The Breitbart Effect: Why Weiner's Boring (Non-) Sex Scandal Is Getting More Play Than Republicans'

[libmom74]

"Weinergate, as it has been dubbed by pundits across the political spectrum, must be the lamest (non-)sex scandal to come down the pike in years, yet it seems to be getting as much play as Watergate.


That such trivia as an adult sending relatively benign photos and “racy messages” to other consenting adults should be of interest to anyone besides the Representative's wife – much less the making of a week-long “news” story – is obviously a sad reflection of our shallow, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed culture.


But it's also a testament to what you might call the "Breitbart effect" – the ability of conservative activists to push a news story to the forefront of the national discussion, and hold it there for an extended run. Breitbart, like the Drudge Report and a host of other dedicated right-wing provocateurs, has learned the value of gaming the refs – of hounding the mainstream media with angry and unsubstantiated accusations of “liberal bias” for so long the latter tend to overcompensate and give prominence to whatever story the activists are interested in amplifying.


Don't take it from me. As Eric Alterman noted, former GOP chair Rich Bond acknowledged in a candid moment that, “There is some strategy” to the Right's conspiracy theories about the media being hopelessly biased toward the left. ”If you watch any great coach,” he said, “what they try to do is 'work the refs.' Maybe the ref will cut you a little slack on the next one.”

http://www.alternet.org/story/151254/the_breitbart_effect:_why_weiner's_boring_(non-)_sex_scandal_is_getting_more_play_than_republicans'_sordid_sexcapades?akid=7080.257963.skETnI&rd=1&t=12

[AndyTiedye]

1. If It Hurts a Democrat, It Leads. If it Hurts a Republican, It Disappears

[aquart]

2. They've managed to prove Weiner is a liberal even in his sex fantasies.

Watching The Daily Show and Colbert Report while doing it doggy style with a stranger?

Liberal to the bone.

[LiberalLoner]

12. ROTFLMAO! n/t

[styersc]

3. The only Republican sex scandal that involved photographs

that could be posted and shared over airwaves and on the internet was Rep Lee (NY), so he resigned quickly. Visual equals a long time in the news.

[aquart]

44. I know. That's why I want a t-shirt with the dick underwear shot.

THIS WEINER SUPPORTS SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

[styersc]

4. Unfortunately the Repub Breitbart was not lying and Weiner the

Dem was lying. That is why I want Weiner gone!

[Dennis Donovan]

8. For ONCE, Breitbart didn't lie, and, for once, Weiner DID lie...

I'm certainly NOT ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater over this single lie...

[orion007]

10. It's being reported that another photo is in Beirtbart's posession.

this one has him masturbating.

I'm glad that one of my senators has called for him to resign, Leahy from Vt.

I'm having dinner tonight with friends/family, there are quite a few 20-30 yr olds and I'm looking forward to getting their take on all this Weiner news.

[LiberalLoner]

13. Oh, please. Like men never do that. I am SO not shocked. n/t

[styersc]

18. MATURE, decent, men do not masturbate and send photos to

women they have never met, half their age. You must be a gymnast to contort to the degree one would have to make excuses for this piece of dirt!!!

[LiberalLoner]

19. LOL well then there are a whole lot of immature indecent men out there, LOL! n/t

[styersc]

20. You may be right.

I have respect and appreciation for the important work that has to be done by progressives if this country is ever to be turned in the right direction. I have no use or patience for the "whole lot" to which you refer. They do no good, and if they selfishly try to satisfy a narcissistic streak by running for office, they can harm the effort.

But if it is so normal and acceptable, why did weepy Weiner apologize?

[aquart]

33. Oh, look! You think you found a GOTCHA question!

LOL!

I appreciate your attempt to keep the hysteria revved up. When you find a CRIME in what he did, let me know.

Of course he has apologies to make. He lied to people who trusted him. And made his wife look like a fool.

THERE IS STILL NO SEXUAL PURITY TEST IN THE CONSTITUTION OR IN HIS OATH OF OFFICE. Because none of our Founding Fathers could imagine people being so rude, ridiculous, and intrusive as this.

[styersc]

45. There is nothing in the Constitution that calls for a Purity test.

of any kind. By your standards Weiner could have sent racist smears, or anti-semitic slurs or anti-gay remarks and he would still be ok with you. I guess you are fond of the Breitbarts of the world and wish to give them plenty to work with.

The Democratic Party was a more formidable organization when we had higher standards then you practice.

[orion007]

25. I was very interested what my daughter/b'friend, nieces/b'friends

had to say about Weiners behavior.
Three of these young people,all in mid 20s-30 volunteered to get Vt's Governor Peter Shumlin recently elected.
All were appalled at his behavior,it didn't fly that this was something just between him and his wife and also that it was something that should just be left to his constitutes to decide whether he stays or goes.They want him out....these young people are quite savvy and not at all prudish.
They all felt that he represents the party, and not just his district.
The guys were adamant about him having a personal weakness that usurped his responsibility as a congressman and therefore has lost the right/privilege to represent the Democrat Party..
None of them have any sympathy for him.
Two have already emailed Sanders and Leahy.

[aquart]

31. That's because they have no actual life experience.

And sex escapade history is not much taught in schools. They are prudes. They don't know it, they think they're very cool or whatever the current word is, but their ignorance is profound.

Ask them if they think Thomas Jefferson should not have been allowed to write our Declaration of Independence. Ask them if it sullied that document to have Ben Franklin sign it.

Ask them if they thought JFK shouldn't have been president. Or FDR. Ask them if they think we should rescind MLK, jr's holiday because he wasn't faithful to his wife.

Or perhaps you did ask them and still got that silly answer.

[orion007]

35. My, my, how arrogant you are thinking that you have all the

answers, you're in for a rude awakening.
Your ignorance is profound thinking that Weiner's behavior has to be judged by the actions of others.
Obviously you're not familiar with young people who have a sense of decency and what is considered by them disgusting behavior.
They'd laugh in your face at your rationalization of a man who behaved like a pig.

[aquart]

39. They wouldn't laugh long, dear. They never do.

What you are calling a sense of decency is the arrogance of ignorance and insensitivity. Most people get over that and are properly ashamed of being so heartless and judgmental.

[orion007]

49. Heartless and judgemental? keep dreaming, they called it

as it is, he's a liar who has serious issues and needs to go.
There are people who are very interested what the younger generation is saying and doing, obviously you're not one of them.

[aquart]

28. LOL!

Seriously, ARE YOU KIDDING?

[orion007]

24. Good for you, not being shocked that an elected congressman

has the urgent need to send photos of himself to unknown woman...good for you..lol

[aquart]

32. You would prefer he only send dick shots to women he knows well?

Internet sex fantasy not reached your neighborhood?

[orion007]

50. Obviously you have no idea what the word fantasy means...lol

Now if your boy Weiner just fantasied about sending photos of his cock ans sex messages to females he wouldn't be in the position he is in now.

1.
imagination, especially when extravagant and unrestrained.
2.
the forming of mental images, especially wondrous or strange fancies; imaginative conceptualizing.
3.
a mental image, especially when unreal or fantastic; vision: a nightmare fantasy.
EXPAND

[aquart]

29. Well, we think that's what it is.

Which means it's a still shot of his hand on his dick. Not a video.

BTW, if any of those 20-30 year olds are NOT masturbating, find them some help.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[emilyg]

17. Agree.

[aquart]

34. Yeah, he didn't commit a crime so lying about no crime is the crime.

What bloody fucking hypocrisy.

EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO LIE ABOUT SEX.

[Bluenorthwest]

48. There is no such 'right' in society, nor in law.

Not sure how you got that idea. It is absurd. Lying about sex is grounds for divorce, for the dissolution of what the Straight Community claims is a Sacrament made by God, a contract so important that gay people must be prevented from sharing the right to such a sacred thing.
Where is this 'right' practiced? Not in life. Not in law. The way to practice it, is if you are married, go tell your spouse you have the right to lie to them about sex, see how that flies. Say "Just know that I do not 'owe' you the truth, and that any lie I tell that involves sex in any way is a permitted lie." See how that goes, dear.
I also wonder about the specific parameters of this imagined 'right to lie'. Do you think that the freedom to lie about sex includes the 'right' to lie about third parties? That is, is it a 'right' to lay on some rhetoric about Sacraments and gay folks to make the lie of loyalty sound better? Is it a 'right' to suggest that it is not you sleeping with X but in fact, it is that other person, that slut'?
Is it permitted to lie about money if the money is spent on sex? Do you feel it is permitted to lie to the IRS about money if the lie is about sex? Is it alright to claim that Steve in Accounting took the money, if you took it to pay for the costs of an affair? Should Steve be fired to preserve the lie about sex?
Would you expect others to lie with and for you? Do others who know the truth have a right not to lie as well?
This 'right to lie' needs more specifics and cites than it needs CAPS.

[libmom74]

5. So liberals and democrats should throw

good reps that stand up for the American people under the bus when they screw up while Republicans should defend and spend money to get their diaper wearing, prostitute visiting reps re-elected (and we liberals and Dems should politely ignore the hypocrisy) so they can continue to fulfill the wishes of the corporate masters. Got it.

[orion007]

6. Weiner's not adored by every Democrat, his pro-Israel for instance

Monday would be a fine day for him to resign.

[libmom74]

7. He's anti-Clarence Thomas

and pro Single Payer Health Care and regulary calls out the Republicans for their hypocrisy. How many Dems aren't pro-Israel? If that's a reason to resign we wouldn't have many representatives left (on either side of the aisle).

[orion007]

11. He's replaceable, and Israel wasn't my reason for wanting him gone now,

I agree with my senator, Leahy..resign.

[kimsarah]

37. Sorry

but Leahy is just one of many Dem sens and congressmen who talk tough and then fall apart when the GOP blackmail machine is cranked up, as is being done in this case. After news of Breitfart's scoop was first reported, Dems were mum. Then after the Cantors and Hannitys called for his resignation, Dems like hapless Harry put their finger in the air and ganged up against Weiner. Whatever you think of Weiner and this fiasco, he at least has a spine to go along with the rest of his body parts. He should stay, and his Democratic "friends" should be ashamed.

[aquart]

41. Right. Completely believable.

Hiding behind Leahy, yet.

[kimsarah]

38. Monday

would be a fine day for trolls to take a hike.

[aquart]

40. And now we finally have it. He's pro-Israel.

THAT's why these "progressives" want him out.

Nobody can be elected in his district who is not pro-Israel. So good luck with that resignation.

And it's against the rules to tell you exactly what I want you to do right now.

Amazing what slime crawls out after midnight.

[JDPriestly]

9. Thanks. The texting scandal is just a distraction from the real value

that Weiner brings to Congress. He is an outstanding spokesman for all ordinary Americans. This campaign is just way overblown. Exaggerated beyond belief.

The very people who are so loudly condemning Weiner are the folks who will regret it if he leaves Congress. There is no replacing Anthony Weiner.

It is, however, very easy to dig into almost anyone's personal life and find some very embarrassing habit or episode or story. All it takes is a little cash and voila. You got the guy.

This story is not worth the finger strokes required to type about it. But we have to fight the folly that distracts us constantly.

[LiberalLoner]

14. +1. Thank you for this post.

[Historic NY]

15. exactly and the GOP would want him gone in a NY minute...meanwhile..

we don't have a Brightasshole to do the same thing back..Republicans rarely eat their own.

[aquart]

30. That's why he was targeted.

Thank God he didn't panic and quit like Spitzer did.

[truth2power]

46. Thank you, JD. I agree. Breitbart & friends are getting the distraction they wanted...

We're not hearing anything about Clarence Thomas, are we?

[emulatorloo]

16. Excellent article on how the right wing noise machine works

Thanks for posting.

[unblock]

21. i think it also has a lot to do with the dearth of legitimate democratic scandals.

so they'll take what they can get.

republican administrations have been rife with many serious scandals and disgraces going back at least to nixon. in fact, ike's administration was probably the only clean one (afaik) in at least 100 years.

clinton had a few legitimate scandals, though much of it was overblown muckwork by the republicans.

the obama administration has been remarkably clean by modern standards, especially given how much work republicans put into setting traps and such.


so i think when this sordid story came around, they took to it like a pack of starved wolves.

[aquart]

42. Don't say that. I have sympathy for starved wolves.

[texshelters]

22. Brietbart relies on the ignorances and hypocrisy

of the American people.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[mackerel]

23. It never ceases to amaze me how much voters are willing to

overlook to ensure their candidate stays in office. Sure lets throw all the women under the bus for the guy with the big dick.

[libmom74]

26. AFAIK none of the women that received

the photos were complaining, everyone was of age, everything was mutual and his wife wants him to remain in Congress.

[texshelters]

27. I was not defending Weiner

I was talking about Breitbart.

So, your comment misses my point completely. Or do you like Breitbart's tactics?

I have repeatedly said that Weiner was a jerk, that if the woman wasn't eliciting the photo that it was harrassment, and that I still support Weiner's politics.

Your disgust of Weiner might be warranted, but it blinded you to my actual remarks that had nothing to do with being "willing to overlook" anything. Read it again. I was talking about Breitbart which was the point of this thread.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[aquart]

43. You mean the one who got $10,000 from ABC?

Or the ones who SAVED hundreds of sexts?

Your faux concern for these willing fantasy partners is revolting.

It reminds me of the assholes who didn't understand why Anita Hill didn't leave her job.

It is KILLING you that this was only fantasy sex. It is breaking your heart that you can't cry rape.

[66 dmhlt]

47. NBC - Todd, Gregory, Lauer & Williams - are OBSESSED w/ Weiner's weiner

[mackerel]

51. I read it again and I still say most of the men here and a few

women are willing to overlook something that is completely inappropriate for a congressman. (The lying part just takes it OTT)

Everyone keeps trying to sell me the line that the women who were donged didn't mind being donged. I'm not convinced that is the case.

No one has come forward to say they actually sext'd with him only that they were donged.

I'm just curious do those who support Weiner think it's o.k. for young women or women of any age to be dong'd?