Who's Weiner is it?

[JonL]

I read an article somewhere that made me think that it's highly likely that this was a Rove-like job by a political foe. It may well be Weiner's wiener, and that picture may well have existed on his phone or computer. That doesn't mean that someone else couldn't have gained access to his, er... equipment, and sent the picture along. I think that's basically what Weiner is suggesting happened and he may well be proven right.

I also believe that there's a good possibility that he DID in fact send it himself. We've certainly seen other politicians make similarly stupid mistakes.

A big question in my mind, however, is this. If he DID send the picture... so what? Really, what IS the big (or not so big) deal over this? AFAIK, the woman who received it didn't lodge any complaint or even take offense to it. She was not a minor. His picture was suggestive and in poor taste (though do we even know the context?) It was hardly pornographic, exploitive, criminal, etc.

This is just more of the same BS. Keep the public's eye on anything but what really matters.

[whell]

Originally Posted by JonL

A big question in my mind, however, is this. If he DID send the picture... so what? Really, what IS the big (or not so big) deal over this? AFAIK, the woman who received it didn't lodge any complaint or even take offense to it. She was not a minor. His picture was suggestive and in poor taste (though do we even know the context?) It was hardly pornographic, exploitive, criminal, etc.

This is just more of the same BS. Keep the public's eye on anything but what really matters.

Well, Federal Law prevents harassment in the workplace based on sex, and the Congressman took an oath to uphold the law. That's part of the big deal. We also saw the forced resignation of a senator, in part, because of sending suggestive emails. So, if we're going to be consistent...

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

Well, Federal Law prevents harassment in the workplace based on sex, and the Congressman took an oath to uphold the law. That's part of the big deal. We also saw the forced resignation of a senator, in part, because of sending suggestive emails. So, if we're going to be consistent...

It wasn't in the workplace. Doing stuff like this with your colleagues in the workplace runs up against sexual harassment issues. Sending a picture to someone with whom you have no work relationship doesn't, even though it is certainly in bad taste (if he did it).

Also, your comparison in the OP with the Larry Craig affair was also off the mark. Craig was criminally charged with solicitation. To date, Wiener hasn't been criminally charged with anything.

I don't give a rat's ass what happens to any career politician of either party for their misbehavior, as I have a hard time ginning up any sympathy for any of these clowns. That said, let's let this thing play out before we get lost in a fog of outrage or sling accusations of double standards, etc.

[flacaltenn]

Whell: I'm trying SOOOO dam hard not to get involved here, but your comment just HAS to be embellished on..

Well, Federal Law prevents harassment in the workplace based on sex, and the Congressman took an oath to uphold the law.

Get THIS!

WEINER INTRODUCES BILL TO STOP SEXUAL HARRASSMENT ON CAMPUS
REQUIRES COLLEGES TO PUBLISH CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORWashington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn), a Member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation to stop sexual harassment on college campuses. Under the Sexual Harassment Reporting and Posting Act of 2004, institutions of higher learning are required to provide their students with clearly defined standards of acceptable conduct and to educate students about grievance procedures and victim assistance.

I ASSURE you -- this not a drill. this is not a hoax.. It's Congress at it's finest.. Obviously Weiner was not qualified to say what those guidelines should be, but will leave that up to the schools?

http://www.weiner.house.gov/news_display.aspx?id=610

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

It wasn't in the workplace. Doing stuff like this with your colleagues in the workplace runs up against sexual harassment issues. Sending a picture to someone with whom you have no work relationship doesn't, even though it is certainly in bad taste (if he did it).

These Twitter and Facebook accounts are often maintained and updated by staffers. They are used by political types for personal and "business" purposes.

Originally Posted by finnbow

Also, your comparison in the OP with the Larry Craig affair was also off the mark. Craig was criminally charged with solicitation. To date, Wiener hasn't been criminally charged with anything.

My memory may be faulty, but I don't believe Craig was ever convicted. The allegations that ended up costing him his political career were regarding emails to junior staff members.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

These Twitter and Facebook accounts are often maintained and updated by staffers. They are used by political types for personal and "business" purposes.

OK. Do you have any evidence to suggest that he compelled a female staffer to post the picture of him in his BVD's? You're grasping at straws (again). There is absolutely nothing to suggest that this has anything to do with workplace sexual harassment.

FYI, sexual harassment is defined as "unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.”

My memory may be faulty, but I don't believe Craig was ever convicted. The allegations that ended up costing him his political career were regarding emails to junior staff members.

Larry Craig was the fellow who tried to solicit gay sex in a Minneapolis airport bathroom and was charged for lewd conduct. He later entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

OK. Do you have any evidence to suggest that he compelled a female staffer to post the picture of him in his BVD's? You're grasping at straws (again). There is absolutely nothing to suggest that this has anything to do with workplace sexual harassment.

FYI, sexual harassment is defined as "unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.”

It wouldn't need to be posted by a staffer. If it was posted by him, and one of his staffers saw it while accessing / updating his site, it could be grounds for a harassment claim, and it would fit the definition of a visual form of harassment. There have been workplace claims that have been brought based on less egregious visuals.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by JonL

It may well be Weiner's wiener, and that picture may well have existed on his phone or computer.

That's my guess on all of this.

"Sir, did you knowingly send this photo?"

"I did not."

"Is this your junk?"

"Well, I...err...you see, what had happened was..."

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by whell

It wouldn't need to be posted by a staffer. If it was posted by him, and one of his staffers saw it while accessing / updating his site, it could be grounds for a harassment claim, and it would fit the definition of a visual form of harassment. There have been workplace claims that have been brought based on less egregious visuals.

There is no way that would satisfy the standard for sexual harassment. There might have been claims brought on less "egregious" photos, it is unlikely that they succeeded. A single inadvertent exposure would never get the attention of the EEOC or of any plaintiffs' lawyer who halfway knew his stuff. To establish a sexually hostile atmosphere, one must show that sexual conduct or innuendo is severe and pervasive


Besides the sexually hostile atmosphere, a plaintiff can make a sexual harassment claim by showing an actual or implied connection between keeping a job and sexual favors. There is not even the slightest hint of that in this instance.

What you have described is an incident that an employer should address, but not nearly enough to maintain a claim.

Regards,

D-Ray

[JonL]

Originally Posted by whell

These Twitter and Facebook accounts are often maintained and updated by staffers. They are used by political types for personal and "business" purposes.

Which is exactly why I'm keeping an open mind on this. Weiner has essentially admitted that the picture is of him. He has also adamantly maintained that he did not send the picture. If his staffers maintain and update his Twitter and Facebook accounts, then certainly a staffer would have the capability to send that picture. It is very possible that a disgruntled staffer or (more likely IMO) a staffer planted by Weiner's opponents sent the picture and then alerted a sympathetic media outlet.