[Possible Scandal] Kerry's Divorce Papers, Why should we care?

no worries mate!

 

It's not really politics as much as it is lowest common denominator, sensationalistic journalism- and a lapse/absence of ethics/self control.

Ryan's opponent, who had a comfortable lead on Ryan anyway, had nothing to do with the Tribune's rush to get a juicy story on Ryan.

As for the legal precedent itself, I don't know that much about seal orders or the respective standards in Massachusetts and California, so I don't know what the answer is there.

 

As I understand it, this sex scandal without any actual sex was, once it was out in the open, pushed hard by the wacko right in Illinois because they were never comfortable with Ryan, who took some positions that were not in line or was perceived as not being totally committed to the cause.

It was the GOP that really forced Ryan to pull out (pun intended). Since Obama is going to win anyway, why not take out the wishy-washy Repub and see if you can get a fire-breather in there who might be able to build some name recognition.

 

I'm not quite sure about that, the Illinois GOP was already in turmoil because of the backlash from various scandals such as the one involving disgraced former Gov. George Ryan. I'm not sure if they'd be that self destructive.

 

I agree with your distaste for it. My post was more in the vein of "that's the way it is." And the fact is, that if his divorce records were disclosed and something "juicy" turned up, then it's certainly could have an effect on the election, however meaningless it may be.

 

I think a politician's private life is his own, and we have no right to invade it. But, Kerry is running for the most powerful position in the world, and I think Americans have every right to know if past "misdeeds" might conflict with his ability to run the country. Same thing with Bush. That's one of the high costs of being president.

Like I said, I personally wouldn't care if Bush was dry-humping tractors in his spare time. As long as he does his job, it's none of my business. But once his personal life keeps him from doing his job effectively, it becomes my business.

 

What I don't get is how the Repubs get away with the family-values thing when anyone who knows anything about human nature knows it's a crock (in general), especially where individual power and wealth are involved.
__________________

Sex pros get
ready for party

BY JOSE MARTINEZ
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

With thousands of Republicans set to invade the city this summer, high-priced escorts and strippers are preparing for one grand old party.

Agencies are flying in extra call girls from around the globe to meet the expected demand during the Aug. 30-Sept. 2 gathering at Madison Square Garden.

"We have girls from London, Seattle, California, all coming in for that week," said a madam at a Manhattan escort service. "It's the week everyone wants to work."

"It's going to be big," agreed one operator at a midtown escort service.

Charging from $300 to upwards of $1,000 for an hour of companionship and a whole lot more, escorts said they can always count on conventioneers for big business.

"It doesn't matter what party you come from," said Robyn Few, a $500-an-hour California call girl who now runs Sex Workers Outreach Project, an advocacy group. "When you want to buy sex, you will."

That's the hope among escort services expecting a windfall from randy Republicans.

"We've got everything organized - the hotels, the flights, the advertisements," said another escort service operator. "We'll probably have 60 girls that week, instead of the usual 30."

Political conventions have long been a boon for the sex industry.

At the 1992 Democratic convention in New York, bikini-clad female oil wrestlers dropped their tops on a flatbed truck in front of Madison Square Garden.

At the 1996 Republican convention in San Diego, an escort service in search of delegate dollars changed its name to GOP: Good Old-Fashioned Pleasure.

While many escort agencies operating on the sly out of Manhattan hotels and apartment buildings welcome the influx of potential customers, others are wary of increased police attention.

"We're just being very secure," said a woman who runs an agency in midtown. "So we won't be taking on any out-of-towners."

NYPD spokesman Sgt. Kevin Hayes said, "Our quality-of-life and crime reduction efforts will remain intact."

Tracy Quan, author of the autobiographical novel, "Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl," said she worries cops will crack down on the most visible sex workers.

"I get depressed whenever there's a big political convention because I know the street girls are going to be hassled, arrested and treated like criminals," Quan said. "All in the name of 'cleaning up' our city for these people from out of town."

The players on the legal end of the city's sex industry have no such worries - and strip club owners are salivating at the prospect of crowds equipped with bunches of big bills.

Clubs have started booking private parties for delegates anxious to ogle topless beauties after a day of watching fully clothed politicians boast about family values.

"We have our show down to a science," said Lonnie Hanover, a spokesman for Scores, the upscale topless club. "We'll be full every night with what we think are the best-looking girls in the industry."

Hanover said Scores - which recently opened a branch just blocks from the Garden - has lined up several big-name entertainers for the convention. "But we don't reveal them," he said.


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/206962p-178564c.html

 

I don't see why not. If the court sees fit to release the information, I don't see why we shouldn't seek it. The information may not be pertinent, but we won't know until we see it. This is a fairly important choice we're making, and I don't know why we'd want to handicap ourselves in making it. Honestly, I don't have much patience for presidential candidates' complaints about privacy; if he's not up to the sacrifice, maybe he's not fit for the office.

Btw, in your original post you mentioned "the Clinton fiasco." What relation do you see between that incident and this one?

 

Kerry Rules Out Opening Records of 1988 Divorce
Tue Jun 29, 2004 10:57 PM ET

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Tuesday rejected any suggestion that he release records of his 1988 divorce, calling it old history that had nothing to do with anyone else.

"I have no intention of doing that at all," Kerry said during a campaign stop in Phoenix, Arizona, when a reporter asked if he would release the papers from his divorce from his first wife Julia Thorn.

In a U.S. senate race in Illinois, Republican candidate Jack Ryan quit his campaign last week after the Chicago Tribune and other media sued to have his sealed divorce records made public.

The papers revealed that his ex-wife had accused him of asking her to have sex with him in front of strangers at a club.

Kerry, who will try to unseat President Bush in November, said there was no reason for him to release his divorce records.

"It's history, ancient history. My ex-wife and I are terrific friends, very proud of our children. We have stayed close through those years as an extended family," the Massachusetts senator said, adding, "It's none of anybody's business, period."

Kerry is now married to Teresa Heinz Kerry.