

I was a fan of his long before you or anyone on this site every heard of him.

[last1standing]

17. "I decided not to vote for him because it was became clear in August that he was imploding..."

Your words, not mine.

You also tied your reason not to vote for him into his private sex life. Of course you're free to edit your earlier post but that is what you said.

Your statements show that you vote your religious beliefs over sound policy. If I believed in sin, that would be a much greater one than how one chooses to have sex.

[hrmjustin]

18. I think my reasons are clear. He was imploding because it became clear he was doing this sexting

stuff a year after his resignation. To me it meant he did not learn his lesson. The people of this city did not want to deal with him anymore. THAT IS OUR RIGHT!!!!!!!

[last1standing]

19. Apparently, it's also your right to scream over the internet when called out.

I never said you didn't have the right to vote for whoever you wish. But you don't have the right to control how another person chooses to express himself sexually.

Unfortunately, you believe it's acceptable to punish those who have sex in ways that you don't approve of.

[hrmjustin]

20. He can do whatever he wants. I just won't vote for him.

I am not the sex police. I don't care what you do. But if he asked me and this city to judge him then he should not be surprised that I said no and that I do not like what he did.

[last1standing]

21. So now you admit to judging him based on his private sex life.

That's a start. Too bad you had to deny it over so many previous posts.

Doesn't your bible call bearing false witness a sin?

Why is your sin less bad than Weiner's?

[hrmjustin]

22. Do I have your permission to judge a persons character when running for an office that I have

to vote in?

[last1standing]

23. No, you don't. I won't take any responsibility for calling private sexual behavior "sin."

Or for using that as your reason to withhold votes for someone you otherwise believe to be the best person for the job.

Personally, I find that kind of moral purity revolting and bad for this country.

You watch your genitals and let me watch mine.

[hrmjustin]

24. I will vote how I want. If you don't like it that is your problem.

[last1standing]

25. It's all of our problem when you vote based on what you think a sky monster wants....

Instead of what real people need.

[hrmjustin]

26. LOL. classy.

I vote for what I want.

[last1standing]

27. And your little screaming fit was classy? Posting strawmen was classy?

You don't serve your God very well with antics like those or by breaking at least one of the ten commandments while calling out someone else's "sin."

But I've generally found that those who wear their "religion" on their sleeve are the least likely to walk their walk.

[hrmjustin]

28. That is nice. You have no idea about me and what I am about.

I wish you well.

[last1standing]

29. I know all I need to know about you.

I wish you well, too.

Oh, and judge not, lest ye be judged.

[hrmjustin]

30. Oh yeah tell me what you know about me?

[last1standing]

31. I know you're willing to break one commandment in order to call out another.

I know that you are more concerned with punishing "sin" by your own admission than in voting for those you think hold the best policies.

I know you dodge questions with strawmen when you know you've been bested.

And I know that the Jesus I read about in the bible wouldn't have approved of any of the above.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone and all.

[hrmjustin]

32. Actually I never said Weiner had the best policy. I just liked him. I think de Blasio did.

What commandment did I break and what strawman argument did I make?

[last1standing]

33. You don't get to ask questions when you ignored mine.

Fair's fair.

[hrmjustin]

34. What do you want to know?

[last1standing]

35. LOL! Go back and read my posts. You ignored many of my questions and comments.

Instead, why don't we just agree that we aren't going to agree.

On the other hand, when you, or anyone, posts threads for the purpose of making people ashamed of their personal sex lives, I'm going to call it out for what it is. This world is in the shape it's in because too many people can't keep their noses out of other people's underwear.

[hrmjustin]

38. This is the NY room and I will post anything relevant to NY. If you have an issue with me

then put me on ignore.

Thanks for the insults I did not deserve and have a good night.

[last1standing]

41. I didn't insult you, I called out your actions. Stop with the strawmen.

And you're making a lot of demands for someone who's spent most of this discussion screaming that I wasn't your boss.

Good night to you, as well.

[hrmjustin]

42. Read your posts. you were very insulting.

[last1standing]

44. No. I was blunt. There is a big difference.

n/t

[hrmjustin]

46. I am allowed to have my opinion and express it.

[last1standing]

47. Yes, you are. You can even make claims about my posts that aren't true like you just did.

But then I'm allowed to call out the fact that you made claims about my posts that aren't true.

I keep thinking about that line, "Thou shalt not bear false witness."

[hrmjustin]

52. I keep thinking what did I do to deserve your wrath. Nothing!

I did not vote for Anthony Weiner because of his character flaws. Get over it.

Your posts were insulting. Telling me to watch my own genitals was classless.

[last1standing]

53. You have a problem with genitals?

That would explain things. LOL!

Regardless, whether you did anything to deserve my wrath or not, you never got it. I merely pointed out that obsession with other people's sex lives is not a very good way to choose politicians.

That and the fact that it seems hypocritical to call out one sin while committing another.

[hrmjustin]

54. Again classy.

[last1standing]

55. I'm insulted that keep calling me classless!

How dare you!




Perhaps I'm not the one throwing around the insults in this discussion.

[hrmjustin]

57. Lets call it a day.

[last1standing]

58. LOL! Absolutely!

Seriously, I disagree strongly with your opinion but I don't disagree with you as a person.

Take care and have a great evening.

[BainsBane]

40. Does your Jesus insist a person must consult you before voting?

and isn't allowed his own views on which candidate to choose because that is what you are arguing here.

[BainsBane]

36. If you ears hurt, use the mute button.

[last1standing]

37. If you had posted a LOLZCAT photo with that comment the internet may have broken due to excess wit.

[last1standing]

48. LOL! That must be the worst strawman argument on DU today.

Maybe they should come up with the STRAWZIE Award for comments like yours.

[BainsBane]

50. strawman?

What a ridiculous comment. You don't appear to know what that term means.

[last1standing]

51. I give what I get.

If you can show me where I demanded that anyone consult me before voting I'll take back my previous comment. Otherwise, your post stands on its merits.

[BainsBane]

56. You are furious that Justin based his voting decision on the texting scandal

You are furious that he has the nerve to believe in sin and what you referred to as a sky monster.
This entire discussion is about his personal choice in voting. Becoming angry at him wont put Weiner in the Mayor's office. The vast majority of the city considered him unfit to serve as mayor.

There is no need to retract the strawman comment. It just makes no sense. I didn't make an argument at all. I simply commented on what I saw as silliness at your being agitated over Justin's so-called screaming.

[last1standing]

59. Your first mistake is in believing that I'm angry.

The rest of your mistakes appear to bridge off the first one.

And the fact that Weiner was unfit to serve as mayor had nothing to do with who he showed his penis to.

[BainsBane]

60. You are free to make that determination

as are the rest of the voters.

[last1standing]

61. Yep. And if you can point to where I tried to limit your freedom, please do so.

I never argued with anyone's ability to make their decisions based on the tenets of a 3500 year old myth, only that it was bad policy.

It's amazing how many try to demand tolerance of their intolerance.

[BainsBane]

64. This whole thread is your anger at Justin's choice

and why he decided not to support Weiner. You said it was wrong for him to consider "sin" and pass judgement, yet elections are entirely about passing judgment.
You are now insinuating that he is intolerant because he didn't back Weiner. You chose to make a big deal out of his use of the word sin, which is used colloquially aside from its religious meaning. You're obviously looking for a fight, but I'm not interested. I understand you hate the fact that people in this world dare to hold beliefs that differ from yours, but that really is your problem entirely. I'm bored now, so I'm going to do something else.

[last1standing]

65. Still with the anger? Fine, I'm angry, furious, livid with hatred and envy!

And you'll find, if you actually read my posts without your own anger, that I never said he couldn't choose his own methods for choosing candidates. I only gave my opinion that a person's private sex life has zero to do with one's ability to govern in the interests of the people.

Regardless, I'm not going to reargue this point. You can read through the posts and fight with yourself.

[TommyCelt]

67. I personally couldn't care less about Wiener's sex life...

...what bothered me about this from the beginning was his incredibly poor judgment. Not a great quality for the Mayor of New York City. Weiner/Danger HAD to know that if it became public...just like before...it would detonate any chance of attaining any public office for which he'd want to run.

He did it anyway.

Do I think he was wrong? Not up to me to judge his personal life...have at it, Carlos. Would I ever VOTE for him? Not a chance.

[Trajan]

39. Elections are about judgements

I am one of the most nasty mother effers you ever met. but I would never vote for such a tin eared narcissist ...

it's not the sexuality ... it the lack of judgement ...

[last1standing]

43. Yes, it was awful judgment to have a private life that someone else exposed for profit.

In other words, it's not about the sexuality, it's about how he chose to lead his personal sex life.

[Trajan]

45. non sequitur

we're done

[last1standing]

49. Thank God!

LOL!

[doc03]

62. Gawd what an f---g jackass. It wasn't the internet's fault it was his fault

for being a damn pervert.

[hrmjustin]

63. He should just go away now.