A Modest Proposal

[Buck Laser]

This just occurred to me as various people are getting all worked up about Edwards's mistress.

Why not require politiciians who serve in national office--and maybe even state office--to undergo some form of reversible chemical castration? That would immediately take away one of the two great sources of temptation and corruption. There's still the money problem, but maybe we can work on that one next.

Buck Hussein Laser

[Leslie]

This just occurred to me as various people are getting all worked up about Edwards's mistress.

Why not require politiciians who serve in national office--and maybe even state office--to undergo some form of reversible chemical castration? That would immediately take away one of the two great sources of temptation and corruption. There's still the money problem, but maybe we can work on that one next.

Buck Hussein Laser

Hmm, maybe we should elect women to higher office and leave the men to their dallyin'.

[michaelr]

This just occurred to me as various people are getting all worked up about Edwards's mistress.

Why not require politiciians who serve in national office--and maybe even state office--to undergo some form of reversible chemical castration? That would immediately take away one of the two great sources of temptation and corruption. There's still the money problem, but maybe we can work on that one next.

Buck Hussein Laser

I would rather catch them in a lie then demand that they step down, a slight drawback....err is it a huge positive I dunno....they're first lie is usually committed when they swear to defend and protect the Constitution. That IMO is one way of reducing the size of government.

[Drocket]

Or we could act like grown-ups and stop obsessing over what's in other people's pants...

[Buck Laser]

Or we could act like grown-ups and stop obsessing over what's in other people's pants...
Yeah, like the wingers are gonna do that.

[AnnEsthesia]

Considering what percentage of Americans have affairs, I am shocked that anyone is surprised.

[Buck Laser]

Considering what percentage of Americans have affairs, I am shocked that anyone is surprised.
I fear you underestimate the number of hypocrites in the world, girlie.

[michaelr]

Personally I don't care if he had an affair or not, it's that little lie thingy that gets me. I don't trust liars.

[Buck Laser]

Personally I don't care if he had an affair or not, it's that little lie thingy that gets me. I don't trust liars.
You've never lied? May I touch the hem of your garment? Damme, but I've never met anyone who didn't lie!

[BoogyMan]

I must say, Edwards is not outside the norm of alley cat morality that seems to pervade our society. What he did should earn him a good swift flogging by his wife and they should let her use a scourge. Even moreso as this seems to have gone on during her illness.

With that said, ANY dirtbag who would do such a thing should get the same treatment, not just the dirtbag we are discussing at the moment.

[michaelr]

You've never lied? May I touch the hem of your garment? Damme, but I've never met anyone who didn't lie!

I try real hard to do two things, one is to be as honest as I can, the other is to not allow myself to place myself into a position that I have to lie. Once you put yourself in that position you know your probably doing something wrong. That said, I have told ugly women that they are not ugly, I guess that counts.

I had an affair, I was asked by my wife, I told the truth and promised to never do it again. I have been married 30 years now. The truth works.

[AnnEsthesia]

Yea, but you did not tell her you had an affair while you were doing it, did you? Did you have sex and then go home and tell her about it?

[Buck Laser]

I must say, Edwards is not outside the norm of alley cat morality that seems to pervade our society. What he did should earn him a good swift flogging by his wife and they should let her use a scourge. Even moreso as this seems to have gone on during her illness.

With that said, ANY dirtbag who would do such a thing should get the same treatment, not just the dirtbag we are discussing at the moment.
Well let's see: among the presidents during my lifetime who've had mistresses/illicit sex are:
1. Roosevelt
2. Eisenhower
3. Kennedy
4. Johnson
5. Reagan (the only divorced president)
7. Poppy Bush
8. Clinton

I don't know about Truman, who dearly loved his wife, Nixon, who seemed asexual, Ford or Junior Bush, who strikes me as impotent.

I believe strongly in marital fidelity. It's been fairly easy for me because of my very happy marriage and because my sex drive (and drive for power) is relatively low. The level of one's sex drive, like one's sexual orientation are pretty much determined by genetic makeup.

That's why I suggest that only eunuchs be allowed to assume high office.

That leav

[Easy90]

Squeal libs...squeeeeeeallll! LOL!

[Buck Laser]

Squeal libs...squeeeeeeallll! LOL!
And this is in reference to what, Easy? Just as many republicans need to be castrated as democrats. Look at my list just above your post.

[ilikegw]

Oh well, he admitted to it after lying about it, yea nice guy... go Edwards, you wife loving man you!!

[Buck Laser]

I try real hard to do two things, one is to be as honest as I can, the other is to not allow myself to place myself into a position that I have to lie. Once you put yourself in that position you know your probably doing something wrong. That said, I have told ugly women that they are not ugly, I guess that counts.

I had an affair, I was asked by my wife, I told the truth and promised to never do it again. I have been married 30 years now. The truth works.
I didn't have any affairs, though the opportunities did occur occasionally, and I've been married for more than 50 years. Does that make me better than you? I really don't think so. How do you distinguish between a little and a big lie? If your wife puts on a dress and asks "honey, does this make me look fat?" you really don't have much choice in the answer, do you?

Michael, everyone lies. Some lie big, some lie small. Most of us have consciences, and therefore our lies trouble us. Even my dog lies to me. He keeps telling me he won't go after that hot little golden retriever bitch ever again. But then he sees her or catches her scent, and he's off like a black flash. That's why he's now a eunuch.

[penmyst]

Is it the affairs that matter?

Or could it be that when someone engages in affairs, it is a character issue? A marriage is the most intimate relationship you will ever have, and to disparage that most intimate circumstance through your own selfish actions is wrong.

When someone is a leader, as elected politicians are, shouldn't they be of stronger character than the average Janes n Joes?

I believe it is a great divide in the society today. Some people believe character DOES matter, and that your actions in various aspects of your life speak to your character. Some people do not care about character quality, in their own lives or the men they choose to lead them.

[michaelr]

Yea, but you did not tell her you had an affair while you were doing it, did you? Did you have sex and then go home and tell her about it?

If your asking if I phoned home whilst getting boned, no. It was the next day.

[AnnEsthesia]

Well, if you made a mistake and immediately fessed up, then I can respect that. Most people do not unless they are caught.

[michaelr]

I didn't have any affairs, though the opportunities did occur occasionally, and I've been married for more than 50 years. Does that make me better than you? I really don't think so. How do you distinguish between a little and a big lie? If your wife puts on a dress and asks "honey, does this make me look fat?" you really don't have much choice in the answer, do you?

Michael, everyone lies. Some lie big, some lie small. Most of us have consciences, and therefore our lies trouble us. Even my dog lies to me. He keeps telling me he won't go after that hot little golden retriever bitch ever again. But then he sees her or catches her scent, and he's off like a black flash. That's why he's now a eunuch.

I am sure that we all lie to a degree, most likely by mistake or lies of omission. But if my wife spent hours making a pair of ugly pants that made her look fat and she asked my opinion then I am afraid that I would need to tell her the truth. Hell she may want to wear them proudly when I take her to diner or something, no way bub ain't gunna happen.

Love the dog story.

[sam]

Well, if you made a mistake and immediately fessed up, then I can respect that. Most people do not unless they are caught.

I have to disagree with that. I have a brother who had a one night stand, 8 years ago. His wife has always been insecure in their relationship. He 'fessed up' to clear HIS consciounce, and it left incrediblely deep scars in my sister-in-laws sense of security. They got past it and have recently celebrated their 36th anniversay.

Who benefitted? Certaintly not his wife. IMO, it was selfish, my brother wished to clear his own concscience knowing the damage it would do to his wife's already shaky in her insecurities. That this one night stand occured with a someone 20 years younger, and while drunk, is no excuse.

When confession does nothing but relieve your own guilt, while creating such ain in your spouse is unforgiveable and quite frankly, little more than selfishness.

He made a mistake. He regretted it. He did not have to clear his conscience as penance when it cost his wife even greater insecurties.

[Osborn F. Enready]

I don't think it has anything to do with personal lives, or details.... only the FACT that one lies or not, and how good they are at it.

[michaelr]

I have to disagree with that. I have a brother who had a one night stand, 8 years ago. His wife has always been insecure in their relationship. He 'fessed up' to clear HIS consciounce, and it left incrediblely deep scars in my sister-in-laws sense of security. They got past it and have recently celebrated their 36th anniversay.

Who benefitted? Certaintly not his wife. IMO, it was selfish, my brother wished to clear his own concscience knowing the damage it would do to his wife's already shaky in her insecurities. That this one night stand occured with a someone 20 years younger, and while drunk, is no excuse.

When confession does nothing but relieve your own guilt, while creating such ain in your spouse is unforgiveable and quite frankly, little more than selfishness.

He made a mistake. He regretted it. He did not have to clear his conscience as penance when it cost his wife even greater insecurties.

I broke a very important promise to my wife and by doing so I let my family down, as well as myself. You asked what did my wife gain from my confession, I will tell you, she knows that no matter what I will not lie, she can ask me anything. We have a very good relationship, this happened about 20 years ago. I love her more by the day, and I really do believe that she feels the same for me.

[sam]

I broke a very important promise to my wife and by doing so I let my family down, as well as myself. You asked what did my wife gain from my confession, I will tell you, she knows that no matter what I will not lie, she can ask me anything. We have a very good relationship, this happened about 20 years ago. I love her more by the day, and I really do believe that she feels the same for me.

Did she ask you, or suspect? I understand that your confession obviously strenthened your relationship in that your wife if confiddent that you will never lie to her.

The difference is, my sister in law was clueless. My brothers confession did moe harm than good to his wife and to be honest, even tho it occurred over years ago, I believe it still hangs over both of them.

I am not sure my sister in law will ever totally forgive my brother. And I think that hangs over their marriage. I love my brother but in his own behalf I I dont know how long we will put up with that one isolated incident ina marriage of 36 years, and I can say I cannot really blame him.

He has done his penance. While I never expet my SIL to forget, I do beleive as self proclaiimed Christians, , she should find it in herself to forgive this onetime incident.

I

[michaelr]

Did she ask you, or suspect? I understand that your confession obviously strenthened your relationship in that your wife if confiddent that you will never lie to her.

The difference is, my sister in law was clueless. My brothers confession did moe harm than good to his wife and to be honest, even tho it occurred over years ago, I believe it still hangs over both of them.

I am not sure my sister in law will ever totally forgive my brother. And I think that hangs over their marriage. I love my brother but in his own behalf I I dont know how long we will put up with that one isolated incident ina marriage of 36 years, and I can say I cannot really blame him.

He has done his penance. While I never expet my SIL to forget, I do beleive as self proclaiimed Christians, , she should find it in herself to forgive this onetime incident.
I

I told her on my own accord.

I agree 100% with the embolden portion, hell I like the whole post.

I read or heard some where that when we were put here on this big blue ball that we were expected to spill some milk, it is how you react to it that counts. That stuck with me almost my entire life.

[Buck Laser]

He has done his penance. While I never expet my SIL to forget, I do beleive as self proclaiimed Christians, , she should find it in herself to forgive this onetime incident.

Sam, not everyone has the same capacity to forgive. I'm very sorry that your sister in law was so devastated, but I've seen some similar things in my own family--not due to infidelity at all, but to sibling stresses between my own two middle-aged children. They are both in their mid-40s, but they've been irritating each other all their lives, and it came to a boil last Christmas season. The details aren't important here, and each is making tentative moves toward the other.

I have always had a very hard time forgiving people for treating me badly, and the anger I feel has taken a terrible toll on me physically. Likewise, my mother tended to hold grudges too long, and she seemed to have acquired that trait from her father. I have been fortunate to be married to a woman who is extraordinarily capable of not getting offended and taking the lead in forgiving others. I have gradually learned from her, and I'm a whole lot gentler than I was when I was younger. Neither of us is estranged from our kids, but try as we may, we don't seem to be able to bring them together.

It's not just a matter of people being the way they are and unchangeable, but if we're to be honest with ourselves, we need to realize that repentance and forgiveness are the hardest things in the world to do. I could go theological about this, but I won't. I think the connection to grace is pretty evident.

My original "proposal" is just a way of noting that one's own sex drive can wreck you, as teenagers demonstrate on a daily basis.

[AnnEsthesia]

As I said, statistically, I would bet that most cheaters do not fess up the day after they cheat. I could be wrong. Feel free to find some numbers... but knowing human nature, I doubt it.

[michaelr]

As I said, statistically, I would bet that most cheaters do not fess up the day after they cheat. I could be wrong. Feel free to find some numbers... but knowing human nature, I doubt it.

I am sure your right, I do not know the numbers but I bet it contributes to a 50% divorce rate.