You know what’s been missing from all the postmortems about the mainstream media not covering the John Edwards scandal? Some input from religious types – other than Bill O’Reilly!
Generally, the devout frown on the cheating-on-your-wife thing, and especially the cheating-on-your-ill-wife thing. And the Catholics, who spend much of their time warning followers about spending eternity in hell, are quick to point out sins. Including those made by the media at large.
Hope you’ve got your holy water in a bottle with a squirt spout top!
How about we take this to the next level?
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GoodBuddy
The complaint seems to be that MSM tries to spread the sexual misdeeds of Republicans back to the party while this is not done while Democrats are the ones in the spotlight. Perhaps they have a point (though I am not sure how you would quantify this).
One issues is that people are probably not as bothered by Democratic misdeeds, since the Democratic party is not all hung up on morality and rectitude. Just as so many politicians have been tripped up on the “it’s not the action, it’s the cover-up” issue, Republican misdeeds have more punch because of the hypocrisy of their actions.
ajax
Yeah, right. Because that Bill Clinton stuff never got the Democrats smeared. Or the Gary Hart stuff. Or Ted Kennedy for that matter. Those guys and their exploits never got linked back to Democrats.
Why are right-wingers such whiners and how do they get away with it?
Scott Berwitz
I think the problem is that the MSM is much more likely to go after the person if he is a Republican. Note the New York Times article that had no evidence whatsoever of a McCain affair – but ran a speculative piece prominently in the paper. Meanwhile, there was mounting evidence on Edwards (all true, as it turns out) and the MSM, as a matter of policy it seems, chose not to even mention it. This double standard is a huge problem for anyone seeking unbiased, criteron, objective news coverage.
There was a New York Post article that recently ran that is worth mentioning here. Edwards made his family a focal point of his campaign…engendering national sympathy for his cancer-stricken wife – who he was cheating on while she was in recovery. In response to a question about the significance of marital fidelity, he answered that it is a “fundamental” way to “judge people and human character.” Mind you this is also the same guy who championed himself as a crusader for the poor while building an ostentatious mega-mansion in North Carolina.
Hypocritical enough for you? It should be. Unfortunately…it isn’t for many…including the MSM.
Charley
Religion is not based on reason so we shouldn’t be surprised by hypocritical actions by the media supporting the excuse “Jesus forgives”. Why don’t loving older Muslim’s protest the actions of their sons who turn to extreme Islam and become a martyr through suicide ?
chuck
>Hope you’ve got your holy water in a bottle with a squirt spout top!
Spritz away! 😉
Jaroslaw
I’m willing to be corrected, but when I think of all the Republicans and/or conservatives who have affairs and/or Gay children, ties with big money corporations RELATIVE to the number of Dems, it seems the Repub/cons get a pass.
I thought there were a number of surveys done that the Republican cheating etc. far outweighs the Dems – which may or may not correspond to MSM coverage though. Newt Gingrich who had all those lovely values divorced wife number two while she was in the hospital. Remember? I’m not excusing Mr. Edwards but Dan Savage wrote a pretty good column that stepping out might not be such a horrible thing if it saves the marriage and the ill spouse isn’t up to relations. I’m thinking this is more the terminal spouse who will never again be up for relations but I think the point is it is easy to judge when we are not in another person’s shoes.
dvlaries
Eh … only if they went around gaining notoriety condemning cheating spouses.
They weren’t voting against every gay-friendly initiative while trying to score cop cock in public restrooms or writing salacious emails and IM’s with underage congressional pages. They weren’t wagging a disapproving finger at gays from their televised pulpits while exclaiming to their secret male prostitute “I can’t get enough of that cock!” while the male whore is shooting a dissolved methamphetamine ‘booty bump’ up the hypocritical, closet-case faggot’s asshole! …And later claming he’s ‘cured!’
And while Edwards may have cheated on a wife battling cancer, at least he wasn’t trying to divorce her on her hospital bed like that other pig named Newt.
Blow it out your ass, CatholicExchange.
CHURCHILL-Y
That pic illustrates the hypocrisy of the religious who condemn us perfectly. From the center piece (Edwards) to those in the backgrounds, a great portrait of values and sanctity = crap.
Jaroslaw
Thanks DVLARIES – you said what I was trying to say much better. I’m too nice sometimes! 🙂
Scott Berwitz
I totally agree with the assessments of Republican behavior. I, too, think it’s far MORE hypocritical for Republicans – many of whom lambast any pro-gay intiative and actively work against equal rights – are coming to pages or looking for a bj in a truck stop restroom.
The difference that I am trying to point out is that they get rightfully lambasted in the press for it. Is there anyone who does not know about Larry Craig’s sexual romp in the truck stop..or at least what he attempted? How many of those people even heard of Larry Craig before the news coverage of it?
If the media will pounce on Gingrich, Craig, Foley for their affairs…then they must provide the same treatment to the Democrats…EVEN if they are on the same side of the political fence. It’s basic partisanship vs. principle. I wish others would see this.
Mr C
Churchillybillylillyfagtilly-Y
Just like you and your Mom a great portrait of values and sanctity = crap.
Jaroslaw
Scott, I think people do see it. But look at the numbers. The Republicans from everything I read cheat more, divorce more, disown their Gay kids etc. etc. etc. but the main point which you recognize but don’t seem to get the gravity and depth of – they are so sanctimonious about it – the whole family values thing. You say you understand the hypocrisy, yes, but THAT IS THE POINT. That is why when they (republicans) are caught, you hear it more often and more detail and for longer time periods. Henry Hyde was one of the head members of the committee frying Bill Clinton and when it came up later that he had an affair, he called it a youthful indiscretion. Hello, he was 40. When Gary Hart was the nominee, he said follow him around, well the press did, caught him and his campaign went in the dumper. I could go on, but I think you get the point.
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
See my earlier post. Edwards is at least as contemptible hyprocrite as any of the Republicans you cite. He claimed marital fidelity as fundamental to determining the moral character of a man. He trotted out his poor, sick wife to engender sympathy…while he was secretly cheating on her and fathering a love child. He lied repeatedly. And this is par for the course for this elitist “do as I say, not as I do” politician—as he crusaded for the poor, he built a mega mansion in North Carolina.
Hypocrisy is not at all the province of the Republican party. On sexual matter, it is far more prevalent on the right, on other matters, far, far more prevalent on the left. However, the right gets lambasted, rightfully so, for it. I am fine with that.
I am not fine with the fact that it is applied only to hypocrites on the right, not hypocrites on the left. Edwards is and has always been a contemptible hypocrite…when will people stop defending the fact that he gets away with it in the MSB simply becuase they agree with his politics?
Jaroslaw
Sorry Scott – I wasn’t suggesting that Edwards get away with anything. I was responding to the idea posited by several on this post that Republicans get more negative press than Democrats for similar things and on that idea I disagree. The data supports my contentions.
As to your notion some things are more left and others right implies “moral” equivalence and I disagree with that too. (See DVLARIES post above) let me know if I’m not understanding you.
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
I was responding to your argument (please let me know if I am missing something) that seems to rest on the premise that the reason why Republicans are lambasted more in the press is because of the inherent hypocrisy of their actions (vs. their words). What I am trying to say is that Edwards, specifically, is at least as much of a hypocrite and did NOT receive that treatment in the MSM. In fact, it was completely ignored by them.
I don’t believe in moral equivalence…I do believe in calling things out as I see them. There are Republicans – from Mark Foley to Larry Craig to Ted Haggard who disgust me with their anti-gay stances and influence, and then go home and screw around with gay drugged out hookers and/or troll for bj’s on a truck rest stop. If you’re going to be a bigot, at least don’t be a hypocrite to boot.
However, I would be more than happy to explain the hypocrisy of someone like Nancy Pelosi – for example (there are plenty others) – who preaches about workers unions and does not have a single union worker in her own Napa businesses. That’s hyprocrisy too – it’s bad – and it needs to be taken on a case-by-case as to which is worse than the other.
You keep railing about Republican hypocrisy…and you’re right. And I keep trying to impress upon you about EDWARDS’ hypocrisy – quite awful actually – and asking why he is been gifted by the MSM in not covering his transgressions…when they have pounded away at Republicans who have been hypocritical in the past.
I don’t know if I am communicating this well – I am trying to type quickly here – but I hope it’s coming across properly.
Jaroslaw
Yes, the glaring hypocrisy of the republicans is a major part BUT
NUMERICALLY the republicans divorce more,cheat more as in (I’m making up percentages since I don’t have the data in front of me and you keep missing what I’m saying)
***30%*** of Democrats have cheated or been divorced and ***60%*** of republicans have cheated or been divorced.
The issue is not on a case by case basis of whether or not there are both Dem & rep hypocrites of course there are both.
And AGAIN, I never said Edwards should get a free pass by the media, he should be raked over the coals too. And I didn’t know Pelosi had no union workers- but answer this – did she or her family intimidate them (as WALMART does and many others) to KEEP OUT the union? I doubt it. But let me know.
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
If your argument is that on sexual/marital matters, Republicans are, by and large, far worse hypocrites…I would be inclined to agree. It certainly seems that way anecdotally (please direct me to any data you have on the topic). However, after the way MSM treated the Edwards story, I wonder if I anecdotally see it that way because we have specifically been made unaware of anything tawdry involving Democrats. Interesting on how bias can end up swinging back against the group it’s trying to protect…isn’t it? It lends doubt to everything.
I do not understand what Walmart has to do with anything. I am making a simple statement…Pelosi is a hypocrite…a bad one. I’d be happy to direct you to a full compliation of how deep it goes. It does not advance your argument to bring in Walmart out of the clear blue and say, “Well, did she do that???” as if that means anything.
It doesn’t.
Jaroslaw
Dear Scott –
It is not possible or practical to keep up on every issue nor do I have the interest in doing so. In the absence of information about Nancy Pelosi in your post I perhaps improperly advanced my own preconceived notion that Nancy Pelosi is more decent than Walmart who I DO KNOW intentionally keeps out Union workers. If Nancy Pelosi or her family does the same, just say so here.
Now to the matters of who is more decent, obviously neither the repubs or dems have the interest of the majority of the people at heart but it seems to me the majority of the time it is the republicans who are working back room deals to help big corporations screw the little people.
As to the sex/cheating/divorce data, I believe Larry Flynt of Hustler magazine compiled that some years ago (dems vs repub)
Jaroslaw
Scott – I thought of something overnight – remember Bill Clinton & Monica? That went on almost an entire year,was on the new DAILY, congressional investigations and everything over a BJ!!!!!!! Almost impeached! And the most popular president in a long time…..$90 million investigation over Whitewater which proved NOTHING. But when GW Bush ran for president it didn’t come out until a few weeks before the elections that he was a drunk and a coke head. I remember because the news made a point of saying one of the western states who did post cards for absentee ballots were already in before the news broke. And then the stupid public “forgot” by the next election. Why didn’t the media harp on this daily for a year? This example by itself discredits the idea the Democrats get special treatment.
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
This is ridiculous. I mention Nancy Pelosi, and you mention Walmart. You even refer me to data commissioned by that great, objective (and huge Democratic supporter) researcher, Larry Flynt. Now you bring in Bill Clinton – a man who was not only corrupt, but could not stop lying about it, only perpetuating the coverage of his infidelities.
For the record, Whitewater resulted in 14 convictions. So you can dispel with the myth that the investigation proved nothing.
You have found every way to avoid the original question. First you said it was because Republicans are my hypocritical – but then, it turns out, Edwards is AT LEAST as hypocritical. Now it’s well, Bill Clinton – 10 years ago – got the business. Nevermind he was a sitting president with a laundry list of infidelities he continuously lied about.
By this point, I would bet you are aware of how ridiculous it is that the MSM chose to ignore Edwards affairs (and lies) while immediately pouncing on Foley, Gingrich, Craig, et al. It’s about time you concede the point already.
Jaroslaw
Scott – you are reading impaired! THAT is ridiculous. I HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY I THINK EDWARDS SHOULD GET THE SAME TREATMENT AS EVERYONE ELSE GETS IN THE MEDIA. I never said I liked Bill Clinton or that he wasn’t an adulterer. I just don’t think it was worth a year’s worth of media attention for a BJ when nothing is being done about 100’s of billions being spent on Iraq war that is mortgaging our great grandchildren’s future. THERE IS NO COMPARISON – people are going to have sex. Period. Are you going to care when you don’t have social security? Or if you job goes overseas? When have I had a problem admitting I’m wrong? If Whitewater resulted in 14 convictions, I’m wrong. But they didn’t get Bill or Hillary. And my memory of that whole situation was that it was a very crooked way to get convictions. But since you pointed out my error about Whitewater, why did you not comment on the impeachment? Finally, PLEASE for the third time tell what is so bad about Nancy Pelosi and her non union workforce. It couldn’t take up that much room.
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
I am not reading imapired and you have said that Edwards should get the treatment – though only within the context of why it’s so much worse when a Republican does it, how much more hypocrtical they are, and providing suspect statistics on how less likely Dems are to commit these offenses, etc., etc. I think you are not willing to admit WHY he actually has NOT been “raked over the coals” and I wholeheartedly disagree with your attempts to explain this as anything but what it is…bias.
Now, as far as Nancy Pelosi – who I think may be the single most useless politician in America today…
Here is a quote from Peter Schweizer wrote a book on liberal hypocrisy. It reads:
“Schweizer: Nancy Pelosi bashes everyone who doesn’t allow unions to call the shots. Everyone that is except herself. It’s takes an amazing amount of gall to accept the Cesar Chavez Award from the United Farmworkers Unions while using non-UFW workers on your Napa Valley Vineyard. It takes the same to praise the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union and take massive sums of money from them all the while keeping them out of your Hotel and chain of restaurants. But again, I think Pelosi correctly assumes that no one in the media will challenge her on this.”
Jaroslaw
There are no qualifiers as to my assertion Edwards should get the same treatment as anyone else. Whether Dems or Repubs get better or worse is a related but separate subject which you apparently have a problem understanding.
And I forgot – Larry Flynt does not have to be saint or a sinner to do research. I do not recall it being disputed at the time either. But even if it was, LOOK at what we do know. The republicans are forever using bogus issues such as same sex marriage to divert attention from their main agenda which is to keep all the money. They fight unions, fight any benefits to working people, fight Gay rights; meanwhile having affairs of their own. THEY are sex obsessed. I wish they would get THEIR OWN personal houses in order before trying to legislate other’s private behavior.
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
Jaroslaw – when you respond to an article specifically devoted to how the MSM has completely ignored Edwards’ affair (until he freaking admitted to it and they no longer could credibly avoid it) as a platform to rail against Republicans, it speaks volumes. Sure, you did say, (And I have said this before) that Edwards should be subjected to the same treatment. What YOU don’t seem to undertand is WHY he wasn’t.
I care that Larry Flynt is a partisan Democrat who openly hates Republicans and has conducted studies, that as far as I can tell, have not been available for peer review in any form and, surprise, surprise, confirms his political stances. That should at least raise a red flag for you – it apparently does not – one can only deduce that you are less concerned because you side with him politically. Tell me if I’m wrong.
I am not a Republican – and on much of what you say – I agree. Which is why I have attacked a lot of conservatives in my posts in the past. But if you think for a single moment that Dems are any less interested in money than Republicans, you are drinking the Kool Aid…see my earlier post about Pelosi. On the public forum, she is more than happy to spout out leftist platitudes about worker’s unions. When it comes to her own waller (she is worth an immense amount of money) she doesn’t have a single union worker employed at any of her businesses. Why? Because it’s more expensive…and she gets richer using non-union workers. Is that okay with you? I hope it isn’t. And it’s the very definition of hypocrisy.
I agree that I would like the Republicans to stay the hell out of sexual morality. I wish James Dobson – the religious right Kingmaker would shut his ignorant mouth. I find it hilarious when they promote anti-gay legislation and then get caught in the most tawdry, gay sex scenarios. We are in agreement on that.
Jaroslaw
Scott – I apparently misunderstand the posting process per you! (and sorry to sound mean and nasty, that’s not my intent – we would probably like each other if we met) and as you graciously allowed – we agree on much.
The problem here is that with the exception of Morning Goods (guys saying “yes” he’s hot or “no” he’s not) ALL of the other posts kind of devolve into the inclusion of general discussion of the broader subject matter as opposed to staying 100% completely on the posted item.
I DO understand the nature of this post, and that the question is WHY the media ignored it until Edwards admitted it. Don’t let me put words in your mouth, (something else maybe)* but the way I take your posts is you think the Dems are getting a pass much more so than the repubs. Or at the very least Edwards did.
Most likely we’ll never know if the press is duplicitous. But then, that is why the other supporting subject matter was brought up by me. Not because I don’t understand it. But trying to make a determination within the broadest possible picture. How did so many others go for years and years? It would have been just – as in justice (not get-even-delicious-I told you so) for Henry Hyde’s affair to become public WHILE he was grilling Bill. And worse, he should have been drummed out of office for calling it a “youthful indiscretion” when he was 40.
* sorry, I couldn’t resist. It wasn’t a slam or anything negative toward you ….
Scott Berwitz
Jaroslaw –
Loved your last post…sure we’ll agree in the future :).