I stand by my defense of poor Anthony Weiner (below), but I feel I must add a post script. I don't know what possessed the Congressman to expose himself to the world in such a flagrant manner, but I'm told that when this sort of thing comes to light, it is because at some level the perpetrator (for lack of a better term) actually wants to be caught. It's difficult to believe that such recklessness is mere accident. One tweet, maybe. But a pattern of contacting strange women and saying sexual things to them is neither healthy nor wise.
I feel sorry for Mr. Weiner, more sorry for his wife. I hope they can repair the damage and continue their lives together. I hope the public can set the scandal aside and focus on the work the man has done and may yet do. I hope Mr. Weiner has learned that risking marriage and family is not worth a few minutes titillation. People stumble. Sometimes they fall. Let's not kick him while he's down.
