Today we consider the world of the defiant, belligerent resignation, and an accompanying sideshow or two.
The resignation reference is to disgraced Democrat politician Eric Swalwell and disgraced NFL reporter Dianna Russini, both of whom were in the news with resignations this week. Swalwell had a BOGO, first pulling out (pun intended) from the California governor’s race, then resigning his (hot) seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Russini resigned, under fire, from the New York Times sports production named The Athletic.
Both resignations centered on inappropriate relationships. With Swalwell, it escalated to allegations of sexual assault. With Russini, it appeared to be consensual activity, which she denies regardless.
What Russini is alleged to have done is not illegal, but it violates the spirit of journalistic ethics, admittedly a rapidly diminishing category. Simply put, Russini stands accused of being a married woman carrying on with a married man (not married to each other, by the way) and said man just happened to be NFL coach Mike Vrabel and a subject of Russini stories.
Pictures of Russini lounging with Vrabel at an adults-only Arizona resort, including holding hands and dancing on a private rooftop patio, were published and the denials began.
In some ways, Russini appears to be like Swalwell in that each thought fame and position insulated them from the rules.
Both chose the defiant resignation route in an effort to stop the bleeding.
Swalwell’s resignation statement was a steaming pile of contradiction. He began by saying he was sorry to family, staff and constituents, but then launched into calling the allegations false, before again lapsing into the apologetic mode.
Before he was done, Swalwell lamented being tried in the court of public opinion, a delicious irony in view of how in the past he had rushed to any available microphone to pass judgment on President Trump and other Republicans.
It was amusing to see the figurative rats deserting the Swalwell ship. The silence of Hollywood loudmouth Swalwell donors, including Robert DeNiro, Jon Hamm, Sean Penn, Kathy Griffin, Jon Cryer and Rob Reiner has been deafening. OK, give Reiner a pass since he is dead, allegedly at the hands of his own son.
And then there was Democrat godmother Nancy Pelosi, denying having any knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged sexual misconduct. “None whatsoever,” she insisted, repeatedly.
Note, Pelosi didn’t seem to deny knowing Swalwell was of questionable character with the ladies, only that she was unaware of serious stuff such as possible rapes and druggings of women.
But, as pointed out in an article by prolific legal scholar Jonathan Turley, Pelosi had backed Swalwell to the max back when he was accused of sleeping with an alleged Chinese spy Fang Fang (we call her U Bangh Mi).
At the time, Pelosi stated, “I don’t have any concern about Mr. Swalwell.”
And, when Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy had looked to have Swalwell removed from the intelligence committee, again Pelosi was right there to prop up her Swalwell attack dog stooge.
Pelosi’s hands might be clean in a very narrow sense, but it’s hard to believe she never had any doubts about Swalwell’s character.
As for Russini, her resignation statement was an exercise in indignation, including this: “Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now – before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Memo to Russini, it already has defined you and your career.
In a vague, but perhaps telling statement from a spokesman for The Athletic, a reference was made to the investigation, noting “As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”
Possible translation: We learned this was not an isolated incident.
But, Swalwell and Russini left the stage claiming the moral high ground, as absurd as that would seem. I doubt either story is anywhere close to being finished.
Sam Ross Jr's site 