Sanford, Ensign, Spitzer, McNair...

Do all our role models have "someone on the side" these days? Is this something that we need to accept about modern life?

It sure seems like that's what people in high profile positions believe, privately and when caught, want to dare us to argue with them about publicly these days.

From politicians like United States Senators and the Governors of some states, to NFL players who appear publicly happy in their marriages but like to have a little 'sumpin-sumpin' on the side, it seems like those who are successful want extra rewards in their personal lives.

And when they are caught, they want to simply say "Oops! Sorry." And we're all supposed to just move on. You know, it's one thing to forgive infidelity, which is probably truly between the sinner and their spouse, but I must admit, I'm not nearly as forgiving when the adulterer has lied publicly. If they were just quiet about it, that's one thing. But public servants, lying to the public, I'm hard pressed to suggest that deserves a free pass.

Particularly annoying is when the rationale is "Oh, we fell in love." No sir. 15 year olds "fall in love." College kids under the influence "fall in love." Grownups with responsibilities (Like four sons? Or a mortgage with another person's name on it. Or promises made?) are supposed to be on their guard against that type of thing.

These opportunities aren't made in a vacuum bottle. They don't "just happen." They happen because someone left the garden gate open and the rabbits snuck in and started chewing on the radishes.

Wouldn't you think that right now, in the midst of the worst economic downturn in decades, most people would be trying to hang on to what they've got, rather than taking it outside their marriage? Taking it down the street and around the corner can get mighty pricey. And in at least one case, police say it cost former NFL quarterback, Steve McNair, shot to death by his financially desperate girlfriend, far too much.

Why do high profile, easily spottable public figures think they won't get caught? At the risk of everything that they have why not keep it zipped all day and take it home at night?

I don't actually have any answers on this. I don't think it's ironic or even slightly funny. My only thought is to note that it seems like in addition to losing money these days, we're losing a lot of capital in the integrity arena. I would have thought we didn't start with any to spare.

Addendum: this one seems more like an annoyed whine than a blog. Better stuff in the next one, I believe. We'll have some fun again.

When Is a Pimp NOT a Pimp?

When is a pimp not a pimp? Perhaps it's when he is trying to get money from the man his wife has been having an affair with. In that case, the law has a much uglier word for it.

Consider the case of Senator John Ensign (R-NV) who just announced that he had an affair with a campaign staffer and apparently, we are now told, the wife of a man who he says tried to make some money on it. The picture at right is of Sen. and Mrs. (Darlene) Ensign.

Prostitution is legal in Nevada, but not in Clark County, which is where all of the parties involved make their homes.

According to Sen. Ensign, he had an eight month long affair with Cynthia Hampton, who was working as treasurer for his political committees. He came forward with this public admission several days ago, and since then, there's been a lot of talk about why he did that? Why the public mea culpa when he said he'd apologized to his wife, spoken to his church leaders and was privately trying to put this behind him?

Well, it now appears he came forward to stop his mistress' husband from outing the liaison. According to the Ensign camp, an attorney for wronged husband, Doug Hampton approached an attorney for the Junior Senator from Nevada last month about a financial settlement.

Oh, okay. A financial settlement? Is that what they're calling it now? I find myself wondering if the price isn't supposed to be negotiated before the deal is uhhhh, consummated?

The Ensigns and the Hamptons were lifelong friends, according to reports. But perhaps the "friends and neighbors discount" wasn't offered?

If it's true, extortion isn't funny. And neither is a man who belatedly pimps out his wife.

I don't ever have sympathy for someone who commits adultery within their marriage or another person's marriage. But now that the Senator presumably is focused on working things out with (the only apparent innocent in this fiasco) his wife, and her own husband has shown that his greater concern for the financial aspect of things, I can't help but wonder at the rude awakening Cynthia Hampton has had.

Note to RNC: cancel all political retreats and junkets effective immediately. Give campaign staffers extra leave. Immediately schedule MARITAL RETREATS, no staffers allowed. Kick anyone who tries to skip them out of party.