Charlie Rose

SandraG  03/22/2008 01:01 PM Report

I had a girlfriend who continuously cheated on her husband with men over

the years. Of course nothing she did was illegal. When I had the

opportunity to start a business with her I had to ask myself if it was

wise. She was already very well skilled at deceiving the person closest to her. I opted not to and I think I better off, as is NY without Spitzer. The governor apparently had many years to

reflect on his actions but the tears and epiphany came when he was caught. It is also quite telling that he did not resign immediately but waited to see the public reaction. He certainly should not be in office. He is a self-destructive individual in need of help as are the young woman he was with.

No one takes off their clothes and does what oneâ??s are told for money and walks away with inner dignity untouched. Until we start to see the women in this line as people in need of help and options we will continue to shrug, call ourselves too puritan, point to Europe, and look the other way. Could it be that men in power prefer it this way? Perhaps that is why this sad and degrading business persists. The modern world may for the first time in history have the opportunity to solve the question of what to do with the women who canâ??t earn their way, if it wants to. If however we see this as necessary, we need to hope that little girls are abused and grown up without council, foster and adopted women are show the door at 18 and the unpromising accept degradation.

Shaft  03/14/2008 04:16 PM Report

Governer Spitzer is a smart guy with healthy sexual appitite. I am not sure why this is a story at all, the only problem is he tried to hide his appitite for goody from his wife and friends. I think this is not a story to bring down a superb governer. I think he only owes a huge apology to his wife and daughters as well as his extended families.

Mary  03/14/2008 02:25 PM Report

We've become a schizoid society. Rather than force Bush & Cheney to resign, two men that are clearly incompetent and not in a position to lead such a great nation, here we are forcing a randy governor to resign, in outrage. This country is being torn to shreds because of this schizoid mentality.

A.Wolff  03/13/2008 03:30 PM Report

Here we have a table of men discussing this situations without a word about this girl - as if it were not an issue. She is the very kind of needy constituent a governor should be trying to help, not use. Yet, talk around the table was such that you would think she was doing this for a hobby. Sometimes men can't see pasted their own fly, which is all the more reason why a women should have been at the table. It's about using someone who is desperate, not about having an love affair. As for call for legalized prostitution, this would be a disaster in our consumer culture. You think welfare created generations in a quagmire...

MotherLodeBeth  03/13/2008 02:49 PM Report

Having read all your comments I also wanted to add that I think the United States is very puritan in how we see sex. Here is a question, and I am serious. You have two men. Each has a 'date'. One man takes the woman to dinner and they agree that there will be sex at the end of the evening. The other man and woman want sex, and rather than go to dinner he gives her the money to buy dinner or whatever she wants instead. Legally, the last one would be seen as paying for sex or prosititution. The first guy would be seen as simply having a date where sex is involved. Yet, both 'dates' involve money and sex. So how about we stop playing all these sex games and start acting like adults. Had the governor had a mistress which he would have been paying for, would that be illegal? What if he had paid her train fare to another state where they then had sex? Its so weird how money and sex can either be legal or not. And what about a wife who is legally married to her man and he gives her money as a thank you for great sex? And what about all those men/women who cant get a date but simply want sex? I hate to see adults punished for consensual sex.

Jack Bailey  03/13/2008 12:44 PM Report

Yes, Spitzer's behavior is inexcusable and has had damaging effects upon the state and his family. But in the end it is a private family matter between him and his wife. How odd that the Republican minority leader in the Assembly is so ready to impeach, but a Republican President is given a blank check to wage a war of aggression in Iraq, torture prisoners,and abridge our citizens' rights to privacy and no one challenges that with impeachment! Which is ultimately more damaging to us as citizens and our county? Spitzer's indiscretions or Bush's attack on our constitutional rights and international law? The actions of Bush/Cheney will have more long range negative consequences than the Spitzer scandal that will fall off the front page in short order.

tom  03/13/2008 05:50 AM Report

Couldn't they have put a women on the panel. listening to then talking about mens sexual desires was a little to much like young boys talking about their first time. They were a little to dismissive of the crime ,it's not a victims crime or else Eliot Spitzer himself would not have increased jail time for a man who took the services of a prostitute from 3 months to a year.

MaryFran  03/12/2008 11:58 PM Report

Can we not spare a modicum of pity for Eliot Spitzer? And some compassion for his family? We might speculate till the end of the world on why talented and otherwise principled men risk all in dubious sexual encounters. But could the answer just be as simple as the John Hiatt song, "Little Head" -- "the little head does the thinking..."?

AKP  03/12/2008 08:08 PM Report

No one pointed out that as a Governor and as an Attorney General (this may have been going on back then too), he is supposed to uphold the law.

On what grounds can he go after busting prostitution rings if he is himself indulging in it?

Does he not open himself to blackmail if he was discovered bu unscrupulous parties?

It is best for him, the office of the Governor, and the Democratic party that he resigned.

tevo durham  03/12/2008 05:12 PM Report

To FERDINAND who wrote: " let he who is without sin cast the first stone"---------------- Spitzer made a career out of casting stones when he was not only With sin, but taking her across state lines for $5000.

-----------------------

TO ALL the ' GET A WOMAN AT THE TABLE' requests...for what exactly? Every single guy there made it clear that they thought Spitzer was deranged and destructive. Is there a woman out there who believes differently? Man or woman, pro legalizing prostitution or not, Everyone is against cheating,breaking the law and being a reckless public servant. Gender not required..being human, yes. There was- as always- alot of humanity at the table.

Thrilled he resigned...

Carol  03/12/2008 03:47 PM Report

Yep, have to agree that it was really bad judgement on your part not to have a woman on that panel (at least for balance). Mark and Alan were not the best of choices since they tried to take the issue in a whole other direction. I do hope Brian feels better.

MotherLodeBeth  03/12/2008 02:01 PM Report

No woman could be found to share her input into a subject that effects women so deeply? And the Governor is a hypocrite because he went after people for breaking the same laws he seems to have broken. Not to mention he seems to have broken Federal laws by transporting a human across state lines for sex. And who knows where the money he used came from. Was it government funds via an expense account? Guess we are supposed to ignore the fact the man broke the law. The guests seem to be the 'boys will be boys' types.

MotherLodeBeth  03/12/2008 02:01 PM Report

No woman could be found to share her input into a subject that effects women so deeply? And the Governor is a hypocrite because he went after people for breaking the same laws he seems to have broken. Not to mention he seems to have broken Federal laws by transporting a human across state lines for sex. And who knows where the money he used came from. Was it government funds via an expense account? Guess we are supposed to ignore the fact the man broke the law. The guests seem to be the 'boys will be boys' types.

Ann Roberts  03/12/2008 01:12 PM Report

This appeared to be a stacked deck to defend the bad behavior of NY's highest elected official. How could it be justified when he prosectued others and sent them to jail for the same thing? He's a man who was born with all the privileges--money, ivy league education, loving family--and yet he debased it all by behaving in this way. Get a balanced panel Charle, or you may have to collect PR fees from Spitzer.

Caroline  03/12/2008 12:53 PM Report

Mr Rose - I am in full agreement with several other comments here. Your producer COULD NOT FIND ONE WOMAN to comment on this issue? It was ridiculous to see a table of rich, old, white guys defending, er, I mean, talking about infidelity.

What a disappointment.

Mike  03/12/2008 12:29 PM Report

The panelist all seemed to want to ignore the fact that Mr Spitzer apparently broke both Federal and State laws. He didn't have a bad day. It was consistent behavior. But what's the harm, they seem to say? They're harmless, little, laws. No big deal. If the chief executive of New York can break "little laws" then I'm sure the panelists would agree that the state worker who occasionally takes five bucks under the table to get someone a driver's license should carry on. After all, it's just five bucks. And certainly the judge who takes a couple hundred bucks once in a while is no big deal. I mean come on, the driver license guy is getting his. Oh, wait that's corruption. That's different. Oh. Well, then please have a show where your panelists select the laws public officials are to follow and which ones they can ignore so we can all be on the same page.

Ellen  03/12/2008 11:53 AM Report

If prostitution were legalized and controlled as it should be, this would be a non-story. Prostitution is known as "the oldest profession" for a reason. It won't go away as long as demand dictates supply. Illegality simply encourages exploitation by the unscrupulous. I feel sympathy for the Spitzer family, but I also feel sympathy for the man who was driven by what seems to be a personality disorder that begs for therapy. I hope he gets it.

Ferdinand Gajewski  03/12/2008 10:49 AM Report

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

jami  03/12/2008 10:30 AM Report

i thought it was irritating that you had 5 MEN talking about the Spitzer scandel. Why not get a WOMAN's perspective? It seemed as if your panel was agreeing that what a person holds as moral values in ther public life is different than what they should hold in their private life; that the two aren't to be combined. the fact is, a person is WHOLE--they do not separate themselves. Obviously if they think it's OK to do something not only illegal, but demeaning to women, then why would I ever trust their ethics in public? The men on your show last night have some twisted ideas of ethics. I agree completely with the above comment made by John McMillan.

And this also made me notice the numerous men on your show. get some female perspectives, or lose your female audience.

Joe in Lexington  03/12/2008 09:46 AM Report

Mark Green made several gratuitous, irrelevant and erroneous insults at George Bush and Dick Cheney. They did not pertain to the topic being discussed. I watch "Charlie Rose" for intellectual discussion of serious topics. If he lets the guests resort to crude insults instead of insightful conversation, then there is no reason to watch. Mark Green should also realize that by engaging in crude behavior, I am less likely to adopt his point of view. The other guests did a good job of discussing the topic.

John McMillan  03/12/2008 04:06 AM Report

Right on Nancy. I normally appreciate the interviews on this show but after 40 minutes had to turn it off. 5 wealthy old white guys defending a governor spending taxpayer money on high priced prostitutes. I was hoping for some debate and all I saw was people reaffirming the actions of this sick guy. Where was the point that this guy is a criminal? "America is so sexually conservative" Having a consensual affair is not the same as soliciting an unknown prostitute, and nobody on the panel or Charlie seemed to recognize the difference. If anybody on that panel had a daughter who was a prostitute I'm sure they'd be singing a different song, it doesn't matter if they lived in Amsterdam or the U.S. An affair with someone known is arguably immoral albeit private, paying for a stranger to be delivered for sex is undeniably criminal in this country. This show completely missed the point, unless the point was that prostitution should be legalized.

tevo durham  03/12/2008 03:59 AM Report

to charlie on "why?" it looks like addict behavior to me - a bright -even brilliant- person can do very stupid things when "owned" by vice.----------------------------

every point made at the table showed true dedication to resolving the issue of misconduct by a public servant, dershowitz' belief that it'smore than pure investigation sounds likely . somebody high up would have to green light screwing Spitzer over - simply because the daycrew wouldn't have the "brass" to spear such a big fish ( btw i dislike spitzer , but as a ny taxpayer i care about overzealous prosecution). Boies and Margolick are two of my favorite guests and For Once i find myself opposing their belief: that Eliot Spitzer will resign...I just don't feel that. those two gentlemen are so likeable and trustworthy that I suspect their very decency and sound-ness is what will prove them mistaken abt Spitzer..he Should step down, but how does a voracious old dog learn Not to do a tantilizing new york trick ? --------------------------------

his lust for power will be sated the same way as his craving for lust: at an unbearably steep price to all.

Keith  03/12/2008 03:55 AM Report

Mark Green added nothing to the show about Elliott Spitzer this evening. I am sure his Bio probably lead you to believe he would. Dragging out inferences about Bush at every opportunity and bringing up a baseless conspiracy theory that all the other guests backed away from was useless. Hate or love Bush it did not fit. It took away from the other guests. Don't have Mr. Green back again. I am not a fan of the current administration, but I prefer a relevant and lively conversation that eloquently stays on topic like the other guests did.

Robert Pawelski  03/12/2008 03:54 AM Report

Charlie,

I was so glad to see your show tonight on Eliot Spitzer. But I would urge you to dig deeper into this story. When I first heard the story, I said: "Something's not right here"

From the first time I saw him, I knew he was someone I would easily dislike. But I sure loved the way he kicked corporate ass.

Ol' Eliot kicked some pretty wealthy and powerful people in the teeth.

I have no doubt he and the lady had a special relationship. I have no doubt she convinced him of that. Perhaps they knew each other from a prior bust. I also have no doubt that those he brought down would and could exact insideous retribution.

It would cost "them" pocket change to set up a call girl outfit, find a cutie who was ticked off because Eliot put her out of work awhile back. Lure him in, redirect the IRS, mix in some political distain and Bernie and the boys have a good laugh.

Eliot's not going to say "they made me do it" and he did walk into this setup on his own.

My concern is not this rich mans version of a wedgie. It's what "they" do when they put their mind and money to it.

Anthony M Dambrosi  03/12/2008 03:35 AM Report

I saw most talking sense about Spitzer's chances, which considering the corrosive atmosphere railroading Governors of the opposition party into jail, are pretty dim as the now jailed former Governor of Alabama can attest. I also seem to see David Margolick appear only when there is something sleazy happening in the body politic. I guess he brings back such warm memories of the Clinton WH and the cottage industry perpetuating itself on right wing paranoia that I'm inclined to say Ah here we go again. The bottom line is this: his private parts, his private life and his personal money are his business. His family will suffer the results of his ignorance but will really weep over the treatment they'll get at the hands of the media hacks. So I weep because we lose another human who had the balls to tilt at windmills for the working stiffs that got robbed by the 21st Century Barons who believe they are above..No Are the Law.

AJ Stevens  03/12/2008 01:07 AM Report

Greetings fellow mental defective mind controlled zombies. As is true of most proles,

I rejoice whenever any of the king-high muck-a-mucks such as Elliot Spitzar runs into trrouble.

However, he has earned some respect by having been instrumental in the ceremonial hanging

of several other high-ranking members of his criminal class (and like them he knew well in advance

that that their collatoral for loans was basically toilet paper).

I would conjecture that an explanation of his conduct might very well have to do with a very personal,

painfull fibroid condition that is being suffered by his wife that makes normal conjugal sex impossible.

She loves her husband and may vey well sanction his infidelity,and it is said that it is best to do an

equipment check now and then.

For anyone who has anti-union predjudicice, you might focus on the banker and broker union that heavily

rewards the punishment of average folks like you with a golden parachute for the perpetraitors. People

such as the leaders of Citicorp and Merrill Lynch and thousands of other CEO types are implicated.

Run a going concern into the ground, and you score $100 million or more, it is policy.

Nancy Scarborough  03/11/2008 11:32 PM Report

What a spin on the Governor! Turning him into a victim is what I expected of your panel. The real victims are his wife, children, extended family and the law-abiding citizens of New York. No wonder our country is in such dire straits.

Thank you