As long as we elevate stories like this to the top of the news cycle for days and weeks on end, we deserve whatever we get. When honest but fallible folks end up in situations where their pants are down around their ankles in public, hypocritical wingnuts will mount the pile of naked bodies to slither their way to the top of our political discourse. And I guaran-godamn-tee you the holier than thou slimeballs are invariably the ones who lead the charge to oust the Edwards' of our political culture. They pretend to hold their noses as they wriggle their way into the orgiastic pile of flesh, begging god to forgive them for getting so excited about doing the Lord's Work. They truly are the scummiest hypocrites ever to thrust their embarrassing little organs of corruption up our collective orifices. It may feel good but they scourge their flesh for days in repentance before searching out another avenue of righteous release. The Lord's Work never ends, but they are always up for another grapple with that ol' debil. It might feel really really really good, but they say the magic words after every orgasm and all is forgiven.

Well said, PL101.

I liked John and Elizabeth Edwards. I still do. John fucked up big time on a big stage and he's going to pay the consequences for it.

I enjoyed Justin's story about Rielle's background, but I was surprised by the variety of reactions from Salon readers to it.

Rielle, as presented by Justin, seems to be a like a lot of people I know. She did a lot of the same kind of stuff many of us have done (booze, drugs, parties, sex), then channeled her energies toward more creative and enlightening endeavors. One thing lead to another, then -- boom -- here we are reading and commenting.

I'm baffled by the fact that a good deal of the commentary here seems sanctimonious and oddly derisive. The hostility is hurled multi-directionally, aiming randomly at: John Edwards, Rielle Hunter, Justin Jouvenal, and even Salon itself.

Compared to the moral outrages and international crimes that have been committed by the Bush crime syndicate over the past seven and a half tortuous years, the Edwards/Hunter affair should be regarded as, at most, an inconsequential curiosity to those of us who aren't immediately involved in the situation.

Is that a recent photo? Rielle Hunter looks frozen in time, like maybe 1982. Let me guess -- I bet she's wearing Doc Martens with fishnet stockings!

It seems like a lot of people hate infidelity and take it personally when someone of Edwards's ilk screws up like this. It is really no one's business but Elizabeth Edwards. This will bring more pain to her than her chemo and diagnosis. Some things in life are very painful and this is one of them. Her ability to forgive and continue with her life is very admirable. Again, she is a strong woman and knows how she wants to spend her time on this planet. Judging her makes no sense. How many of us know what real death begins to feel/look when you know your destiny is short? We all know that everyday we die, but with the consumerism and religious frenzy in the USA, we somehow think that we will escape...Elizabeth Edwards knows she will not and her time is limited.

Why do other people throw up about errors in human behavior when they do not even know the people? We are an odd bunch!

I still like John Edwards. He is just a human with poor judgement and a great haircut. He ruined her political life, but he is still a father and husband. Also, I gave to his campaign...I don't care about my money going for his mistress...I have better things to think about...shouldn't we all?

America, get over yourself. Time is relentless.

Infidelity makes me ill. I don't care whether it's Joe or Jane Schmo or the dude who was a Presidential Candidate. Although decisions are made and mistakes happen, those of us that may find ourselves in these situations can either let it kill all that we are, or it make us stronger than we were. This man lost his direction, his moral compass seemed to stop working. That will be between his wife, family,and God on the moral standpoint. However, if it's found that campaign monies were re-directed to this woman, then it will be an issue on the legal standpoint too, and as well as it should. People have a right to privacy and what goes on in their life--however, if you're a public figure then this engenders a trust that you're fulfilling your obligations to city, state, and country first, not yourself...-- Public Service being all that you know. A crime it is not to get your bread buttered, but if you paid for it on the taxpayers/Contributors dime...Oh hell no! Aside from that, what I find absolutely distasteful, is that your wife is battling an incurable Cancer, and yet you would add this kind of pain and humilation to the list that she has to bear. For shame. For shame that your honor and integrity were so easily mislead. Also, was this the best that you could do? Frankly, "Rielle", is a bit scary looking. Sort of like a scarecrow on crack.

Rielle forgot the first and oldest rule about spiritual enlightenment:

Be careful what you wish for.

Sounds like she always wanted to be famous and if you want something bad enough, and you are persistent, you'll get it. That's why you have to be very specific. It's a story as old as Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.

This story pisses off many, but I have to admit, it makes me glad that the truth is out. The naivete of John Edwards in this situation is not a quality people should want in a POTUS. No matter what kind of midlife or personal crisis he may have been going through, they would be nothing to the potential crises a president may face. Now he's in a trick bag. Big statement about judgement.

It strikes me as different from the Clinton scandal, because Monica seemed more the naive one and Clinton remained in a posistion of power in the relationship. At least that's the way it seems from the little I remember of it.