Concerns over Sam Adams...

[K'Tesh]

I'm saddened to hear that Sam Adams lied about his relationship with a teen protoge.

I was hoping that Sam's administration would not be fettered by his sexual preference, but now it seems that it already has.

My fears are that cycling projects will suffer for this...

K'Tesh

[Attornatus_Oregonensis]

The only thing that concerns me is that -- apparently -- Sam Adams will look you right in the face and lie to you to get what he wants, as he lied about that relationship to ensure that it would not affect his chances of being elected.

I don't like being lied to. I suspect many Portlanders feel that way. I just lost a lot of respect for the man. And I wonder whether all the promises he made about improving bike-related infrastructure were lies also, told to get elected. You know, just like Potter.

What a disgrace.

[djasonpenney]

The disturbing part about this is not the age of the young man involved (Adams alleges he was 18, and I've not heard any dispute yet about that). What bothers me is that a) he didn't have the gumption to say "none of your beeswax", and b) Adams was in a supervisory position over the young man at the time.

Can you say "sexual harassment"? When it's your boss, there's no such thing as a consensual relationship.

[Thorlak]

The timing of the admission leaves me suspiciouse as well.

[tfahrner]

Originally Posted by K'Tesh

I'm saddened to hear that Sam Adams lied about his relationship with a teen protoge. ...My fears are that cycling projects will suffer for this...

i must regretfully observe that politicians whose platforms i admire FREQUENTLY turn out to have major dick control problems, hurting the platform. as for the lying, well, that's sad too but let's face it: being truthful about your dick control problems, particularly if you're gay and the other person is half your age... that might be political suicide. failing us getting annexed by france, my advice to progressive male politicians is to consider castration.

[Bjorn]

As is so often the problem in cases like this problems abound when people start making up rumors about peoples private lives. Personally I think it is no ones business what two consenting adults do. DJasonpenney you need to check your facts, in 2005 sam adams was a city councilor and the other man, was an intern in the state legislature in salem. He did not work for Sam and you are either sloppy, or attempting your own smear campaign, I hope it is the former!

[Attornatus_Oregonensis]

Who made up rumors? You mean the ones during the campaign? The ones that Randy Leonard called a "smear" and Sam called false? Yeah, those turned out to be true.

I agree it's not my business what two consenting adults do. What's my business is making an informed decision on whether my elected officials are trustworthy persons. Sam Adams is obviously not such a person.

Let's be clear: What Adams is admitting to is intentionally attempting to keep the truth from the voting public and to influencing the other party involved to do the same. He may not admit the second part, but it's obvious he was doing so to influence the outcome of the mayoral election in his favor.

Maybe that sort of behavior is OK with you, but I suspect you were like me and complained about it when Bush did it with respect to the Iraq war. Yeah, I voted for Adams, but you've got to call it like you see it: This is scumbag behavior.

[canuck]

Originally Posted by djasonpenney

b) Adams was in a supervisory position over the young man at the time.
.

He was not a supervisor in this case. Breedlove was an intern in Salem not Portland. Sam was mentoring the young man on how to move forward in a political career and on issues related to sexual orientation.

This does not absolve him of lying about the issue, having the young man lie about the issue, and using the real issue of homophobia to avoid the telling the truth, all in pursuit of an elected position

[Simple Nature]

Here's the question I'm afraid to ask... who would replace Sam if he was forced out of office? Seriously, what is the lesser of two evils? I thought Sam offers Portland's cycling community some hope for better conditions.

[markallyn]

From what I have read somewhere . . .

If Sam were to resign, one of the current city council members would become Interim mayor.

Then there would be a special election.

I guess that would mean that the field would once again be wide open.

I also hear rumblings of a recall.

My guess would be (and this is very uninformed) that if Sam were recalled, the same scenareo would take place; ie; interim mayor and then special election.

Irregardless, it will be a major embarassment and great uncertainty for the city.

And by the way, a friend put it very well to me. Letting your dick control you is as bad as sticking your fingers in the electrical socket or toaster.

Luv

Cleara