In the throes of mid-life crises, lots of men do unexpected things, things that they often later regret. These men sometimes hurt themselves and those they love.
When you’re elected to a high government office — let’s say, as the governor of South Carolina — such indiscretions are amplified by media attention, exacerbating the damage to you and your family.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, 49, is being tried in the court of public opinion now for his tryst with Maria Belen Chapur, a 41-year-old former TV reporter from Argentina.
If he were a regular Joe, this would be bad enough. But Sanford is so much more. He represents a state of 4.5 million people. They count on him to make sound decisions that benefit South Carolina. They count on him to bring honor and respect to the Palmetto State.
Is Sanford fit to govern? Our short answer: No.
The affair casts dark shadows on his integrity. And in terms of his standing as a statesman, the circumstances of the affair kept him from honestly and openly fulfilling the duties of his office.
Can the people of South Carolina trust Sanford after what’s happened? Clearly not. And when it comes to public officials, trust is the essential commodity.
Editorials
Editorial: South Carolina governor should resign
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Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
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Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
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Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
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Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
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Editorial: Find a buyer for former school or tear it down
If a buyer wants the former Pendleton Heights Middle School, fine, but put no more taxpayer money into it.
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Editorial: Libraries must adapt to serve communities
Certainly, the Friends of the Anderson Public Library needs space to store and sell used books, records, DVDs and other material. But library supporters and staff must be flexible in this ever-changing world to keep public facilities relevant.
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You Said It: About Walking Men, the Queen of Disco and settled lawsuits
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
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Editorial: Ockomon-Spencer saga hurt city's reputation
Wednesday, May 16, was a sad day for Anderson taxpayers forced to pay a $128,000 bill that ends a saga that never should have started
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Editorial: It's Pendleton's time to shine this weekend
The residents of Pendleton can be a little prouder of themselves today. Two events capture the community spirit that makes the town one of the gems in our region.
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Editorial: Little 500 Festival, local events heating up Saturday
Like the Indianapolis 500, Anderson Speedway’s Little 500 should be on the bucket list for folks living in the Madison County area.
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