2008 Woodie Awards
Political scandals don't stress me out
Melissa Dudum-Maya
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Quick! Name what springs to mind when you hear 'Gavin Newsom.' Chances are none of the San Francisco Mayor's policies or accomplishments rank high among most thoughts, what does spring to mind is the splashy scandal of an affair and alcoholism that was recently a tabloid fodder.
Past politicians aren't far behind in the running. Many are remembered as playboys, somehow finding the time to run a country, being married to a devoted wife and fool around with Marilyn Monroe. Others perhaps saw the obstacle of going for Hollywood gold and found fun with a White House intern.
Celebrity status will always attract attention: the good, the bad and the ugly. Many argue that this invasion of privacy comes with the territory. It's the price you pay for living in the public eye.
However, as long as engaging in a disgraceful love-triangle doesn't cut into a president's weekly radio address, then there's simply no connection between a tainted private life and the person's ability to govern.
Focusing on private matters deviates focus from the real issues. It's a waste of time and energy. Matters such as these are confidential family matters and in no way affect the general public. People have no right to interfere in such personal concerns.
I'm sure many people have a less-than-perfect personal history. Be it mistakes we wish we could take back, an embarrassing DUI, or simply shamefully flunking out of calculus.
Kate Middleton---Prince William's girlfriend---made front-page news throughout England for receiving a parking ticket outside her London home back in Jan. If she indeed one day becomes queen to her prince's King, I hardly doubt this is an early sign of her inability to rule.
When Newsom stops addressing his city's health care system, stops pushing for homeless programs or stops advocating for union workers' rights---lets criticize him.
Once any politician neglects issues on his political platform, or tunes out the voice of the people, let it be known that he is slipping below an acceptable standard in performance, that he lacks the competence to perform his job adequately. But if a divorce breaks or his daughters create havoc in Argentina, I've got problems of my own to worry about and so should you.
Past politicians aren't far behind in the running. Many are remembered as playboys, somehow finding the time to run a country, being married to a devoted wife and fool around with Marilyn Monroe. Others perhaps saw the obstacle of going for Hollywood gold and found fun with a White House intern.
Celebrity status will always attract attention: the good, the bad and the ugly. Many argue that this invasion of privacy comes with the territory. It's the price you pay for living in the public eye.
However, as long as engaging in a disgraceful love-triangle doesn't cut into a president's weekly radio address, then there's simply no connection between a tainted private life and the person's ability to govern.
Focusing on private matters deviates focus from the real issues. It's a waste of time and energy. Matters such as these are confidential family matters and in no way affect the general public. People have no right to interfere in such personal concerns.
I'm sure many people have a less-than-perfect personal history. Be it mistakes we wish we could take back, an embarrassing DUI, or simply shamefully flunking out of calculus.
Kate Middleton---Prince William's girlfriend---made front-page news throughout England for receiving a parking ticket outside her London home back in Jan. If she indeed one day becomes queen to her prince's King, I hardly doubt this is an early sign of her inability to rule.
When Newsom stops addressing his city's health care system, stops pushing for homeless programs or stops advocating for union workers' rights---lets criticize him.
Once any politician neglects issues on his political platform, or tunes out the voice of the people, let it be known that he is slipping below an acceptable standard in performance, that he lacks the competence to perform his job adequately. But if a divorce breaks or his daughters create havoc in Argentina, I've got problems of my own to worry about and so should you.
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