Is Our Media Out of Control?

From before the new Governor of New York took the oath to “support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and … faithfully discharge the duties of the office….” there has been widespread speculation concerning his marital infidelities in light of his predecessor’s own indiscretions. Knowing that he would be the target of investigations and spying, he decided to come clean about his affairs. Mind you, this was all before he became the 55th Governor of New York. What should have been, according to Assembly Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver, a situation where “[The] Albany press corps was in a feeding frenzy, looking for anything they could do to find it,” and Paterson basically saying, “Stop bothering people. Here's the story. And that's it,” turned out to be the opening of Pandora’s box. Not only are the names of his “mistresses” being sought, but also the media is on a frenzy to see who can first find another mistress.

Where are our priorities?

Have we suddenly forgotten that there is a problem with the economy? That there is an unwanted war going on? That our health care system is broken? That the dollar is continuing its downward trend against the Euro? That foreclosures are out of control? That there is an election coming up in November to determine who will lead this country away from a possible recession, although pessimists believe the country is already in a recession?

What became of Journalism?

What became of journalism? When did it become a smorgasbord of supermarket tabloid? Why are we still calling papers such as The National Enquirer a supermarket tabloid when the other so-called mainstream papers are no better: “Girls! Girls! Girls: David Bares Dirty Harem” (New York Post), “Gov. David Paterson Admits to Numerous Affairs” (NY Daily News), and my favorite, “A Look at the Paterson’s' Unusual Marriage” (Newsday.com). What is so unusual about their marriage? According to the US Census Bureau in a news release last September, “The median length for a marriage in the US today is 11 years.” What is unusual is the fact that they are still married after 16 years.

In an interview with the Daily News, the Patersons both said they had affairs during a rough patch in their marriage when they were heading for divorce. “But they admitted the infidelity, sought counseling and have built a stronger marriage and family.” Mrs. Paterson is quoted to have said, "We dealt with it as a family…a marriage has peaks and valleys ... no marriage is perfect.” After the New York Times article “Paterson Is Sworn In as New York’s 55th Governor,” there were 159 comments, the majority of which were sending Paterson congratulations. Most people were interested in what he could do for the State, not whether or not he was an adulterer.

Besides, if every politician who has ever cheated on his wife were supposed to be impeached or forced to resign from office, there would be no one left in Washington and Albany. The man who could very well be the next President of the United States, Senator John McCain, dumped his wife and three kids for his mistress, a 25-year-old heiress. Rep. Newt Gingrich divorced his wife while she was recovering from uterine cancer surgery. You would think he would remember and be grateful for her help in putting him through Graduate School. Former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani cheated on his wife, divorced her, and married his mistress. He too was a presidential hopeful. Where was the media then? Why was no one telling them to step aside? Obviously, their private lives were separated from their public lives. It happens. Why can’t the same thing be done for David Paterson? I’m sure Mr. Joseph Bruno would love to be the Governor of NY but he’d be the first to say, back off! Give David Paterson a chance!