I am not going to defend the foibles of our politicians when it comes down to getting their fingers caught in the cookie jar as it were. However the puritanical rantings of much of the English language press has to be put into perspective, it is the same methodology that the right wing use about icky homosexual goings on. Basically if it is not sex within wedlock, between two members of the opposite sex and probably limited to the missionary position, then it's just too kinky to be allowed.
It's how the tabloids roll [and a lot of the so called serious press,] sex is nasty at best, and if it is with someone else outside of what is deemed to be allowable in their tiny puritanical minds, well, the world is going to end. I hate to tell them, it's not, and apparently I am not alone in this way of thinking.
This reply by the editor in chief of France 24 made me smile, some highlights:
The real problem here is Hollande’s failure to understand that France’s tabloid journalists have adopted some of the more invasive practices of their Anglo-Saxon counterparts. If they don’t yet steal quotes from hacked email accounts and phone messages, they probably will soon
I would have expected our colleagues in the English press to scold us for not using the press conference to question Hollande more pointedly about the new, fiscally conservative economic policies he pitched. Where will his proposed 50 billion euros in spending cuts come from? What social services will be slashed? Will workers be expected to put in more hours without extra pay? Are we moving away from the 35-hour work week? Will we be taking less vacation? Retiring later?
Pardon my French, but who cares? As long as our president doesn’t start awarding perks and privileges to those he chooses to socialise with, I don’t see why this is our business.
But, but....
It's so much more fun to think salacious thoughts and postulate how the sexual interaction between consenting adults will bring and end to the world as we know it, rather than reporting on what is actually affecting all of our daily lives.
The right wing has grasped morality by the short and curlies to sell their homophobia, rather than face the question of equal rights, because, well you know, ick and stuff.
I agree with the editor in chief as long as it does not involve the abuse of power I really could not care less. The only reason I can think of is by reporting on it constantly that it is being used to fill a deep dark void in their own and their readers lives.
If I was to speculate perhaps all this infidelity has lead to Hollande embracing fiscal conservatism, forget about the money and the corporations, it's obviously the sex thingy.
Now if it was to involve rape, pimping, prostitution and pedophilia connected to political power wrangling, yes Dominique and Silvio I'm thinking of you, then I can see a point to investigating fully and bringing criminal charges when necessary. Infidelity is hurtful to those concerned, abuse of power however is a sign that those with power cannot be trusted, and yes Chris Christie I'm thinking of you, OMG Ick, no sex scandal please Mr Christie.
2:58 AM PT: Now if you want to read a real scandal abuse of power and pure vileness this has it all:
http://www.theguardian.com/...