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SILLY ELIOT
Re Eliot Spitzer - Time magazine’s crusader of the year in 2002 - here’s your headline of the day.
UPDATE. Fate predicted:
When New York Magazine gave him their Public Service Award, they wrote, “... if you’ve heard of it, Spitzer did it.”
I’ll be gobsmacked if he resigns. You need to know shame to do that and Democrats only feel other people’s shame for them.
On the other hand,
HILLARY/SPITZER 08!
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2008 03 10 at 09:07 PM • permalinkThere but for the grace of God, a sanctimony that knows no bounds, and a $5500 an hour hooker go I.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2008 03 10 at 09:22 PM • permalinkDamn, I knew prices in New York were high, but $5,500 an hour to play hide the salami?
I would hold held him in higher esteem if he had been a crack addict, but to overpay for some tang? Man, thats just wrong!
Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2008 03 10 at 09:32 PM • permalinkLet’s just say the man’s support among most New Yorkers evaporated at roughly the same moment he demanded that we give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. He even took Hillary down with him.
If he had friends, he might survive this thing. Instead, there was cheering on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange when it was announced.
Posted by Aaron - Freewill on 2008 03 10 at 09:34 PM • permalinkTime reported:
“So we moved in.”...“cleaning up the rot was Spitzer”... “new ethics he championed “...“Spitzer has spent a career pushing the law as a tool for social change.”
He is now pushing his tool and moved in with his new ethics. What lot of rot.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 10 at 10:09 PM • permalinkLove the beer ads (“Oh, yeh!”)
The press reports on Spitzer include some intriguing teasers about the kind of sex His Honor solicited. I mean, for four grand, what kind of sexual act would give even a prostitute pause? You don’t reckon it was some a’ that there prevert, camo suture stuff, do ya? Maybe involvin’ a coupla women, a jar of strawberry preserves an’ a boa constricter or somethin’? Hoooo-ee!
paco
what kind of sexual act would give even a prostitute pause?
...Maybe involvin’ a coupla women, a jar of strawberry preserves an’ a boa constricter or somethin’?
Thats alot less chilling (and alot more fragrant) than what I first imagined.
Really though, he didnt break the “Dead-Girl/Live-Boy” rule, so when the other shoe does drop, its likely to make a hell of a racket.
Haw! Spitzer’s other alias was apparently “George Fox”.
Financial people have hated Spitzer since even before he became Attorney General, much less Governor. I know a Dem with some political insider access, Spitzer has long been known as a remorselessly opportunistic jerk. His wife sure seemed grim at the press conference. They have three children.
If he resigns, his successor will be the odd David Paterson. Paterson is admirable insofar as, born legally blind, he has achieved quite a bit. In some places it says that he passed the bar exam, though it’s not clear to me. Republican Representative Peter King says that Paterson is a very decent guy, and it appears that Paterson is the opposite of Spitzer who is unforgiving (which is part of why so few want to give Spitzer any slack on this now). Paterson may be intelligent in some ways but has to be foolish for introducing, some years ago, a State Senate bill to require NY State cops to shoot to wound, aim at arms or legs, and subjecting them to 2nd-degree manslaughter charges if they fail to do so and fatally wound a suspect. Scary foolish. Anyway, Politico‘s Ben Smith wrote a piece on Paterson for the NY Observer back in 2006, Spitzer’s Mate David Paterson Is Mystery Man. It may be that a lot of NY State pols are worried about whether Paterson is up to the job and actually wish Spitzer to hang on for a while. I don’t know.
#17; any lips oyu like I should think
#18; Stupid like a fox perhaps?
Posted by anonymous guest on 2008 03 10 at 10:45 PM • permalink#14 Latino
Eggs Benedict.
Well now, I’ve never heard it called that before. I’ll have to remember that one.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 03 10 at 10:58 PM • permalinkI question the timing. Surely this is intended to distract us from the urgent need to provoke Ukraine into invading us.
I would’ve posted earlier but I wanted to wait until I stopped giggling like a schoolgirl. As Attorney-General, this clown turned class rhetoric into a legal wrecking ball and terrorised countless companies on little or no evidence, wasting millions of taxpayer dollars in his little Quixotic populist crusades. Now the whole world knows what a hypocritical little weasel he is. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke. Good riddance.
“When the penis is up, the brains are buried in the ground.” - Portnoy’s Complaint
Posted by Mystery Meat on 2008 03 10 at 11:15 PM • permalinkHe was probably one of those sickos who just wanted to “talk”.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2008 03 10 at 11:20 PM • permalink#33
Al Capone had IRS problems. He died of some disease he caught doing the Spitzer.Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 11 at 12:42 AM • permalinkIt’s very odd and inexplicable, but this evening when I heard this story covered on NPR, for about four or five minutes, they somehow got through the whole story without ever once mentioning Mr Spitzer’s political party affiliation, whatever it might be. I sure it’s just a meaningless oversight.
Posted by formerly Huck Foley on 2008 03 11 at 12:48 AM • permalinkSorry to rain on everyone’s parade here, including my own, but Tim’s headline (“Silly Eliot”) is about right for the severity of what’s occurred. I just finished reading the indictment, and as a criminal enterprise, the prostitution ring was a relatively small time operation. Ignoring the nature of the crime, over three years, it grossed about a million in billings, and the subcontractor costs exceeded $400,000. The result is that the three masterminds probably split about $600,000 or so over 3 years, or they each got about $67,000 per year.
Now that’s decent money, but they seemed to do the same management level work that most business types perform: recruiting, marketing, scheduling, evaluating, negotiating, etc. Hell, it’s the same things I did running a practice at an IT consultancy. So, $67K/year is a fair rate.
I don’t know if they paid tax on this, but given their preferred method of receiving payment, AMEX and wire transfers, they probably did. And unless I missed something, there’s no tax fraud indictment here.
Hence, besides being the very definition of sanctimony, whose likeness is used to illustrate the word, and soliciting a hooker, what crime did Spitzer commit?
Now, if the money trail of the funds he used leads back to his campaign account, or the state’s coffers, that’s a whole new story.
Rich, a commenter on another blog (who is an assistant DA as well) noted that
This is being investigated not by DOJ’s equivalent of Vice but Public Corruption: the main story here, and the major crimes, I just get the sense already have yet to be disclosed, and are financial in nature and therefore boring compared to $5500-an-hour hookers.
So there may be more to this story. Myself, I sort of doubt that the DOJ would ballistic on a State Governor for merely dipping his wick.
We’ll just have to wait and see.
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2008 03 11 at 01:10 AM • permalink#39 No crime maybe but people glass houses etc. So is it now all right for all to do a Spitzer? Media will now have no “stories”.
First Bill now Eliot have spoilt it all.Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 11 at 01:12 AM • permalinkMaybe that Obama fellow is on to something.
Take all the money from wealthy, arrogant, populist whore-mongers like Spitzer and re-distribute the wealth to the poorest folk, so they can have expensive prostitutes, too.
Change! Hope! Justice! Equality!
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2008 03 11 at 01:14 AM • permalink#39, #41
Causing a prostitute to cross state lines is a Federal Felony under the Mann Act.
Any reader of 1930s detective pulp magazines would know this.
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2008 03 11 at 01:20 AM • permalinkDetective Paco is probably already on the case, Harry.
;^)
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 03 11 at 01:29 AM • permalinkTrue, Harry, but I’m sure Detective paco will find some deeper and better dirt.
Plus he’ll get the dame. Doesn’t he always?
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2008 03 11 at 01:34 AM • permalink#24. Here, here to #40’s comment!
#41. Yeah, I noticed that Public Corruption aspect in some of the stories as well. I can’t wait! The only downside to the glee of a good corruption scandal is that it’s OUR money.
#42. Yes. I remember Wilbur Mills. Bill Clinton was no Wilbur Mills. He was better. He set a new standard!This article in the Australian mentions his political affiliation, right after his religion:
His father, Bernard, a millionaire property developer, once bragged that his son would become America’s first Jewish president. His prospects were so bright that reporters trailed him around the 2004 Democratic Party nominating convention
Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2008 03 11 at 02:01 AM • permalinkThe last famous person I can think of who did time under the Mann Act was Chuck Berry.
It’s pretty clear Spitzer did violate the Mann Act and it will be very interesting to see whether he gets charged with it. My guess is he won’t.
Posted by Harry Eagar on 2008 03 11 at 02:02 AM • permalink#50 White Mann Act it seems.
By the way what is the law on man-to-man?
Maybe Spitzer will claim his rights. Since man-to-man all right now why not man-to-woman and repeal the Mann Act?
Mention here about man-to-man of well-known MP, but he divorced and media never of course mentioned the cause.Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 11 at 02:17 AM • permalink#49 James Bone in New York about Spitzer boner.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 11 at 02:19 AM • permalink# Pickles. You miss nothing. My cousin was on the organising committee of the Bong Bong Races in the late 70s and she would organise ‘special entry’ for me and friends.
From memory that meant you got your car close to the track and you could watch the final 100 metres of the race over the railing. And it was also closer to the loos, which were frequented by members of both genders.
‘Special entry’ must have had miraculous powers because we always got past the mandatory booze bus that was lined up outside the track for those leaving the big day.
Reading that Time piece on Spitzer, it’s clear that he was one of those lawyers/prosecutors who have little interest in fighting ordinary crime, but who simply use the law as a convenient tool to get large-scale left-wing policies enacted.
Most left-wingers learned long ago that it’s no use going through the people to get what you want, you need to bypass them and use whatever non-democratic means you have available, and that includes the law, public bodies, public offices, quangos, international organizations, the EU, the UN, etc.
Posted by Blithering Bunny on 2008 03 11 at 04:36 AM • permalinkOT Vatican wonks have come up with seven deadly new sins for the twenty first century.
They are pollution, social injustice, genetic engineering, taking drugs, abortion, excessive wealth and pedophilia.
Posted by eeniemeenie on 2008 03 11 at 05:55 AM • permalinkSorry meant to link to that New Seven Deadly Sins
Posted by eeniemeenie on 2008 03 11 at 05:56 AM • permalinkFrom Wonkette, the girls in the prostitution bust.
(with non-nekkid pics)
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2008 03 11 at 06:14 AM • permalink62, Dont you know a head costs extra?
/I will surely burn in hell for that cheap shot.
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2008 03 11 at 06:21 AM • permalinkSo eeeni what’s the problem?
The original sins are moral sins. That have been featured by poets, playwrights etc. over the centuries. So they pass the test of time.
The sad thing is I was surprised this morning to consider them and realise I suffer from most of them.
The new report has been corrected to reflect social sins.
Lesser sins but still points for the conscience.
The Church has this responsibility. I don’t have a problem with them being highlighted as serious issues by a bunch of high intellectuals who have defined parameters within the modern age.
Rather the Vatican than the UN.
Rather the Vatican than the Democrats.
Rather Vatican than the Australian Labor Party.
Anyway it’s a conscience thing. It’s up to the individual. They can’t enforce it, only use the after life as a penal threat.
The fact that they own the best land in various cities just shows how smart they are financially.
#65 wish I suffered under the burdensome sin of excessive wealth.
But genetic engineering and social injustice? ha
Posted by eeniemeenie on 2008 03 11 at 06:49 AM • permalinkSpitzer was just keeping his election promise.
Gov. Elliot Spitzer’s prostitution scandal came just over a year since he stormed into the governor’s office, vowing to root out corruption in New York government. AP link
root: sexual intercourse with somebody, especially a woman.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 11 at 07:06 AM • permalink#67 That’s envy. That’s a sin. Kind of get on with your own life, create your own wealth.
Catholic wealth is pretty clever. When the Tsunami hit Asia many secular wealthy who wanted to help the affected gave their monies to the Catholic charities because they knew that most of their money would hit the mark without %‘s going to salesmen from the other charities.
Big story in that one.
Cynicism towards your other points qualifies for debate and there are some serious minds who think genetic engineering (not GM) is an issue.
I don’t know what social injustices you’re considering.
#67 Love God and your neighbour, the Bible tells the Good Samaritan story. Religions vary but the end result God alone knows.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 11 at 07:43 AM • permalink#72 That’s envy. That’s a sin- No that’s a joke. Am getting on quite well thank you.
The list is what it is- an embarrassing mixture of modishness and hypocrisy.
Posted by eeniemeenie on 2008 03 11 at 07:45 AM • permalink#74. Would love to witness a conversation between you and the humble lead minds at the Vatican re modishness and hypocrisy.
But am glad you’re getting on well. When you have an excess… you can share. That takes the GO’s out of the equation.
Envy is not a joke. If you have kids make sure they never suffer envy. That’s a tough exercise.
I’m going to become the exception here. I don’t think this should be enough to make Spitzer resign.
I’ll say upfront that I can’t stand the guy. He’s everything that the WSJ says about him and more. But sometimes powerful men require sex. Kennedy, Clinton, and Martin Luther King Jr. are examples. For whatever reason they may find they can’t obtain it from their wives, or at least to the extent and degree of satisfaction they require. I realize this might be a technical violation of the law but the gist of it is that Spitzer was using the services of a voluntary service provider. It was a arms length transaction.
I would let the voters show their displeasure at the next election.
Posted by wronwright on 2008 03 11 at 08:53 AM • permalink# Wronwright. When is that election?
The timing is an issue. As is the media’s responsbility to keep the topic alive. I’m watching Fox at the moment and all are calling for his dick on a block.
I agree though that the sex thing is blown out of proportion.
Blame Catholic education. Bunch of wankers.
Jean A. I’m sure there’s research to prove that.
Wron, this morning’s reports are saying that banks picked up on unusual wire transfers and reported them to the IRS, which led to discovery of the prostitution ring - so the money angle led to the sex angle. It is yet to be determined if or to what extent Spitzer was involved in the financial irregularities.
Well, call me inconsistent but I do think the degree of sordidness (is that a word?) is important. Say, for example, he did what Governor McGreevey (of NJ) did and placed an unqualified man in an important position in order to pursue a gay relationship. Or if Spitzer was found with a hooker dressed up in a teddy, panty hose, and high heels (a la Marv Albert). Or remember the British politician found dead dressed up, again, in a teddy, etc. (Geesh, what is it with teddies and certain guys? Ewwwwww).
But this was just a tryst, planned to take place discretely in a hotel room. I would let Mrs. Spitzer and the daughters mete out the punishment.
Posted by wronwright on 2008 03 11 at 09:43 AM • permalinkWell, this says he was directly linked to the financial improprieties. It will be the money angle, rather than his desire for butt sex, that will bring him down. Even if he was clean on the money part of it, his effectiveness is over, he could not possibly function as governor.
Gotta disagree, Wron. Prostitution rings are run by organized crime. This was probably happening while he was a prosecutor, never mind governor. He opened himself up to blackmail. Funny how as a New York State prosecutor, he was gung-ho for going after corporations and CEOs, not the goombas running the docks. And I believe he did go after some prostitution ring or another, which leads to speculation of whether he was taking out the competition for his buddies.
If a politician wants to have an affair, whatever. But high-priced prostitution rings? That’s out of bounds. Too dangerous, too compromising.
Poor, poor Eliot - down the memory hole he goes!
“Spitzer’s name was gone from the website less than an hour after the Times story broke—impressive timing when you consider it took Mitt Romney nearly an entire day to decide to throw Larry Craig under a bus last August.”
#83 The Israeli press reports that Mr. Big in the operaton holds an Israeli passport and had $600,000 cash in his flat.
This means organized crime—Eastern European or Israeli Mafia. Other bigshots will be named, as these guys roll over.
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2008 03 11 at 01:23 PM • permalinkIt’s amazing that someone with Presidential aspirations would get involved in such sordid business. What the hell was he thinking?
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 03 11 at 01:31 PM • permalink#69
I’ll leave the pedophiliac social injustice to the Vatican ...
The Church in So. California is paying for pedophilia by having to liquidate its excessive wealth of more than half a billion $US, selling off schools sites and a nuns’ retirement home.
This goes to pay the damages in settled civil suits, which never went to trial because the Church did not want the evidence of even more cases to see the light of day.
This was also a personal decision by Cardinal Mahoney, who might have gone to jail because of his guilty knowledge of ongoing atrocities.
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2008 03 11 at 01:33 PM • permalink#33 Wait till the IRS gets after him…
Wait til the taxpayers get ahold of him.
Gauntlet! Gauntlet!
Posted by Deborah Leigh on 2008 03 11 at 03:23 PM • permalinkWall Street rallies as Spitzer falls!
Crime does pay!
Posted by Deborah Leigh on 2008 03 11 at 03:25 PM • permalink#39 Did he commit a crime? Well, since prostitution is against the law…you tell us. Adultery, not withstanding.
“Silly Eliot” was probably a polite way to refer to the fact that it was incredibly silly for someone who was poised for higher office, like a run for the presidency.
Posted by Deborah Leigh on 2008 03 11 at 03:33 PM • permalinkRichS—He transported a hooker across state lines. That’s a federal offense under the Mann Act.
He made a big deal out of shutting down two prostitution rings and then did business with a third. That’s an offense under common sense, integrity and simple human decency.
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2008 03 11 at 08:47 PM • permalinkAs a single guy, I can only envy the guy’s abillity to pony up so much excess cash for a good night out (or is that a good night in?)
Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 03 11 at 10:37 PM • permalink
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At the exclusive University Club in midtown Manhattan, under tall marble columns resembling those of an Italian palazzo, a well-dressed gentleman walks through a crowd toward Spitzer just to say, “Keep it up, Eliot!”
Nerk nerk