Mark Sanford: Liar, Cheater, Adulterer, and Now, Trespasser

He’s at it again. Mark Sanford, the disgraced booty-calling, trail-hiking former governor of South Carolina, is on the trail again. Only this time it’s called trespassing, and this time it’s on the property of his ex-wife, the lovely [insert sarcasm here] Jenny Sanford.

See, the Sanford’s—once the golden couple of the state until; Mark began screwing other women and the people of South Carolina at the same time—each have a clause in their divorce settlements saying that neither may enter the other’s home without permission.

But Mark, as happens with ego-maniacal adulterers who think they’re above the law, apparently has taken to making a habit of entering his former Mrs.—not to be confused with former mistresses—home, and on February 3, Jenny confronted him inside her house.

Creepy, no?

A complaint was filed the next day, and Mark Sanford will be required to appear in court on May 9, two days after the election that he hopes will return him to public office. 

Jenny Sanford said her former husband was using his cellphone as a flashlight as he left. The couple's divorce settlement says neither may enter the other's home without permission. The complaint filed by Jenny’s lawyer, Deena Smith McRackan, states that Mark Sanford has “entered into a pattern of entering onto plaintiff’s property. Plaintiff has informed defendant on a number of occasions that this behavior is in violation of the court’s order and has demanded that it not occur again.”

Again, he’s made a habit of illegally trespassing on another person’s property. Creepy, yes; and illegal. And he wants to get back into office in this state.

Jenny, of course, taking the holier-than-thou high road has declined to comment, except to say “We have had a number of matters (in their divorce), and we have to deal with them in private.”

When asked about those other issues, Jenny Sanford again declined to comment and then said, “Direct those questions to my ex-husband.”

Still not commenting, she continued: “I am doing my best not to get in the way of his race. I want him to sink or swim on his own. For the sake of my children I’m trying my best not to get in the way, but he makes things difficult for me when he does things like trespassing.”

So much for not getting in the way and not commenting, eh?

Mark Sanford's spokesman literally had no comment.

Here’s the deal South Carolina, this man lied and cheated, both on his wife, and on this state, and the slithered away into the murk from whence he came until the last six months or so when he figured y’all were too stupid to remember what a conniving lying asshatted man he is, and the he runs for office in a Congressional primary. And you voted for him!

And now we find out that he is the same man he was when he was governor, doing what he wants, taking his little personal hikes when he wants, and thinking he’s above the law.

We don’t need the likes of Mark Sanford back in office in this state, so if the people of the 1^st Congressional district think he’s the best man for the job, when you know his history, then vote for him.

But don’t complain when he starts cheating on you, too.

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The Lovely Jenny Needs To Accept Her Share Of The Blame

Just when you think the, ahem, fairytale marriage of Mark and Jenny Sanford couldn't become more of a joke, well, then, Jenny talks some more. See, it seems that when the lovely Jenny married Mark The Hiker, he insisted, insisted, that they leave out the part about marital fidelity in their vows.

And she said, "Duh, okay."

So, how then is she now playing the victim, the wounded party to her adulterer husband? Didn't he make it quite clear on that day some twenty years ago that he was not going to be faithful? And yet she went through with the ceremony, and stayed with him, and then only decided to leave him once his steamy, sultry emails to his Argentinean Booty Call were made public.

But, again, I have to wonder, he told you on your wedding day that he wasn't going to be faithful? So, why say "I do" when Marky clearly was more of a "I don't"? Was it the chance to be Missus Political Wife, and all the power and prestige that might entail? Did you envision yourself at a White House function as the First Lady so often that you sold out for an adulterer?

Those are questions I'd like to hear the lovely Jenny answer. And she might [though, call me a cynic, but I doubt it] when she is interviewed by Barbara Walter's on 20/20 tonight--the same day as her book, Staying True, billed as an "inspirational memoir", is released. Jenny will discuss their courtship, their marriage, his affair, and how she felt about Mark Sanford's reluctance to pledge fidelity was probably a case of cold feet.

Uh, not cold feet, but more along the lines of I'd like to try out some other feet other than just yours, lovely Jenny.

Jenny Sanford; "It bothered me to some extent, but . . . we were very young; we were in love....I questioned it, but I got past it . . . along with other doubts that I had."

So, Jenny, you left your cheating husband because you felt he was not a good husband or partner, and wanted to teach your boys about love and respect and marriage. And yet, what you've taught your sons is that it's okay to settle; it's fine to enter into a marriage when you are doubting the marriage before it even begins, and your husband to be tells you he will not ever be faithful.

You say your son's world has been tuned upside down by what their father has done, and then you admit to giving him carte blanche to cheat? "It is something that is now a part of their lives. ... They're not happy. They're not proud. ... It just ripped me up, to see them reading these e-mails, and to see them have to grow up so fast."

It's hard to fathom who's done the most harm to your children. Both you, lovely Jenny, and Mark, are a pathetic example of heterosexual marriage, the sanctity of marriage, and of parenting.

And you can write all you want about blame, but a great deal of it lands at your feet for signing off on such a "marriage".

Strange Bedfellows Indeed

As a regular visitor here at ISBL, you all know how much I loves me some politics; hell, even as a not-so-regular visitor here, you'd have to know I loves me some politics. In fact, I've even had people suggest I run for public office--well, not people so much, as those pesky voices in my head. But I digress.

I think: Me? Public office?

Then I think: Me? Liberal Homosexual, Pro-Choice, Anti-death penalty? In South Carolina?

Yeah, not gonna happen.

Then I hear about people like the Youngs, Andrew and Cheri. He's kinda nebbishly hot, or nerdly lukewarm; she's kinda uptight Stepford wife-ish. You've heard of them no doubt? He's the one who pretended to be John Edwards' mistress's baby daddy, even though he was already married and the father of three. He even took a chunk of John Edwards considerable wealth for announcing to the world that he had cheated on his wife and fathered a child--something, by the way, that it took John Edwards years to do.

But the Youngs are all over TV now, promoting Andy's book, The Politician, in which he basically trashes both John and Elizabeth Edwards, while painting himself and his wife as the proverbial "good people."

Um, Andy? You announced to the world that you cheated on your wife and fathered a child. Not exactly "good people," my friend. And, um, Andy, you took a healthy paycheck from the real baby-daddy for your lie; again, not "good people".

And you say you did it because you loved John and Elizabeth Edwards and, oh yeah, you hoped that John would become president and you might get some cushy cabinet post or ambassador-ship for your lie. Not.Good.People.

And, Cheri, honey? You don't come off so sweet either. I mean, you knew about the affair and kept it from your friend. You knew about the baby and kept it from your friend. You moved the mistress into your own home so she could hide her pregnancy and never told your friend.

Yeah, you're "good people" all right.

And then we have that other adulterer, Appalachian-Trail-hiking-Argentinean-woman-mounting-impeach-Clinton-because-he-cheated, Mark Sanford. And the lovely Jenny.

Jenny has a book, too; it's called Staying True. In it, the lovely Jenny With The Coal Black Heart, says that Marky asked her for advice on how to handle the media when word got out that he was schtupping a South American woman. He asked her if she thought he should follow his heart to Argentina and live forever with his soul mate. She does write that she wished he'd kept those thoughts to himself, but she heard him say the words and she stayed.

True.

Jenny Sanford discovered the affair back in January 2009 when she "happened" across a letter Marky had written to the mistress. She says she felt "gut-punched all over again" but she had to have known something was up when she was going through his papers in his desk. But then she learned of other, ahem, dalliances with other women when Marky gave an interview to the Associated Press.

The lovely Jenny says that Marky had admitted just the one affair up until that point, but now that the news was out, he wanted her advice on how to handle it. She doesn't write about any advice she gave him; but she stayed.

True.

And the lovely Jenny also talks of the days after the affair story broke, and how she had her attorney draw up a contract under which she would not reveal the affair if her husband would stop seeing his mistress. She writes that the governor refused, but she stayed.

True.

This is politics in America, people. A dirty business.

People lying about having affairs they never had, and people having affairs and then lying about them. People using the immorality of others to further their own political agenda, either for money or power; people using their friendship and trust of others to ask then to put their own lives, and marriages, and families, at risk; people who seeks to put their marriage into a contract of what they will and will not say, in exchange for a little fidelity.

Yeah, I loves me some politics, but I don't love many politicians, or their spouses.
Democrat or Republican.

It isn't about service for people like the Edwards and the Youngs and the Sanfords, and others, it's about greed and power, and living a life not being held accountable for your actions. Now, I'm not saying that all politicians are corrupt or immoral or just plain stupid, but the percentages do seem to get higher when you run for office.

So, I'll stick to writing about politics, and keep my sense of self-worth, my ethics and my morality close to home.

Musings

Here are a few things that i find interesting, annoying, cute or bothersome.

Tyra Banks took off her weave on the premiere of her talk show this week. i sort of wish she'd take off her head so we might never have to hear her speak again.

Jay Leno has left the Tonight Show so he can do the same show ninety minutes earlier. Does this seem like a stupid idea to anyone but me? I don't like Jay. I don't think he's funny. His humor is pedestrian. I will not be watching this mess.

I joined Twitter so I could rant about Joe Wilson. I don't know how long I'll stay this time, because my last try lasted one, er, Tweet.

I don't like Mike Isabella on Top Chef. he's an arrogant douchebag, and it seems he only wins when he works with someone else, like the Voltaggio brothers--Bryan is the cute one. I so wanted him to get the boot--or as Carlos says it now, You ARE the weakest link. Good bye! I was also hoping Mattin would go. it would have been great fun to see the french guy go in the French food challenge. Sidenote: Is it me, or does Mattin remind anyone else of PeeWee Herman, albeit a French PeeWee?

I saw Glee last night. I liked it. i wasn't as bowled over as some people were, but I thought it was cute. Of course, it didn't hurt to have Matthew Morrison in a bathtub, and the delicious Jane Lynch is a joy forever, plus Lea Michele has a lovely voice. and the writing is quite sharp. Hmmm, maybe I was bowled over?

Obama's speech last night was terrific. He knows how to speak, which is something we haven't seen in a president since last century, and he gets his point across. He was firm in his convictions and stated them brilliantly. I loved how he said he would call out those people who keep spreading lies about health care reform. Are you listening Death Panel Palin and Asshat Michele Bachmann?

I don't know how weatherpeople keep their jobs. Yesterday, it was supposed to be mid-80s with a slight slight SLIGHT chance of rain, but about 9AM the sky turned black and it poured and poured. I wonder what'll happen when the weatheridiots call for extreme heat. Perhaps the Earth will become the Sun?
While Carlos and I were doing our Gaybor Day shopping up in Charlotte, we happened upon some lamps. We never agree on lamps. he likes, and this is true, Monkeys. On. Lamps. I, however, do not. He'll find a lamp and I'll sneer and say, No....no....nononononononono. Then I find one and he'll grimace and says No...no...nononononononono. So, I find one that has a more traditional shape that Carlos might light--an urn shape--but it's made of shiny silver metal and therefore satisfies the need for something contemporary that i like. i hold it up, and Carlos says, No....no...nonononononono, I don't like metal. Nine years together and I did not know this. But imagine my surprise when, just a few aisles over, he said he found a bed frame that he loved. Yes, you guessed it, made of metal, in a shiny silver. If I didn't think he'd start crying I would have left him in the store.
Paris Hilton.
Lindsay Lohan.
Mark and Jenny Sanford.
Joe Wilson.
That's all.

Get Out!

I am sick of the Sanfords.

No, not Fred and Lamont Sanford, but Mark and Jenny Sanford.

Jenny first. Quit talking already. Quit telling us what a great parent you are and how you're doing what needs to be done for the boys and then giving yet another interview where you play the Pity Card and slam the father of your children. That isn't being a good person, that is being vindictive and childish. Yes, we know; he cheated; he cried; he apologized to her first. You're wounded. We get it.

Now. Shut. Up.

And that goes double for you Mark. Shut. Up. Shut. Up. STFU!

Yesterday in the grand old state of South Carolina, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer became the highest ranking Republican to ask Mark Sanford to quit. Bauer said he would not run for governor if Sanford resigns or the House moves to impeach him in the next month. In the interests of fairness, this is being seen as a way for Bauer to get certain items in his agenda going, and then he can leave the state house as a pseudo hero and come back stronger for some other public office.

hat said, Mark, of course, whined a bit and stomped his feet and muttered something about being "railroaded" out of office.

Railroad? I thought he was a hiker.

Thank you! I'll be here all week!

But I digress.

Andre Bauer: “The serious misconduct that has already been revealed along with lingering questions and continuing distractions make it virtually impossible for our state to solve the critical problems we’re facing without a change of leadership. That is why I must now call upon Governor Sanford, in the interest of our state, to resign. It is why I myself will lead the way by putting the best interests of the people of South Carolina ahead of my own personal and political interests.”

Sanford said Bauer's statement was nothing but "pure politics."

Like the pure politics Sanford employs when he portrays himself as a fiscal conservative, spending months fighting to keep stimulus money out of the state, while charging the state for his upgraded travel expenses, including one of his side-trip booty calls to Miss Argentina.

If that's pure politics South Carolina-style, we need to make a change.

Mark Sanford is claiming past governors also flew business class and first class on the state’s dime and that some lawmakers have used the state plane to attend weddings and other personal events.

Indeed, maybe they have, but they didn't portray themselves as fiscally responsible; they didn't use the state money and state planes to speed off for a little La Vida Loca Con La Mujer Del Argentina. And Mark, if that's your reasoning, that other governor's have used state funds and aircraft in the past, I ask you this:

If past governors had jumped off a bridge, would you?

Just a thought.

The Week That Was

Michael Jackson is still dead, and more popular than he has been in years. I hear people say they don't understand the over-the-top news coverage, and say they didn't realize so many people cared. Well, I don't know if so many people cared as much as so many people have outlets for their stories, be it Twitter or Facebook or blogs or every other single news entity on the web. It's All Access Michael. And it's sad.

Farrah Fawcett was laid to rest this week. peacefully. Quietly. Reverently. That's how it should be done. Rest in peace, Angel.

Mark Sanford is finally done talking; for now. I'm sure he'll regale us with more stories of the Greatest Love Story Ever Told someday soon. Better that than actually getting back to being a Governor to a state in crisis. Way to throw off the newshounds, Marky.

And one thing I forgot: Resign. Now.

And the lovely Jenny Sanford is also talking about how she'll forgive her husband; she'll forgive the adulterous affair, the lies, the declaration of undying love for his Argentinean soulmate. You see, theirs is not a marriage based on love, it's based on position and power and money. If she leaves, she'll be just another ex-wife of a cheating politician a la Joan Kennedy. If she stays, and together they can salvage this mess, she may well be on her way to becoming a presidential candidates wife, or a senator's wife. Maybe she'll settle for a dogcatcher's wife seeing how she's married to a dog.

Wisconsin is opening up to accepting marriage equality, although they are testing the waters with marriage-lite domestic partnership registry. it's a step, and they all matter.

Months after the election Al Franken has finally been confirmed as the newest senator from Minnesota, giving the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate. I don't know much about Al, save his Saturday Night Live days, but I am enjoying the effect he's having on the wingnuts at FoxNews, who cannot get over it.

Bummer. For them.

Barack and Michelle Obama had their little soiree for the LGBT community this week and once again the president pledged to work for us, not against us. But I'm still hearing words and not seeing a lot of action. Especially on DADT, with Dan Choi being discharged--number 266 and counting--and August Provost being murdered on base in San Diego. Yeah, DADT, good policy; good law. Good lord, end it now.

Five-time champion Roger Federer was masterful on the grass-court, beating Tommy Haas in straight sets to reach his seventh straight Wimbledon final. This puts him within one win of a record 15th Grand Slam title.

And finally, here we are ready to celebrate the Fourth of July. I don't know why, but I am not a big fan of holidays, really. I enjoy the getting together with friends and family, but I am not so fond of the way it's made to feel like a duty, like if you don't have plans there's something wrong with you. Well, Carlos and I don't have big plans; we may have the neighbors to dinner on Sunday; we may watch fireworks tomorrow. One thing for certain, we'll have the Saturday, Sunday and Monday off, and that'll be a nice holiday.

Enjoy.