The Cheat and The Homewrecker
Pardon me for employing such very un-PC language. I know the rules of modern sexual discourse are supposed to preclude me from using any words that could possibly be deemed "judgmental." Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa isn't a cheat, he's just a married man who is "dating" a woman other than his wife. And Mirthala Salinas isn't a homewrecker, she's just involved in a "relationship" with a married man that has, well, wrecked home life for Corina, Natalie Fe, and Antonio Villaraigosa, Jr.
Please. Look, I make no judgment on their souls -- Lord knows, we all have our sins, and we all need mercy -- but I'm not afraid to cast judgment on these "lovers'" actions. They are a despicable travesty that are causing great pain to Villaraigosa's family, a pain that will endure for decades. I refuse to play the game of pretending that this "romance" is cute or healthy, or that it is a "private matter."
Marriage is, by definition, a public matter. That's why we hold weddings in public, and get the government to sanction them. Indeed, marriage is the foundational institution of our society. The violation of one's wedding vows is much more than a private betrayal; its repercussions extend far beyond the couple. No, it's not our business to monitor what goes on in the Villaraigosas' home, but it is our duty not to condone adultery, and to support the aggrieved.
As for privacy, Antonio himself has used his image as a family man to further his career. To this day, a picture of him standing with his (abandoned) wife and (abandoned) son appears on his website. (In the mother of all ironies, the image dissolves into various other photos, including one of Villaraigosa with fellow noted philanderer Bill Clinton.) And, as one colleague observed to me this morning, this man who lives for the camera can't exactly now go telling the world to honor his privacy.
Mr. Mayor, I would like nothing more than to honor your privacy. I firmly believe that what you and your wife do inside your home is your own business. But that does not mean I will pretend that a public, adulterous, home-wrecking affair is no different from a single man's "dating relationship." It does not mean that I will pretend this is all harmless, when it is deeply and profoundly destructive. And as a fellow Catholic, I will remind you of the vows you made before our God and our Church (presuming yours was a church wedding), as well as the obligations they entail.
The noble course of action here is plain: End the adultery, try to make amends with your wife, and repent. If that's too hard to do while living in a media fish bowl and playing mayor to the world, then quit. The city will survive without you; your family, probably not.
Beautifully said! I applaud your moral clarity - the likes of which the Mayor severely lacks.
I doubt that Corina is interested in repairing their damaged marriage. Serial philandering is not curable and she is probably quite tired of being being married to a man who has repeatedly cheated on her.
Should he resign as Mayor? That remains to be seen but obviously he's not putting his whole 100% into running the City of Los Angeles.
Wrecked relationships can always be repaired, but it takes a willingness from both parties for it to happen.
Great post.
Hi-
I'm Chris Weinkopf. What I like best about blogging is, I can show the world how narrow-minded I really am!
Here, I can shove my hard-core right-wing religious and political beliefs down everyone's throat. I can judge without being judged. I can interject and inflict my antiquated belief system without fear of retribution.
"Honor his privacy" my butthole! You're just using this as a soapbox. Why don't you go write for James Dobson or Billy Graham?
Ohhhh, that's right-they're not Catholic!
My bad.
I AM Cap'n Truthiness!
I am a big lib, but I gotta say, Chris W. is right about this one. If you have kids, then stay married until the kids are grown and out of the house. Mayor V. didn't even try. And this newscaster lady seems to have had affairs with married pols before.
Another sad point: When the chips were down, Mayor V.'s wife took him back, at least once and maybe several times before. If Mayor V. is ever down in the future, this newscaster lady will be gone before sundown.
good post, great site. Keep the political fires burning.
Here is a classic example of a double standard. Expect me to be honest when doing the business of the city of Los Angeles, but don't expect me to be honest in my private life. The mayor is a fornicating adulterer lying cheat of a man. I wouldn't trust him in anything that he touches. Now the question is how the citizens of this city will vote on the next mayoral election...
He must resign immediately. PERIOD. He has no moral values, and it mean we can't trust him anymore.Yes, marriage IS a public matter, especially if you're a mayor of second biggest city in USA. How can people trust to cheater? His political way is finished. Basta.
Well said. Hilarious how Villaraigosa expects the media to "respect his privacy" in this "private matter" while he explores this "friendship that grew over time." And a lot of the media is pretending to be neutral! Wish the media would put the same effort into neutrality when covering Iraq or Immigration issues.
Well, I personally think that she is not a homewrecker and he can still do his job professionally. Unfortunately, because he is in the public eye and a leader; it is all over the news. It does take two and ultimately he wasn't getting something at home! I support the Mayor and I think this is a personal matter that should be kept that way..
Excuse me, you sanctimonious Right-wing Hitler wannabe! Don't you know that what people do in private has nothing to do with who they are in public? Didn't you pay attention to the glorious 8 years of the Clinton presidency? Philandering cad in private... supreme Commander in Chief in public! And now (Gaia willing) you'll get to see it again when Hillary gets elected-- ballbusting, emasculating shrew in private, and... well the same in public, BUT also Commander in Chief! (Thank ye, JC!)
Think outside the box, Procrustian person!