Dear Congressman Weiner:
After some unconvincing denials, you have confirmed that reports that you sent out photos of yourself either unclothed or partially clothed. Andrew Breitbart claimed vindication—I’m sure it was one the biggest achievements of his life.
You have much larger achievements including getting the vote for 9-11 first responders. You speak with uncommon passion and courage as you take on the right wing as they try to make our country less compassionate, less secure and less prosperous. I have supported your efforts to fight the right wing. I still do.
“Corruptio optimi pessima” (Corruption of the best is the worst) applies here because what you did corrupted all of the good that you have done. You lied to the media and to your friends. It hurts.
However, this is not the end of the world. And it should not be the end of your Congressional term or your political career. Others have done far worse and remained in office. After some embarrassment and shame—perhaps some damage to a marriage--they have moved on wiser and more careful about what they do.
This is the time when you will find out who your friends are. I am one of them. I don’t know you but I admire you. Since you are human, you have faults but your achievements FAR outweigh your faults. Please take some time for the appropriate apologies—be sure to include yourself—and then get on with your work in the Congress. You are far too valuable to the nation to let something like this put you on the sidelines permanently.