Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Keep On Trekkin! You are currently viewing our forum as a guest. In order to join in on community discussion and enjoy other member-only features, you must first register an account. Once your registration is complete, you will be able to continue your Trek here at KOT.


Click Here To Register and Join Our Community!

Please contact us HERE if you have any questions or you need assistance with your registration. Posted Image


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Mult-Quote Post Mult-Quote Post
Add Reply
NY Gov. Spitzer linked to prostitution ring
Topic Started: Mar 10 2008, 08:06 PM (170 Views)
24thcenstfan
Member Avatar


Prostitution link tarnishes Spitzer's "clean" image

Quote:
 
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer promised voters he would clean up the state's corrupt political ethics, but a report on Monday that he is linked to a prostitution ring is threatening to derail the career of a man once considered a political star.

The 48-year-old Democrat has blazed a national reputation as "Mr. Clean," advocating for the underdog and tackling corporate greed on Wall Street.

Spitzer saw himself following in the footsteps of the state's many well-known governors, from Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt to Nelson Rockefeller, and some speculated he could eventually make a run for the White House.

But on Monday, the New York Times reported Spitzer had been caught on a federal wiretap last month as he arranged to meet a prostitute. Spitzer apologized to his family at a news conference, saying he had violated his, "or any -- sense of right and wrong."

The leader of the minority Republicans in the state Assembly, James Tedisco, called for his resignation.

ROCKY TENURE

The scandal is the latest bump in Spitzer's volatile tenure as governor of the nation's third-most populous state.

Spitzer was already battling questions about his aides using state police to gather potentially damaging information on his chief Republican rival, state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.

And despite winning the election by a landslide in 2006, voters gave Spitzer a negative job performance rating in February -- by a 2-to-1 margin -- and twice as many said they would "prefer someone else" rather than re-elect him, according to a February 20 poll by Siena Research Institute.

Spitzer, however seemed to be back on track. Just a few weeks ago he seemed on the verge of finally wresting control of the Republican-led Senate from his political rival after upstate voters elected a Democrat to an open seat, cutting the Republican lead in the Senate to just one vote.

FROM THE CITY TO ALBANY

Born to Austrian Jewish parents, Spitzer grew up in the affluent Riverdale area of the Bronx, attending the rigorous Horace Mann School. His father, developer Bernard Spitzer, had built a construction company into one of the city's largest real estate firms.

The younger Spitzer, however, gravitated toward public service and went on to earn a degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton, and a law degree from Harvard, where he was editor at the Harvard Law review.

Spitzer met his wife, Silda Wall, while studying at Harvard and the two were married in New York City in 1987. They have three daughters: Elyssa, Sarabeth, and Jenna.

His wife chairs the Children for Children non-profit organization.

Spitzer's political career began early. After law school Spitzer clerked for a federal judge, and eventually became an assistant district attorney.

He rose quickly to head the Labor and Racketeering unit, and led a high-profile case that ended the Gambino crime family's control over trucking and garment industries in the city.

Before becoming governor, Spitzer was known for his eight years as attorney general of New York. In his battles with financial institutions, he accused insurance companies of bid rigging, sued the former chief executive of the New York Stock Exchange over his pay package, and went after the mutual fund industry.

In 2006 Spitzer took 69 percent of the popular vote in his bid for governor, defeating Republican John Faso. He was officially sworn into office in January 2007.

Gov. Spitzer has really stepped in it. I think he should definitely resign. Since we are talking about him engaging in illegal activity.

Other than the voters who put their faith in him, I always feel sorry for the wife when things like this happen. Very embarrasing for her having her marital business splashed all over the papers. Then she has to (feels obligated to) stand there and support her lying poor excuse for a husband while he tries to wiggle out of the mess he caused.
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ImpulseEngine
Member Avatar
Commodore
I feel sorry for his wife as well. What a terrible thing to do to her. Cheating is bad enough, but he can't even claim "it just happened" (not that that's any excuse either). To be involved with prostitutes had to be a deliberate non-impulsive decision. That's even worse and how insulting to his wife! And now she has to deal with the whole thing publicly. :no:

I agree he should resign. He also should accept a divorce, if that's what she wants (and she should IMO) and leave her everything without a fight.
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Intrepid
Member Avatar
Fleet Captain
He has three daughters on top of that. Teenagers who pretty much understand what's going on. My heart go out to those girls.

Another thing that is kind of upsetting me is that all over TV, pictures are being plastered of him and Hillary together. Yikes. I'm very open minded but that might plant some subliminal message in some of the weaker of us. ;)

Oy vey! Good thing is we all would have forgotten about this by next week.
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
24thcenstfan
Member Avatar


I think my sense of betrayal would be so much, that I couldn’t stand there beside him while he was going through the press conference bit.

I'm pretty strong emotionally, but there is no telling what I would do or say. It had to be surreal for his wife.

I forgot about his kids. They must be embarrassed beyond belief.
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ImpulseEngine
Member Avatar
Commodore
I hadn't thought about the kids either. They'll probably get a lot of ridiculing in school too. The more I think about this, the more crystal it becomes just how selfish this was. :ermm:

And I don't know what's with pairing his picture with Hillary's. I think she's already had enough to deal with too. Speaking of selfish, that would be our media as well. Anything for a story. :rolleyes:
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
24thcenstfan
Member Avatar


I am listening to the local news, and apparently Silda Spitzer is originally from NC. They just interviewed her parent's housekeeper.

They mentioned a figure for how much Spitzer has spent on prostitutes... at least $80,000. :ermm: :no:
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Intrepid
Member Avatar
Fleet Captain
Now is that 80K of his own money? I understand he is a wealthy man on his own.

Not ever being married or even close to it, I can't fathom the hurt this woman is feeling if she truly loves this man. Does this man think he's going to be able to keep it all? Job, wife and family?

PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
24thcenstfan
Member Avatar


I have no idea where the money came from. If he embezzled the money, then he is in even more trouble.

He resigned today. As he should have IMO.
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
24thcenstfan
Member Avatar


Oh, and I just love how some of the commentators have been making a big deal about the hooker's background in an attempt to make us feel sorry for her. Oh, poor girl. A lot of people have rough childhoods, but don't turn to prostitution.

With the amount of money she was making per hour she could have hooked for two months and paid for an undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degree. Not to mention had enough for living expenses while attending school for several years.

She could have gotten out of the business very quickly if she had the desire to.
PM Offline Member Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums with no limits on posts or members.
« Previous Topic · Extra! Extra! Read All About It! · Next Topic »
Add Reply


DISCLAIMER (Click and Scroll to read): Keep On Trekkin’ is a Science Fiction discussion community. We are not officially associated with, or endorsed by, Paramount Pictures Corporation, CBS Studios Inc. or Viacom Inc. Star Trek®, in all its various forms, is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures Corporation (CBS/Paramount Television and CBS Studios Inc.). Any Star Trek® image used at this website will be for decorative or informational purposes only. Star Trek artwork 2008 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective holders. All themes used here at Keep On Trekkin' (unless otherwise notated on the theme) were created by 24thcenstfan. Special thanks to everyone who has provided emoticons, graphics and other services used for the creation of this website. Opinions expressed by the membership here at Keep On Trekkin’ do not reflect those of the Administrator of this Board or ZetaBoards.