Sunday, September 02, 2007

Off on a tangent...

...as inspired by that senator who got busted for trolling in a public men's room, whatever his name was....

It simply amazes me that people who are -- or want to be -- public figures in one way or another are so damn stupid and careless. Everyone has quirks, kinks, closeted skeletons and various details of their lives that would make wonderful grist for the scandal mills. It seems to me those who could be hurt by scraps of their past -- or even current -- deeds ought to have the sense to keep that stuff under wraps.

If you have strange sexual tastes, or are an exhibitionist, or have hangups that would definitely be bad for your image, why on earth would you give into them when people might be watching? After all, there are individuals out there who make their living hunting up dirt on celebrities and politicians. Some are even semi-legitimate and see such peccadilloes as "news."

I'm more than grateful that my own name-recognition factor is, well, minimal. I like it that way. While there's nothing desperately awful in my past, there are things that would make me blush if they were revealed. And they are all reasonably small: no overly revealing photos*, no damaging court records, no confessions of bizarre activities with strange devices or non-human living beings.

What it comes down to is trust: the ex-Senator trusted that the guy in the bathroom stall next to him wasn't a cop, and we can all see where that led. People trust each other with "sensitive" personal information all the time, never stopping to think of the consequences should the recipient later feel the urge to be vengeful or make money.

Did Paris Hilton think those revealing videos of her would ever get out? Wait, that's a bad example; I'm sure she was eager to see them made public.

Remember that what happened to the chump from Idaho could happen, in one form or another, to anyone. And, the more you crave celebrity, the more likely it will happen if you indulge in any misbehavior.

Sad, but true, in our scandal-plagued society.


* Don't bother pointing out that such photos, if they existed, wouldn't be a pretty sight, okay? No one knows that better than I do....

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hell, I'm an admitted sex addict who's NOT in public office, and I wouldn't even do what he's accused of doing. Sounds like he wanted to get caught.

John0 Juanderlust said...

Maybe he's just a fidgety guy who doesn't keep to his own space. Most people like that take up more room than they should.
Personally I think the cop should have pissed on his foot.
But he is not, never has been and never will be gay, dammit.
Geezuss H etc, these guys are getting paid money. Imagine having that cop's job? Hanging around the men's room waiting for some action.
What a friggin world.

MrScribbler said...

Sugar -- I think you're right.

John -- he did say he's "wide." And there is not enough money on the planet to make me do that cop's job. Gotta wonder about him a little bit, too.

Anonymous said...

So you don't want anyone to know you're Ernest Hemingway's illegitimate son? Oops!

I personally think you stepped over the line with those live chickens, but, hey, that's just me. Call me a prude. :)

MrScribbler said...

Doggone it, l&s, I was just about to ask Gov Butch Otter -- hey, it's Idaho -- to appoint me to ol' Larry's Senate stall. Errr, seat.

Now that my secret's out, I can forget that....

Anonymous said...

LOL @ John's comment, second paragraph!!! Yes, this is really gross news we have in the world today....

Anonymous said...

You know at the moment in regards to this story, I am glad I am female as really does that stuff happen in women's washrooms? Not that I heard of? Lou

Anonymous said...

As long as he isn't hurting anyone, he can do what ever he wants as far as I am concerned it's the "family values" hypocrisy that is just getting so old.

These poor public wives of prominent gay men are going to have to start a first wive's club with a twist.