I had been trying to narrow down a topic for this week’s post and had narrowed it down to a few. One of the ones I had been leaning towards was a thought I had about what I think I want in a leader. Whether it be in management, politic, sports idols or whatever it is that requires someone to step up and be that beacon of guidance we all look for from time to time. But also, what it is that we do when someone we have entrusted with so much simply shows what he is: human. So yesterday’s revelation by New York Congressman Anthony Weiner is the reason I’ve decided on today’s post. While this may startle both side of the fence when it comes to those that tend to side with me and them that don’t, I feel that those rushing to judge the congressman and call for his outright resignation should take a moment and breath.
There is not a whole lot that I particularly like or enjoy about when it comes to Congressman Weiner. On the list of people I want to see in charge, he stenciled closer to the bottom than the top. So for all those that may think this is a dramatic shift in what I feel is right and good for our country, just wait a split second. That’s not what this is about. He annoys me to no end. Zero doubt about it. This is about how we view our leaders…..in my opinion. Weiner was wrong. Cut and dried. No way around it. He’s evoked the whole double standard debate that rages every time a politician gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar. And when he emulated the ever moral Billy Clinton, he only added to his problems. (Think index finger extended, making things clear routine) Though it was Mark Twain who wrote, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt”, it’s been my uncle who seems to remind me of that, more often than not, after a lively debate between to the two us. And that’s 100% what A to the T to the H to the ONY should have done after the news of his sexting and lewd photos surfaced. But, he didn’t and as he tried to scramble for cover, he only dug his hole even deeper….but not his grave. And he should refrain from resigning.
Weiner has been representing the 9th New York Congressional District since 1999. And while he has never been remotely approached by a Republican challenger (In 2006, he ran unopposed), he apparently has the backing of his constituents. I don’t agree with his policies or his staunch Democratic agenda. But, I respect the fact that he does not back down. He believes in what he believes in and rarely waivers. He is not afraid to fight for what he wants. I am an avid Fox News Channel watcher and I have seen him many, many times on taking barbs and jabs from everyone in the debate. He has every right, every single time to turn town their requests that he join a debate. He chooses not to. He’s loud, brash, obnoxious and a pit bull all at the same time. You have to have all viewpoints represented. So, like or despise him, that’s integrity. From a professional standpoint. I do tend to believe in the Republican way of thinking. At the same time, I don’t believe in a lack of checks and balances. I’ll admit a while after Bush first took office and there was a Republican Congress as well as a Conservative Court, I was uneasy. I don’t believe in absolute power. Absolute power corrupts…absolutely.
That being said, Weiner and his backers should take this as an opportunity. I think the bigger question is not when will he finally resign but how will he emerge from this. He can take this incident and the regret that he feels and harness it into an even stronger front for his policies and agenda. This is not condoning anything he’s done. But in a society full of options and temptations, who are we to judge?? The proof will be in how he forges forward tomorrow. I applaud him for not stepping down. Our country needs leaders that will not go with the grain and he is incessant on being the squeaky wheel. He represents the district in New York to which I have very close ties. And, I will tell you, it is very much a working class area. I have seen firsthand the hard work that goes into living in that area. They need an outspoken politician like Weiner. I just hope he is, in the end, who he says he is. I wish him luck.
Which brings me to the real meat of what I want to say. None of us are perfect. None. And if you say you are, you’re only lying to yourself. And when it comes to leaders, we should not cast stones. They are people just like us. Mistakes are inevitable. To me, it is how you approach everything after that blunder. And when it comes to someone to lead me into whatever, I want to know that he’s made mistakes. I need to be reassured that he has experience in defeat and regret. Not to justify mine but to see how they handle themselves after that miscue. One need look no further than football for what I’m trying to say. Brett Favre was one of the greatest quarterbacks that have played the game. Honest. He holds the record for most touchdowns in a career: 497. On the flip side, he also holds the record for most interceptions in a career: 317. To put that into perspective, Peyton Manning is third in TD passes lifetime with 366. If you didn’t know anything about football except that interceptions were bad, you pick Neil O’Donnell (second lifetime in lowest interception percentage) over Brett Favre. (Ask any Steeler fan how much they enjoyed his time at Three Rivers.) But, in truth, you’d pick Favre. He failed…a lot. But, as you can see, he trotted back out onto the field after that turnover with a renewed sense of resolve to make up for that mistake. He’s a proven winner. That’s who I want to see in my corner.
Infidelity, corruption, they’re not good. In fact, they’re appalling. But, they happen. Those things aren’t isolated to the Democratic side of the aisle, either. And I don’t want my congressman or president chasing every intern that smiles and laughs at their jokes. But, if it does happen, we have to realize that if we continue to hold those to a standard we ourselves may have a tough time with that we may pass on a great leader once the dust clears. We have to see how they hold themselves and walk amongst those screaming for their demise once they wake the next day. See if they can rise above the lack of sane judgment that has befallen them. Surge forward with a new sense of purpose. Throughout the ages, we’ve endured scandals beyond our belief. We cannot be that naïve. There’s no denying it. But it doesn’t change the fact the majority of those in power will continue to strive for what’s best for those they represent. If we want our leaders to be citizens among citizens, then we have to offer forgiveness and a chance at redemption. Anthony Weiner was, by anyone’s account, wrong. There’s no other way to dice it. And I wouldn’t lose a lick of sleep if he doesn’t get re-elected next time around. But for his policy making. For the hard working citizens that believe in him, he deserves a second chance. Here’s to him making the most of it….
Until next time…….
4 Comments
So what you are saying Weiner can show his wiener and we should give him a second chance, but if I show mine I will get fired without a chance of getting my job back. I am going to have to disagree with you on this one. I don’t hold him to any higher standard than I hold myself. The quality of work he does should not impact the decision.
I cannot agree with you more on all your points. We are all human and many have done worse we just are not in the public light. I do however believe that as a leader you should be held to a higher standard, but as humans we will always fail, we all deserve grace and forgiveness. I love the fact that you brought out it is how we deal with our failures, do we pick our selves up, seek forgiveness, repent (turn from) and go on, or do we lie and hide from it. We as people have to be cautious who we put our trust in, you cannot fully depend on any person, they will sin, hurt or fail you as you will them. We do not mean to it is just human nature (sin nature) we are all born with. Thank you for bringing this perspective to light, I agree with forgiveness and how you react after a sin is brought out. We need leaders to stand strong and lead us as a nation and not to run at the first failure. Now let me make myself clear, I in no way support Weiner, and hate what he stands for and his political beliefs, but we are called to give forgiveness, love and grace to those who need it and I am willing to do that.
“Integrity” This man has none. As far as him choosing to make a mockery of every debate he shows up too, he has nothing positive to bring. His biggest debate is defending ObamaCare in which he will never get the “luxury” of getting. I’ll have to disagree with you on this one, he is just another addition to the fall of American values.
Condoning or supporting Mr. Weiner was never the message I wanted to send. I personally cannot stand the guy. And I have yet to see anything he says make sense…to me. When I said integrity, it was in reference to the fact that he doesn’t waiver on his stances and political views. And to a Left Democrat, he does have integrity, in that context. I agree with the steady decline of American values. But the fact of the matter is that there is probablly more of that that goes on thatn we’ll ever know. And if we just cross that person off for a personal bonehead move, we’ll be left with unqualified leaders. This article was about letting those in charge, while still being accountable, allowed to seek what we all seek when we hit a pothole. A path of redemption. I am showing that we are quick to judge those we don’t agree with when the next big smear could involve those we admire and respect. I have zero sympathy for what Congressman Weiner has done and the personal ramifications it will bring to him…personally. But for a Democrat that lives in that district, he fights for them. And I’m not one of those particular citizens. Whether or not I agree with how he acts or what he stands for is irrelevant. And furthermore, there couldn’t be a more apt named person than him. And for his cause, not mine, all I say is that the left side of the aisle would lose one of their most feirce fighters. And we all need good, strong people in our corner. The people I look to will falter, that is the way of the world. But if I had the strength to forgive and see how they bounced back, I could grow in that sense. the issue wiht Weiner was merely a segway into what I wanted to write about. That I want my leaders to be mortal and human. That way I know they bleed. But, in the end, it would show me their intestinal fortitude in the face of adversity. And THAT’S the kind of person I want in front of me. Our country is at the brink of teh point of critical mass. Who do have to lead us. Who has been allowed to fall and rise like The Phoenix?? I believe in who I am. And I’m who I am and have accomplished the things I have, not because of the good days. Anyoe can get through those. I forged forward because of the things I learned looking up from the bottom of that hole. That was the underlying message.