Rep. Anthony Weiner's X-Rated Mental Illness

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June 9, 2011
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            When Andrew Breitbart broke the “sextexting” story on Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn) May 29, no one knew for sure the extent of the six-term New York congressman’s sickness.  Weiner’s Texas Internet “sextexting” friend Meagan Broussard produced photographic proof of a lewd pic of Weiner’s erect penis she received May 18 from his email.  Weiner originally denied transmitting the inappropriate images, blaming it on an unidentified “hacker.”  Reneging on June 6 at a hastily called press conference, Weiner tearfully admitted that he acted “stupidly” sending the lewd images to unknown women over the Internet.  While he begged his wife for forgiveness, he defiantly refused to resign.  Today’s explicit lewd photo makes all but certain that his resignation should now come quickly.  Weiner’s abysmal judgment displays an underlying and untreated mental disorder.

             Weiner insists he did nothing illegal, a veiled reference to former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, whose prostitution scandal forced him out of office March 12, 2008.  Soliciting prostitutes, especially for the crime-busting former U.S. attorney, was too much for Spitzer to handle.  Weiner, on the other hand, claims there’s nothing “illegal” about sending lewd images over the Internet, considering the ubiquitous Internet porn industry.  “As Rep. Weiner said on Monday when he took responsibility for his actions, he has sent explicit photos,” said Weiner spokeswoman Risa B. Heller in a public statement.  Taking responsibility involves more than saying “he’s sorry”:  It involves getting help for a currently undiagnosed mental illness.  No sane individual in Weiner’s position loses so much contact with reality to disgrace himself without having dangerous lapses of judgment.

           Taking responsibility involves getting immediate professional help for what, at the very least, involves sexual exhibitionism.  It could also involve a bipolar disorder that clouds judgment, suspends rational thinking and endangers personal adjustment.  Judging by the self-destructive nature to Weiner’s actions, it’s reasonable to question Weiner’s fitness for duty.  If he can’t discern appropriate standards of behavior, it’s unlikely he can manage sensitive information.  “To reiterate:  He has never met any of these women or had physical contact with them.  As he said, he deeply regrets the pain he has caused,” said Heller’s memo.  Weiner doesn’t quite get that it’s not a matter of simple damage control.  Apologizing isn’t enough reassurance for someone exercising such incredibly bad judgment.  Members of Congress and constituents have a right to know elected leaders aren’t mentally ill.

               Whether or not the pictures were graphically explicit or not, Weiner lacks the judgment to perform his duties as a U.S. congressman.  “This picture puts it over the limit,” said former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.  He has no choice but to resign,” referring to the latest sexually explicit photo.  Only someone with a severely untreated bipolar disorder or other psychosis could lose contact with so much reality to pass around the Internet nude or seminude photos.  At stake is more than the lapse of “moral” judgment.  Weiner, and his spokesman, showed no signs that the congressman understands the gravity of his actions.  Even professional athletes, like Tiger Woods, have more sense that his serial extramarital affairs warranted some professional help for sexual addiction or other mental problems.  Weiner’s lack of insight shows he unfit to continue in elected office.

              Whatever Weiner does to repair damage to his marriage to his 35-year-old three-month pregnant wife Huma Abedin is entirely up to him.  Everyone wishes the 46-year-old congressman luck working on his marriage.  Weiner has violated the public trust by engaging in such reckless behavior.  “Having the respect of your constituents is fundamental for a member of Congress,” said Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), calling on Weiner to resign.  Growing number of elected officials on both sides of the aisle call on Weiner to do the right thing and resign.  Once Weiner sees the lack of support in Congress, he’ll have no choice but to get out.  His biggest challenge is not salvaging his job in Congress but facing squarely his need of mental health treatment.  His wife Huma has admitted that she knew of his “problem,” before her marriage last July.  Weiner promised her he’d resolved his problem.

               Weiner’s indiscretions on the Internet have to do with sexual exhibitionism, most likely caused by an undiagnosed bipolar disorder.  No sane person would sacrifice his career and new marriage for an untreated Internet compulsion.  Weiner desperately needs professional help to gain control over his obsession that’s now wrecked his political career and maybe his marriage.  His wife is kidding herself thinking she can save his political career.  While there’s life after elected office, Weiner desperately needs to get to the bottom of his serious break with reality, allowing his uncontrolled impulses to torpedo his career.  “That’s not where his head’s at.  He says he isn’t resigning,” said Heller, demonstrating just how out of touch Weiner is with reality.  Before he wreaks more damage on himself, his family and the Democratic Party, Weiner must go quickly and quietly.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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