The Yin & Yang of Politics

With today being inauguration day for our 44th president, a lot of friends and family are excited about President Obama officially taking office. With his campaign based on hope and change and the electorate choosing this message, one could hope that politics is headed in the right direction.

However, with one positive thing come news to balance it out. Portland's new mayor Sam Adams, has admitted to having a relationship with a legislative intern named Beau Breedlove when he was 18. Adams, who was 42 at the time lied about the relationship when asked about it in October 2007 as part of a Willamette Week investigation in the heart of the mayoral race. Additionally, Adams convinced Breedlove to stay quiet and lie about their relationship at the time. Despite Adams and Breedlove both stating he was of legal age at the time of their relationship, there are some questions as to whether Breedlove was 18 when their relationship started, thus bringing into question whether Adams could be criminally prosecuted for the relationship.

This sort of relationship and the lying behind it is wrong no matter who does it and what their orientation is. For someone who stands for all Portlanders, it is inexcusable. On a day of hope and change on a national level, we Portlanders got a local reminder of the lies and deceit that come hand in hand with politics on any level. Personally, as someone who voted for Adams I get another reminder why my political science degree continues to garner dust and another layer of "scar tissue" that has be hopeful but doubtful about the true change any politician can bring.

Brian

Original Willamette Week Article