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(Gawker) Obvious The way the mainstream media are handling, or rather not handling, the John Edwards nookie story is stark evidence of how they are no longer the public's media gatekeepers in the age of the Internet   (gawker.com) divider line 86
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Churchill2004 [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 04:31:50 PM  
God I hope so. I'll take the unfiltered, unsorted, unverified morass of the Internet over being spoon-fed what some one else decided was good for me to hear.

 
DarthBrooks [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 04:48:24 PM  
Hey, if it sells birdcage liner, the NYT will be referring to the guy as "Silky Pony" in about a week.

 
quickdraw [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 04:49:50 PM  
You know it's really ok with me if I don't find out about every damn politician's sex life - as long as they don't try to legislate what I do with my genitalia I'm perfectly happy to ignore whatever the hell they do with theirs.

 
Ra_ 2008-07-25 04:59:20 PM  
I am totally against prosecuting or impeaching a politician for getting some nookie. That doesn't mean we have to cover up the evidence though, such as is being done by the L.A. Times. (new window)

 
sullyman 2008-07-25 05:02:09 PM  
quickdraw: You know it's really ok with me if I don't find out about every damn politician's sex life - as long as they don't try to legislate what I do with my genitalia I'm perfectly happy to ignore whatever the hell they do with theirs.

Thanks but I would prefer to know what politicians are lying douchebags before I vote for them.

 
Cagey B [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:06:40 PM  
There is not enough coverage of the consensual sex lives of public figures. Not nearly enough.

 
quickdraw [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:08:50 PM  
sullyman: Thanks but I would prefer to know what politicians are lying douchebags before I vote for them.

You assume he is lying to somebody. Infidelity does not necessarily imply deceit. You have no idea what sort of relationship he and his wife have. It is not unusual for people in the public eye who travel a great deal to have an "understanding" with their spouse.

 
Alacritous [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:14:40 PM  
sullyman: Thanks but I would prefer to know what politicians are lying douchebags before I vote for them.

Here's a tip.. if you can see their lips move, THEY'RE LYING!!

 
Ra_ 2008-07-25 05:15:21 PM  
quickdraw:
You assume he is lying to somebody. Infidelity does not necessarily imply deceit. You have no idea what sort of relationship he and his wife have. It is not unusual for people in the public eye who travel a great deal to have an "understanding" with their spouse.


Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.
You've got to treat them all the same. Report the facts and let the voters decide.
It goes too far when they go all Ken Starr on a politician but there is no need to help them conceal their affairs.

 
VelcroFez [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:18:01 PM  
Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

Larry Craig was arrested and pleaded guilty to a crime.

The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him engaging in a non-criminal consensual act.

 
albo [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:18:34 PM  
It goes too far when they go all Ken Starr on a politician but there is no need to help them conceal their affairs.

especially when, like edwards, they publicly and emphatically deny the affair then are caught in the act. it's about the lying, not the sex.

 
albo [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:19:38 PM  
VelcroFez: The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him engaging in a non-criminal consensual act.

if mitt romney denied publicly he was having an affair and was caught like edwards, would that be news or should the press and public ignore it?

 
JimmyCarter'sSecondTerm 2008-07-25 05:22:15 PM  
VelcroFez: Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

Larry Craig was arrested and pleaded guilty to a crime.

The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him engaging in a non-criminal consensual act.


Well there HAS been a criminal complaint filed concerning the conduct of the hotel security staff.

Political figures are and should be held to a higher standard than normal people and other celebrities.

 
sullyman 2008-07-25 05:23:26 PM  
quickdraw: sullyman: Thanks but I would prefer to know what politicians are lying douchebags before I vote for them.

You assume he is lying to somebody. Infidelity does not necessarily imply deceit. You have no idea what sort of relationship he and his wife have. It is not unusual for people in the public eye who travel a great deal to have an "understanding" with their spouse.


Please. The actions of Edwards, if this is true, shows he is a complete dipshiat and lacking any decent decision making skills. You have the potential to be Vice President and in the midst of it, throw it all away for a little late night strange? That is the definition of stupid. Maybe he should hook up with Gary Hart and ask him how well that kind of dumb worked in moving his career forward.

 
Cagey B [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:29:32 PM  
albo: VelcroFez: The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him engaging in a non-criminal consensual act.

if mitt romney denied publicly he was having an affair and was caught like edwards, would that be news or should the press and public ignore it?


I would be quite happy if such things were indeed ignored. But that doesn't seem to be how it works.

 
real shaman [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:32:49 PM  
I guess a lot of you don't think that loyalty, fidelity and honesty are desirable traits in your elected officials.

Keep elected lying, sneaking, cowardly, backstabbing bastards.... I'm moving to Peru.

 
albo [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:35:38 PM  
Cagey B: I would be quite happy if such things were indeed ignored. But that doesn't seem to be how it works.

yep, we live in the world as it is, rather than what it should be.

and it's only going to get worse as the net expands and everybody is online and jacked in 24/7. privacy and a delineation between one's public and private lives will be quaint concepts to our grandchildren.

 
BuckTurgidson 2008-07-25 05:40:34 PM  
VelcroFez: Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

Larry Craig was arrested and pleaded guilty to a crime
involving lewd activity in a public place, while serving as a United States Senator*.

The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him allegedly engaging in a non-criminal consensual act in private as a citizen not serving in any elected office.

* who had, by the way, supported the Federal Marriage Amendment, and had tried to block and then voted against the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.

 
VelcroFez [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:43:23 PM  
Cagey B: I would be quite happy if such things were indeed ignored. But that doesn't seem to be how it works.

I agree with this statement 100%

And that's why I believe the mainstream press is shying away from the story. It's because it's not news and just pure sleaze. The National Enquirer lacks the decency and ethics to behave within the bounds of what is acceptable journalism.

 
Nabb1 [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:47:26 PM  
VelcroFez: Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

Larry Craig was arrested and pleaded guilty to a crime.

The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him engaging in a non-criminal consensual act.


After what he did to those obstetricians when he pimped junk science about cerebal palsy, I say what goes around comes around. They didn't do anything wrong, but Edwards made a fortune off of them.

 
Cagey B [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:52:23 PM  
albo: privacy and a delineation between one's public and private lives will be quaint concepts to our grandchildren.

Not to sound all tinfoil-hatty, but privacy is already a quaint concept.

 
albo [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:54:44 PM  
VelcroFez: And that's why I believe the mainstream press is shying away from the story. It's because it's not news and just pure sleaze. The National Enquirer lacks the decency and ethics to behave within the bounds of what is acceptable journalism

Journalists pride themselves as being the public institution that searches for the truth. Nothing is preventing them from investigating these charges and proving or disproving them. In the latter case, if the Enquirer was making it up, they would have the glory of burying that tabloid as well.

This is their job--to find the truth--why aren't they doing it?

 
VelcroFez [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 05:58:14 PM  
albo: VelcroFez: This is their job--to find the truth--why aren't they doing it?

I look at this the same way as if the National Enquirer had said, "We stuck a camera in his hotel window and caught him having a wank." This is what qualifies as journalism now? We accept blatant invasions of privacy as truth-seeking?

I actually wonder whether the National Enquirer ought to be charged with stalking.

 
albo [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 06:00:39 PM  
VelcroFez: I actually wonder whether the National Enquirer ought to be charged with stalking.

That's a chilling statement. Did you even read the story? They were in public areas and were obeying the law.

Should the press not be allowed to investigate a politician's lie?

 
MorrisBird [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 06:10:31 PM  
Nabb1: After what he did to those obstetricians when he pimped junk science about cerebal palsy, I say what goes around comes around. They didn't do anything wrong, but Edwards made a fortune off of them.

Bullshiat, and you know it. The American Board of Ob/Gyn "changed" the science to protect their members. I've won too many Frye hearings on this issue to listen to you spout that inanity. You're a lawyer, you should and do know better.

 
Nabb1 [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 06:15:53 PM  
MorrisBird: Nabb1: After what he did to those obstetricians when he pimped junk science about cerebal palsy, I say what goes around comes around. They didn't do anything wrong, but Edwards made a fortune off of them.

Bullshiat, and you know it. The American Board of Ob/Gyn "changed" the science to protect their members. I've won too many Frye hearings on this issue to listen to you spout that inanity. You're a lawyer, you should and do know better.


Yes, I am, and the theory has been debunked in peer-reviewed medical literature over and over in the past decade.

 
quickdraw [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 06:23:02 PM  
Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

If a politician or clergy-person starts telling other people what they can and can't do with their genitalia then they are the ones who have to abide by their own rules.

As far as I know Edwards has never made a big deal about whether or not people should be allowed to commit adultery. So I don't really care what he does or doesn't do with his dick as long as its all adult and consensual.

 
tomWright 2008-07-25 06:24:31 PM  
"Save Your Newspaper: Cover The Edwards Scandal"

No. I want them to fail. They suck a news coverage worse than GM sucks at making decent cars.

I want all of them to fail.

Toyota, Honda and others that can make decent cars will take over GM's customers and factories, and Drudge, Fark, and other intertubes sources will take up where the NYTimes, WashPost etc left off, or never were to start with. They can aggregate from newer news sources people learn to trust.

May they all die, let the market sort 'em out.

 
quickdraw [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 06:29:12 PM  
sullyman: You have the potential to be Vice President and in the midst of it, throw it all away for a little late night strange?

You really think he has the potential to be VP? I don't. If he was seriously in the running then yes, that would be fool hardy.

All that aside though it doesn't sound like this was a case of a quick dip in the pool. I got the impression (could be completely wrong mind you) that the enquirer was implying this was an on-going affair.

 
JimmyCarter'sSecondTerm 2008-07-25 06:40:12 PM  
quickdraw: Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

If a politician or clergy-person starts telling other people what they can and can't do with their genitalia then they are the ones who have to abide by their own rules.

As far as I know Edwards has never made a big deal about whether or not people should be allowed to commit adultery. So I don't really care what he does or doesn't do with his dick as long as its all adult and consensual.


Well he did use his cancer stricken wife as a ploy to gain sympathy votes, all the while cheating and denying the affair.

 
MorrisBird [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 07:01:58 PM  
Nabb1: Yes, I am, and the theory has been debunked in peer-reviewed medical literature over and over in the past decade.

Not true. But, carry on with your good self.

 
Majick Thise [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 07:05:31 PM  
Edwards affair was with a legal aged, attractive member of the opposite sex, of his same race. From this we can deduce that Edwards is NOT a republican and that this is not newsworthy

 
snuff3r [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 07:33:54 PM  
sullyman: Please. The actions of Edwards, if this is true, shows he is a complete dipshiat and lacking any decent decision making skills. You have the potential to be Vice President and in the midst of it, throw it all away for a little late night strange? That is the definition of stupid. Maybe he should hook up with Gary Hart and ask him how well that kind of dumb worked in moving his career forward.

You want to know if he's lying or you want to morally judge him.

His sex life is his sex life and that's the way it should be. It plays no bearing on his ability to lead.

 
Control_this [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 07:38:04 PM  
I've heard more buildup for the Olympics than I have for the Conventions. Aren't the Conventions supposed to happen this summer? Seems kind of late. Let's get on with it.

 
Tr0mBoNe [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 07:41:40 PM  
How can they even care about something other than Gas Prices, Obama, Failing Banks, McCain, or whatever Bush just said. John Edwards is pretty far down the media totem poll.

 
Control_this [TotalFark] 2008-07-25 07:42:04 PM  
OK I looked it up

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held from August 25 to August 27 at the Pepsi Center and on August 28 at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will take place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota from September 1 until September 4, 2008.[1]

So it looks like Edwards has another month for this distraction.

 
Ra_ 2008-07-25 07:54:17 PM  
VelcroFez: Ra_: Larry Craig was having consensual sex in those bathroom stalls.

Larry Craig was arrested and pleaded guilty to a crime.
The National Enquirer stalked John Edwards and confronted him engaging in a non-criminal consensual act.


I hate to defend paparrazi but they were registered guests and Edwards was not,
so maybe it was them who should have been receiving help from the staff?
Politicians have to expect to be under a spotlight. Edwards should have calmly waved and said that he was visiting with some old friends, instead of running and hiding in the bathroom.

Having said that, I wish the legitimate media would show the diligence of the National Enquirer and expose the true crimes of our politicians, i.e. the money they accept from lobbyists, in exchange for doing their bidding and the fellowships and board positions bestowed upon those who use their time in office to surreptitiously rape the public while actually serving their corporate overlords.

 
Nemo's Brother 2008-07-25 08:18:17 PM  
But its a Democrat and its so close to the election. Can't we just bask in the greatness of Obama?

 
Wizzin 2008-07-25 08:19:27 PM  
Churchill2004: God I hope so. I'll take the unfiltered, unsorted, unverified morass of the Internet over being spoon-fed what some one else decided was good for me to hear.

 
Fart_Machine 2008-07-25 08:29:38 PM  
albo: It goes too far when they go all Ken Starr on a politician but there is no need to help them conceal their affairs.

especially when, like edwards, they publicly and emphatically deny the affair then are caught in the act. it's about the lying, not the sex.


When was Edwards "caught in the act"?

 
chascarrillo 2008-07-25 08:31:53 PM  
Am I wrong for not taking the National Enquirer's word on this one?

And am I wrong in thinking that the ten greenlights on this are a bit of overkill?

 
ZangTT 2008-07-25 08:32:10 PM  
images.dailykos.com

 
Fart_Machine 2008-07-25 08:32:41 PM  
Nemo's Brother: But its a Democrat and its so close to the election. Can't we just bask in the greatness of Obama?

Funny I thought Edwards lost the nomination, had no chance at a VP shot, and had already retired from the Senate. So what exactly will the impact of this be again?

 
zvoidx 2008-07-25 08:32:41 PM  
You know who else had their political career ruined by a magazine cover?

img74.imageshack.us

 
fillahbuster 2008-07-25 08:34:21 PM  
Have the right-wing blogs been pushing this story? It hurts the meme that Edwards has Teh Ghey.

 
Fart_Machine 2008-07-25 08:34:52 PM  
blogs.salon.com

 
atlanta_ufo 2008-07-25 08:35:26 PM  
Politicians pointing a finger at the rest of us have three fingers pointing back at them. A number of politicians have been caught doing stuff lately.

 
ZangTT 2008-07-25 08:40:34 PM  
fillahbuster: Have the right-wing blogs been pushing this story? It hurts the meme that Edwards has Teh Ghey.

Hey, nice catch!

So what is it, conservitards?
Fancy hair boy or is he Hugh Hefner?

 
FlyingJ 2008-07-25 08:43:00 PM  
here ya go. tomWright
Link (new window)
Suck it, L.A. Times you dog trainer;
Link (new window)

 
Call_me_Madame 2008-07-25 08:46:35 PM  
Why is John Edwards newsworthy again? He isn't going to be the VP choice...

 
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