Hypocrisy matters because these terms are essentially subjectively determined. The individuals definition of private for others, say, others sexuality must then apply to himself as well.

Sent by Katherine Bruens | 2:10 PM ET | 08-02-2007

Hypocracy, or the perception of hypocracy definitly has a role in determining the limits of reporting on personal behavior. If a politician is running on a platform of 'family values' then their behavior is open to scrutiny.

Sent by Marlin May | 2:13 PM ET | 08-02-2007

"Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief."
Edmund Burke Irish philosopher, statesman. A Letter to a Member of the National Assembly, 19 Jan. 1791.

Sent by eponymagain | 2:14 PM ET | 08-02-2007

A politician's primary job is to serve the public that elected them. When a candidate runs on a platform of marital conservatism and sexual morality and when it is unearthed that they have broken their own rules in this position of power, it is necessary to expose it. It is a disservice not to. Larry Flint did us all a favor.

Sent by Katie Brinton | 2:14 PM ET | 08-02-2007

We have a right to investigate anyone's bedroom who is trying to legislate what goes on in mine.

Sent by Marguerite Miletic | 2:15 PM ET | 08-02-2007

This topic should include "outing" politicians who push anti-gay policy by day and hook up with guys at night.

this is a huge philosophical debate w/in the gay community with many claiming that outing is never appropriate. Then there are others like myself who think that when hypocrisy is part of the equation all bets are off.

Sent by jay lassiter | 2:22 PM ET | 08-02-2007

I agree with Dan. Being raised a Southern Baptist and in a military family, I went to a lot of different churches but one thing I can recall being said by all pastors was "Practice what you preach." This is a theme that is interwoven throughout the New Testament beginning with Jesus's admonishment of the Pharasee and continues with later writings of Paul and Peter. If you proclaim your faith to the public then you need to live by that faith especially when in a leadership position telling others how to live their lives.

Sent by Tim from Charlottesville, VA | 2:22 PM ET | 08-02-2007

As a gay man who has to listen to a constant stream of blatant lies from the Right Wing and Religious Fundalmentalists, I love when hypocrites like those you've discussed are caught. It feels like vindication.

Sent by George Glastris | 2:24 PM ET | 08-02-2007

How about Ted Haggard from Colorado? He's another hypocrite and it doesn't matter if you are in politics, religion or whatever. How about the priests molesting little boys? Can someone comment on the religious hypocrites?

Sent by Sarah from Washington, DC | 2:28 PM ET | 08-02-2007

As an immigration lawyer for 15 years, I must deal on a daily basis with a 1996 amendment which separates U.S. Citizen children from a parent who happens to have been in the U.S. undocumented. If you cross the border illegally, you must stay abroad for ten years, it does not matter if you have no criminal record and have ten American kids who will go on welfare. Now the hypocrisy: this amendment was brought to us by one term Republican Randy Tate, whose job after his unelction was ... President of the Christian Coalition. (Do not oppress the alien, as you were aliens in Egypt. Leviticus 17.33)

Sent by David Funke | 2:32 PM ET | 08-02-2007

It is just fine to have an affair in the Oval Office. However, it crosses the line to lie to a Federal Grand Jury about it - I wonder if Hillary's desire to become President has everything to do with payback. Two can play the Oval Office cigar-sex game.

Sent by Mike | 2:36 PM ET | 08-02-2007

There's no comparison between laying off Chelsea Clinton while her father's president, and ignoring Cheney's anti-gay policy/pro-gay personal life. It relates directly to public policy; his adult daughter is a campaigner, an author and public figure; and the anti-gay policy does direct harm to individuals and families. Comparing Mary Cheney to teenage Chelsea Clinton is preposterous. Denying Cheney's hypocracy on this matter is equally preposterous.

Sent by Mike | 2:42 PM ET | 08-02-2007

Hypocrisy is a type of harmful fraud.
Hypocrisy is publicly excoriating others, especially naming names, for activities that the hypocrit engages in while not divulging it, or actively hiding the indulgence. Hence, the hypocrit hurts the target for the hypocrit's personal gain -- not justfailure to practice what one preaches, it is attacking others while PRETENDING not to be guilty of the same thing. It is fraud, not aspiration to higher morals for the good of the public.

Sent by Linda Kent | 2:50 PM ET | 08-02-2007

A few years ago, I was in Ronda, a small Andalusian town in the mountains of Spain. The 'new bridge', as it was called replaced the old bridge. Both are still in use for pedestrians and motor traffic. The old bridge was build by the Romans and tne new bridge was build by Fernand and Isabella after they captured the town in 1492. Bridges should last more than 50 years!

Sent by Ann | 4:10 PM ET | 08-02-2007

It occurs to me that most of the posters here are confident that no one at NPR will call them on their own hypocrisy ... even if it is noticed.

Sent by William Melton | 4:52 PM ET | 08-02-2007

Equal treatment demands that if you call for public scrutiny of others' behavior you should accept such scrutiny yourself.

However, calling for virtue is not the same as calling oneself virtous. Hypocrisy is falsly claiming personal virtue.

Sinners can without hypocricy, argue that none of us should be sinners. Fat people can argue that we should try to be thin. Smokers can say that smoking is bad. Limbaugh can still argue that drug users should be imprisoned or drug laws should be tightened. And Clinton can argue that adultery is a sin.

An entirely different sin is one of a lack of empathy or sympathy and that is what we do when we too harshly judge other sinners....or perhaps even ourselves.

Sent by Michael Y | 2:44 PM ET | 08-03-2007

Any statement I make here will be preaching to the NPR choir but here goes. I am always satisfied to have a demagogue who spouts damnation and hell-fire at his/her fellow christians and the rest of us because we are failing to live up to the word of his/her lord. Per the biblical entreaty, "But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."" I do not claim to be sinless but neither do I claim to be a christian. So, I find great humor watching boulders run over those who say they are our moral superiors.

I can say I once turned to christianity because I had many problems I wanted "The Lord" to solve. I became moralistic but I never became moral. My problems remained unsolved until I found faith in myself and proved myself worthy of trust to my family and friends. Christianity was a symptom of my continuing addictions and my frantic search to resolve what I had done to myself and others. Being "born again" was not a resolution as so many hypocrites proclaim.

Therefore, given the christian shell I tried to pull around myself as a means to solve my problems, I am totally unsurprised by the deviant sexual behavior of so many so-called christian leaders and church activists. My only surprise is that more have not been publicly exposed. Throughout my life I certainly have known on a local level, church deacons, elders, pastors, etc. who done everything from molest their/others children to cheat regularly on their wives. Thankfully, I believe this is a minority. Unfortunately, they are usually the most pious.

Sent by Samuel A Brown | 3:30 PM ET | 08-03-2007

I am sensing a lot of anger here. A real, "Let's get those religious bastards!" vibe. Deep breath everyone. Thank you Michael Y for the most intelligent comment so far.

As another military brat who has lived all across the country (but mostly in the "bible belt") I also have known many religious leaders. I myself am not big on organized religion; but, I volunteer a lot. Hence my association. Anyway, these people are just like you and me. They are not robots. They make mistakes. They do try to hold themselves to a higher standard because they know they are an example. I have never known a religious leader to be judgmental (honestly). I currently attend an evening service for young adults. The place is called Cameron Campus Ministry and they are basically just a place for college kids to hang out. The director is a good friend of mine and officiated at my wife and I's wedding. I've never seen him judge anyone. Three of my friends that go there are gay. Believe it or not, most religious people I have met are very accepting of other cultures and lifestyles. And this includes religios leaders. However I have seen many of them in their personal lives do things they are not proud of. Things that people like those here would be quick to throw the first stone for. They don't celebrate their transgressions or feel like they are getting one over on their foolish congregation. They struggle with things just like you and I. An alcoholic can recognize that alcohol is destroying his family and tell people not to drink. That same alcoholic can have a weak moment and have a drink himself. Is he a hypocrite? Perhaps technically, yes. Is it deserving of public scrutiny to the point the person loses their job and their lively-hood? Only if they believe in a god that you don't.

Sent by fenderacoustic | 7:43 PM ET | 08-03-2007

We're talking about a criminal activity here. If the police arrested _me_ on charges of soliciting prostitution, I somehow doubt I would be able to get off the hook by saying "Officer, you are invading my private life."

Sent by Jason | 11:09 PM ET | 08-03-2007

Yeah, fortunately, they were careful to only out Republicans in the media.

Sent by You Know Who | 12:04 PM ET | 08-06-2007