Wiston Papers

Outrageous behavior and unacceptable reactions

Sadly, we once again have a public official who has disgraced his job and betrayed his marital vows through moral and ethical lapse.

CIA Director David Petraeus resigned suddenly this week citing an extramarital affair.  His resignation was an appropriate step.

Equally sad, however, is the reaction of California Senator Dianne Feinstein.   Her comment implies that such Bill Clintonesque misbehavior is of no consequence and should be ignored rather than condemned.  

 

Such betrayal by Petraeus and comments by Feinstein are an insult to American taxpayers who deserve better behavior and moral resolve from their public servants.

The latter are not evident in either the actions of Gen. Petraeus or his defense by Ms. Feinstein.

Why do we allow such egregious decisions by our public servants to cloud their judgment and obstruct the work or office for which we elected them or  to which they were appointed?

The list of miscreants is long:  

*  President John F. Kennedy cheated on his wife, Jacqueline, numerous times.

*  Former Colorado Senator Gary Hart challenged reporters to “watch me” if they suspected any misbehavior.  They did and found him with Donna Rice.

*    Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had a liaison with a Senate staff member.

*    Former Senator and Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards strayed from his wife even as she was dying from cancer.

*    Vice President Al Gore separated from wife, Tipper, shortly after his affair was revealed.

*  Senator John Ensign was seeing the wife of a staff member before being forced to resign from office.

*   South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was missing from office as he sought to “find himself,” which he did with his Argentine mistress.

*  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was bedding the nanny of his children.

*    New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was prone with prostitutes.

*   President Bill Clinton had a series extramarital sexcapades with Monica Lewinsky, Genifer Flowers and Paula Jones.

Too often these sexual adventures are excused by observers or apologists who claim they are private affairs.  Nonsense.

Our public servants have no private lives.  They are elected by us, paid by us, and work for us.  Their every waking moment should be an open book and every moment they should be engaged in activities that improve the nation’s welfare.

The men above betrayed our trust, violated their contractual obligation with voters, reneged on their marital vows, and deserve our condemnation and outrage.  Anything short of that reaction is unacceptable.

As I wrote here prior to the national elections, the U.S.A. can have a better government than this.  Unfortunately, we all too often choose persons whose behavior tarnishes their office and accept excuses that insult us. Both the Petraeus actions and Feinstein comment prove my argument.

Steve Coon

November 10, 2012