New York Representative Anthony Weiner, 46 years old, was forced to make a pretty humiliating admission this week -- that he "sexted" numerous explicit body part photos to various young women he'd connected with through social media. You'll remember that at first he denied it, but the momentum was just too much so this week he came clean. I've written before that in the digital universe, we have to live more transparent lives than ever.
The river of information that flows through social media or search engines like Google is so exhaustive that you just can't hide anymore. We need to think about Google less as a search engine and more as reputation management. So now Weiner's reputation is in tatters, and most feel that his goal of being mayor of New York is over. But my point isn't to trash the man, but on the contrary -- show just how the rest of us really aren't that different.
While we look at a case like his and think about what an idiot he must have been to send explicit photos like that online, the truth is -- millions of us do something similar every day. Think about it -- how often do you pass on that slightly suggestive joke, that racist cartoon, or that funny, but sorta dirty picture? Or how often do we criticize someone in an email, or damage someone's reputation in the eyes of others?
Sure, we say it was just fun -- or we were only defending our turf at work, but the truth is that most of us have emails or texts that if they were read out loud in a courtroom or to the press, it would be humiliating. So while you probably haven't sent a photo half dressed in the bathroom to someone you don't really know online, if we were honest, we'd all have to admit that there's embarrassing stuff out there we've forwarded, sent, or re-tweeted.
The question is, why is it so easy to do? Here's a few good reminders:
1. EASY -- that's the word -- the Internet, email and social media is so EASY. One click and you've just sent that dirty joke or porn photo to everyone in your address book. When I was 14, we really had to plan how my older buddy Rusty would sneak into the drug store, buy a Playboy magazine, and sneak it out. At least that worked until Rusty ran into his mom coming out of Eckerds Drug Store. That ended that. The point is, when I was a kid, the only dirty pictures I had access to were in National Geographic. Today, it's way too easy, and that gets us into trouble.
2. It seems private. I've heard it a million times: "But I'm just sending it to a friend." Yeah, but he may not be your friend a year from now, and he has that email, and has the ability to send it to NBC, CNN, your ex-wife, boss, or the world.
3. Finally, how it sounds as your write it, isn't the way it would sound when read publicly. Think about that. Would you be proud to have your emails read or shown in public with your spouse or mom listening?
Here's the weird thing -- while we think teens are the ones doing all the "sexting" -- a recent study revealed that people over 40 do it more than anyone. Worse -- it's growing in popularity with seniors. Barf.
The point is -- what Anthony Weiner did was wrong -- very wrong. But the truth is -- we face the temptation to send, forward, and share questionable stuff online nearly every day.
How are you dealing with that?
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sorry, i did not know you were a member of the taliban keeping us all pure.
But it's not the same as cheating, and shouldn't be equated as such.
don't you think that adults are capable of deciding these issues on their own by open discussion of expectatio
each couple gets to decide its own rules on personal matters, no?
There is, to my knowledge, no study which demonstrat
There is considerab
Follow this so far?
Now let's add in the capability of large commercial interests to uncover little tidbits concerning the infideliti
Not a pretty picture, is it.
[An aside: There is a study showing that Congressme
Really?
When liberals like Obama sign a bill extending tax cuts for the rich, or a democrat has to come clean, then '...they were forced....
The double standard and hypocrisy from the left never ends.
Weiner could have simply resigned and said I am done and will never answer another question about this. That Congressma
No, Weiner is still thinking with his Weiner and as such, does not deserve to hold public office.
"....New York Representa
Is Weiner a New York House Rep.? YES
Is he 46 years old? YES
Was he forced to make a public statement on Monday? YES
Was it a humiliatin
I don't get your point in quoting that statement, unless you just like quoting statements for no apparent reason.
As for the double standard on the left? You're kidding I'm hoping. 'Cause if not - you must live under a rock.
To get your facts straight on the double standard, you really need to check out Rachel Maddow's show last night which featured her . . . "IOKIYAR" (It's OK if You're a Republican
And are you really talking about Obama extending a tax cut...you know those were Bush's tax cuts, right? Not that the topic has anything to do with the matter at hand.
you may accuse weiner of thinking with his weiner, but unlike your post, he is thinking.
There is nothing to add here.
Nothing.
The answer is 0. It is called being an adult. Given the problems of the country, where did he find time for this behavior. His behavior is the equivalent to that of a flasher and exhibition
He lied about it, it places him in the position of being blackmaile
If only he just came in clean in the beginning, we would have all laughed at it, made fun of his name; it may even have become a new euphuism.
So ...what would You suggest?
-- Jesus
"Let he who is a total shlemiel not be the mayor of New York City"
-- Moses