OK... Where's the outrage over Bob Filner ?

[jessie04]

A lot of self described holier-than-thou moralists cant condemn Weiner fast enough.

But remain strangely silent over Filner.

[MrSlayer]

1. Who?

Never heard of him. Please elaborate.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. I had to google him. Mayor of San Diego has had sexual harassment charges filed against him.

[BainsBane]

74. Oh, I posted about him a month ago

Keep up. (to the OP)

[frylock]

53. he was a member of congress for 19 years!

[MrSlayer]

66. Wow. And he made no impression on me at all.

I'll have to look him up.

[loli phabay]

3. he more of a local story, san diego really is a world away from new york

Unless you live there thereof course.

[Igel]

6. It works the other way, too.

New York is a world away from San Diego--or Houston, or even Corvallis--unless you live there, of course.

Weiner's a retread. He's been throught the circuit before. And he's just running for office. He's an unpleasant reminder of the double standard we often have. His first scandal came on the heels of the scandal in which underage male Congressional pages who, as it turns out, were all over the age of 18 and no longer pages were hit on and bedded by a Florida (R). It was hard to be kind to Weiner and his publicized wiener. Afterwards, both wiener and the Weiner attached thereto should have kept a low profile instead of raising their ugly heads.

Filner's new. He's a virgin when it comes to sexual harrassment scandals. He's already in office, in a largely (R) city. For him to step down might mean having an (R) take over. Better to minimize the scandal and hope the sexual harrasser fades from the public view than to drag him and his groping ways through the mire.

[loli phabay]

8. yeah but honestly san diego is not a real important city unless you live there

Its like any one of a hundred other cities that are just in the background.

[hobbit709]

4. too busy having cows over Weiner.

After all, sending pictures and texting is worse than actually groping.

[LanternWaste]

34. I imagine some may even believe that...

I imagine some may even believe that the lack of character shown on Weiner's part is equivalent to "having a cow" by those who merely observe it.

They'd be idiots-- sub-literate, half-educated, overly-dramatic idiots to be sure... but I'm sure those idiots are alive and well.

[VanillaRhapsody]

78. Because there are no penis pictures...

they are all horrified by penis pictures!

[KharmaTrain]

5. Location, Location, Location...

...Filner is in Market #8, the media only cares about New York...market #1. If Weiner had been running for mayor of Roast Beef, Indiana he'd be a sidenote but since most the corporate media revolve around New York & Washington, Filner doesn't exist...neither does the admission of taking money by Guv Ultrasound in Virginia. Now if someone comes up with Filner showing his junk...then watch the corporate media get all titilated...

[boston bean]

7. Did this guy apologize, ask forgiveness, and then do the same thing again when running for office?

[Throd]

9. Similar. He apologized, asked for forgiveness, and wants to remain in office,

[boston bean]

11. He's a sicko too. Harassing women he works with. He needs to resign.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Worst...

The Sherriffs dept has been approached by multiple women who have been sexually harassed. We know the identities of two. Sherriff Gore will not go into how many due to Gracie's Law.

Most of this started when he was a Congressman. He was an instructor at SDSU when I attended. I was supposed to take his class the year he went to the house in 1994. There were rumors back then of a professor chasing skirts.

He's twice divorced, his fiancée left him at the beginning of this.

The only reason this went national, international even, is his years in Congress. He was the mayor of shit hole anywhere with no congressional history...it would not register

[Throd]

10. Filner is much worse. Weiner is a creepy pervo, Filner is an actual sexual predator.

[jessie04]

14. Zackly my point. nt

[cali]

12. uh, San Diego is not NY

It's barely been mentioned in the press- either the MSM or the alternative. Weiner is married to Clinton's top aide who is famous in her own right so there's that tie in. Weiner just resigned from Congress two years ago with a big show subsequently of repentance that made headlines not just in NY. The newest revelations are that he carried on with the same behavior after that big show. Filner, afaik, has not confessed to anything. these are still allegations.

Get the idea? Nothing remotely strange about it, dear. And one more time for the slow on the uptake sorts: Lack of any impulse control and lack of judgment are not great traits for a chief executive.

[Throd]

13. Filner has admitted that he "needs help". This story will soon pick up steam outside of California.

[cali]

16. it will never be the story that Weiner is

SD is a middling city- hardly NY. Weiner was a dem star constantly on TV, married to a famous dem (cover of Vogue,etc).
And he's running for Mayor of NYC.

The Filner story just doesn't have the front page ingredients that the Weiner story does.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Cali the story has been covered in both the Mexican Media,

Not just channel 12 Tijuana, televisa station, but also CBC Canada.

In the US is not, yet, registering and msnbc, the place for politics, is doing a lousy job on it's effects to the California party, but this is now international.

It's worst than that...Wiener really never had bills passed in Congress. Filner served in the Armed Services committee as chairman, among other committees, and among others was the author of the GI bill for the 911 generation. In other words he was not a back bencher.

Anthony Weiner was loud while in Congress. Filner was part of the inside tract machine.

My opinion, it's not been reported that way by the NY-DC media because Filner could touch, and drag down, other powerful dems.

And I get not to chase this story today....Yee haw!!!! (He is supposed to show at a ground breaking ceremony...doubt it)

[cali]

25. Nadin, I understand you're in SD, but as a story it just doesn't have the

same ingredients for above the fold headlines as Weiner. First of all, look at the media concentration in NY. It's the epicenter of the MSM. And the Weiner story is a home turf story. Then there are the elements I've already mentioned: Huma Abedin, Vogue magazine cover, top aide to the most powerful individual in American politics aside from the President. There's the fact that the Weiner revelations come on top of a very public redemption circus and he's running for Mayor of America's premiere city. Weiner and Abedin are relatively young. Filner is over 70.

It's kind of irrelevant that Filner was part of the inside track machine in the House- though I'd dispute that. Filner was never part of the House Leadership. In any case, how on earth could his groping women bring down others in the House or elsewhere.

I'm sure it's an interesting story to chase and I wish you good luck with it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. That. Has none to do with it

Filner helped implement nafta and is a closed ally of Nancy Pelosi and Stenny Hoyer...the consummate insider.

The lack of coverage is on purpose. You not knowing who he is, I get it. Lawrence O'Donnel not knowing is bullshit. He was a staffer on the hill at the same time Filner was a Junior congressman.

This is about not dragging people down.

He potentially could even involve the Clintons indirectly.

[cali]

38. Pelosi has cut him lose. And he was not the consummate insider

Consummate insiders and close allies of the House Majority/Minority Leader, get leadership positions. He was never part of the House Leadership. Filner wasn't a close ally of either Pelosi or Hoyer. He was pretty damned insignificant.

I know who he is. I remember his fit at the airport a few years back.

<snip>

In Congress, he became chair the House Veterans Affairs Committee, launching a profanity-laced tirade against an official in 2007 over a failure to protect veterans' personal data from computer theft. He was never a major player in Washington and, unlike his current job, labored largely outside the media spotlight.

"In order to become a part of the (House) leadership, you've got to get along with people and he's a hard person to get along with" said Chris Crotty, a Democratic political consultant.

Crotty, who has known Filner more than 20 years, said Filner repeatedly wins elections because he delivers services that matter to constituents, like retirement benefits for a large population of Filipino veterans of World War II in his district.

<snip>
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/13/bob-filner-scandal_n_3591054.html


This is a local scandal and it won't affect Pelosi, Hoyer, the Clintons or anyone else.

[nadinbrzezinski]

60. Yup, the former head of the armed services committee

Is a nobody



For the record, wiener was a nobody, loud but nobody.

[cali]

64. he was never the chair of the armed services committee. Jaysus Nadin

you are about the last person who should be a reporter. You do not do your due diligence.

He was chair of the Committee on Veteran's Affairs for 3 years and subsequently the ranking member. Not nearly as powerful or prestigious a committee assignment as Armed Services. Moreover, he'd been in the House for years (albeit in two stints) before getting that. His other committee assignments were about as lackluster as they come.

He was the consummate backbencher. When Filner spoke, no one gave a shit. He was marginalized, with very little power

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Filner

[nadinbrzezinski]

65. Veterans affiars sorry

So sue me.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/House_Committee_on_Veterans%27_Affairs

He was also in transportation

But whatever Cali.

You know the full story living in Vermont and we are all nobodies. I bow at you.

Veterans affairs is not a minor committee.

Here.

All his assignments.


Committees and Affiliations

Committees
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee on Aviation
Subcommittee on Highways, Transit & Pipelines
Subcommmittee on Water Resources & Environment
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Chair
Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee on Aviation
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation - Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on Railroads
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Subcommittee on Health


Tell me, what did poster boy wiener do? Tell me...I want to hear it...now, fracking now.

He was, whether you like it or not, an inside player, and the press is using the relatively minor scandal in NYC to play you.

[cali]

69. I never made any claims as to Wiener's importance in Congress, Nadin

You are the one that made all kinds of bullshit claims which I corrected. And it doesn't matter where you live. Basic research. try it some fucking time. You just make shit up over and over again.. I didn't say Veteran's affairs was a nothing committee. Stop putting words in my mouth. it's disgusting and you do it fucking habitually. YOU claimed he was chair of armed services; I corrected you and pointed out that it was Veterans and that that is not as prestigious a committee. And it is not. Furthermore, in all his years in the house, that was as high as the guy got and he didn't get that until he'd been in the House for a dog's age. That was the only remotely powerful position he held in all those years.

BACKBENCHER.

I'm not being played, and I'm not stupid enough to be played by the likes of you and your faux reporter crap for a non-credible piece of shit on-line magazine that anyone can write for that's about as credible as worldnut daily.

I've patiently explained to you why Weiner is above the fold and Filner isn't, but you don't seem to have the basic critical thinking skills to grasp it.

[tammywammy]

82. Filner voted against NAFTA.

He also was a co-sponsor to repeal NAFTA.
http://beta.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/29?q=HR+29


Not really what I would call "helping".

[cali]

84. but someone says that he was a special envoy re NAFTA

for Bill Clinton. Which doesn't even make any fucking sense.

[tammywammy]

85. Facts are facts.

I know I'm on the "iggy" list, but blatantly incorrect information needs to be corrected.

I'm also curious about her claim that O'Donnell knew Fliner.

[Spazito]

15. They both are disgusting, imo...

One is a 'new age' flasher the other a misogynist who sexually harasses women. Both should fade away in ignominy if there are no charges to be laid.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. My response to Cali has the answer, should make it an OP too

20. Cali the story has been covered in both the Mexican Media,

Not just channel 12 Tijuana, televisa station, but also CBC Canada.

In the US is not, yet, registering and msnbc, the place for politics, is doing a lousy job on it's effects to the California party, but this is now international.

It's worst than that...Wiener really never had bills passed in Congress. Filner served in the Armed Services committee as chairman, among other committees, and among others was the author of the GI bill for the 911 generation. In other words he was not a back bencher.

Anthony Weiner was loud while in Congress. Filner was part of the inside tract machine.

My opinion, it's not been reported that way by the NY-DC media because Filner could touch, and drag down, other powerful dems.

And I get not to chase this story today....Yee haw!!!! (He is supposed to show at a ground breaking ceremony...doubt it)

[cali]

40. no, you really shouldn't make it an OP, because what you're claiming is

demonstrably not ture.

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. So he was not a true inside tract player

And ally of nancy Pelosi and we imagined that? Fr god sakes, she called him my friend and future mayor of san diego during the dem party convention in feb of last year. Or he did not run on his nafta creds here? Or I imagined his passing of bills of national importance? Serious, it is true what I posted.

And once again, you not knowing who he is, I fully get it...Lawrence O'Donnell...not so much.

[cali]

49. no, not even close. and I've posted evidence and sources- like people who

have known him and analyze congress.

For pete's sake: That Pelosi endorsed him for Mayor, isn't evidence of a close relationship. It's standard politics and so is calling him "my friend". Ack.

And no, he didn't author much in the way of legislation.

Look, as a reporter you know you need to show evidence for claims.

You have not.

[nadinbrzezinski]

52. Whatever, I have followed his career for twenty +

Years...ever since he was in the San Diego Unified.

You do not become chairman of the Armed Services Committee...unless you are an inside tract player.

As I told you, media, national media, is trying to minimize. Think of Snowden and how they tried to make it a non story.

I am dead serious here, people are getting played.

[treestar]

56. I think it's inside track

as in Palin

[LadyHawkAZ]

19. Interesting, isn't it?

It's almost as if a consensual online chat were somehow worse than non-consensual harassment, or something...

You're fairly new here. The answer to your question should become clearer soon.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. See post 20

[LadyHawkAZ]

22. You might be right

It certainly explains the uneven reporting, and probably the timing of the newest Weiner scandal. It doesn't excuse the uneven outrage, though.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Just made that into an OP as well.

Here people not knowing, I get it...Lawrence O'Donnell not knowing....fat chance.

Filner was a congressman when he was a staffer

[LadyHawkAZ]

26. I'm glad you get it. I don't get it.

I knew about it because I've been reading your OPs on the subject. Unless the entire population of DU, except for me, has you on ignore then DU knew about it too.

MSM infotainment worship + confirmation bias = DU outrage.

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. Yup

I find it fascinating actually.

[LadyHawkAZ]

29. I've brought an industrial-size tub of popcorn for this round of Weiner's weenie

You can share with me.

[arely staircase]

31. lol nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. Sure...Anthony is a loud mouth back bencher

Here is where it could be (to a point) similar. Some of his messages were unwanted...crossing into sexual harassment.

[LadyHawkAZ]

63. The underwear shot two years ago, maybe

This round of nonscandal seems to have been 100% consensual. But it's a BIG STORY! and involves an erect penis, so...

No, this time I come only to mock. The threads are comedy gold. "Sex addiction!!!" - this always cracks me up, sex addiction is a nonexistent condition: "Pervert!!!"- only Weiner though, never his chat partner, think about that: "Have YOU ever sent/received a dick picture?? NOT normal!!!" - I've never done foot fetish or corsets, but I hear some people like those too- they even take pictures of it- not everyone is into the marital missionary position on Saturday night after the kids are in bed...: "Abused wife!!"- oh dear oh dear oh dear...

And on and on and on. All this from the people who were so into PRIVACY RIGHTS!!! last week, but are now absolutely delighted with being peeping toms now that they get to do the peeping- as long as it's for-profit media peeping, of course.

Meanwhile the Filner threads bob up briefly in GD, then sink. Most of them have been posted by you, mostly with few or no replies. Bread and circuses.

This is why I don't post here much anymore.

[nadinbrzezinski]

79. What amazes me is

We should not be manipulated by media...but they are.

[LadyHawkAZ]

83. Yep. Agreed. n/t

[jessie04]

37. You mean Carlos....Carlos Danger.

[jessie04]

42. lol

?resize=480%2C360

[jessie04]

43. or

[jessie04]

47. Sexting needs a new hero

[opiate69]

62. I'll stop by Costco and get a drum of butter!

[LadyHawkAZ]

68. You are always welcome at my popcorn bowl

[opiate69]

70. And you, at mine...

[jessie04]

24. You got it .

sending pictures is way less serious than non-consensual harassment .

[arely staircase]

30. Alright, I give. Who is Bob Filner? Maybe I'll be outraged with a little more info.

Though I'm not so much outraged as I am amused by the whole Weiner story.

[KansDem]

39. Mayor of San Diego...

Before that he was a state representative (D) for 20 years.

[arely staircase]

45. OK. And that is outrageous in and of itself or did he do something bad?

I know I could look it up. But I refuse. I insist that I learn it here since this is where I first heard his name.

[KansDem]

48. Grabbing women, getting them in headlocks, demanding kisses...

This morning Amy Goodman reported on DemocracyNow! that he once asked a member of his staff if she would stop wearing underwear...



Seems a little beyond the pale...

[arely staircase]

50. ok, that's outrageous. thanks. nt

[djean111]

32. Filner knows more powerful people, and Weiner is already known for his, er, weiner.

The DNC did not want Weiner to run, and he ran anyway. So he must suffer the slings and arrows, etc. until he quits.

[cali]

71. oh dogshit. I'm growing impatient with this nonsense

The DNC didn't screw Weiner. He did that all by himself. And how the fuck do YOU know that Filner knows more powerful people than Weiner? Think he knows the Clintons nearly as well as Weiner?

[nadinbrzezinski]

72. Yup

Very correct

[jessie04]

77. Filner does know alot of powerful people.

nt

[olddots]

33. It seems like the news business goes with one story at a time .

Filner is a sad "normal" dirty old masher case when Weiner is young ,has a lovely wife and his problem is new and now =sexting .

Hopefully there are less Filners out there than before , exposing these guys does help the world to realize that this behavior is just plain wrong and will mess up lives .

[KansDem]

35. Why isn't he in police custody?

More than one accusation of sexual assault have been made. Yet, the SD police have only set up a "hot line" to received additional information.


Why hasn't he been arrested for questioning?

[nadinbrzezinski]

41. Update

1.- It's not SDPD. They can't...he is their boss. Though the city attorney's office is talking to his security detail.

2.- Sheriff Gore said in the morning that they cannot reveal the names, Gracie's law, but have received multiple complaints. This means they will approach the DA soon. We actually have a pool going as to when resignation/arrest...not necessarily in that order, will happen. Given this has to go to the DA who has to determine if they have a case, and then ask a judge for warrant...tops...three weeks. It is a process thing, and one I like about the system when it works.

In the meantime...we are still on phase two. We might cross into phase three of scandal tonight. The Dem Central Committee is meeting tonight...to vote once again on whether they support or not. They were divided down the middle a week ago.

[Trajan]

46. Show me a Filner defender on DU

And I promise to get all old testament on them ... ok?

So Jessie .. Are you here to defend Filner? ... are you that DUer?

Well have at it ... start defending Filner, and we can swing away ..

Your turn ...

[jessie04]

54. << sigh>>> I wasnt defending Filner...You missed the point.

I was saying what Filner had done is far worse than what Carlos Danger has done.

[onpatrol98]

51. I think Filner should be arrested...

I think Filner should be arrested if they have an ounce of proof. I haven't heard anyone defend his degradation on DU.

As for the regular media, no liberal media is going to cover it unless forced. He has powerful friends. If Clinton runs for office, being known for being cozy with this guy will be worse than rumors of the cooties.

Correction: He HAD powerful friends.

As for the right leaning media, I have no idea whether or not they are covering him.

For the record, it is not necessary to be holier than thou to think Weiner should go crawl under the nearest rock. What surprises me is that people still want him. He had no legislative record, his main claim to fame BEFORE the sexting was simply talking smack.

Heck, 3/4 of America is good at that.

I haven't heard about one accomplishment or project completed that screams, This guy should represent one of the largest cities in the US to the World. I wouldn't trust him with my phone much less a city.

[frylock]

61. on what charges?

not condoning his actions, but is patting someone on the ass grounds for arrest? technically I suppose it could be considered assault and battery, but termination of employment and possible civil suit would be the typical course of action.

[onpatrol98]

75. That's why I added...depending on the evidence or meant to add it.

Although, I don't think you should walk around patting peoples behind or grabbing women and kissing them without their consent. People are still coming forward on Filner, so you have to wonder what else is going to drop.

[frylock]

76. oh we're in full agreement there..

filner is a creep, full stop. I voted for him, and he's done a couple things here in the city during his short tenure that I do really appreciate. but he really needs to go, for the good of the city and the party.

[nadinbrzezinski]

80. On Monday at the Allred presser the question was asked

On sexual assault and battery.

I think that is what the Sherriff's office is looking at right now.

Forcing yourself on somebody else, to force a kiss is more than pat in the back it is sexual harassment under the California code. Mind you, not even charges yet, so all this is presumed.

The civil complaint reads like a raunchy piece of porn in parts by the way.

[frylock]

55. because evidently nobody has ever heard of him..

one thing you're definitely not seeing is people going to the mat for him like people are for that dumbshit, weiner. I voted for filner, i'm extremely disappointed by this asshole's behavior, and I think he should resign.

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. Lawrence O'donnell has

He was a staffer when Filner was a junior congressman. This is an editorial decision. They decided not to bring this to people...because among other things he was the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee and ranking member.

You do not get there by being an outside tract player.

People are getting played, and when you point it out...oh noes, we are not.

[frylock]

58. clearly this behavior has been going on for some time..

I was rather shocked to hear it, as I have never read anything that would indicate that he is like that. the only explanation is that he most definitely had been receiving some sort of cover from the party leaders.

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. We have not hit bottom

And I was not shocked or surprised...perhaps I am that cynical.

Hey, at least today I don't have to run cover it. Speaking of editorial decisions.

[GiaGiovanni]

81. When will we hit bottom?

So far, it's been pretty awful.

[nadinbrzezinski]

87. I am waiting for the DC shoe to drop

To be honest

(As in more than just a staffer)

[GiaGiovanni]

89. You think that might really happen?

So far, it's only been local.

[nadinbrzezinski]

90. Yes...not a high chance

People want to keep jobs, but it just might

[jessie04]

67. New T shirt

[BainsBane]

73. I posted about him a few weeks ago in HOF

And I saw a few posts in GD. You didn't happen to notice. The fact is, San Diego doesn't get nearly as much attention as NY, and Weiner is better known.

[edbermac]

86. Sorry, I'll just add him to the list of things I have to be outraged about.

It's pretty long.

[JI7]

88. Nobody is Defending Filner , if you had people defend him

then you will get people who disagree and it will result in long threads and media having on those who defend filner .