the left (2)

Why Weiner Matters

by: Trent Derr - American Exceptionalism

 

Ok by now, we’ve all heard about it.  Weinergate.  Representative Anthony Weiner started with denials, followed by hedging,  and finally followed by admission.  All of this seasoned with Weiner’s shocked response to the question regarding whether he was going to resign – “No, I’m not going to resign.”  The guy who has been married less than  a year who had phone sex, exchanged sexting messages, and sent pornographic photos to no less than six women over Facebook and Twitter doesn’t have the class or common sense to know when to resign.  Duh…

 

However, why does this whole drama around Anthony Weiner’s behavior really matter to the country at large?  For one, he was engaged in having phone sex, sexting, and sending pornographic pictures utilizing the assets of the US Congress.  This will be at least one reason why Weiner will be investigated by the House Ethics Committee.

 

Second, employers have a right to establish standards of conduct for employees, especially for behavior during work hours.   It is common for senior level employees to have morality and behavioral clauses that apply to their employment.  Often the clauses are not only intended to prevent legal claims against the company but more importantly to prevent the employee from damaging the reputation of the company.  Clearly all of these conditions apply to Weiner.  All congress people work for the citizens of the United States so congressmen are employees.  There is no doubt that this type of behavior damages the reputation of Congress and the US Government at large.  Finally, it has become obvious that Representative Weiner was sexting, having phone sex and distributing pornographic material during “normal” work hours.   Any employee I can think of that worked for a company in the United States would be terminated for Weiner’s behavior.  They would be gone immediately. Continue...

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by: Trent Derr - American Exceptionalism

The Texas Rangers are the second oldest state law enforcement agency in the United States.  They initially functioned as a paramilitary force during the time that the Republic of Texas was an independent country.  Today the Rangers function as the Texas State Bureau of Investigation.  Over time, they have investigated and captured criminals spanning from murderers (John Wesley Hardin), to bank robbers (Bonnie & Clyde), to  corrupt politicians.   As part of their long and colorful history, the Rangers have developed quite a reputation.  That reputation was earned by the Rangers time after time taking on some of the most evil people in society with a relatively small number of men. As an example, there were only 144 Rangers in 2009.

 

One enduring story about the Rangers from 1896  includes  the original occurrence of the well-known saying: “One Riot, One Ranger”.   In response to the illegal fight that was scheduled to break out in Dallas, the Rangers sent one man, Captain Bill McDonald to prevent the riot.  Although many in the public were concerned that the Rangers only sent one man to address the fight, Captain McDonald was accustomed to being outnumbered.   To jump to the end of the story, of course McDonald was successful in achieving his mission and preventing the fight.  However it is Captain McDonald’s response to the Mayor of Dallas that echoes through Ranger history.  When the Mayor questioned McDonald regarding why he didn’t have more Rangers with him, the Captain replied (paraphrased), “One Riot, One Ranger”.

 

Sometimes, the right person in the right place at the right time makes all the difference.  Today America’s Patriots face a similar challenge in being outnumbered by those who are plotting to do evil in our society. Continue...
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