Not unexpectedly, all of the titillating components of Weiner's activity have drawn attention from much of the press. It has been unremitting in reporting demands for his resignation, his "fragile," condition, and his efforts to seek counseling for himself. Fox News did everything possible to link Weiner to child abuse, when news of his contact with a 17 year old first came out. Fox was distressed to find that there was nothing to the story that it constructed.
Here comes the Lynch Mob
As a result of engaging in completely legal behavior demands for his resignation have come from both Republicans and Democrats. While the Republican response is to be expected, Democrats all turned their back on him, apparently for the purpose of enhancement of their political position. One thing which occurred I found very disappointing. Jon Stewart declared himself to be a personal friend of Weiner's. Yet, the daily show spent three of its four shows last week targeting the whole tawdry affair. This I believe is representative of the climate which drove Weiner to seek psychiatric treatment.
Weiner found himself almost completely alone, and friendless. Harry Reid declared that if Weiner came to him for advice, he would tell him go somewhere else. No one stepped up to offer the emotional support which he apparently finds essential. Perhaps, given Bill Clinton's reputation for unrestrained sexual activity, and his firm assertion that, "I did not have sex with that woman," Weiner's call to him could be considered appropriate. It's reported that Weiner apologized to Clinton, perhaps for his failure to successfully emulate Clinton's masterful management of a similar situation.
Within the House Democratic caucus, there was no such support to be found. Instead, that desiccated, ancient schoolmarm who is its leader, in vulture-like fashion raked his fragile ego, demanding his resignation. In lemming-like fashion others of his party pretty much universally swooped in, as the carrion feeders they have proven to be. With the sole reported exception of Charlie Rangel, there have been no other reports of direct support for Weiner.
Two Theories of Breakdown
Unquestionably, Weiner is in the acute phase of emotional collapse. That is evident to anyone who witnessed his tearful confession of his communications and subsequent lying about the origin of the pictures. This has culminated in his decision to seek treatment for himself.
We are left with the question of which is cause, and which is effect? An initial review of recent events suggests that after getting caught tweeting pictures to a number of women, Weiner clumsily managed the fallout, lying to give the impression that some unknown person had hacked his account, and making it look as though they had sent the single picture. He then is shunned by all but a tiny few of who he thought to be his friends
There is another theory which equally well explains the entire sequence of events. That is that the breakdown was of far longer duration than anyone had considered. Clinical psychologists have a term for someone gradually coming apart. They call this gradual movement from health to illness, Decompensation. Read what some of his few loyal friends have to say about him. (Washington Post, June 14,2011):
"'He's the ultimate buster of other people, he is," Pascrell said of Weiner on the baseball field. "He knows how far he can push you. If you don't have a good sense of humor, you're going to get pissed off at him. If you do have a good sense of humor, then you give it right back. Not unlike life, and that's the way it is.'"
The beginning marker for this theory of evolving breakdown would be that bit of high theatre occasioned by his never to be forgotten passionate advocacy for the Health Care Bill delivered floor of the House. Here is what Business Insider had to say about his speeches in a story dated April 15, 2011:
" Anthony Weiner has created a monster.
The Congressman is a YouTube star , with his videos frequently racking up hundreds of thousands of views.
The amazing fact is that the clips that go viral -- like this one in which he mocks the GOP's efforts to defund NPR -- are speeches given on the floor of the House.
Essentially, Weiner has raised his public profile by making one of the traditionally most boring places on Earth actually interesting.
Other Congresspeople are starting to imitate the Representative from New York, employing his flair for theatrics in their speeches. "
Whether just beginning or of long duration is of no concern
here. Weiner recognized and has sought treatment. That should be sufficient for
all concerned.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
