It's been a fascinating couple of weeks following the whole, sordid scandal involving now former Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York. He posted dirty pictures of himself to more than a few women other than his wife on Twitter He then called in the national news media to his congressional office and lied about it Then, caught with his PR pants down, literally, admitted he lied. He then resigned. Game, set and Tweet.
This comes on the heels of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger fathering a child with his house keeper, about the same time he did the same with his own wife.Weiner is a Democrat, Schwarzenegger is a Republican. Stupidity apparently knows no political bounds.
I could go on about other recent scandals, but there just isn't enough time or space. More than a few PR pros are weighing in on this, and a myriad of articles are being written about the "lessons learned."
What surprised me most was all the political pundits analyzing all of the above with a constant theme. Were they" breaking the law?"
Excuse me?
To borrow from Tina Turner, "What's law got to do with it?" When you're in the public eye, especially when you make the conscious decision to do so, you don't set the standards for behavior, the public does. There isn't, and never will be a PR professional skilled enough to dig you out of that hole.
To borrow from Nike, "Just don't do it."
Is it fair? Weiner and Scharzenegger aren't the only guys who've done something stupid. What sets them apart is they were elected representatives of "We the people." We may sin ourselves, but we expect a higher standard from those in public office. Which makes the whole concept of "law" laughable.
Years ago, when starting out my career as a news anchor, my wife and I went out to eat on a Friday night. I was done working for the week, over 21 and had a cocktail with dinner. Like about everyone else in the restaurant. My wife drove us home. The following Monday, my boss gets a call complaining I was seen "drinking" in a bar. My first lesson about life in the spotlight. The expectations for my behavior, however legal and responsible were set by someone else, not me.
Perhaps it's old fashioned to expect a certain level of moral and ethical behavior from those who serve us in government; that their personal standards should at least, if not meet, the standards of office where they conduct the people's business. Heck, they swear an oath to do so when they take office.
If, when Anthony Weiner's behavior is excused, at least by some as being "within the law." then this government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall indeed perish from the earth.
Law has nothing to do with it.
What's especially sad is there is life and money to be made after scandal. Look at Elliot Spitzer. He now has his own talk show on CNN.
Brian Olson
Founder/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
This comes on the heels of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger fathering a child with his house keeper, about the same time he did the same with his own wife.Weiner is a Democrat, Schwarzenegger is a Republican. Stupidity apparently knows no political bounds.
I could go on about other recent scandals, but there just isn't enough time or space. More than a few PR pros are weighing in on this, and a myriad of articles are being written about the "lessons learned."
What surprised me most was all the political pundits analyzing all of the above with a constant theme. Were they" breaking the law?"
Excuse me?
To borrow from Tina Turner, "What's law got to do with it?" When you're in the public eye, especially when you make the conscious decision to do so, you don't set the standards for behavior, the public does. There isn't, and never will be a PR professional skilled enough to dig you out of that hole.
To borrow from Nike, "Just don't do it."
Is it fair? Weiner and Scharzenegger aren't the only guys who've done something stupid. What sets them apart is they were elected representatives of "We the people." We may sin ourselves, but we expect a higher standard from those in public office. Which makes the whole concept of "law" laughable.
Years ago, when starting out my career as a news anchor, my wife and I went out to eat on a Friday night. I was done working for the week, over 21 and had a cocktail with dinner. Like about everyone else in the restaurant. My wife drove us home. The following Monday, my boss gets a call complaining I was seen "drinking" in a bar. My first lesson about life in the spotlight. The expectations for my behavior, however legal and responsible were set by someone else, not me.
Perhaps it's old fashioned to expect a certain level of moral and ethical behavior from those who serve us in government; that their personal standards should at least, if not meet, the standards of office where they conduct the people's business. Heck, they swear an oath to do so when they take office.
If, when Anthony Weiner's behavior is excused, at least by some as being "within the law." then this government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall indeed perish from the earth.
Law has nothing to do with it.
What's especially sad is there is life and money to be made after scandal. Look at Elliot Spitzer. He now has his own talk show on CNN.
Brian Olson
Founder/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
No comments:
Post a Comment