CHARACTER

Character is an interesting word. Subject to many definitions. All basically reflecting the same thing. Moral quality. Right conduct as opposed to wrong conduct.

 

Character encompasses the existence of or lack of certain virtues such as integrity, honesty, loyalty, and good behavior habits.

 

The Bible defines character as any behavior or activity that reflects the character of God.

 

Many of today's political figures are lacking in character. Moral fiber.

 

I specifically refer to three primary candidates in New York City's political races as examples.

 

First, there is former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Several years ago he was caught enjoying the services of a prostitute. While he was Governor. The tryist was arranged at a Washington, D.C. hotel. The Governor paid the New York City prostitute some where in the area of $4,000-$5,000. Paid her train ticket from New York City, also. Then did her with his socks on.

 

Spitzer had prosecuted prostitutes while Attorney General. A bit hypocritical that he was now using their services as Governor.

 

Spitzer resigned his Governorship.

 

Now he seeks a come back. He is a Democratic candidate for Comptroller of New York City. He believes the public has forgiven his misdeeds. That he has atoned for his wrongdoing. He resigned his exalted office, made a bleary eyed public confession on television with his wife at his side. He believes his days in purgatory are at an end.

 

There is Kristen Davis.

 

Davis is 38 years old. Once a librarian. She also seeks the Democratic nomination for Comptroller. The same one Spitzer seeks.

 

Davis is a former Manhattan madam. She spent four months in jail for being one. Interestingly, she claims Spitzer was a client and she provided him with prostitutes.

 

Davis was arrested two weeks ago by the FBI allegedly for selling prescription pills for cash.

 

Finally, Anthony Weiner. A candidate for New York City Mayor. He is a candidate in the Democraticprimary for the position.

 

Weiner is a former Congressman. While one, he sent pictures of his nude body, including his genitals, over the internet to women. When caught, he resigned. He did the same I am sorry bit before thetelevision cameras with his faithful wife at his side. Weiner claimed he had learned his lesson and would sin no more. He had stopped the conduct which brought him down.

 

Weiner waited a short period and announced his desire to be New York City Mayor. Unfortunately, Weiner had not stopped sending his genitalia exposed pictures over the Internet. Three post confession episodes came to light.

 

I believe Spitzer, Davis, and Weiner lack the moral fiber we should demand of our political leaders. The mere fact that they were discovered and thereafter believe the public would not hold them to account in and of itself suggests a lack of proper moral thinking.

 

I believe the electorate should not support any of the three. Unfortunately, it appears Spitzer may win. Why, I do not understand. His perhaps was the slimiest wrongdoing of all. He prosecuted and jailed persons who engaged in prostitution.

 

The issue comes up regarding former Presidents who strayed from their marriage vows.

 

There was John Quincy Adams. An ugly fellow appearance wise. History tells us he was a frequent nightly visitor to Mt. Whoredom in Boston. The place off the Boston Commons where prostitutes sold their wares.

 

After election to the Presidency, he swam daily across the Potomac. Warm weather and cold. Each morning. In the nude. He enjoyed early morning liaisons during the swim times. He is quoted as having said....."The art of making love, up in furs, in the open air, with the thermometer at zero, is a Yankee tradition."

 

Thomas Jefferson's relationship with his slave Sally Hemings is well known.

 

Warren Harding was one of the worst, if not the worst, President the United States ever had. He had a long time relationship with Carrie Phillips, the wife of a friend. He fathered a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, by her.

Nan Britton was another of Harding's lady friends. It was reported that he used to do her in a White House broom closet.

 

Calvin Coolidge also lacked in Presidential qualities. He was not lacking in his zeal for sexual conquests, however. He had a need for many sexual partners. He did every female he could. So much so that sexologists have labeled the need for excessive sexual partners as The Coolidge Effect.

 

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was one of our best Presidents. He was also handicapped and confined to a wheel chair. Such did not restrain his sexual activities. It is well known that he had a long term relationship with his wife's secretary, Lucy Mercer. He is also known to have carried on an affair with his own secretary at the same time. He also maintained a relationship with Princess Martha of Norway during World War II. For a man with physical disabilities, he performed wonders.

 

Dwight Eisenhower had England's Kate Summersby during World War II. She was his driver.

 

John Kennedy's many sex encounters are well known. From Marilyn Monroe to anyone he could get. It is reported he had to have a woman every three days or suffered a headache. He did not let his bad back inhibit him.

 

Lyndon John was a sexual animal. He utilized his penis wherever possible. It was reported he had an unusually large one. It was described as jumbo in size. It was referred to at Washington cocktail parties as Johnson's Jumbo Johnson.

 

William Clinton was a transitional President from my perspective when it came to sexual escapades. Whereas prior to Clinton, the media and public looked aside at a President's sexual activities, the Republicans sought to embarrass and punish him for his Monica Lewinsky, Jennifer Flowers and Paula Jones activities. All for naught. Clinton survived. He is regarded as having been one of our finest Presidents.

 

In view of the preceding Presidential escapades, are Spitzer, Davis, and Weiner any different? They are. I am not condoning infidelity in any fashion. The Presidents listed all strayed. God is there judge, not me. These other three are different, however. They seem to have gone a step further. Therefore making them subject to judgment and criticism.

 

Spitzer hurt people for the same thing he was doing. Davis as a former madam and illegal seller of prescription pills, goes beyond  an illicit sex encounter. Weiner needs no description. He is a sexual fruitcake.

 

On the other hand, what do I know? None of us is perfect. Most if not all of us are sinners. I guess it is the degree of imperfection that is important.

 

I am a firm believer in the admonition.....Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. The problem is who acted as Spitzer and tried to jail people for the same activities he was doing. How many public servants were madams or pimps and sellers of illegal drugs? Weiner is in a class all himself. A public servant sending pictures of his privates over the Internet, promising he would sin no more, and then sinning again.

 

It may be the quality of the sexual escapade that is important rather than the mere act of illicit sexual intercourse. Spitzer, Davis, and Weiner went a step too far. Their conduct deviant.

 

There is a corporation called Honest Tea. Many of you may be familiar with it.

 

Honest Tea does an annual survey. Many topics are involved.

 

This year the question was asked as to which was the least honest city in America. Guess who won? You got it right! Washington, D.C.

 

Surprised? No. That is the way it is. Unfortunately.