I've read and heard different opinions on why Anthony Weiner's wife ought to leave him. I've heard the question, "why does she stand by him?" spoken with disdain and incredulity. Or stating that she is embarrassing herself or feminism or some such thing for not repudiating him.
Feh.
While everyone is standing there pointing and judging and all I'd like to point out that staying with your wife or husband while they are publicly pilloried takes guts. That 'better or worse' is part of most American marriage vows. It isn't 'better or until you embarrass me'. Unlike Elliott Spitzer, Mr. Weiner hasn't broken any laws. Unlike Govenor Appalachian Train he hasn't had an actual affair. So really who's business is this anyway?
We have no tolerance for public sexual deviance, even though in many closets and bedrooms and under-the-bed boxes in millions of American homes is plenty of evidence of deviance. Mr. Weiner isn't all that different from every other person who has ever taken a selfie, traded pics, chatted, fantasized in the semi-public fun house that is the internet. Oh I've never done it. Neither have you I bet. Yeah right.
Could we all collectively grow up please? I'm feeling as if we're all getting our "holier than thou" on right now while at the same time slowing down to oggle the wreck as we pass by. Both reactions are pretty nasty.
Mr. Weiner needs help, not with sexual deviance or compulsion, but with this clear bout of self-sabotage. I find this self-inflicted wound of his to be sad and cause for compassion, not more judgment.