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January 20, 2009

Why we must forgive Sam Adams

On this historic day of transformation and change in our country, Portland Mayor Sam Adams has asked our forgiveness. For what? For not telling the truth about a relationship he had:

I want to publicly acknowledge a mistake I have made and I want to apologize for it.

In the past, I have characterized my relationship with Beau Breedlove
as purely non-sexual. That is not true. Beau Breedlove and I had a
sexual relationship for a few months in the summer of 2005 after he
turned 18 years of age.

I should have been honest at the time about the true nature of my
relationship with Beau Breedlove when questions about my relationship
with him first surfaced publicly in October 2007. In fact, Beau
encouraged me to be honest about the facts of our relationship. I am
deeply sorry that I asked him to lie for me.

Follow me below for some snap thoughts on this, and why we must forgive Sam and give him the chance he has earned.

Sam's relationship with Breedlove is of no concern to me. His personal, private matters are none of my business. And it's not our business to debate a consenting relationship between two adults.

But he did lie. Now people are asking pretty loaded questions: is it okay? Does this ruin his political career? Should he resign?

No. Absolutely not. And a big hell no.

Sam made a mistake. We all make mistakes. The mistake was not in having a relationship with a younger man; it was not being forthcoming about it when asked.

And Kari Chisholm over at BlueOregon puts an interesting spin on it all (from the thread's comments):

Seriously, folks. Adams and Breedlove were both single and consenting adults. Once the media had established that, they should have dropped the story. It is entirely inappropriate to be discussing the sex lives of our political leaders - as long as we're talking about single consenting adults.

Adams probably should have said that in the first place - but the fact that he didn't tells you that he didn't trust the local media to drop the story once they determined that everyone involved was single and consenting.

I can't say I disagree with this, but we must move beyond it, to Sam's ideas and elective promise.

Sam was elected not on the basis of his sexual orientation - he was elected on his campaign promise, his idealistic vision, and on the belief that we all can work to make our Portland better. For education. For job growth. And for sustainability.

He has laid out a bold agenda, one which can do a world of good for our city.

Sam's Mayoral promise is still developing. We must give him a chance to lead this city, as his potential is so bright. And he has earned this chance independent from any private relationship he has had.

I know Sam personally. I count him a mentor and a good friend. Sure he made a mistake, but it would be a gigantic mistake on our part to cast him aside at this hour of hope and change. And it would be just as large a mistake to deny forgiveness to those who have asked for it so plainly.

Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to watch coverage of Barack Obama being sworn in as our next President.

Posted by Ben at January 20, 2009 09:35 AM