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: AHS grad rates moving up, must be pushed ever higher
A diploma is a must, but it has to mean something. Anderson High School must do this the right way, not cutting corners and passing students through classes, but making them accountable for learning the subject matter.
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Editorial: With changes to program, why not begin recycling?
The public has to understand the importance of recycling aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, newspapers and certain plastics. Besides minimizing a community’s waste, recycling saves energy, natural resources and the environment.
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Editorial: Reality returns after Super Bowl mania
While we loved what the Super Bowl did for our reputation, it’s time to get back to the real world. Let’s recap the lost week.
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You Said It: About contract, 'Teen Mom,' State of the City
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com, coupled with responses by the newspaper’s editorial board.
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Editorial: Smith speech shows mayor aiming high
The bottom line in Mayor Kevin Smith’s State of the City address Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s luncheon at Anderson Country Club was simple: To attract investment, you have to make investments.
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Editorial: Bill offered by state Senate honors Fourth Amendment
No law is ever going to rid domestic situations of their subjectivity, but people have a right to be secure in their homes, and the police need to keep this in mind when they come knocking.
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Editorial: Burton's retirement was overdue
Dan Burton has been a fixture in Indiana politics for nearly a half century. A staunch Republican, Burton made waves in the Statehouse and in Congress, but now it’s over. Burton recently announced his retirement and will not seek re-election in Indiana’s District 5.
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Editorial: Tempered excitement for call-center jobs is prudent
Immediately after city officials announced the location of a new call center in Anderson on Jan. 25, the “Yeah, buts ...” started.
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Editorial: Trigger law would give parents too much power
If the state is going to push for charter schools, it has to be a measured action with plenty of debate. There is a reason why the term trigger-happy has negative connotations. It means a knee-jerk reaction with little thought.
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You Said It: About Grandview, new Colts coach and the APA incident
The Anderson Parks board has created a committee to study options for Grandview Golf Course and its restaurant. (Article published Jan. 17.)
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