Governor Eliot Spitzer resigns today after an extraordinary scandal linking him to a prostitution ring:
This is a stunning fall from grace for the former Governor who was popularly dubbed 'the crusader' and the 'Sheriff of Wall Street'. A man who made his name busting shady practices on Wall Street and bringing crooked corporate executives to justice and who was elected to office in 2006 with a sweeping mandate to reform politics. He has become, ironically, the subject of his own self-made scandal doing the very same things he fought against to be where he is. Those close to the Governor expressed shock and dismay as the news of the scandal unfolded but many of his enemies (and he's got quite a few) from Albany to Wall Street were emboldened if not jubilant about the news.
According to investigators, Spitzer was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute from the Emperors Club VIP call girl service. Prosecutors said in court papers that Spitzer was spending $4,300 for a night with a prostitute named Kristen, and made plans to have her travel from New York to Washington where he had reserved a hotel room. Mr. Spitzer was identified as client 9 in the case and court papers also suggested he had used the call girl service several times in the past. Law enforcement officials contend that Spitzer may have spent tens of thousands of dollars with the Emperors Club over a period of years, some put the figure as high as $80,000. One has to ask the question, what would lead someone with the caliber and success of Eliot Spitzer to do such a foolhardy thing that he knows, if discovered, will almost certainly destroy his career and reputation as a public figure? Nonetheless, Spitzer is by no means unique to this type of behavior, he is only the latest in a slew of powerful men who have surrendered at the alter of lust. We all remember Bill Clinton's "I did not have sex with that woman" during the height of the Monica Lewinsky back in the late 90s and who can forget Jim McGreevy's "I am a Gay American" confession or the more spectacular denial by America's favorite bathroom enthusiast Larry Craig "I am not Gay and I never have been Gay". Plus other scandal plagued politicians in recent history like Republicans David Vitter of Louisiana and Mark Foley of Florida have also tasted their fair share of national disgrace.
Some men would not admit it but the truth is our penises hold incredible sway over our lives. It is a mighty powerful organ for it's relative size. It can override (no pun intended) all sense of rational reasoning and cause us to do things even we wont defend. It brings great pleasure but it can also cause great pain (when we use it for the wrong reasons). It builds lives (procreation) but is just as capable of destroying them (STDs, rape, scandals to name a few). Like the tongue (as referenced in the scriptures) it is an unruly member of the body that should be kept under subjection. Many a distinguished men since time immemorial have fallen victim to this muscular appendage that hangs between the legs.
Eliot Spitzer, as men we stand by you, we know what you did was wrong and utterly disgraceful for someone in your position but we can certainly identify with what you are going through. We must all learn a lesson from this and this goes for all men out there: single or married, rich or poor, black or white, endowed or not well endowed. You must be extra vigilant in maintaining your dignity lest you be betrayed by the cocky.