Years ago I dressed up as a flasher one Halloween to march in the parade in New York City. While shopping with my friend for costumes I saw a prop with a double on it and on a dare bought it. I put real gold leaf on my face, strapped on the prop, put on my long coat and went out into the night flashing. It was great fun and most people found it hilarious except one woman in the only all night restaurant at the time on 9th street in the East Village. She was sitting with her boyfriend and my friend told her to look under our table where the prop was exposed. Her reaction was one of total disgust and she let the entire restaurant know it. Her boyfriend came over demanding to know what my friend and I did for a living. I told him my buddy, Sam, was a doctor and I was a rock musician. He refused to believe Sam was a doctor and stated he worked in the music industry and would be sure to end my music career, which must be the reason I never became famous. Anyway I stood on my chair exposed the prop for all to see which caused the entire place to break out in laughter causing the two rightous individuals to quickly exit the room.
So what does this story have to do with Congressman Weiner maybe nothing or maybe something. I could have just cowered in that restaurant and let the frenzied woman and her boyfriend demonize Sam and myself becoming embarrassed and ashamed. Instead I just stood up to let everyone see what these two idiots were freaking out about. Congressman Weiner gave into his fear and it is ironic he ended up exactly where he feared most! I have no judgement to make on Weiner's recreational activities except that they were careless to say the least. However his actions and in particular his complete disregard for other people by letting them make fools of themselves defending him is my problem with him. If you're going to be an 'Internet Flasher' then you'd better be strong enough to admit the truth when caught. Congressman Weiner has been a huge disappoinment not because of what he did but because he didn't have the courage to admit the truth until he was totally cornered. He willingly threw us all to the lions to cover up his bad decisions. I think in the end he will resign because that really is the only path left to him.
If anyone thinks I'm in anyway against Congressman Weiner they would be extremely mistaken. I have met Congressman Weiner and his wife on several occasions in the past and absolutely admired and believed in his political abilities even thinking he could someday run for President. I feel great pain today watching such a man destroy his career. It is with much sorrow I write this diary for we have lost a great voice of the people.