Akting Out

I’m becoming something of a news junkie, with more than five apps crowding the front page of my ipod touch. This morning, perusing the New York Times revealed an article that caught my attention, this one in my own backyard.

Every so often, I dreamt about going into politics. I think a lot of us do; who hasn’t wanted to be President and rule the world?
This article has completely dashed those fantasies; I don’t have the head for it. I’m way too straightforward for politics.

I had never heard of Mayor Funkhouser before this article, and I don’t know too much about his politics, but I feel a need to defend his stance on standing by his wife. The fact that his wife has come under fire is juvenile and outlandish to me, and because I don’t believe everything I read in the press, I’m not sure she made those racial comments. If she had, there would’ve been some comment on it in this article. Instead, what is being attacked is that she worked for him, in City Hall, for free. Oooh. Congressional hearing.

These quotes have to be from a conservative mind. Harris Wilder, who speaks for those trying to out Mr. Funkhouser, finds the presence of the Mayor’s wife outside of his office “inappropriate”. Well, Mr. Wilder, were they fornicating outside of his office? Because I can see why that could be found offensive! I mean, political power aside, no one really wants to see a couple just past middle-age rolling through city hall like a couple of teenagers.

His next quotes, to me, are so juvenile, they’re downright offensive. “Would Richie Daley do that? Would Mike Bloomberg do that? It’s just so over the top.” –(Taken from the New York Times)

Did he actually compare Mayor Funkhouser’s habits with those of two completely different people? Perhaps Mayor Funkhouser should apologize for not being more like Mr. Daley or Mr. Bloomberg, perhaps then his detractors would back off.

The Mayor’s wife has been banned from city hall, and council meetings are now held at the local library. She still works for him, but she’s not allowed to step foot where her husband works. This would probably lead to my resignation, but like I said, I don’t have the stomach for politics.

I have the utmost respect for the Mayor for standing by his wife as he wades waist-deep in the nastiest of all bullshit. From here, it appears that the man loves his wife and is being penalized for it. He admits that he was not ready for the scrutiny his job came with, and I’m hopefully optimistic that it will not be this tripe that keeps him from being elected for a second term.

My first political opinion is that it’s a no-win situation. Politicians who don’t want their families close by are accused of being unfaithful, those that do are told it’s over the top. I think it shows uncommon solidarity in this day and age when a man’s wife will stand by him and work–without pay–beside him in public office. I also think it’s to be commended that he stands by her, in turn, when she’s forced out.

I tip my hat to Mayor Funkhouser and wish him luck on the rest of his term. God help him if he forgets to flush. They may incarcerate him for it.

(c) Avery K. Tingle for Akting Out LLC

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