It takes a thick-skinned individual to be an opinion columnist. “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin, a long-time writer for the Huffington Post, was apparently struck by some of the comments he received on his latest article.
The piece, titled “Anthony Weiner Is a Modern Human Being,” explores the idea that humans have a different means of connecting in today’s world.
“What I have offered on HuffPo is an explanation of, not an excuse for Weiner’s behavior. Big difference,” Baldwin tweeted shortly after his column was posted Thursday. Seeming to respond to HuffPo commentators, Baldwin published a follow-up tweet, “A lot, a real lot, of sanctimonious d-bags on HuffPo.”
Baldwin, who begins the piece with a brief intro on his friend who lived with minimal telephone usage and no Internet, argues that online relationships might have become the new high for some, as “[o]ne can push a button and get something beyond porn.”
“My thought on Weiner is that he is a very busy man,” Baldwin writes. “Like most, although not all, politicians, he probably spends a great deal of time going to meetings, raising campaign funds and seizing upon every opportunity to remind people of how great he is as a public servant and a human being. It’s exhausting.”
What Weiner needs, Baldwin argues, is a release.
“He exists under a constant pressure cooker of self-analysis and public appraisal,” writes Baldwin. “Like other politicians, he needs something to take the edge off. For some people, regardless of occupation, that could mean booze, drugs, gambling, food or shopping. For high functioning men like Weiner and other officials who have lived through such scandals, who are constantly on the go, that leaves one tried and true source of a reliable high. The affirmation that comes when someone lets you know they want to sleep with you. Or even cyber-sleep with you.”
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Though Baldwin got a positive reaction out of some, he took flak from many commentators.
“Yes, we all need to get moral lectures from Alec Baldwin. No thanks Alec, I’m sure you have your own issues to deal with,” wrote one user.
“Maybe I’m too old-fashioned. I want to be a modern guy. I think I’ll send my wiener to somebody tonight,” added another commentator.
One commentator didn’t seem to approve of justifying Weiner’s behavior, having written, “This is so typical. Excuse others bad (and creepy) behavior to appease ones own failings.”
An angry Twitter user chimed in, “I just unfollowed alec b. Now your retweeting him on my timeline:(RT @AlecBaldwin: A lot, a real lot, of sanctimonious d-bags on HuffPo.”
But Baldwin’s story seemed to have resonated with Twitter users, as one account tweeted, “Not gonna lie. This kinda got me hot. RT @AlecBaldwin Alec Baldwin.”
Conservative commentator Guy Benson seemed intrigued by the New York Democrat’s “d-bag” tweet, having written on his own Twitter page, “Fun! RT @andylevy RT @AlecBaldwin: A lot, a real lot, of sanctimonious d-bags on HuffPo.”
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