Weeper of the House - John Boehner

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around John Boehner's public displays of emotion, particularly his crying, and the implications of his behavior as a national leader. Participants explore the intersection of emotional expression, public perception, and leadership qualities, touching on themes of masculinity, alcohol use, and historical comparisons with other political figures.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about Boehner's emotional displays, suggesting they may indicate an emotional problem or instability.
  • Others argue that while crying may be unappealing, it is not necessarily disqualifying for a leader.
  • There are claims regarding Boehner's drinking habits, with some suggesting it could affect his decision-making abilities.
  • A few participants reflect on societal expectations of male leaders and how they differ from those of female leaders, particularly in the context of emotional expression.
  • Some participants question whether there is a consensus on whether Boehner has a drinking problem or if it is merely speculation.
  • Historical comparisons are made to other political figures, such as Teddy Kennedy, and how their behaviors were perceived differently.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether Boehner's crying is acceptable or indicative of deeper issues. There are multiple competing views regarding the implications of his emotional displays and drinking habits.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the extent of Boehner's drinking problem and its impact on his leadership. Discussions also highlight the evolving standards for emotional expression in political contexts.

  • #31
Ivan Seeking said:
For crying out loud, that was 40 years ago and man is dead. Most of those involved are also dead. When are you going to get over it?
My problem would have ended the day legal punishment was administered for the crime, as it would have any other citizen, hell, even for http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Janklow#Election_to_Congress.2C_car_crash.2C_and_aftermath" That's how we get over things in this country. Still, I'm fine to leave it be unless people post silly things like his drinking was no big deal, implying it had no consequence.
 
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  • #32
WhoWee said:
Al68 said:
Yep. That 60 Minutes performance isn't exactly going to put fear in the minds of terrorists. I bet they're getting a good laugh about it already.
I'm not sure the Speaker needs to "put fear in the minds of terrorists"? It's doubtful Nancy Pelosi had this capability - she couldn't even admit she knew about waterboarding (I seem to recall from another thread?).
That response was specifically referring to the "third in line" to the Presidency aspect, not the position of Speaker.
 
  • #33
mheslep said:
Al68 said:
The funny thing is that while everybody made jokes about Teddy Kennedy's drinking, that never bothered me at all.
Not even when he killed somebody because of it, and never served a day in jail?
He killed somebody because of driving drunk, not because he drank. Those are very different things.
 
  • #34
Ivan Seeking said:
[do you watch the view?] Are you kidding? Of course not.
Don't split hairs, Ivan: watch/read, same diff...

...and then you considered the content of that daytime gossip talkshow worthy of linking/discussion on PF!

I weep for PF.
 
  • #35
Ivan Seeking said:
For crying out loud, that was 40 years ago and man is dead. Most of those involved are also dead. When are you going to get over it?
mhselp didn't bring it up - you're arguing with the wrong person.
 
  • #36
Al68 said:
He killed somebody because of driving drunk, not because he drank. Those are very different things.
Well weren't most of the jokes about his driving drunk, not his drinking?

...and just for clarity: then his drunk driving did bother you?
 
  • #37
So anyway, does anyone have any actual evidence that Boehner has a drinking problem or is this thread just about talk-show rumor and gossip? One is worthy of discussion on PF, the other isn't.
 
  • #38
Why are we talking about Kennedy when it has no bearing on this AT ALL? I realize that all P&WA threads where party politics are raised must degenerate into the usual factions, but here I thought pretty much everyone was on the same page with Boehner... he's a b****... a sorry sack of orange b****. :smile:

Oh, and Russ, while I personally wouldn't wipe my rear with The View, is it really any better than most of what you see coming out of Fox News? I've seen better debates amongst toddlers than what I see on FN, and The View does have Barbara Walters...
 
  • #39
russ_watters said:
So anyway, does anyone have any actual evidence that Boehner has a drinking problem or is this thread just about talk-show rumor and gossip? One is worthy of discussion on PF, the other isn't.

Title of thread about crying, not drinking. Proof of crying easy to find, proof of drinking not so much, but actually it's the DRINKING that has nothing to do with this thread. I believe the idea was that a weepy orange fool would make a poor speaker... not sure how we got onto drinking.
 
  • #40
nismaratwork said:
Why are we talking about Kennedy when it has no bearing on this AT ALL? I realize that all P&WA threads where party politics are raised must degenerate into the usual factions, but here I thought pretty much everyone was on the same page with Boehner... he's a b****... a sorry sack of orange b****. :smile:

Oh, and Russ, while I personally wouldn't wipe my rear with The View, is it really any better than most of what you see coming out of Fox News? I've seen better debates amongst toddlers than what I see on FN, and The View does have Barbara Walters...

Who brought up Fox News at all? You say the thread is about weeping, not drinking, but then bring up Fox News? :confused: FN is a channel remember, "The View" is a TV show. IMO I'd compare certain specific shows on FN to "The View," not the entire channel.

I do not like Boehner's weeping myself, it's one thing if a guy like Glenn Beck does it, but the upcoming Speaker-of-the-House!?
 
  • #42
CAC1001 said:
Who brought up Fox News at all? You say the thread is about weeping, not drinking, but then bring up Fox News? :confused: FN is a channel remember, "The View" is a TV show. IMO I'd compare certain specific shows on FN to "The View," not the entire channel.

I do not like Boehner's weeping myself, it's one thing if a guy like Glenn Beck does it, but the upcoming Speaker-of-the-House!?

I said Fox News in general because listing all of the anchors and personalities involved in would be time consuming, and I didn't want to drag the thread any more off subject. The comparison isn't exact, but it's close enough for government work, right engineers here who take government contracts?... right?... :smile:
 
  • #43
nismaratwork said:
I said Fox News in general because listing all of the anchors and personalities involved in would be time consuming, and I didn't want to drag the thread any more off subject. The comparison isn't exact, but it's close enough for government work, right engineers here who take government contracts?... right?... :smile:

Well I'm watching Megyn Kelly right now, wouldn't compare her to the likes of Joy Behar and Whoopi :wink:
 
  • #44
CAC1001 said:
Well I'm watching Megyn Kelly right now, wouldn't compare her to the likes of Joy Behar and Whoopi :wink:
Did you see the GQ photo? Taken shortly after she became pregnant, explaining some aspects.
http://www.gq.com/images/women/2010/12/megyn-kelly/megyn-kelly_300x430.jpg
Put her on The View and the set would catch fire.
 
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  • #47
No doubt Fox News definitely hires women with good looks, but in general, they tend to be well-educated and smart is what I meant (although I do find the idea of Sarah Palin as a "Fox News contributor" to be a joke).
 
  • #48
This thread is about the crying of John Boehner. Why are Sarah Palin and Fox News being discussed? Did Boehner cry to Sarah Palin on Fox News, or is the thread being derailed?
 
  • #49
Hell guys, I mentioned Fox News ONCE, and I could easily have said 'MSNBC' if my ideology were a bit different. I was making a point, but I'm not sure what the 'women of the Fox' has to do with the OP, or anything.
 
  • #50
nismaratwork said:
Hell guys, I mentioned Fox News ONCE, and I could easily have said 'MSNBC' if my ideology were a bit different. I was making a point, but I'm not sure what the 'women of the Fox' has to do with the OP, or anything.
It doesn't but I'm going to beg everyone's indulgence with just one more post - I promise to stop with that. :redface:

mheslep said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretchen_Carlson#Career":biggrin:
I consider Greta to be a good journalist (though I can only speak in the past tense - it's been some years now since I had cable TV). I know very little about Megyn Kelly - I imagine she is relatively new. As for Gretchen Carlson, I'm sure having Stanford/Oxford degrees is a welcome bonus to the fact that she is a former Miss America! :biggrin:

Okay, I've had my round of fun - it's back to business now.
 
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  • #51
Gokul43201 said:
It doesn't but I'm going to beg everyone's indulgence with just one more post - I promise to stop with that. :redface:

I consider Greta to be a good journalist (though I can only speak in the past tense - it's been some years now since I had cable TV). I know very little about Megyn Kelly - I imagine she is relatively new. As for Gretchen Carlson, I'm sure having Stanford/Oxford degrees is a welcome bonus to the fact that she is a former Miss America! :biggrin:

Okay, I've had my round of fun - it's back to business now.

Megyn Kelly seems pretty brainy, they actually on O'Reilly had a segment where Gretchen talked about how her being a former Miss America made it where throughout her career people wouldn't take her seriously despite her formal education.
 
  • #52
Ah yes... O'Rielly... king of the brain-trust that is Fox News. :-p
Oh, there I go again.
 
  • #53
I guess we're all cried out and just want to think happy thoughts about the lovely ladies of Fox News? Perhaps a photo would help - unless anyone wants to get back on track?
 
  • #54
russ_watters said:
Well weren't most of the jokes about his driving drunk, not his drinking?
There probably were jokes about the drunk driving, but I don't recall. Perhaps because they weren't funny.
...and just for clarity: then his drunk driving did bother you?
Of course.
 
  • #55
russ_watters said:
So anyway, does anyone have any actual evidence that Boehner has a drinking problem or is this thread just about talk-show rumor and gossip? One is worthy of discussion on PF, the other isn't.

I want to know why he appears on camera with red eyes and slurred speech. Do you find this acceptable? Do you have an explanation? Does he have a blood sugar problem? Does he have some other health problems? And why is he so frequently unable to maintain his composure? Is he in control of his emotions or not? If not, why not?

It is entirely appropriate to question the health - mental and otherwise - of the second in line for the Presidency.

In response to these concerns, I surmise that he probably has a drinking problem. I stated that as an opinion based on experience. It has nothing to do with The View.

Next, why aren't the Republicans worried about this? The only reason I quoted Walters was her point about Pelosi. Had Pelosi cried at the drop of a hat, she never would have kept her job.

I think Boehner should be pressed for answers. Do you agree? If not, why not? And, given his repeated performances, what assurance do I have that he is in fact mentally stable?
 
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  • #56
Ivan Seeking said:
I want to know why he appears on camera with red eyes and slurred speech. Do you find this acceptable? Do you have an explanation? Does he have a blood sugar problem? Does he have some other health problems? And why is he so frequently unable to maintain his composure? Is he in control of his emotions or not? If not, why not?

It is entirely appropriate to question the health - mental and otherwise - of the second in line for the Presidency.

In response to these concerns, I surmise that he probably has a drinking problem. I stated that as an opinion based on experience. It has nothing to do with The View.

Next, why aren't the Republicans worried about this? The only reason I quoted Walters was her point about Pelosi. Had Pelosi cried at the drop of a hat, she never would have kept her job.

I think Boehner should be pressed for answers. Do you agree? If not, why not? And, given his repeated performances, what assurance do I have that he is in fact mentally stable?

If it happens every time he appears on camera, he could be sensitive to the bright lights. As for emotional displays, while unusual, I have family members that can't control tearing when they speak of something they care about - even little things like a good grade on a child's homework. Yet, they have no difficulty functioning under truly emotional situations, such as an accident - total composure.

Now slurred words along with emotional outbursts...:rolleyes:
 
  • #57
WhoWee said:
If it happens every time he appears on camera, he could be sensitive to the bright lights. As for emotional displays, while unusual, I have family members that can't control tearing when they speak of something they care about - even little things like a good grade on a child's homework. Yet, they have no difficulty functioning under truly emotional situations, such as an accident - total composure.

Now slurred words along with emotional outbursts...:rolleyes:

Heh, it does make for quite a little constellation of symptoms eh? The funny thing is that there are a number of medical conditions that could cause these symptoms, including medications and a naturally sensitive temperament.

Just going by the number however, if it looks like a scotch, smells like a scotch, and tastes like scotch... he's probably a drunk. We all seem to agree that he was 'the next man in line', but far from the man for the job regardless of our partisan affiliation or lack thereof. That says a lot on its own; whatever the cause Boehner is an unappealing leader to most.
 
  • #58
nismaratwork said:
Heh, it does make for quite a little constellation of symptoms eh? The funny thing is that there are a number of medical conditions that could cause these symptoms, including medications and a naturally sensitive temperament.

Just going by the number however, if it looks like a scotch, smells like a scotch, and tastes like scotch... he's probably a drunk. We all seem to agree that he was 'the next man in line', but far from the man for the job regardless of our partisan affiliation or lack thereof. That says a lot on its own; whatever the cause Boehner is an unappealing leader to most.

Not everyone is going to agree with my opinion on this point (you've been warned). IMO - as long as the Speaker's drinking is not a secret (same with Barney Franks sexual orientation) and can't be used against him, then it's not a major concern.

I'm sure we can all agree that Speaker will be the last stop on the Boehner political train? Much like Tip O'Neil, Boehner is not afraid to call people out and roll up his sleeves amongst his associates. Boehner's (apparent) "weakness" in the eyes of some may actually be part of his strength - that is he has street smarts (from working in the family bar) and isn't afraid to negotiate eyeball to eyeball. I see this as a good thing in the House. Then (again Tip comes to mind) at the end of a hard day - they can all go celebrate (just can't include the reporters in this day and age).
 
  • #59
WhoWee said:
Not everyone is going to agree with my opinion on this point (you've been warned). IMO - as long as the Speaker's drinking is not a secret (same with Barney Franks sexual orientation) and can't be used against him, then it's not a major concern.

I'm sure we can all agree that Speaker will be the last stop on the Boehner political train? Much like Tip O'Neil, Boehner is not afraid to call people out and roll up his sleeves amongst his associates. Boehner's (apparent) "weakness" in the eyes of some may actually be part of his strength - that is he has street smarts (from working in the family bar) and isn't afraid to negotiate eyeball to eyeball. I see this as a good thing in the House. Then (again Tip comes to mind) at the end of a hard day - they can all go celebrate (just can't include the reporters in this day and age).

If you need to get drunk that often to cope, you shouldn't be a senator, never mind speaker. I'm not saying you should be shot or marginalized, but you shouldn't be one of the 100 most (self)important folks in the country. If you need a vice, screw around or be an adrenaline junkie; it needs to be something that doesn't have the short and long term deleterious effects of alcohol.
 
  • #60
nismaratwork said:
If you need to get drunk that often to cope, you shouldn't be a senator, never mind speaker. I'm not saying you should be shot or marginalized, but you shouldn't be one of the 100 most (self)important folks in the country. If you need a vice, screw around or be an adrenaline junkie; it needs to be something that doesn't have the short and long term deleterious effects of alcohol.

short and long term effects can be quite tragic. we also don't need loose cannons in gov't.
 

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