# Is Weiner finished? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 8, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783 "2011-06-08T21:25:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/101 "2011-06-11T17:13:04Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > … which I think falls within the category “unprofessional”. Yes, they said it was unprofessional. They didn’t say it put him in a questionable light, which I took to mean you thought it was questionable from a moral standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/102 "2011-06-11T17:24:37Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > They didn’t say it put him in a questionable light, which I took to mean you thought it was questionable from a moral standpoint. No, I was only thinking it was ethically questionable. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/103 "2011-06-11T17:34:17Z")
Can you point to the difference between morals and ethics please ? (careful, it’s a trap !) ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/104 "2011-06-11T17:52:36Z")
I think I’ll pass. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/105 "2011-06-11T17:57:56Z")
How about the distinction you make between your “ethically questionable” and Marley’s “questionable from a moral standpoint” then ? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/106 "2011-06-11T18:07:46Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > So lying, for example, is fine with you so long as it isn’t under oath? I don’t even care if it’s under oath. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/107 "2011-06-11T18:10:28Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > No, I don’t think that. I don’t see that what we know of his behavior has reached the point he must resign. I do think he’s skating on thin ice. > > From the Code of Ethics for U.S. Government Service: > > I think it would be amusing to hear Weiner explain how his conduct has conformed to this. You’re the one who would have to explain why he hasn’t. Weiner has no burden of proof. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/108 "2011-06-11T18:14:36Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > To be more accurate, it’s about a congressman engaging in unprofessional conversation with a high-school junior. This word of yours - “unprofessional”- it has no objective meaning. It’s just you grasping at straws. You really think every politician who’s ever used a curse word is acting “unprofessionally?” Are you kidding? How about when GWB got caught on video calling a journalist a “major league asshole?” Unprofessional? How about Cheney saying, “go fuck yourself” on the floor of the Senate? ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/109 "2011-06-11T18:50:49Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > This word of yours - “unprofessional”- it has no objective meaning. Like many words, no precise universally agreed-on meaning, sure. But it’s in widespread use, with some reasonable consensus on what’s implied. For example, when you go to the Post Office you don’t expect to hear cuss words from the clerk, and she has a reasonable expectation not to hear them from you. I’m inclined toward the view that the only reasonable relationship between a congressman and a random high school student who contacts him is a professional one, which tends to frown on words like “shit” - especially from the congressman. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/110 "2011-06-11T18:52:53Z")
I’m of the view that it’s utterly trivial whether or not elected politicians say the word “shit” in private conversations. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/111 "2011-06-11T19:00:08Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You’re the one who would have to explain why he hasn’t. And I have already said that I think his lying violates the Code of Ethics. His asking others to lie for him - and lying to his friends so they would support him - also would qualify. But it is of course not I but those conducting the ethics inquiry that will actually have to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/112 "2011-06-11T19:03:30Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > How about the distinction you make between your “ethically questionable” and Marley’s “questionable from a moral standpoint” then ? Probably not too important, especially since the relevant Code of Ethics makes prominent mention of “moral principals”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/113 "2011-06-11T19:29:42Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t even care if it’s under oath. So, “illegal” isn’t the bar you’re setting anymore. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/114 "2011-06-11T19:31:04Z")
Pelosi and DNC chair call on Weiner to step down. > **[Rep. Weiner seeks temporary leave; Pelosi calls for resignation](http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/06/pelosi-dnc-chair-call-on-weiner-to-resign/1)** > > Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., is seeking professional help and a temporary leave of absence from Congress, the Associated Press reports. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/115 "2011-06-11T19:32:06Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Probably not too important, especially since the relevant Code of Ethics makes prominent mention of “moral principals”. [Here’s the full Code of Ethics.](http://usgovinfo.about.com/blethics.htm) I’m sorry, but Weiner’s lying does not violate it in the way you’re saying. It doesn’t say ‘adhere to the strictest moral principles.’ It says ‘put loyalty to your own morals and the country ahead of your loyalty to your colleagues, party, or agency.’ He acted like a dope, but he didn’t hurt the country for the sake of helping his party or someone else in Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/116 "2011-06-11T19:35:41Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > And I have already said that I think his lying violates the Code of Ethics. You’ve expressed a very weak case. All politicians lie constantly. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/117 "2011-06-11T19:36:11Z")
In addition to Pelosi and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Steve Israel, also called for him to step down. Weiner “departed this morning to seek professional treatment”. You know… for that innocent online flirting that is no big deal at all. > **[Anthony Weiner to Seek Professional Treatment, Requests Leave of Absence](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/anthony-weiner-dnc-chair-dccc-chair-call-weiner/story?id=13819630)** > > Rep. Anthony Weiner is requesting a short leave absence from his congressional duties as he seeks professional treatment after several top democrats called for his resignation today. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/118 "2011-06-11T19:38:13Z")
I’m not sure what kind of medical treatment he needs other than “don’t talk about your dick with strangers and don’t show them pictures of it, you moron.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/119 "2011-06-11T19:39:32Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > So, “illegal” isn’t the bar you’re setting anymore. I clearly stated that even illegality was not necessarily a problem for me. There is no “anymore.” I never set this “bar” you speak of. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783/120 "2011-06-11T19:41:13Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > In addition to Pelosi and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Steve Israel, also called for him to step down. > > Weiner “departed this morning to seek professional treatment”. You know… for that innocent online flirting that is no big deal at all. > > [Anthony Weiner to Seek Professional Treatment, Requests Leave of Absence - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/anthony-weiner-dnc-chair-dccc-chair-call-weiner/story?id=13819630) It isn’t a big deal. Not a single human being on the planet actually cares. This is all just political theater. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-weiner-finished/584783.md?page=7)