Comments on: Gay mayor of Portland admits to relationship with teenager

By: Riondo

Riondo — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:59:19 +0000

I don't think we can realistically expect politicians not to be liars and hustlers(it is silly to expect people who want power and influence over others to be nice), but I agree with Greg in the sense that you should go if you are caught – it is an important part of accountability and respect for those who elected you. But let's forget the puritan Anglo-Saxon notion that we must be governed by the righteous (some hope, and maybe not even desirable, in my view) – good things have been achieved by politicos whom I wouldn't want as friends.

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By: Sacgary

Sacgary — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:53:03 +0000

To those demanding Mr. Adams step down I this: Politicians are human too and people like you are ultimately responsible for making Mr. Adams feel like he had to lie. Am I blaming you for his lie? No! But I am saying that attitudes such as yours contribute to political dishonesty because even minor infractions become reason for attacks. I suppose you have never lied to protect someone you care about from public scrutiny?

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By: Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:18:01 +0000

He's a politician and he's just found out to be a liar. It's good to know that gay politicians are just as dishonest as straight politicians.

As for the age gap. If a straight 45 year old politician was ihn a relationship with a teenaged woman there would be uproar also. There's nothing homophobic in people taking a prurient interest in his sex life. Especially when he's admitted to being a liar.

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By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:23 +0000

I believe that Mr Adams must step down, not for having a sexual relationship with an 18-year old, but because he lied about it. Politicians must be people that are always honest and open. This dishonesty speaks about what kind of a man, professional and leader he is – when the situation doesn't suit him, he will lie his way out of it. Chances are very high that he will use this course of action again in circumstances that do not suit him, and lead the community for which he works down the wrong road. The fact that he only came clean when evidence was presented proves that he was trying to get away with doing something wrong. In other words – he sees nothing wrong with lying and trying to get away with it. We MUST never allow politicians to get away with lying. It is their civil duty to live up to the expectations of the people who voted them into office.

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By: Hopeless

Hopeless — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:43:56 +0000

The guy, Mr Adams, is disgrace for all gay community, and he is nasty lier to the people of Portland, and sladerer on innocent man, Mr. Ball. Certainly, Mr Adams shall step down from the post of Mayor of Portland. He is not deserving the trust anymore!

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By: Charl!e

Charl!e — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:14:19 +0000

people in much higher positions have lied about far worse things. This is so messed up!

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By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:41:00 +0000

I feel sorry for the guy. I met my now husband when I was 17 and he was 29. This was just before the age of consent was equalised, so what we were doing was technically illegal, despite me being very much an adult, and a more-than-consenting one at that. That was 12 years ago. At the time, we were both very aware of the potential consequences of my age getting out! So we fluffed around the edges a little and kept it to ourselves.

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By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:42:40 +0000

I live in Portland. Here's the big deal. Sam shouldn't have lied about it. What truely makes it bad is that he shouldn't have had to. He had legal sex, with a legal adult, but we still live in a country, where and 60 year old man, can marry an 18 year old girl, and everyone thinks he's a stud, but apply that to a gay man and suddenly it's press worthy and wrong.

I am happy that Obama, is the new President, but I still live in one of the stupidest countries on the planet. We specialize in hypocrisy and double standards.

BTW the WW is a free paper, so they are going to die out pretty soon. The recession should see to that.

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By: apYrs

apYrs — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:30:45 +0000

he had a relationship with a man old enough to fight and die for his country: the problem is…?

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By: Keith Bradley-Wilson

Keith Bradley-Wilson — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:36:20 +0000

He has done nothing wrong except not just "admitting" he had a short-term relationship/shagfest with a man of legal age. Why should he be expected TO hide it is surely the question?
And I just hope, for Olivetree's sake, Mr Adams does not read these comments and sue for libel and defamtion of character! The way the word "pAedophile" is bandied around so freely these days disgusts me!

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By: Riondo

Riondo — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:39:36 +0000

So gay and straight politicians are similar after all! 'Beau Breedlove' is a fabulous name, up there with Slim Pickens and Ivor Biggen. I agree with Ian – Sam Adams is a dish, and it's many years since I was 18! Whatever Mr Breedlove's professional calling, I'll bet Mr Adams never has to pay anybody.

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By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:11:33 +0000

I think that the mayor is rather handsome and had I been 18 would have fancied the pants off of him

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By: AndySam

AndySam — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:34:02 +0000

What indeed is the big deal? In the majority of States the legal age limit is 16. If a kid of 16 is an adult in Washington or Pennsylvania why not Oregon …. this is just the gutter press trying to create sensation to seel more copies!!!

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By: tony

tony — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:20:53 +0000

What's the big deal? So two adults had a sexual relationship; there would have been no story if the younger one had been a woman.

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