One of the most stunning aspects of the Weiner affair is the arrogance of power that we saw on display and have come to expect with many of our elected officials. Weinergate is merely the latest example.
In March of this year, the local press revealed that City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) had ignored two outstanding criminal arrest warrants for more than a decade. Only after he was exposed by the media did he say, “I take full responsibility.” Oops.
Now, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) wants us to believe that he is sorry for his actions and his questionable judgment.
Sorry about the arrogance, which was on full display a few days prior when he sneered at a CNN reporter, calling him a “jackass” for asking a question about this matter? Sorry for trying to blame political opponents for hacking his Twitter account? Did Weiner even know the age of the females to whom he sent racy photos and sexting messages? When did the social media profile pages become the de facto standard for age verification? Even bartenders know it is illegal to serve patrons who say they are 21 even when they are not.
Weiner said he lied because he was embarrassed and wanted to protect his family. No, he lied because he thought he could get away with it. Only after consulting with legal experts over the weekend and learning that the press was about to expose more salacious details did he realize the jig was up.
Is Weiner fit for office? The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he would never be caught. Voters, you decide.
Bob Friedrich
President
Glen Oaks Village
