# So the governor of South Carolina is MISSING? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 22, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655 "2009-06-22T22:30:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/201 "2009-06-25T20:44:32Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Among potential Congresscritters with the same likely voting record, good character is certainly to be preferred to bad. But I’d rather have someone who’s a lying, cheating scumbag who’ll vote for universal health care legislation with a robust public plan, and an effective carbon cap-and-trade bill, than the most wonderful person in the world who’ll vote against both. And I’m sure that people on the other side of the partisan divide feel just the same, only with ‘for’ and ‘against’ switched. I don’t think you can be at all sure that people on the other side of the partisan divide feel just the same. For you, it is by definition not a moral issue. For many of them, it absolutely is. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/202 "2009-06-25T20:45:40Z")
On a lighter note, I liked the Philadelphia Daily News headline for this story: Sanford and Hon Of ocurse, now I’ll hear the theme song to that show in my head whenever I see him, but that’s okay. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/203 "2009-06-25T20:46:23Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > I think it would be going too far, though, to say the cause is a failed or useless one because of these examples. One probably wouldn’t say this about environmentalism - so I wonder why so many would jump all over Christianity or traditional marriage because of similar examples. That is an excellent point. In fact, I’d say most people who strive for something worthwhile in their lives seek ideals they cannot fulfil. If you are living your ideals in every way, you probably need better ideals. The difference (and you knew ‘the difference’ was coming. I’m somewhat liberal and this may be affected by that, but I am trying to see your point, but I still see a difference) is that environmentalists try to lead by encouragement (yay! let’s recycle everything!) whereas sex-moralists lead by punishment and finger-pointing (so-and-so put his kolga in someone else’s moto! They should be locked up. Separately.). At the very least, the schadenfreude is more easily felt. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/204 "2009-06-25T20:49:29Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > A person truly concerned about the environment doesn’t use vehicles that are seriously detrimental to the environment, when there are alternatives. He/she tries to minimize his/her impact on the environment. > > But politicians are rarely truly committed to the positions they espouse. What they do is say that, if they were elected, they would be in favor of governmental actions that have a positive effect upon those positions. It’s up to the individual to decide whether that represents potential hypocrisy or not. > > Now take the stupid hijack to another thread, please! :mad: 😛 My apologies - I was answering posts sequentially, and I didn’t see yours until just now! But mind if I say this? There really doesn’t appear to be that much more to say about the Sanford story itself. He’s back, we know where he’s been, and even the emails are out: there’s probably no more surprises there. Some people are going to make some noise that he should resign, but the Lt Gov apparently still makes Sanford look pretty good by comparison. What’s to hijack? Sometimes a conversation just takes a turn, and it’s done so. In this case, why not just move it to GD and let it be what it’s turned into? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/205 "2009-06-25T20:55:13Z")
> [@Jodi](#): > > I don’t think you can be at all sure that people on the other side of the partisan divide feel just the same. For you, it is by definition not a moral issue. For many of them, it absolutely is. Their behavior is largely consistent with their feeling the same. I suppose there could be some other explanation, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/206 "2009-06-25T21:26:36Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Their behavior is largely consistent with their feeling the same. I suppose there could be some other explanation, though. I’m not interested in a debate on republicans’ behavior and what it means, especially at a federal level and since I’m highly unlikely to trust your interpretation of it. In any event, I assume my larger point has been made if not conceded. **DSYoung** , you may have your thread back. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/207 "2009-06-25T23:07:52Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > My apologies - I was answering posts sequentially, and I didn’t see yours until just now! > > But mind if I say this? There really doesn’t appear to be that much more to say about the Sanford story itself. He’s back, we know where he’s been, and even the emails are out: there’s probably no more surprises there. Some people are going to make some noise that he should resign, but the Lt Gov apparently still makes Sanford look pretty good by comparison. What’s to hijack? > > Sometimes a conversation just takes a turn, and it’s done so. In this case, why not just move it to GD and let it be what it’s turned into? Because we still have the very important follow-up to deal with which is: how long until he manages to resign or be impeached. 😕 Y’all want to debate whos party produces the worse hypocritical lying scumbags, off to GD with ya and start your own [del]war[/del] thread. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/208 "2009-06-26T01:11:15Z")
Anybody see any pictures of his girlfriend. I have not even seen wifey pictures. She is not standing by her man. (at least in public) ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/209 "2009-06-26T02:39:39Z")
just saw a teaser for the local news on abc which showed his wife giving a statement through her car window earlier today. of course, with the present world wide news story, this will go on the back burner for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/210 "2009-06-26T03:24:11Z")
More on the Mrs.: [South Carolina's first lady, scrutinized - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/25/southcarolina.jenny.sanford.profile/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/211 "2009-06-26T13:08:49Z")
As to the question of hypocrisy, from [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) today: \*A key South Carolina Republican cited Sanford’s past criticism of Bill Clinton and accused the governor of hypocrisy. “He was saying our elected leaders need to stand firm on principles and values, and one of those is strong family values,” Glenn McCall, a member of the Republican National Committee, told CNN by phone. “What he said is hypocritical if he doesn’t step down, because he was right with what he said about Clinton and others. When you are an elected leader, we hold you to higher standards.”\* ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/212 "2009-06-26T13:30:36Z")
I bet this guy’s not too broken up about the death of Michael Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/213 "2009-06-26T16:01:01Z")
> [@bup](#): > > … (so-and-so put his kolga in someone else’s moto! Just wanted to let you know that I saw what you did there. And it made me 😃 ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/214 "2009-06-26T19:32:00Z")
On hypocrisy, a thoughtful blog [post](http://hitcoffee.net/index.php/file/1656): > [@](#): > > Revelations of infidelity should not be important primarily (or solely) if there is a hypocrisy angle. _If [you believe] it’s wrong for Ensign to cheat on his wife, then [you should believe] it’s wrong for a pro-gay marriage politician to cheat on his._ The only time there’s really a distinction is if the pro-gay marriage politician is prepared to say that it’s different for him because he doesn’t believe that cheating on his wife is wrong. > > What disturbs me about this is that _the charge is levied most frequently not to discourage immoral behavior but rather to discourage the condemnation of it_, which in turn is to defend it. Otherwise, the hypocrisy is somewhat beside the point. The issue is that Haggard engaged in homosexual acts, that Sanford cheated, that Al Gore uses too much fossil fuel, and that Obama smokes cigarettes. If one considers these things bad then the hypocrisy angle is tangential at top and at bottom is appreciated because better they at least advocate doing the right thing rather than defend doing the wrong thing. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/215 "2009-06-26T19:33:07Z")
Better yet, from the [Diamond Age](http://steveedney.wordpress.com/2006/11/08/hypocrisy-relativism-and-the-diamond-age/): > [@](#): > > You know, when I was a young man, hypocrisy was deemed the worst of vices,” Finkle-McGraw said. “It was all because of moral relativism. You see, in that sort of a climate, you are not allowed to criticise others-after all, if there is no absolute right and wrong, then what grounds is there for criticism? … Now, this led to a good deal of general frustration, for people are naturally censorious and love nothing better than to criticise others’ shortcomings. And so it was that they seized on hypocrisy and elevated it from a ubiquitous peccadillo into the monarch of all vices. For, you see, even if there is no right and wrong, you can find grounds to criticise another person by contrasting what he has espoused with what he has actually done. In this case, you are not making any judgment whatsoever as to the correctness of his views or the morality of his behaviour-you are merely pointing out that he has said one thing and done another. Virtually all political discourse in the days of my youth was devoted to the ferreting out of hypocrisy. ---
**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 26, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/216 "2009-06-26T20:19:09Z")
Both of those blog posts are arm-waving, insubstantial bloviations. The first one tries to change the definition of hypocrisy, for one thing, but the underlying fallacy behind both of them (and which is endemic to moralists in general), is the idea that other people’s sexual behavior should have any _per se_ public relevance, absent any criminality or public corruption. They both whine like babies that criticizing only the public hypocrisy ignores the “immorality” of the nookie, completely missing the point (as is the wont of all moralists) that, other people’s private “morality” is none of their fucking business. They also either intentionally mischaracterize or simply misunderstand (probably the latter, since they’re stupid) the attitude of those who aren’t moved to get out the pitchforks if a politician cheats on his wife without hypocrisy as representing _de facto_ approval of cheating, when the reality is that we _just don’t think it’s our business_. The 2nd blogger, in particular, is a blithering nutcase who goes so far as to say that anyone who doesn’t get as huffy as he does about other people’s sex lives has no belief in right and wrong. That’s completely asinine. Just because you think a particular behavior is none of your business, doesn’t mean you can’t still think it’s unethical. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/217 "2009-06-26T20:30:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Just because you think a particular behavior is none of your business, doesn’t mean you can’t still think it’s unethical. But if you deem it unethical and it is done by a public official, why is it none of your business? I honestly don’t get this reasoning. Assume you consider the behavior unethical. Assume this person’s profession places them in a realm when ethical behavior is or should be of primary importance. I don’t understand what seems to be to be a completely artificial balkanizing of behavior into “public” and “private,” as if how one acts in one realm couldn’t possibly be of relevance to how one might act in the other. I realize it would be very easy to _overstate_ the importance of personal morality, and I tend to agree that lots of things, especially sexual things, that public people do are still nevertheless no one’s business bu their own. But to assert, as you appear to be asserting, that private unethical behavior has _no relevance whatsoever_, strikes me as naive. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/218 "2009-06-26T20:30:35Z")
I will say this, I give his wife props for letting him take this shitstorm on himself. Her answer was great regarding his political future: “It’s not my concern.” Awesome. ---
**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 26, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/219 "2009-06-26T20:39:39Z")
> [@Jodi](#): > > But if you deem it unethical and it is done by a public official, why is it none of your business? The same reason I don’t think it’s my business if the guy fixing my car cheats on his wife or cheats with his buddies at poker. It has nothing to do with what I’m paying him for. > [@](#): > > Assume you consider the behavior unethical. Assume this person’s profession places them in a realm when ethical behavior is or should be of primary importance. I do not agree that an elected official’s private sexual ethics (absent any criminality) is of any relevance to his/her job. I don’t even care if they’re my idea of a “good” person. I expect that they won’t do anything _illegal_, but as long as the way they vote the way I want, I don’t care if they’re Caligula in their private lives. ---
**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 26, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/220 "2009-06-26T20:45:33Z")
Incidentally, if conservatives think that marital fidelity is so vitally important an indicator of a person’s fitness for office, why did they decide to vote for an adulterer over a faithful husband in the last election? It seems like maybe they don’t really believe it’s _that_ important. I never hear them giving Dems like Obama or Jimmy Carter any credit for NOT being cheaters. If marital fidelity is a credential for office, why isn’t it ever given any value for Democrats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655.md?page=12)