Consequences for Spitzer

[superstition]

Spitzer, who has resigned, may face criminal charges, disbarment

Senator Vitter Apologizes for His Link to 'D.C. Madam'

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, whose phone number was linked to Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called "D.C. Madam," says that he is sorry for a "serious sin" and that he has already made peace with his wife.

Palfrey is awaiting trial on racketeering charges related to a prostitution ring she allegedly ran.

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter said Monday evening in a printed statement. "Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."

Until his disclosure Monday, Vitter had been a rising star in the Republican social conservative movement.

"I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one," Vitter said in June 2006, about the importance of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. "I think this debate is very healthy, and it's winning a lot of hearts and minds. I think we're going to show real progress."

At another time, speaking at the Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee luncheon, Vitter compared same-sex marriage to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Clinton was impeached. Livingston resigned. Foley is out, right? Yet, Vitter appears to be made of Teflon. Why is that?

 

[Wreckem]

See theres a difference.

Vitter was accused of a simple misdmeanor which statute of limitations was up.

Spitzer has likely committed several federal offense including a felony.

Now is Vitter a hypocrit? Yeah, but there arent to many politicians who are not.

 

[superstition]

I know there are differences, but in both cases we have outrage over hypocrisy concerning a crusading for the public morality politician who was exposed with connections to a prostitution ring.

That's very very similar. In one case, we have a huge scandal. In another, we have a whitewash.

 

[nageov3t]

hubris?

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: superstition
I know there are differences, but in both cases we have outrage over hypocrisy concerning a crusading for the public morality politician who was exposed with connections to a prostitution ring.

That's very very similar. In one case, we have a huge scandal. In another, we have a whitewash.

In one case we have a guy whos name appeared on a telephone record. No charges were ever brought forth. No other evidence exists.

In the other case, Spitzer's, he been involved with prostitutes for 6 or more years. Could come away with indictments of money laundering which has a maximum sentence of 20 years.

By the way the US Attorney sounded, it appears they are going to make an example out of Spitzer. They are going thoroughly investigate the last 10 years of this guys life.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Vitter was linked by phone records to a madam. So far as I know, there is no direct evidence of an overt unlawful act, nor has he confessed to any such act. Spitzer was (if guilty, and by his reaction it would so appear) caught in a definite violation of state and federal statutes. Furthermore, as governor, he is head of New York's executive branch and therefore ultimately responsible for the enforcement of his state's laws. Spitzer is subject to judicial consequences for his acts; Vitter must be held accountable for his acts by his constituents at the ballot box, if at all.

 

[superstition]

So far as I know, there is no direct evidence of an overt unlawful act, nor has he confessed to any such act.

Yes, the whitewash. Part of that was the way Vitter tried to retract his apology later and then say he didn't do anything wrong.

This reminds me of the Bush service record scandal with Dan Rather. Instead of ever actually making Bush's service record (or lack thereof) the issue, everyone made a scandal out of Rather and the fake letters. While that was a story, why was everyone content to completely ignore the more fundamental issue - Bush's service record?

I definitely see differences in how stories are pursued depending on who the person is. The Vitter story was buried and he was even able to get away with an apology retraction. When I bring it up, people are like "meh". That's telling. No one seems to care about Vitter, and I don't think it's all about statutes. No one has even bothered to find out which hookers were involved, something that, in the Spitzer case, was quickly discovered and made public.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: superstition

So far as I know, there is no direct evidence of an overt unlawful act, nor has he confessed to any such act.

Yes, the whitewash. Part of that was the way Vitter tried to retract his apology later and then say he didn't do anything wrong.

This reminds me of the Bush service record scandal with Dan Rather. Instead of ever actually making Bush's service record (or lack thereof) the issue, everyone made a scandal out of Rather and the fake letters. While that was a story, why was everyone content to completely ignore the more fundamental issue - Bush's service record?

I definitely see differences in how stories are pursued depending on who the person is. The Vitter story was buried and he was even able to get away with an apology retraction. When I bring it up, people are like "meh". That's telling. No one seems to care about Vitter, and I don't think it's all about statutes. No one has even bothered to find out which hookers were involved, something that, in the Spitzer case, was quickly discovered and made public.

Because if you lack evidence, you cannot proceed forward. You had a single telephone listing on a escorts call log from several years ago. You also had one hooker making claims but no evidence to back up her claims. Im sorry but Hustler and Larry Flint arent the ones that you should rely on for investigational purposes(this is where the story came from).

Spitzer on the other hand was under FBI investigation since October of last year and they have a mountain of evidence. Prostitution is just the sizzle to the story. It is unimportant, compared to what Spitzer faces. There are talks of moving from structuring, to trumping up the charged to money laundering and tax evasion. The Feds are going to nail Spitzer not because of the prostitution, but because of all the other things.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Regarding Vitter....isn't his confession evidence enough?

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Regarding Vitter....isn't his confession evidence enough?

How could I have missed his legally damning confession to having committed a "serious sin". It's too bad he didn't specify which sin he meant - maybe he could have been impeached for Lust, or Sloth or Envy!

 

[superstition]

How could I have missed his legally damning confession to having committed a "serious sin". It's too bad he didn't specify which sin he meant

Give us a break.

He confessed after the story came out about his ties to the D.C. Madam hooking ring. He realized the media wasn't going to press the story and then retracted the confession/apology. The whitewash was complete.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: superstition

How could I have missed his legally damning confession to having committed a "serious sin". It's too bad he didn't specify which sin he meant

Give us a break.

He confessed after the story came out about his ties to the D.C. Madam hooking ring. He realized the media wasn't going to press the story and then retracted the confession/apology. The whitewash was complete.

I think the biggest part of this is the money trail going across state lines. There just wasn't this type of evidence against Vitter. He showed up in some phone logs, but IIRC there was no smoking gun type of stuff like there is with Spitzer to indict or prosecute. Should Vitter have resigned, probably (definitely in my eyes), but as Wreckem said the statute of limitations had run out, as well as lack of hard evidence so he unfortunately got a pass legally. Spitzer is well within the statute of limitations and there is "allegedly" hard evidence against him, so there is no way he is getting a pass.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Regarding Vitter....isn't his confession evidence enough?

For the court of public opinion yes. Legally, perhaps not. He still should of resigned; these types of scandals are unexcusable in my eyes for any politician.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: superstition

How could I have missed his legally damning confession to having committed a "serious sin". It's too bad he didn't specify which sin he meant

Give us a break.
He confessed after the story came out about his ties to the D.C. Madam hooking ring. He realized the media wasn't going to press the story and then retracted the confession/apology. The whitewash was complete.

Give US a break. You ignore the obvious differences in the two instances regarding judicial consequences of the mens' actions. Spitzer faces his acts in a court of law, Vitter faces his in the "court of public opinion". However much you feel Vitter should face a more stringent punishment for his actions, however often you write "whitewash", you are ultimately left with a massive difference in lawfully admissible evidence in the two cases.

 

[superstition]

You ignore the obvious differences

When did I ignore them? I suggest reading my posts again.

 

[superstition]

as well as lack of hard evidence

But why wasn't there evidence? His number was in the D.C. Madam's database and she was busted. He obviously felt the need to come out with an apology/admission that he later retracted.

Things don't add up.

 

[jpeyton]

Spitzer can keep his job.

If Bush and Cheney are still in power after their 7 year crime spree, I'm not going to lose any sleep over Spitzer getting some male release.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: superstition

But why wasn't there evidence? His number was in the D.C. Madam's database and she was busted. He obviously felt the need to come out with an apology/admission that he later retracted.

Things don't add up.

Money. That's what this is coming down to. Spitzer has an "alleged" money trail in this, across state lines, that breaks federal law. I don't believe there was a money trail on Vitter. He just showed up in a database of phone records. Big difference.

 

[superstition]

There was money involved if he paid for one or more of the D.C. Madam's girls. Why else would he be in their database? Why would Vitter make such a public apology/confession and then retract it?

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Wreckem
Im sorry but Hustler and Larry Flint arent the ones that you should rely on for investigational purposes(this is where the story came from).

Can you name one allegation of sexual misbehavior by a politician from Larry Flynt that was proven false?

Larry Flynt is the one who exposed Livingston and cost him the speakership. Flynt has put up millions of his own money to get the info.

So far, his track record is excellent.

So, are you the one who is here posting false slander against him based on your own bias?

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: superstition
There was money involved if he paid for one or more of the D.C. Madam's girls. Why else would he be in their database? Why would Vitter make such a public apology/confession and then retract it?

He might be in the database; hell you could be in the database if you dialed her phone by accident. The DC Madams database was just phone numbers IIRC. they would have to track how he paid and there might not be enough evidence to do that. If he withdrew $100 from an ATM on 10 different occasions over a 3 week period to save up enough cash to pay for a hooker, his tracks are easily covered. Spitzer was making large bank transactions and is on wiretap, and sent money across state lines.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: Wreckem
Im sorry but Hustler and Larry Flint arent the ones that you should rely on for investigational purposes(this is where the story came from).

Can you name one allegation of sexual misbehavior by a politician from Larry Flynt that was proven false?

Larry Flynt is the one who exposed Livingston and cost him the speakership. Flynt has put up millions of his own money to get the info.

So far, his track record is excellent.

So, are you the one who is here posting false slander against him based on your own bias?

I don't think anyone is excusing Vitter. He should of resigned, period. But I think we are trying to expain to superstition why Vitter wasn't indicted.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Republicans are allowed to have sex, as long as it is hetro sex. Democrats just aren't allowed.

Vitter had the big bonus card to play too. God forgave him. (Worked well for a lot of pious preachers too.)

If Spitzer is guilty of felonies, yes, he should go.

I'm not one to become outraged when someone gets laid anyway, unless they rail against it first or lie about it.

I think though that a wise move for those that put themselves in the public spotlight, would be to consider masturbation when the mood strikes; safer (STDs, pregnancy), cheaper, more convenient, and your hand isn't likely to tell on you.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Sinsear

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: Wreckem
Im sorry but Hustler and Larry Flint arent the ones that you should rely on for investigational purposes(this is where the story came from).

Can you name one allegation of sexual misbehavior by a politician from Larry Flynt that was proven false?

Larry Flynt is the one who exposed Livingston and cost him the speakership. Flynt has put up millions of his own money to get the info.

So far, his track record is excellent.

So, are you the one who is here posting false slander against him based on your own bias?

I don't think anyone is excusing Vitter. He should of resigned, period. But I think we are trying to expain to superstition why Vitter wasn't indicted.

Exactly. Spitzer is currently under investigation for crimes he CAN be charged with. Vitter CANNOT be, if the act was too long ago to prosecute. Larry Flint does not trump law, and therefore Vitter cannot be forced to leave for good cause as defined by law.

No, I don't think much of Vitter, but that's how the law works. I'd have to put up with Spitzer if the circumstances were the same.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Originally posted by: Sinsear

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: Wreckem
Im sorry but Hustler and Larry Flint arent the ones that you should rely on for investigational purposes(this is where the story came from).

Can you name one allegation of sexual misbehavior by a politician from Larry Flynt that was proven false?

Larry Flynt is the one who exposed Livingston and cost him the speakership. Flynt has put up millions of his own money to get the info.

So far, his track record is excellent.

So, are you the one who is here posting false slander against him based on your own bias?

I don't think anyone is excusing Vitter. He should of resigned, period. But I think we are trying to expain to superstition why Vitter wasn't indicted.

That's all well and good. I hope that you understand that we are not excusing Spitzer's actions either. Those of us arguing about Vitter are doing so with the presumption that if Spitzer's "sin" wouldn't have been indictable that he would still be facing the same backlash and calls to resign b/c of he past yet Vitter has been allowed to continue serving without so much as a mention of his past indiscretions.