The weird Gov. Sanford disappearance

An L-dotter asks:

Was she a “wise Latina woman”?

The question not answered yet is, didn’t he realize that the moment he returned he would have to give an accounting of himself? Meaning, didn’t he realize, from the moment he took off, and during the four days he was with his lady friend, that he would have to tell the whole world about it? How then could he have enjoyed himself or “unwinded,” as he said it was his purpose to do?

Update: That turns out to be the case. A website quoted this from his press conference today (it’s not in the transcript, but the New York Times also reports it):

“What I did was wrong, period,” he said. “I spent the last five days crying in Argentina.”

What it sounds like to me is, he wants to be with his girlfriend, but realizes that this means giving up his family, career, reputation, everything.

The transcript consists of endless apologies, but no explanation of why he chose to disappear as he did, which, as he had to realize when he did it, would bring his ruin.

But apart from the apologies, the press conference included this excellent piece of traditional Christian truth:

But I’m here because if you were to look at God’s laws, in every instance it is designed to protect people from themselves. I think that that is the bottom line of God’s law. It is not a moral, rigid list of do’s and don’ts just for the heck of do’s and don’ts, it is indeed to protect us from ourselves.

- end of initial entry -

Roger G. writes:

What a self absorbed, self regarding, self indulgent blatherskite. I don’t know what a blatherskite is, and he’s not worth the effort to look it up, but I’m sure he must be one. Does he think we’re sitting in rapt attention for this drivel, taking it all in at face value. The self conceit. Argh!!

My older brother has three children. He would no more pull this nonsense than rob a bank, or pee on someone’s leg. Because he’s an adult. Because he doesn’t think the world owes him a prize because he exhibits a little self control, and concern for his family and others.

What a people we are, to elect garbanzo beans like this. And of course he’s far, far, far from the worst.

LA replies:

I never saw the word before and looked it up:

A noisy talker of blatant rubbish; foolish talk or nonsense.

Here’s a whole article on it.

Larry G. writes:

My own brief marriage ended due to my wife’s adultery, so I would normally be appalled by this event. Instead I feel sorry for the guy. He seems to be a good man going through a real midlife crisis, and genuinely confused about which way to go. His marriage is probably over now. He’ll probably have to resign as governor. He knew there would be serious consequences of this action, yet he felt the need to go see this woman, who he clearly loves. I’m not going to condemn or judge the man. I’ll just wish the best and fairest outcome for all involved.

June 25

Roland D. writes:

I’m reminded of one of H.L. Mencken’s bon mots:

“The older I get, the more I admire and crave competence, just simple competence, in any field from adultery to zoology.”

Posted by Lawrence Auster at June 24, 2009 06:07 PM | Send