Give 'em Hell, Sam!

If sex is so disgusting, how come there are so many of us?

please...it's not the relationship..it is the abuse of power. He used his role as commissioner to woo an impressionable 17 year old. When confronted with it, he tried to spin it into some kind of Big Brother/Mentor act when it was really just a grooming this boy into bed.

Then he used his power to get a Portland Mercury reporter who worked on the original article a crushy city job ($55K/yr--paid by taxpayers) in the Sustainability department that she isn't qualified for.

He lies about it when he's running for mayor because to do otherwise, kills his chances. What else will he lie about? That we really need a convention center hotel at taxpayer expense? He has got to go!

Actually, Portland is 14th on the list of twittering cities.

Thanks for this, it's an interesting tack. You might also create a tag cloud with Wordle from tweets just to get another perspective.

14th on the list of Twittering cities worldwide may make it #1 per capita. Portland is #1 per capita in a lot of media consumption, actually.

And I like this way of sampling opinion. It's not as scientific as a poll, but it also provides more nuance.

And a lot of people seem to think Sam planned this timing, rather than WW timing the publication date for tomorrow morning.

I get so tired of reading about out of control politicians and those who condone their recklessness.

For the "it's only sex" crowd, here's a sobering thought which is about as much of a "fact" as we know of in American politics:

If Bill Clinton had kept his Willie to himself, George W. Bush would never have been elected President (I, for one, don't believe he was truly elected ... but he did "win" as a technical matter). That's right, Al Gore would have used Bill to campaign for him, and the last eight years would have never happened.

Now for something that is a bit less of a fact, but only a bit: if John Edwards had won the nomination like a lot of progressives wanted and then was exposed for his affair during the general election, we may have just inaugurated John McCain and his unthinkable V.P.

The moral of the story is: stop defending this kind of conduct. These politicians need to know that this kind of behavior won't cut it. It's like a QB going out and getting drunk the morning of the Super Bowl. Yes, most of have gotten drunk at one point or another, but for a QB to do that on Super Bowl Sunday would be indefensible, given the circumstances.

Gore should have campaigned with Clinton anyway, because he had high favorability ratings. And being fodder for jokes has never disqualified all the presidents we've ever had, so I don't see why a lame one apparently made up on a blog is a career-ender for Sam. As for everyone being worried Sam's going to rape all their babies, I think that's an overactive imagination.

Can't speak for the Twitter comments, but I just spent the past couple hours reading probably 500+ comments on local blogs, and I'd venture to guess that it's running about 80% against Sam - not the 50-50 split these "representative" comments of yours show, Kari. Just sayin.

As literally hundreds of people have stated before me, it's not about the sex. He should not have lied, or induced others to lie for him. The ends do not ever justify the means.

Perhaps his campaign would have suffered if he told the truth or simply refused to answer (for the very justifiable reason that it isn't our business if everything was indeed legal), but I don't feel that it is up to Adams - or anyone in such a position - to decide that I'm not capable of weighing the facts and deciding for myself what's relevant and true. I'm an intelligent adult and would appreciate being treated as one. We've had eight long years of people in power lying to us "for our own good" and telling us the ends justifies the means. It never does.

Kari, change the name to someone you revile, like say Bill Sizemore and an 18 year old republican lwgislative intern. Still no problem?

I am not trying to be snarky. the fact remains that this was an abuse of power by a political insider. Adams then lied about it when it came up. The people of Portland now get to deal with it.

The issue is here credibility. Sam Adams purposely lied to us for his own personal gain, and urged others to lie on his behalf. He has no credibility now.

For the good of Portland he should resign immediately.

The Reagan baby boom has come home to roost. Those born then are now influencing opinion and, to that generation, dissembling is the cost of doing business.

Posted by: david | Jan 21, 2009 6:36:17 AM

For the good of Portland he should resign immediately.

That's the legal definition of fraud; portraying a situation contrary to fact for purpose of consideration. Like it or not, the business of America is business, and the preferred method of carrying on that business is fraud.

"People lie about sex. Get over it"

Why? Just because we have liberal idealism, it does not entitle us to become Godless in our actions.

It may be consensual, it may be between 'adults' (legally I may add), but the age difference is what's disgusting. Breedlove's age would make him seem like Sam's own child, being that Sam is 42. Common sense would dictate that you would leave someone alone and not persue someone that is at an age that would make them your son or daughter (or in Breedlove's case, your Parent).

But, as we have seen many times over in our current society, a person's Cultural side overrides logical common sense and has been legally upheld as such in some instances. So, I guess, there is nothing we can do about it but be disgusted over it and live with the Godless consequenses.

Kind time of days! Help the Russian student not to starve to death, send to whom how many it is not a pity money on WM purse Z766143102689. Thankful in advance...

Did you read the WW article? Did you read about how Breedlove has had some very emotional problems, how he felt that Sam could destroy his future? And why wouldn't he? He destroyed one of his opponent's reputations just to save his own skin and coached an 18 year old kid to lie for him. Or does Breedlove need to end up like Neil Goldschmit's teenage love doll before the harm is recognized?

What about the liability Adams could have exposed the City to? What about a mayor being compromised by threats of blackmail? What about the lies? Adams wasn't caught off guard, he systematically lied in interviews, lied in press releases, and coached his barely-not-rape-victim to lie for him.

I guess in one respect I will agree. Breedlove was the bigger man. He apologized to the candidate Adams smeared and ultimately came forward to tell the truth. The irony is, this 18 year old kid was honest and the real adult in this story. He is a much better reflection on the gay community than Adams, who just reinforces every negative stereotype there is (which is the point three of my gay friends were making yesterday).

Kari, maybe if you could write a short skit to illustrate, because I'm just not getting any kind of viable mental image here. The comments about age/sex aren't moralistic (excepting EP's- saying "Godless"; weakens any argument, duh...), it's an inability to imagine the scenario.

Please describe/act out for us having a progressive political discussion with the guy, something about the big picture. Kind of like "My Dinner with Andre". Then cut to his having a conversation with Beau Breedlove. What did they talk about? Are we supposed to imagine that it's purely physical? I had a date once that said, "I'm not interested in you, I just like your cock", and was never sure if that made it better or not. Sure, people act like animals. They don't usually stop and have progressive discussions while doing it. What's the basis? If it's only physical is that a good reason to risk your political future? After Shrub, I'm more interested in a politicos risk taking index than views, pretty much. That, imho, was the final straw that killed McCain. He was a risk taker in his campaign at the very moment he was trying to portray himself as different from Shrub.

Psychology holds that there is a huge correlation between need for power and sexual conquests. I've said a million times that the primate "great man" complex, and peoples' unwillingness to question their biological assumptions holds the politics a prisoner of the assumptions required to sustain that thinking. This is a classic example. If you accept that situation, Sam Adams is "always a good choice". If you don't accept that, he's disgusting.

If the latter, you can only conclude that he is there for power, not for results. I asked when he became a member of the City Council why everyone was immediately talking about his running for Mayor. I was very bothered by his running with it instead of first establishing his record. At the time I asked of BO, "how can that ever work? Is he a saint?", and was called a troll. When you dismiss questions like that out of hand, these are the results you get.

No, this isn't about character. He puts on his heaviest boots and gives Multnomah County Democrats a huge kick in the zatch on inauguration day to cover up a blatant lie.

Announcing that you bold faced lied about your diddling 18 year olds on the day your party is talking about change and Camelot is every bit the douchebaggery that describe the political machinations of Saxy Chambliss.

Everyone talking about party bias, you don't have to exaggerate. Just compare Randy Leonard to Sam, at this point. Proves talk ain't cheap. It can be very costly if you buy it.

Get in line, all you criticizing Sam. You all need to say you're sorry to Randy.

"You all need to say you're sorry to Randy"

Only if it involves Duct Tape and/or IKEA signs

Cherry picking: the act of pointing at individual cases or data that seem to confirm a particular position, while ignoring a significant portion of related cases or data that may contradict that position.

Kari, you're not making Oregon Democrats and progressives look very good. This incident is embarrassing enough without you trying to make it look like there's more support for Adams than there actually is.

"Give 'em Hell, Sam!

If sex is so disgusting, how come there are so many of us?"

Admiral,

Last time I checked two men can't have babies.

Oh, and this isn't about sex. It's about lying to the people who elect you. It's about whether or not voters can continue to trust someone; and it's also about the fact that Adams says the relationship started after Beau turned 18. I'm not saying it didn't, but why should we trust Sam on that one?

I wonder how you'd be reacting if a Republican was in office?

The Mayor used the original charges to his political advantage and took pleasure in trashing Mr. Ball's reputation. Hopefully, he'll exhibit a little more character this time around, expend the same resources, and issue an apology to Mr. Ball proportionate to his original falsehoods..

How the hell does anyone know hes not lying now about when the affair started - not like he's got a track record for truthiness. He should resign.

I'm with Eric on this one. He may have been "legal" but a 40+ year old and an 18 year old is sick. And no, I would not have been winking if the 18 year old was a girl.

I'm not calling for his resignation like some, but as my wife said - Sam Adams just went down a notch in our eyes.

It may be his personal life, but it does speak to his character.

Kari, You're doing exactly what the Bush administration just got done doing for 8 years: Framing the issue in a way where you have the best chance of winning while ignoring the more damaging parts of the problem. Why talk about whether the Iraq War was a good idea - just say the surge is working. Your focus is on sex between adults as nobody's business and I suspect most of us agree with that. Now address the other issues such as the possibility that a reporter was paid 55 grand with a city job to get her off the scent here. Finally, I have a question about the underage angle: Sam said he lied because he was being accused of underage sex by a potential opponent in the Mayor's race. Now, I assume Beau Breedlove would know this was a horribly untrue accusation to make. If someone accused a friend of mine of criminal activity, I certainly would be mad about it if I knew it wasn't true. Yet, Beau apologized to Bob Ball for the smear campaign against him. Shouldn't he have at least said, "Okay you were right that there was a legal relationship later, but I'm furious at you for suggesting we had underage sex. Don't you realize the kind of trouble that puts Sam in?" But he didn't. He apologized almost as if the accusations were true.

Kari,

He Lied, and there is a possibility that his administrations is corrupt. I don't think we should "get over it."

There is an obvious problem with the fact that this website is run by someone who takes money from political candidates. It completely ruins the credibility of the site. A new Democratic website should be established. This site has become the Fox News of the left.

Why? Just because we have liberal idealism, it does not entitle us to become Godless in our actions.

Oh man, now we've got the God patrol out.

The difference between Sam and a Republican is that Sam is an openly gay mayor. A Republican that is openly gay would have never got past a primary. The Republican probably would have also attempted or passed plenty of anti-gay legislation because they hated themselves.

So please, let me help you off your high horses and pulpits. No 40 year old straight guy has ever thought about getting it on with an 18 year old woman or ever gone through with it. I mean...the internet is full of lies and those barely legal sites are totally not fantasies of 40 year old guys.

sigh with followers like this, how do Democrats ever, ever win and stay in office?

If Bill Clinton had kept his Willie to himself, George W. Bush would never have been elected President (I, for one, don't believe he was truly elected ... but he did "win" as a technical matter). That's right, Al Gore would have used Bill to campaign for him, and the last eight years would have never happened.

In other words, if Al Gore had not succumbed to NCD (Neopuritan Chickenshit Disorder) and had let the popular President run with him, it would have been Gore and not Scrappy Doo who would have left the White House by helicopter yesterday, and people would have been cheering for different reasons.

The moral is that we need to concentrate on attacking Republicans for raping the Constitutions of the United States and Oregon, not getting all lily livered over our own politicians who enjoy active sex lives.

Clinton fucked. JFK fucked. RFK fucked. MLK fucked. The Northwest's great Supreme Court Justice, William O. douglas, got himself a new 20 year old wife, every 20 years. Who had the pristine sex lives, slept in twin beds, even? Bush, Helms, Nixon.

We need to embrace our Democratic heroes, not throw them under the bus for fucking. When I was growing up, I was taught that liberals were the ones who favor exploring and enjoying a healthy sex life without guilt, and it was Conservative Republicans who would bring back sin-tribunals if they could get away with it.

Portland han have a strong, progressive government led by a strong, progressive mayor who happens to have an active sex life, or liberals can spend the next four years pouting and whining and being bogged down. The choice is YOURS, not Sam Adams's. Leave it to the upright, uptight, homophobic Republicans to whine and puke about it and take the heat for doing so...if they even dare.

Why? Just because we have liberal idealism, it does not entitle us to become Godless in our actions.

My Goddess accepts the happy union of intertwining, sweaty, lusty bodies shouting Her name in passion as a sacrament. If your God considers pleasure to be sinful, I'm sorry.

A new Democratic website should be established. This site has become the Fox News of the left.

I agree. How is it that Blue Oregon is the only democratic website on the internet? Kari, how did you get a monopoly on that? I hope the Obama Administration looks into this obvious anti-trust violation.

Oregonian====Resign Tribune====Resign WW===Resign Portland Police Association===Resign 80% of the public===Resign

Kari===get over it

I see these questions as kind of like a warrantless search. Anything you get after that is "fruit of the poisoned tree."

The media had no business asking him a question about sex between two legal consenting adults. It doesn't matter what he said when he was asked -- the question was out of bounds. Once the media determined that it was a legit relationship, then that should be that.

Kari - the problem with this statement is that the original allegation was that the relationship began when Breedlove was 17. Asking about this was not out of bounds. At that point, what should have happened was Adams saying "yes, we had a relationship, not that it's any of your business, because he was not a minor at the time." It would have blown up into a mini scandal, but I think he would have weathered it. Instead, he lied because he was scared of losing the election. And he strong armed Breedlove into lying too. Incredibly disappointing. Now he has to spend time trying to regain some credibility instead of being able to do his job.

What is most surprising is that, no matter how many times this kind of conduct happens -- Clinton, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, John Edwards -- people don't seem to learn the obvious lesson. It's not the sex, it's the lie that hurts. The coverup is worse than the behavior. It sounds like there may be multiple lies here, and it is sad. Sam could have been a good mayor. From a selfish standpoint, I hate to have Inauguration Day ruined by a reminder that no matter how much we are striving to transcend past blunders, politicians are all too human. Dave G.

Sam, please don't leave us with these jerks. This will pass and we need you where you are.

Kari, I have a 17 year old son and no way in hell is he mature enough to decide whether and how to fend off the sexual advances of a 41 year old Mrs. Robinson who he interns for. No fucking way. Sam was wrong to take advantage of someone who worked for him, period. He was wrong to lie about it and he was wrong to hire an unqualified person for a major department in an attempt to hide this. Any HR director will tell you not to take sexual advantage of someone who works for you, period. Particularly when it was an intern young enough to be his son. What an ass.

"Once the media determined that it was a legit relationship, then that should be that."

When there is an age difference like that of Adams and Breedlove, it is NEVER legit - in the eyes of constituents, logical people, and God. It makes no sense to have carnal dealings with those who would be logically considered to be your Parent, or your child.

Sam's culture overrode his common sense, and now he's paying for it big time. I hope that, when it comes time for Sam to reconcile his life on earth with his maker, he can explain himself to the point where he won't be summoned to spend his eternity to the neather regions of his true spirit.

A few facts first. Bob Ball is a friend of Lars Larson.

The accuser in the Adams case is a friend of Lars Larson Larson's attacks on a former mayor have not subsided. This site has reported on the case of an individual who was ten days past his eighteenth birthday when he had a consensual sexual experience with his girlfriend who was under eighteen. He was charged with a measure 11 crime and sentenced to nearly seven years in jail. It is truly sad that Carl Wolfson has now joined Lars Larson in the hunt to jail Sam Adams. Will WW provide the documentation to establish the time line confirming the illegality?

What disturbs me is the nearly total lack of concern for the young man involved. I am the parent of two young adults age 18 and 22. Let me tell you, 18 years old is VERY, VERY YOUNG. They may think they're sophisticated, hip, independent but they are still KIDS. Their world view is limited to a combination of high school angst, popular media images and whatever role models their families provided.

By contrast Sam Adams is a middle-aged, educated man with a great deal of local celebrity. He has extensive professional, social and (presumably) sexual experience. In my view his relationship with this young man was narcistic at best, and likely predatory. And then, AND THEN, he tells the kid to lie about what happened!!! What's the message to this boy? That what they did was wrong? That he/they should be ashamed of their relationship? How did this relationship and subsequent lie help this boy find self acceptance as a gay man in a (still) homophobic world? We all know it won't. The kid did nothing wrong, nothing that any young, impressionable teenager might do when flattered and seduced by a man whose face regularly appears on the evening news. This was, and still is, all about Sam. He's damn lucky he didn't mess with MY kid because he'd be dealing with me, face to face, one on one, and it wouldn't be pretty.

As for whether or not he should resign, I think it's up to him. It appears he broke no law, breached no official rule, so he can certainly weather the storm if he chooses. He might want to steer clear of high schools for quite awhile because, believe me, there are many parents who won't hesitate to publicly call him out on his outrageous behavior for many years to come.

People sure do like dramatizing new facts to make this worse. Beau was happy to have had sex, and announced it on the freaking street corner -- he wasn't worried Sam would destroy him, he was worried he could destroy Sam. For having sex. As an adult. And 80% of the public hasn't said a thing about this. The people who choose to comment on blogs are the people who are most upset about it, not a randomly chosen sample. "I don't care" isn't something that sends one running to the blogs the way "I am outraged" does.

What is most surprising is that, no matter how many times this kind of conduct happens -- Clinton, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, John Edwards -- people don't seem to learn the obvious lesson. It's not the sex, it's the lie that hurts.

True up to a point, but other circumstances matter too. It's one thing to have a lover on the side, another to have one when your wife is sick, as in the case of Newt Gingrich or John Edwards. Yet another matter when you're acting like a predator to the young and impressionable, especially when they are minors.

Opinions differ about these matters (and God was unavailable for comment), but enough people think that sexual conduct is an expression of character that politicians should restrain their appetites.

I Adams does resign, he should avoid becoming a Catholic priest. He might be OK if he decides to be a scoutmaster.

Anywhere Adams goes, representing Portland & Oregon, they will know this before he even lands. In the first 24 hours, his admission was carried by more than 200 seperate news sources, including USA Today, CNN and MarketWatch. Around the world in Canada, India, China, Taiwan and Europe. There's plenty of fuel -- a recall effort, an investigation -- to keep this going. When does job effectiveness creep into this?

A recall is one option, but if I were Mayor and wanted to keep my job I might offer up the following to the public:

1.A self imposed fine of up to one third of my salary for the first two years of office, with the monies dedicated to civics class projects at Portland Public Schools.

2.I would ask for a volunteer Blue Ribbon committee to be formed to review my performance quarterly, and to make sure I was meeting all performance objectives set forth by the city to include issues of integrity. A quarterly performance review of fiscal policy might be a good idea absent the allegations in any case.

3.I would encourage a complete and thorough police investigation to put to rest any suspicion that the young man was 17 yrs of age when the sexual acts occurred. I would strongly encourage Mr. Breedlove to come forward to the police and be forthright with any information regarding any romantic activity with me BEFORE his 18th birthday. I would personally meet detectives with and my attorney present to discuss the relationship with Breedlove prior to his 18th birthday.

4.I would encourage an independent investigation by the city council or an appointed committee into any allegations of impropriety. Specifically, any persons related to these allegations that were hired, alleged to have been favored, or alleged to have been given any benefit for their silence.

If all of the above was completed without further issue I would be more inclined to support the Mayor.

Kari,

So do you agree with him lying, or do you think it was justified for him to lie and manipulate things in the way he did?

You seem to focus on the sex, when the real issue is the lying. If we are to judge our politicians on their ability to lead his/her community, where do YOU draw the line when it comes to basing moral character, ethics and intelligence. As far as I know, the only way you can judge those people is by looking at their life and life decisions...and at times, that includes whether or not they are willing to face their mistakes.

The truth is that if it wasnt for WW, Adams never admits to the lie. That says all you need to know. ANd you covering it up just makes you look worse.

And to the earlier commenter's point regarding the hire of the reporter to his staff: this is what happens when you lie....everything comes into questions and motives are heightened. So now its not about the city, its about a mayor who wasnt willing to own up to his own decisions...regardless of what that incident was.

Kari - I'm not talking about LEGAL consent, LEGAL vulnerability, LEGAL outcomes. I'm talking about personal ethics, about adult responsibility, about doing the right thing.

As I recall you welcomed your first child into the world a year or so ago. Talk to me again in 16 years when he/she has sex with an influential, charismatic man/woman old enough to be his/her parent. Think about it, Kari. Just because it's legal doesn't make it right.

Help me out here. The first story I saw said the boy was 15 (forgive the no links but I'm on my phone). Now they say he was 17 but waited until he was 18 to have sex (which is every molesters first defense). Regardless, and unless Sam gets to adhere to lower standards, I don't see how this is so diffent from Neil Goldschmidt.

I hope boy lover stays in office. Making jokes will be easy with that clown in charge. Can't wait to see Sam at the new ballpark welcoming the ballplayers back to the shower room. Will Sam be hosting the Man Boy Love convention at the new convention hotel?

I guess what I am most sad to see is the willingness to be apologists for behavior that one would excoriate if it was revealed about a Republican.

It's this hypocrisy - that resigns the public to have no confidence in its institutions and impedes our ability to do important things like fix health care, get out of Iraq, saving the economy. And it doesn't reflect any better on Democrats than it does on right wing Republicans. The hypocrisy that Sam demonstrated is little different than that of Ted Haggard - who lied until he was caught. We all have failings. That's not the point. There is open question as to whether Sam did anything illegal - I want to believe him, but can I, really??? You know? The bigger issue to me is as the Oregonian editorial board noted (occassionally they get something right), is the sanctimony that Sam applied in denying for 16 months and the shamelessness he and his henchman applied in attacking Bob Ball. Win at all costs - Karl Rove must be impressed.

Is no one else troubled that a "leading Democratic strategist coached the victim to lie?" Do they offer the same services to all their clients? Is it a coincidence or merely following a PR script, that Sam offered his apology on the same day that the news was consumed by Obama's historic inauguration? Remember how Edwards wanted until the Olympics started?

How does Randy Leonard say with a straight face that Adams didn't lie to him? Does that mean he knew the truth and covered it up? Has he apologized to Ball? Like Bush, he seems to have no regrets.

This is a sad, sordid tale but it can only be made worse and more lasting by not condemning the behavior and having some accountability. I don't know if that means resign or recall but in a time that we need government to lead boldly with transparency, this set back should not be underestimated.

We have such potential in the era of Blue in Washington and Oregon, let us not fall victim the contorted moral relativism that plagued the Republicans and have led to the current abyss.

Sam is energetic, talented and seemed like the right person for a tough job in an important time, but sadly i fear he lacks the judgment (not an isolated incident - remember the tram cost overruns) and now the credibility (e.g. police union dissention) be able to lead effectively. Perhaps most tragic is the potential set back for Portland's sustainability efforts (by hiring someone so unqualified on his staff to lead) and to gay rights (by giving every right wing nut from Lars Larson to Michael Savage a whipping boy for predatory behavior.)

We have to be willing to clean our own houses when needed . John Kroger strikes me as a man of principal. I hope he doesn't allow his partisanship cloud his judgment in resolving the issue fairly -- however that may come out. It would be sad to see Sam not have the chance to utilize his talents, but I'm more interested in advancing the greater good over one person's political carreer.

Blue Oregon let's set a better standard - we need to be a check and balance to all government officials. Let's not squander this opportunity....it may not be fair and we're all human, but like Jackie Robinson in breaking the color barrier in baseball, right now we need our elected leaders to be better and more ethical than our predecessors or the average Joe.

Saddened but still optimistic.

I could give a rip who Sam sleeps with. Whether or not anything illegal happened will soon be put to rest and if in the sense of law it was on the up n up then end of story. As far as the kid being 18, well when you are a good looking 18 year old gay guy chances are your gonna have at least one older dude that is in to you. And if you are just coming out your are definitely going to have guys that are maybe close to your literal age but decades ahead of you in terms of their sexuality. While I have nothing against May-December or experienced/inexperiences relationships there are certain rules of decency they SHOULD be followed. The number one rule as borrowed from Dan Savage is the "campsite rule". Just like when you go camping when you leave you leave it in the same if not better condition then when you got there. Same goes for the experienced or older person in a relationship. When the relationship ends its your responsibility as the older/wiser/more expereienced person to leave that newby in a better place emotionally and mentally than when you first met. Obviusly with this scandal and the enormous pressure put on young Mr. Breedlove Sam failed on all accounts to follow the campsite rule. Personally I think its a douchebag thing to do. While something like this would make me cross a person off my dinner party list I can't say it's going to mean he is gonna be a bad Mayor.

I sincerely hope Mark Wiener goes down with Adams. Coaching an innocent teenager to cover up for a sex predator's deviant behavior isn't the first slimeball action Wiener participated in.

"when you are a good looking 18 year old gay guy chances are your gonna have at least one older dude that is in to you. And if you are just coming out your are definitely going to have guys that are maybe close to your literal age but decades ahead of you in terms of their sexuality"

This is the culture that I am pointing to.

Sick sick sick. Just because you are decades ahead sexually, does not entitle you to exploit that for and to anyone else.

Think with your Big Head...not the 'little head'

Any HR director will tell you not to take sexual advantage of someone who works for you, period. Particularly when it was an intern young enough to be his son. What an ass.

You're right, it is, but Breedlove WASN'T AN INTERN OF SAM ADAMS. God...read the story for yourself. He was an intern for a Republican in Salem.

One thing that has really opened my eyes...plenty of progressives are just as myopic as the Republicans they've been deriding for the past 8 years. All this righteousness that is being spewed all of a sudden is really amazing.

It's really nice if you think your 18 year old kid can't make his own decisions, but you don't get to make them for him. Guess how much control you have over him legally? NONE. How's that for a wake up call? He can get himself arrested and the cops won't even call you unless he uses his one phone call. He can go join the Army and request to be sent to Iraq and you can't do a damned thing about it.

I don't understand why anyone is criticizing Sam Adams. And I'm especially proud that both Adams and Randy Leonard are refusing to apologize to Bob Ball. I mean, it was none of Ball's business that Adams was having a fling with a minor, and he should have never discussed his concern with Leonard. It's disgusting that The Oregonian has now apologized to Ball when the right respone would be to burn his effigy in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

So go go go, Sam. Let's have a big push on that publicly subsidized convention center hotel and that publicly subsidized ballpark. Let's have some more streetcars. And above all, let's have some more stunts. I recommend that you rappel from the OHSU tram again. And never, ever let people forget that if they criticize you, it must be because secretly they hate gay people.

Roy,

You forgot no TV until homework's done.

Mister Rogers

Has anyone looked at this from the angle that maybe Breedlove was doing the seducing? Obviously young, obviously aspiring for a future of power, obviously good looking. Could he have been trying to screw his way to the top?

The people of Portland are the true victims here. They elected Adams because they thought he could get things done. Because of Adams' actions, he has damaged his credibility and ability to govern. The question is whether a crippled Adams as mayor would be better than whomever would come next is the question.

One thing this episode has revealed without a doubt:

There is absolutely NOTHING that one of Kari Gism's paying clients can do that he will not find a sleazy and disingenuous way to defend.

Shameless man.

Kari, let me make this very plain.

He lied, straight-faced, no less than 3 times before he was elected in November 2008. He took down a Portland city employee who was asking him about the truth and slandered him (civil lawsuit, anyone?). He is rumored to have hired Mercury reporter Amy Ruiz for a job she is not qualified for in order to shut her up (a rumor, but still damaging even if not proven).

The fact that he ended someone else's political career with slander (Bob Ball) is reason enough for him to be dismissed. The fact that he lied about this issue, straight-faced, all the way through, and has now even ADMITTED that he is a liar, is reason enough for him to submit his resignation.

It's not about the sex. It's about the cover-up.

The Mayor not only lied about his conduct, but he paid people to coach Breedlove how to lie. How corrupt is that? And what's wrong with this consultant who thinks it's OK to accept money to teach young kids how to lie? This is another guy who shouldn't be allowed around kids without adult supervision...

I guess what I am most sad to see is the willingness to be apologists for behavior that one would excoriate if it was revealed about a Republican.

It's this hypocrisy - that resigns the public to have no confidence in its institutions and impedes our ability to do important things like fix health care, get out of Iraq, saving the economy. And it doesn't reflect any better on Democrats than it does on right wing Republicans. The hypocrisy that Sam demonstrated is little different than that of Ted Haggard - who lied until he was caught. We all have failings. That's not the point. There is open question as to whether Sam did anything illegal - I want to believe him, but can I, really??? You know? The bigger issue to me is as the Oregonian editorial board noted (occassionally they get something right), is the sanctimony that Sam applied in denying for 16 months and the shamelessness he and his henchman applied in attacking Bob Ball. Win at all costs - Karl Rove must be impressed.

Is no one else troubled that a "leading Democratic strategist coached the victim to lie?" Do they offer the same services to all their clients? Is it a coincidence or merely following a PR script, that Sam offered his apology on the same day that the news was consumed by Obama's historic inauguration? Remember how Edwards wanted until the Olympics started?

How does Randy Leonard say with a straight face that Adams didn't lie to him? Does that mean he knew the truth and covered it up? Has he apologized to Ball? Like Bush, he seems to have no regrets.

This is a sad, sordid tale but it can only be made worse and more lasting by not condemning the behavior and having some accountability. I don't know if that means resign or recall but in a time that we need government to lead boldly with transparency, this set back should not be underestimated.

We have such potential in the era of Blue in Washington and Oregon, let us not fall victim the contorted moral relativism that plagued the Republicans and have led to the current abyss.

Sam is energetic, talented and seemed like the right person for a tough job in an important time, but sadly i fear he lacks the judgment (not an isolated incident - remember the tram cost overruns) and now the credibility (e.g. police union dissention) be able to lead effectively. Perhaps most tragic is the potential set back for Portland's sustainability efforts (by hiring someone so unqualified on his staff to lead) and to gay rights (by giving every right wing nut from Lars Larson to Michael Savage a whipping boy for predatory behavior.)

We have to be willing to clean our own houses when needed . John Kroger strikes me as a man of principal. I hope he doesn't allow his partisanship cloud his judgment in resolving the issue fairly -- however that may come out. It would be sad to see Sam not have the chance to utilize his talents, but I'm more interested in advancing the greater good over one person's political carreer.

Blue Oregon let's set a better standard - we need to be a check and balance to all government officials. Let's not squander this opportunity....it may not be fair and we're all human, but like Jackie Robinson in breaking the color barrier in baseball, right now we need our elected leaders to be better and more ethical than our predecessors or the average Joe.

I guess what I am most sad to see is the willingness to be apologists for behavior that one would excoriate if it was revealed about a Republican.

It's this hypocrisy - that resigns the public to have no confidence in its institutions and impedes our ability to do important things like fix health care, get out of Iraq, saving the economy. And it doesn't reflect any better on Democrats than it does on right wing Republicans. The hypocrisy that Sam demonstrated is little different than that of Ted Haggard - who lied until he was caught. We all have failings. That's not the point. There is open question as to whether Sam did anything illegal - I want to believe him, but can I, really??? You know? The bigger issue to me is as the Oregonian editorial board noted (occassionally they get something right), is the sanctimony that Sam applied in denying for 16 months and the shamelessness he and his henchman applied in attacking Bob Ball. Win at all costs - Karl Rove must be impressed.

Is no one else troubled that a "leading Democratic strategist coached the victim to lie?" Do they offer the same services to all their clients? Is it a coincidence or merely following a PR script, that Sam offered his apology on the same day that the news was consumed by Obama's historic inauguration? Remember how Edwards wanted until the Olympics started?

How does Randy Leonard say with a straight face that Adams didn't lie to him? Does that mean he knew the truth and covered it up? Has he apologized to Ball? Like Bush, he seems to have no regrets.

This is a sad, sordid tale but it can only be made worse and more lasting by not condemning the behavior and having some accountability. I don't know if that means resign or recall but in a time that we need government to lead boldly with transparency, this set back should not be underestimated.

We have such potential in the era of Blue in Washington and Oregon, let us not fall victim the contorted moral relativism that plagued the Republicans and have led to the current abyss.

Sam is energetic, talented and seemed like the right person for a tough job in an important time, but sadly i fear he lacks the judgment (not an isolated incident - remember the tram cost overruns) and now the credibility (e.g. police union dissention) be able to lead effectively. Perhaps most tragic is the potential set back for Portland's sustainability efforts (by hiring someone so unqualified on his staff to lead) and to gay rights (by giving every right wing nut from Lars Larson to Michael Savage a whipping boy for predatory behavior.)

We have to be willing to clean our own houses when needed . John Kroger strikes me as a man of principal. I hope he doesn't allow his partisanship cloud his judgment in resolving the issue fairly -- however that may come out. It would be sad to see Sam not have the chance to utilize his talents, but I'm more interested in advancing the greater good over one person's political carreer.

Blue Oregon let's set a better standard - we need to be a check and balance to all government officials. Let's not squander this opportunity....it may not be fair and we're all human, but like Jackie Robinson in breaking the color barrier in baseball, right now we need our elected leaders to be better and more ethical than our predecessors or the average Joe.

I think you need a shot of medicinal rum, Admiral. Yes, there are puritanical types piling on, but MOST the people outraged agree with your notions 100%. We could care less if it is about sex or that he's a critter hoarder. The issue is lying and covering it up in the most calloused, inconsiderate manner imaginable.

"...The mayor also said he and Breedlove discussed a relationship prior to the intern's 18th birthday, when Breedlove was still a minor, but that he could not engage in an "inappropriate relationship" with someone legally underage...."

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011909_news_adams_breedlove_relationship.e142c06.html

I said yesterday this was about sexual misconduct with a minor, and this comment by Adams proves it. Adams talked about sex with Breedlove while he was still a minor.

That's sexual misconduct with minor. That's the same type of sexual misconduct charge former Jail Blazer Ruben Patterson eventually got convicted for, forcing Ruben Patterson to register as a sexual predator every time he gets traded.

You want a registered sex offender as a mayor? That's where this case is headed. I guarantee it.

End this ridiculous discussion. Adams needs to resign yesterday.

When there is an age difference like that of Adams and Breedlove, it is NEVER legit - in the eyes of constituents, logical people, and God. It makes no sense to have carnal dealings with those who would be logically considered to be your Parent, or your child.

And you just wrote off 1/2 of the eminent personages in French history. It's down to the 18 year old. Yes, 99.9% are still kids, but not all. When I said the extreme progressive believes that no one gets ahead until everyone gets ahead, I meant everyone. Every.last.one.

I guess what I am most sad to see is the willingness to be apologists for behavior that one would excoriate if it was revealed about a Republican.

It's this hypocrisy - that resigns the public to have no confidence in its institutions and impedes our ability to do important things like fix health care, get out of Iraq, saving the economy. And it doesn't reflect any better on Democrats than it does on right wing Republicans. The hypocrisy that Sam demonstrated is little different than that of Ted Haggard - who lied until he was caught. We all have failings. That's not the point. There is open question as to whether Sam did anything illegal - I want to believe him, but can I, really??? You know? The bigger issue to me is as the Oregonian editorial board noted (occassionally they get something right), is the sanctimony that Sam applied in denying for 16 months and the shamelessness he and his henchman applied in attacking Bob Ball. Win at all costs - Karl Rove must be impressed.

Is no one else troubled that a "leading Democratic strategist coached the victim to lie?" Do they offer the same services to all their clients? Is it a coincidence or merely following a PR script, that Sam offered his apology on the same day that the news was consumed by Obama's historic inauguration? Remember how Edwards wanted until the Olympics started?

How does Randy Leonard say with a straight face that Adams didn't lie to him? Does that mean he knew the truth and covered it up? Has he apologized to Ball? Like Bush, he seems to have no regrets.

This is a sad, sordid tale but it can only be made worse and more lasting by not condemning the behavior and having some accountability. I don't know if that means resign or recall but in a time that we need government to lead boldly with transparency, this set back should not be underestimated.

We have such potential in the era of Blue in Washington and Oregon, let us not fall victim the contorted moral relativism that plagued the Republicans and have led to the current abyss.

Sam is energetic, talented and seemed like the right person for a tough job in an important time, but sadly i fear he lacks the judgment (not an isolated incident - remember the tram cost overruns) and now the credibility (e.g. police union dissention) be able to lead effectively. Perhaps most tragic is the potential set back for Portland's sustainability efforts (by hiring someone so unqualified on his staff to lead) and to gay rights (by giving every right wing nut from Lars Larson to Michael Savage a whipping boy for predatory behavior.)

We have to be willing to clean our own houses when needed . John Kroger strikes me as a man of principal. I hope he doesn't allow his partisanship cloud his judgment in resolving the issue fairly -- however that may come out. It would be sad to see Sam not have the chance to utilize his talents, but I'm more interested in advancing the greater good over one person's political carreer.

Blue Oregon let's set a better standard - we need to be a check and balance to all government officials. Let's not squander this opportunity....it may not be fair and we're all human, but like Jackie Robinson in breaking the color barrier in baseball, right now we need our elected leaders to be better and more ethical than our predecessors or the average Joe.

Sorry for the multiple posts. User error.

Okay - didn't we go through this with Clinton? Two consenting adults having sex - whose business is it except their own? And yes, he was 18. That's old enough to vote, that's old enough to go to war. The government decided on 18 as the age of an adult.

In a word, get over it!

The Admiral said, "sigh with followers like this, how do Democrats ever, ever win and stay in office?"

DP priorities are abhorrent. You don't care about Obama's positions on Palestine, single-payer-non-pay-or-die health care, increases in military spending and militarism, but you will throw him under the bus if he is shown to have had sex in a way in which you disapprove and lied about it.

The DP and the RP are virtually identical in their puritanical unsophistication. Fuck on, Sam.

Kari, How do you know Beau was 18 before Sam "did" him? Is that based upon what Sam said? The fact is you don't know, and Sam has little credibility. Kari - you are just as creepy as Sam. ICK!

Read a lot of stories and comments today on numerous sites. Would agree that popular opinion is against him from what I've seen.

Personally, I appreciate his honesty now... but the fact is, I wouldn't have voted for any public official that I knew was dating, much less sleeping with, someone at a 42/18 age differential. I'm a democrat, and supportive of the L&G community. But completely remove political preference, take out sexual orientation, and there's something wrong with someone that can't control their naughty bits when they know they'll be held up to the most critical public scrutiny. Nevermind the legality of it, or sexual instincts we all carry inside at times... it was just stupid- and he did it repeatedly... then lied to protect his campaign.

And now we'll face the ridicule of a nation for his lack of judgment, and pay for investigations with our tax dollars while unemployment soars past 10%. Awesome.

One of the first comments on this page summs it up- Damn. It. Sam. Adams.

Sam needs to resign!

So, it's just GAY men who like young 'uns?

In the past 25 years, I have seen a dozen local policemen fired for diddling hot, female 14-year-old explorer scouts, especially in Vancouver, which had quite a scandal about it.

The worst predators I have ever seen were married, white, Christian, suburban hetero men -- in Portland newsrooms -- literally circling a big, tall, right-off-the-farm, corn-fed new secretary -- who will be her first -- the powerful ND? Short Desk guy? Or the rich, sexy freak, with the Beemer, in Sales.

We shall see.

Someone's quote --> "Keep Portland weird"

If you want to raise the bar, why don't we get rid of Sam Adams and hire a guy who crossdresses and has sex with dead puppies on a maggot farm? --> this is sarcasm for those of you "Keep Portland weird" types who think this is a good idea...

Tell Sam to Take a Hike! Maybe Ron Tonkin is the man for the job???

"Maybe Ron Tonkin is the man for the job???"

Nope...Dozono is.

Wow. The posturing and moral outrage on the blogosphere has taken on a life of its own.
Yes, I am disappointed with Sam. Does his lie about having a relationship with a consenting adult cancel out his years of working hard on behalf of Portland? I guess so. It doesn't seem as though he is going to survive this and that is a loss for the city.

Kari, your lapdog act is funny to watch. Hey, you wouldn't catch me in Sam's lap but a man has to do what he has to do right Kari?

Keep it up Kari, you have a revenue stream to protect. Morals are for wimps right, gotta keep the cash flowing in the door. Just watch your backside around Sam.

Randy is upset about Sam asking Beau to lie and then being untruthful about it. How does he feel about his political consultant's role in this?

We're basically down to a group of outraged folks who still want to bother with this story, and the comments reflect that. I wish there were a poll today and a poll a month from now that we could look at, to get a more random sample of what people think.

Does his lie about having a relationship with a consenting adult cancel out his years of working hard on behalf of Portland? I guess so.

If hypocrisy were a crime, we would all be criminals and there'd be no jailers. So no, the lies do not "cancel out" whatever Adams may have done well--not a lot, IMHO--but the backhanded manipulations, the suborning of others to tell lies, the vicious attacks on Bob Ball DO. The self-serving justifications of his lies--"woe is me, they would have stereotyped me as a pedophile"--DO. And the fact that the City of Portland is now effectively rudderless, at a time of fiscal crisis, MOST CERTAINLY DOES.

But WTF, keep pretending this is all about puritanism and whether or not Beau Breedlove had turned 18 before he and Adams got into the sack together. Keep pretending it's all about legalisms. Keep asking what the meaning of "is" is.

Does Blue Oregon have a written "conflict of interest" policy regarding staff comments in re: clients?

Since the way people respond to any and all questions about their sexual history apparently directly relates to any form of direct or indirect public employment (including public editing and reporting), THE PEOPLE OF PORTLAND HEREBY CALL for full public investigation of the entire sexual history of Mark Zusman, Nigel Jaquiss, and every public official who has called for the investigation or resignation of Sam Adams.

Anyone with stories, video, dirty panties, or hazy beer-soaked recollections of sexual encounters with any and all Willamette Week or City Hall employees are asked to make them public. Right now. The People of Portland deserve to know how many hypocrites are running the show around here.

Kershner sez:"You don't care about Obama's positions on Palestine, single-payer-non-pay-or-die health care, increases in military spending and militarism, but you will throw him under the bus if he is shown to have had sex in a way in which you disapprove and lied about it. The DP and the RP are virtually identical in their puritanical unsophistication. Fuck on, Sam."

Yo Harry, my first response was that Sam Adams be sent to The Hague, but on second thought, I think he should be condemned to a sort of Clockwork Orange treatment by taping his eyes open and forcing him to watch endless reruns of Ralph Nader rallies.

Kari -

You said:

We're hiring him (Sam Adams) to be a policymaker and administrator; not a saint, not a role model, not father-of-the-year.

I disagree. Our politicians should be role models to our kids. My children should be able to look up to the Mayor of Portland, or any city mayor, councilor, state legislator, etc. and say "I want to grow up and be like them." Public service - particularly elected public service - is a choice. When one makes that choice they do so knowing that their actions will be on public display.

While I agree that we can, at times, hold our public officials to a standard that is unreasonably high - I do think that their private behavior reflects on their ability to use good judgment. At the end of the day, we call upon our public officials to utilize good judgment in order to run our government.

Adams may not have broken any laws or violated any rules, but he clearly exercised terrible judgment in getting involved with this young man in the first place - but even worse judgment when he lied to cover it all up - and asked the young man to lie as well. It seems to me that this is relevant to his ability to function as a strong mayor. Further, I believe it is fair and right for citizens to expect better of their Mayor - even in his private life.

"Two consenting adults."

What a load of crap. I can't imagine what kind of creep in his 40s would come to my house in two years -- when my younger daughter is 17 -- and tell me that he's been flirting with my daughter, and would make the affair sexual when she turns 18, but it's all good, because she's "an adult."

You can say all you want that the real problem is lies, and not sex. Or that mere sexual illness should not disqualify someone from the job of mayor. But please don't give me this "two consenting adults" B.S.

What kind of father would find Adams' conduct acceptable if the child at issue was their own son or daughter?

The argument that 18 year olds are not responsible to make sexual decisions does not really fly. We let these "children" vote and go to war, so the argument comes down to you can go and get killed in Iraq, but don't sleep with anyone older then yourself.

I think you need a shot of medicinal rum, Admiral. Yes, there are puritanical types piling on, but MOST the people outraged agree with your notions 100%. We could care less if it is about sex or that he's a critter hoarder. The issue is lying and covering it up in the most calloused, inconsiderate manner imaginable.

Yeah, right. I'm not so young that I don't remember the last time Republicans screamed themselves blue about "It's not the sex, it's the lying." Whenever anyone says that, it means, "It's not the sex OR the lying, it's the fact that we get to jump on a Democrat". It's not a real reason, but an excuse, and a pitiful one at that, and those people who have asserted it need not be taken seriously about anything else they say.

I am a gay man who never voted for Sam Adams. I thought that he was a business-as-usual flak for Vera Katz. I also never thought much of some of his "big ideas" such as making West Burnside into part of a one-way grid."

I don't care if he was boinking boys on their 18th birthdays at Steam Portland (and don't try to tell me that there aren't more than a few 40+year-old-men who in positions of authority in portland who haven't done this or worse), as long as no drugs or intimidation or force were used.

Portland is so tolerant (or just so PC) that Sam is likely to weather this storm. But his (and our) reputation will suffer.

P.S. I have met Mr. Ball and I cosider him to be a conservative, gay opportunist. He may have been right on the Sam Adams issue, but he would make an even worse Mayor than Sam.

Kari, Nigel was on the Mark and Dave show and said the Mercury reporter admitted to him that she wasn't qualified for her new job. Why was she chosen? And he said the Mercury reporter was given the same basic new information about the case that he had. Sam is an expert at playing the political game here in Portland. He's spent decades learning how. To say there is no evidence that the Mercury reporter was hired to keep her from pursuing the story, strains credulity, especially if she admitted to Nigel that she didn't have the qualifications for the job.

Whether or not he had sex prior to the kid's majority, we now know Adams has conspicuously bad judgment.

This wasn't merely a lack of forthrightness. He carefully crafted a lie for the sole purpose of protecting his political aspirations.

That tells you everything you need to know. He should step down and spare Portlanders further anguish.

Yeah, right. I'm not so young that I don't remember the last time Republicans screamed themselves blue about "It's not the sex, it's the lying."

Me too, except I voted for Clinton twice and was one of the screamers and I voted for Sam and I am screaming about it here again... It's not the sex, it's the lying

Here is a forwarded copy of the email letter that I sent this morning to Multnomah County DA Mike Schrunk formally requesting a grand jury investigation into possible violations of Oregon campaign laws and criminal violations of Oregon Revised Statutes.tnomah County can investigate this matter.

The District Attorney of Multnomah County can investigate this matter. He is just trying to legally pass the buck on this issue. But I guess that Schrunk has ducked the issue by getting Atty. Gen Kroger to investigate the matter.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at either telephone number or by email.

Sincerely, Glen W. Livingston

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Request For Grand Jury Investigation of Mayor Adams Untruthful Statements Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:33:32 -0800

Glen W. Livingston

1508 SW Hume St.

Portland, OR 97219-4267

Cell: 503-933-7540

January 21, 2009

Michael Schrunk

Office of District Attorney

Multnomah County

Dear District Attorney Schrunk:

I am writing this letter to you, as a citizen of Portland and the county of Multnomah, to formally request that your office open a grand jury investigation into the untruth statements and actions of Mayor Sam Adams.

Statements that occurred wile the Mayor was campaigning for the office of Mayor last year have been repudiated as lies by the Mayor. Also the employment of Ms. Ruiz to an office to which she admits that she has no expertise in can be construed as an illegal attempt to keep her from further investigatiion of the Adams-Breedlove illicit relationship.

The attempt to appoint Com. Randy Leonard to b be Commissioner of Police needs to be looked into as a payback for Leonards' attempts to help Adams quash the investigation into the Adams-Breedlove affair.

There are too many alleged violations of ORS and also violations of Oregon elections laws to be ignored or investigated by a citizens panel of politicians. This needs to be investigated formally by a grand jury of Mulltnomah County citizens. It is your authority under the law to convene such an investigation and this is my formal request to your office to do so under Oregon law.

Sincerely,

Glen W. Livingston

Sam's initial statement on the Mayor's website concerns me, based on his logic and reasoning for lying -- and admission he got Beau to lie on his behalf.

I don't doubt that Beau was of "age" when they first had a sexual relationship, based on the WW article. Or that any investigation will prove otherwise.

He has to go, it doesn't mean the agenda has to change. Let simply let him go, and let's get someone in there with a similar view of where this city should be heading.

Adams is a smart guy. When there is a state investigation launched because of something you do, and requiring resources to be diverted, you should step down. He's young. Spend the next two years, maybe four, rebuilding that trust, working in the community, maybe get back on the board of commissioners or Multnomah County.

I wonder what Kim Thatcher's reaction is to all of this.

Mayor NAMBLA is toast.

The live boy/dead girl theory of political survival still applies, even in stumptown.

Dear Editors and Outraged Citizens, If your doctor had an affair with a young woman and lied about it would you no longer trust him to practice medicine? Honestly, should you lose your job because you lied about a personal matter that has nothing to do with your work? I am disappointed more in the sanctimonious attitude of the press and those citizens who feel the need to punish him than I am with Sam. Sam, I say stay. Oregonian Editors, you should get laid and move on.

@relan:Honestly, should you lose your job because you lied about a personal matter that has nothing to do with your work?

The mayor position is NOT A JOB. It is an elected office whereby the office holder serves at the will of the electorate.

Posted by: Sid Leader | Jan 21, 2009 1:32:15 PM

The worst predators ...

Notice how the move from something specific to pontificating social status (though put accurately) is mediated by a litmus test noun. You just described the behavior. Why do you need a litmus test noun? Just cut it out. All nouns are fraud. Use sparingly. If you can't reread the statement with the noun expanded into actual behavior and make the same point, don't say it!

There's all kind of ego centric, selfish behavior. Creating special nouns for certain kinds only denigrates the victims of all the other kinds. As you correctly point out, it is endemic in the culture. We are a sad, sick society. Where does that leave representation? Personally, I think most the venom directed at baby Bush and Clinton stem from the fact that there are exactly like the average American. That's one sense in which Obama is real change. He's not much like the guy on the street. YEEEEEEEEEEEHAAW!!! Seriously; I'm glad he's not.

I think Sam Adams should be ashamed and should ABSOLUTELY resign. He lied during the campaign so voters elected him based on his lies. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the kid was younger than 18 when this started happening - should be an investigation into that.

Why don't citizens CARE anymore about the moral turpitude of elected officials? Shouldn't the standard be BETTER than this?

Resign, Sam. Fade away.

The popular answer seems to be "if it's a stupid question, or one that's nobody's business, it's cool to lie". "It's smart to lie". This is the direct result of arguing with little children instead of tanning their rear ends. Why did you learn not to lie? Fear. If you only fear having a perk withheld, just lie to get to the next step. That's all that matters. Then, if someone calls you on it, THAT is an act of hostility. That's the basis of the anti-gay accusations. Sam is like his young lover's generation in that he really, really believes that 6 figures city jobs and full-time positions at non-profits are their to give their class a job. You can't expect them to do what their donors do for work, can you? EVERY non-profit with full time staff positions thinks in the entitlement terms we've heard in this debate. In the future, instead of sending these self-important, middle-class spares money for living expenses, how about just take your donation and hand it to ANYONE that needs it. Yes, there's a lot of problems with that, but not nearly so many as giving it to a non-profit where job 1 is keeping theirs.

Everybody that called on Sam to take a salary cut doesn't get it. He'd sooner go straight. It's his lifestyle. If you want to get "liberals" spitting and cursing the same lines as neocons, tell them that public service should be at a public service salary, not a career. Repeat it for us again BO, "money is the mother's mild of politics". Are you ever going to grow up and wean yourself? Of course not, nobody has ever weaned themselves. As long as the tit is there, you will suck.

Is the massive thread repetition to encourage cross-posting?