Well said. Let's not hound a good mayor out of office because of something that was never anyone's business to begin with.

Mr. Humphrey -

While I thank you for publishing an editorial in support of Mr. Adams, for the sake of intellectual consistency I must provide the following criticism:

On a number of other blogs, I've decried the use of web polls, phone-in polls, self-selected reader comments, etc., to come to a conclusion about the support for Mr. Adams.

So far, those blatantly unscientific methods have shown anti-Adams results, and have been touted by some (including mainstream publications) as some kind of evidence that Sam should step down.

Your interpretation of reader comments is that "our readers know better", that's fine as a personal feeling, but it's not valid as an empirical statement. It's not evidence of the level of public support for Sam. It's an assessment of the values of just your readers and new visitors who _chose_ to post.

So there, I've gone and criticized a pro-Sam editorial.

I hope that more _genuine_ polling is done in the field, so we can get an accurate _snapshot_ of public support.

Since the issue of "effectiveness" has been put out there as a reason to judge whether instant resignation is the remedy for Sam's problems, having real information about public sentiment helps us to better judge if he can still be "effective" as mayor. Otherwise, it's of little use except as a debating tool.

I'm glad to finally see a pro-Sam article from one of this city's papers/blogs. One point brought up at the rally last night was that if Sam stays, he is going to be giving 200% effort with everything he does for this city to make up for the disappointment he caused. No punishment should be required, I think that all the attention he is getting right now from the media is punishment enough for any human.

Thank god for the Mercury. While other publications were clambering over one another to throw the first stone, the Portland Mercury proved to be the only one to think this issue through.

Mr. Humphrey, obviously you can read and write. You are most likely proficient in basic math as well. How would you like to be Mayor Adams "point man" on improving education in Portland? Maybe you could start at $75.000 a year. Tom Miller does the hiring so it's totally legit.

Well said. I don't always pick up a Mercury, but I will now. It is good to know that at least one Portland newspaper is not being written by pious and arrogant journalists. Thank you for recognizing the community that you represent, rather than dictating how that community ought to feel.

"Even after the conniving lies, selfish behavior, and careers he came close to ruining—he’s still the best candidate on a policy level."

Are you f'ing kidding me....if in fact this is true we are really in a world of hurt.

I think the Mercury is right on this. Adams is the mayor of the Obama generation and we have high expectations for results. Let's get to work!

http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor_new/in… (100 day plan)

First of all, I would like to thank

*SAM ADAMS*

For giving us bloggers this present!
What blogging material!
I've never seen so many people responding on blogs to any other issue EVER!

So thank you SAM, I for one appreciate it.

Now, as far as I am concerned, I actually couldn't care less if Sam stays or goes.

He a nice enough guy, got some good ideas. No more perverted than anybody else I'm sure.

The real \"crime\" here is not the Breedlove affair, but the way that Sam handled himself during it.

You fell apart Sam, and for that, not the affair, you should resign.

But again, I wouldn't cry if Sam stayed on.

There are plenty of people out there that could be worse than Sam,

LIKE TOM POTTER for example."

I forgot to feel betrayed when someone I've never met had sex with another person I've never met and then told people I don't care about that it hadn't happened. Because really, it did, and bike lanes can go fuck themselves.

Just so long as they let the local media watch.

Well typed, Steve.

I live about fifteen feet from Harvey Milk's former doorstep and I have to say it can't help but influence my feelings about this whole mess.

I truly believe that in San Francisco, this would be a non-issue - a shrug of the shoulders - and I hope after all of this nunsense dies down, that Portland will feel and react the same way.

Anyway, I'm glad you spoke up.

Remember, this is a fight between the "red" and the "blue" Americans.

There are two different countries in America today, so far apart they appear to have nothing in common.

The fight between them gets vicious and mean.

The reason I am leaning for SAM TO STAY, is just to show the RED THEY CAN SHOVE IT!

Hear hear! I was starting to feel guilty about taking the week to actually think and have conversations before I came to my personal conclusion. After speaking with other smart journalists I'm glad I took the time instead of making a statement based on my knee-jerk reactions.

Oh, I think that Portland will get over it in time, but I'd still like to smack him one for being so stupid. If I were running for office or held a public office, I'd think that I was possibly being set up by an 17-18 year old and try not to fuck up my career.

And the name too! You can't write this stuff! It's like "and then in comes Vanessa McVagerson the busty young intern"....

Some people feel pissed that this is even in the news right now. I'm kind of embarrassed by it really, because I voted for him. We really need a good mayor right now, and although this isn't good, I can't think of anyone else that I'd rather fill the seat. (pardon the pun!)

Mercury circulation: about 41,651 as of June 08
"1500" protesters.

Comments were, what, averaging 10-15 per Adams post?

Portland population:
575,930

Craziness.

"One point brought up at the rally last night was that if Sam stays, he is going to be giving 200% effort with everything he does for this city to make up for the disappointment he caused."

This is preposterous. What evidence shows this? I could just as easily say if he stays the city will be awash in lawsuits by any number of interested parties. It could end up costing Portland vital business, jobs, LIVES because city hall is distracted by this issue for YEARS. Let's go and say that Adams has already harmed the city irreparably because we aren't working towards a better Portland right now. He's already missed several opportunities to meet with the public that were scheduled. He will never be the effective leader he was supposed to be after this moment. And THAT is who we voted for.

[quote]"Remember, this is a fight between the "red" and the "blue" Americans.

There are two different countries in America today, so far apart they appear to have nothing in common."[/quote]

Three. Independents/middle makes up an estimated 25-40% of most political markets. We swing *every* national election, and we always will. Don't color me any color.

[quote] are tags I will start to use because the merc doesn't support html or tags.

I have my problems with Sam and his policies but even I don’t think he should resign over this. If no laws were broken this city needs to let this whole thing slide and let him go back to doing what he does best: giving Portlanders more legitimate reason to regret electing him mayor. Bridge tolls anyone?

Thank you for taking the time to consider the situation and listen to the dialogues. The reactionary tabloid journalism displayed this week makes me sick, but this is a breath of fresh air. I'm offended by the Oregonian and Just Out for their haughty judgemental assumptions and holier-than-thou attitude. Portlanders are better than that!

NO NO MR

*3.SrIZgXIn-94wlXob+TM*mLQxO?qXv^53.CJPq8&n&9TxsQWuEHZC:YlqeLUD&S *

You gotta pick a side here.

Red or Blue.

I take blue although there are many issues I am red.

When forced to choose, I always choose the blue.

This whole thing smacks of RUSH LIMBAUGH or BILL O'REILLY.

I DON'T LIKE IT!

Sam needs to stay, just to stop these people in their tracks!

Al M

How's that working out for you? The government is still spying on us, will continue to spy on us, and just killed 21 people in a sovereign nation per your leader's directive. Blue is the new red.

"For now, our people have spoken—and they don’t give two shits about what any newspaper has to say. They can think for themselves. And they think Adams should stay."

This is completely contradictory to the point of an editorial created by a newspaper, and your own points about "it's commenters and readers" made within. You are trying to both make an endorsement, deny endorsements matter, tell us your readers have an important point, and also that your readers don't give two shits about what your newspaper says.

Perhaps next time wake up at 7 or 8 a.m. before throwing your support sleepy-eyed at your lying mayor.

Thank you, Mercury, for not fanning the flames of the current hysteria. By the way, let's take a poll HERE. How many of you respondents on this issue before us: a) live in the city of Portland, and b) actually voted in the primary in which Sam Adams was selected by the majority of voters? I don't care who you voted for, I just suspect, as evidenced by coverage in the Oregonian, that most of those 'visible' protesters who want Sam to resign don't even LIVE in Portland.

Let's take the 'sensationalism' and 'emotionality' out of it, and look at the basic issues. And then, let's let the Attorney General investigate, and go from there.

The only reason for the public to make 'demands' for things like 'resignation' are because those people just don't believe that democratic processes work. And those people who don't believe that democratic processes don't work, whether they be on the far political left or the far political right, probably don't even vote.

As the saying goes, "Consider the source".

Not that the Vanguard is some big media power or anything, but they also wrote an editorial in support of Sam yesterday:

http://www.dailyvanguard.com/editorial_may…

"Blue is the new red."

Point well taken.

HOWEVER, there are DIFFERENCES, at least on the surface.

For example, Obama pisses off the racists!

Just for that its worth it!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. God knows the Merc has pissed me off in the past (mainly for hating on vegans). But thank you so much for having our rightfully elected mayor's back. I will be so disappointed in Portland if we chase this man out of office. I was at the rally and have to say - if you can get 500 people to assemble in under a week at an inconvenient time just to tell a mayor to "stay", he's gotta be pretty well worth keeping.

Even though you took a few gratuitous snarky sideswipes at the mayor and were a little late to the party, waiting, I guess, until you witnessed the huge outpouring of support at the rally last night, you are still the first and only local newspaper editor to take a stand in favor of the mayor and I truly appreciate it. The bottom line here is of course Adams lied--he is a gentlemen who doesnt besmirch his lover's reputations or bore everyone by talking about his sex life in public when grilled by some ill-mannered and boorish dolt. Now unless someone is willing to swear under oath in a court of law that they were sitting on the edge of the bed and watching them, and Beau was under 18 at the time--there is absolutely nothing on Adams--this is a tempest in a teapot! Nearly 4 years later, both guys are still good buddies, have nothing but glowingly positive things to say about each other and both insist Beau was 18 years old at the time in question. How can anyone dispute it!? THEY CAN'T!! This is an unfortunate homophobic witch hunt by the local media and right wing bigots and some jealous members of the gay community. It will blow over in a couple of months. WE NEED SAM TO HELP OUR CITY IN THIS TUMULTUOUS TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY AND HE WILL STAY! We have no time to waste with all of this superfluous nonsense!

"live about fifteen feet from Harvey Milk's former doorstep and I have to say it can't help but influence my feelings about this whole mess."

When will people realize this has nothing to do with Sam being gay?! If Portlanders had major issues with that he wouldn't have swept the election...

I support letting Adams earning our trust. So, get back to work Adams.

@DLS 3.0

If you really think this isn't at least partly about Sam Adams' gay-ity then I really don't know what else to say.

In any case I was speaking more about the close minded prudery and the assumption that an effective leader can only be effective if he* is able to live up to some arbitrary set of moral standards. As I've stated before, it's a recipe for failure - a failure for the leader and a failure for the people he* leads.

*or she, obvs.

This is a giant flippin' waste of time. We have SO much to get done, and we're worried about a politician lying about sex with someone--LEGAL CONSENSUAL ADULT SEX? Weather you were jiggy with it or not is not at issue. He lied because he knew that the homophobic public would not be able to get around the age difference plus the image of a 40-something year old man with a young person. But it's okay when John McCain marries someone 18 years younger than he is, and then spends most of his time calling her the "c" word? For gad's sake, we had a president who was getting it on in the OVAL FRIGGIN' OFFICE! Seems to me the country was on an up-tick at the time. Happy chief executives apparently are really effective...

Seriously, people, we have better and vastly more important things to do that waste our time and energy on this BS. Yes, Sam screwed up. No he shouldn't have lied. Yes, if he broke a law, he should be held accountable. But do I trust him to do what's right for Portland? Absolutely. What he did in private has no bearing on how he'll be as a mayor. And unfortunately, having felt the need to ask staffers to back that lie is in my opinion more indicative of a public that still is completely repressed about sex than it is about this man's ability or inclination to tell the truth. One thing this whole mess will ensure is that the remainder of Adams' administration will be as transparent as as damn windshield from here on out.

And as Steven said, I have potholes I need fixed...

Damnit! I hate when I get whether/weather mixed up. Stoopit brain...

"a good mayor" - well, we don't know what kind of mayor he is. Although, I did build a time machine the other day and in fact, you are right. He is a great mayor, no, the best mayor in the history of mayors. So, you are right, let's not get all hooty over a good mayor just because he is a liar.

But really, since I am the only guy with a time machine I think that the rest of you should just do the sensible thing and cut your losses while this guy is an unknown.
The early signs are: the guy is a weasel. You give a guy like this a second chance if he is already proven good or great in the role he is in. So far, his #1 achievement is getting his name in the papers (around the world) for being a dirt bag. Yes, many of us find 45 year old men and 18 year old kids creepy.

I ask you, if Bill Clinton has pulled his shit in the opening days of his presidency would he have survived? NO - doi ralph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH7xZ_BXNsg video on Sam Adams Support Rally

I am Vic, and I approve of Humpy's message.

George W. Bush was elected in large part on the tide of sanctimony that followed the Lewinsky scandal. We trashed both Bill Clinton and Al Gore with that non-issue that the right clamped their teeth into as if it was a shit-covered shoe, and I'm not giving them Sam Adams' scalp too.

STAND BY YOUR SAM!

"For now, our people have spoken—and they don’t give two shits about what any newspaper has to say."

A few people mill around City Hall for a half an hour and "our people have spoken"? Um, no.

"When will people realize this has nothing to do with Sam being gay?! If Portlanders had major issues with that he wouldn't have swept the election..."

Yeah it does. Go introduce yourself to those anti-Sam protesters and tell me it doesn't have to do with Sam being gay. It certainly does for them.

If Sam steps down, will we have Sho Dozono in office by default? I hope not, because Sho really didn't have his shit together during his campaign.

Well said, except for the idiotic joke about gay youth.

wow.

"500-1500" people show up at city hall, and the people have spoken? at last check, that's less than one-tenth of one percent of the "people".

Like Obama said, the ground's shifted. people like Lauderdale claiming it's about sex apparently haven't got high standards for holders of Portland's highest public office--and a short, happy memory of Adams' actual "accomplishments."

let's be real. Adams has fought desperately to get his so-called dream job. he's trashed critics and walked over people for years. his reputation for arrogance and narcissism is just as well-known as his supposed record of "great policy".

and now, after admitting he lied to win the office, after paying assistants to get others to lie, after lying about mentoring, and doing all of this repeatedly and vehemently over the last two years...

all of this is outweighted by his "service"? it doesn't work that way, readers--it's not a scale. it's an expectation of the highest ethical standards for the highest local public office. you don't do all this nonsense, admit it under pressure, then simply move on. you move aside.

but of course, Adams is even now carefully, sneakily and strategically trying to figure out how he can claw and cling to power. count on him refusing to leave office--unless he's hiding something else.

"If you really think this isn't at least partly about Sam Adams' gay-ity then I really don't know what else to say."

And yet you keep blabbing on.

Look at this logically. 60% of the city elected him, knowing he takes it up the ass. They didn't care even when there was a rumor he may have slept with a boy. How could it be about being gay when it didn't really come up as a significant issue during the election that he was gay??

Not shocked that the Mercury does not know the difference between right and wrong.

Good for you, finally a voice of reason in the media that too oftens wants to be just like TMZ.

I find it amazing that of all the newspapers in this town (all of which have a better reputation than the Mercury), the Portland Mercury's Wm. Humphrey has the only lucid, rational and sane editorial out there. This is truly frightening and I take it as further proof of the coming apocalypse.

"Not shocked that the Mercury does not know the difference between right and wrong."

Plenty of us can recognize right and wrong. It was wrong of Sam to lie. It was wrong of Sam to ask others to lie.

But it is also OK to recognize the circumstances that led up to that, the totality of Sam's record, and subjectively as individuals decide whether or not to forgive.

Immediate resignation is not the only remedy. I'm willing to forgive Sam and see how things work out.

Just as some folks don't like to have their criticism of Sam's lying mixed up with those who are making prudish sex-related criticisms, those of us who are willing to forgive don't like to have our morality and values questioned just because critics don't like the fact that we're willing to give Sam a chance.

"I'm willing to forgive Sam and see how things work out."

I was willing to elect him and "see how things work out".

this is how they worked out.

"those of us who are willing to forgive don't like to have our morality and values questioned just because critics don't like the fact that we're willing to give Sam a chance."

i'll let you pause and consider the difference between morality, ethics, and Sam's sex life. because so far, it looks as if you haven't a clue.

"i'll let you pause and consider the difference between morality, ethics, and Sam's sex life. because so far, it looks as if you haven't a clue."

Thanks for illustrating my point.

"Thanks for illustrating my point."

funny thing is, that's what I was thinking about your prolific posts here. but--nice try at the high ground. better luck next mayor.

Wm. Steven Humphrey, you are amazing. I knew there was a good reason why the Merc. is my favorite local publication.

If it's not at all about gayness why are the "mainstream" article threads on this dominated by blatant homophobes? (Oregonlive, etc.) No wonder he didn't want to say what happened.

If it's about lies and not sex why did the sex ever come up- I'd not tell the truth about private matters either as it's none of the papers' business. Regardless of how Sam handled it, this only happened because the American media always makes politics about private sex lives. And that's what it comes down to for me. I refuse to have that f up our politics any more via unecessary resignations or recalls or whatever.

And boy I am sure in agreement with people on here complaining about how maddening it is to have right-wing scum at Oregonlive and elsewhere tell you your a bad person with no morals if you can move beyond this and let Sam stay. And I'm so sick of these same scum saying gays have to oppose Sam to "prove" gays can be "good" as if its our fault that they think we're not.
(Again, not about gayness at all? Come back to reality 3.SrIZgXIn-94wlXob+TM*mLQxO?qXv^53.CJPq8&n&9TxsQWuEHZC:YlqeLUD&S. And get an earthling name while you're at it.)

You people are mostly delusional. Oregon deserves better than this. Adams should be run out of town along with most of you Californian hippies.

As for you Mr. Humphrey, I'm sure if you gave your analysis a good hard look you would understand why your paper is budget.

Guess what? I voted for Sam. I ignored the stupid sex rumors. I doubled my efforts for his campaign when the sex crap initially came out.
My mom was gay. I grew up in a gay household. I was molested by a man over 40 when I was 8. (And strangely I'm not all that bitter about it.) Am I bitter about gay rights? No. I have a fucking equals sign on my car and I love everything about gay people and their fight. But I do NOT want this man mayor, because he has tainted (sorry, hard to avoid, sorry again,) gay rights for many years.

If he stays mayor, I truly believe this will SET BACK gay rights for many years. There will always be questions as to Beau's age when Sam plugged him. ALWAYS. And we don't want those questions to shadow his administration.

I am heartbroken, because I was motherfucking HONORED to live in a city of this size that elected an openly gay mayor. I thought that was awesome. But I want the old Sam, the ideal mayor who was fairly kick-ass in getting those progressive policies passed. Not the new sam, who will be dogged by allegations of lying EVERY STEP of the future. Trust me, when he says he fought for hypothetical bike lanes on Hawthorne, but couldn't get them, people will question him. They simply will not trust him. I want integrity in this city, first, and I will NOT STAND for a man who breached my trust to get elected. Blue, red, independent or otherwise.

Can you imagine if all voters did not elect scumbags who lied? It would scare the shit out of people, and they wouldn't make dumb mistakes like this. Sam simply had to keep his mouth shut like every other INTELLIGENT politician when it comes to sex, straight, gay, animal or otherwise.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.s…

OK. It's over. Nice playing games with you folks. Adams will be out of office within two months.

How amusing that we played this little game.

I've said it before and will say it again. Many of you would also of had me if you had the chance, given I had passed the age of consent.

I'm not dating Sam nor ever did.. why should I feel betrayed? He's my representative, not my lover. Get back to work Sam!

Thank you, Tribune, for covering this point of view.

I feel terrybly for Sam. This story should have never made media. Regardless, here we are, and it has become an opportunity to discuss attitudes toward sex, politics and privacy!

Please stay, Sam. You have my support.

Thank you, Mercury, for covering this point of view.

I feel terribly for Sam. This story should have never made media. Regardless, here we are, and it has become an opportunity to discuss attitudes toward sex, politics and privacy!

Please stay, Sam. You have my support.

THE TRAGIC, BUT PREDICTABLE, SAGA OF SAM ADAMS

But first, I am not a historian, per se, and I’m not a doctor, or a lawyer, nor have I ever played one on tv, but, I can read and historically homosexuals, and other sexual deviants, have shown themselves to be very dangerously flawed critters. Of course they pretend to be nice, sweet, caring people... until they get POWER.

Check out the entire line of Roman Emperors, and especially the well documented history of Tiberius and Caligula: Sexual deviants with a penchant for mass murder.

How is it that every tyrant throughout history was/is a homosexual or afflicted with some other horrific form of sexual deviancy? Oh, but if I am factually wrong on any of this, please correct me.

It would seem that the mental aberration that causes such deviancy short circuits the ability to think and act as an honest, rational, human being. Like true narcissistic sociopaths, they seem to 'mimic' normal, rational, caring, human behavior as both a disguise and as bait to lure victims, such as in phony 'mentoring' (recruiting). Lying seems to be 'hard wired' as part of the lure, shield, and sword mechanism of the sexual deviant’s personality. Oh, but if I am factually wrong on any of this, please correct me.

In studying such things, it also seems that the most insidious part of the homosexual disorder is their pathological lust for absolute power over other people, and so many other homosexuals willing to be their slaves. Oh, but if I am factually wrong on any of this, please correct me.

The more contemporary and extreme examples of this insidious trait, in action, was demonstrated by the homosexuals comprising the top echelons of the Bolsheviks and Nazi's. The Nazi's did not single out homosexuals for extermination. The top Nazi's WERE homosexuals, lesbians, pedophiles, and those having other sexual deviancy disorders. But the Bolsheviks (our allies against the Nazis) were the deadliest of all. Remember what that crazier-than-a-sh*thouse rat Bolshevik Pol Pot did to the innocent people of Cambodia in the 70's? Oh, but if I am factually wrong on any of this, please correct me.

But, to the subject of Sam Adams: Sam Adams, by his own actions, he apparently craves power over other people; craves secrecy; lies to cover his tracks; lies about his actions simply because he knows they are wrong - but he does them anyway.

Forget for a moment that Sam Adams is 'openly homosexual.' That, in and of itself, is not a crime.
Lying to the people so he can be elected to public office is a crime.

It should now be clear to a larger number of people that Sam Adams craves high public office for the same reasons a hungry lion will hang out at the watering hole at dusk: That's where the prey is! (A mayor can do a lot of "mentoring" – do a little research on the "pool parties" thrown by Emperor Tiberius)

Sam Adams has confessed that he cannot be trusted. He is not “trustworthy! He has confessed to being a liar, a fraud.

In my irrelevant, humble, biased, and worthless opinion, such a terribly flawed personality cannot be trusted to be the mayor of Portland or hold any other public office of trust. “falsus in unum, falsus in omnibus” (False in one thing, false in everything!)
Oh, but if I am factually wrong on any of this, please do correct me with the facts.

the Mayor of Portland, making out with an underage teen in the men's room of City Hall.

brilliant. ethical. true leadership.

Obama leads. Adams, like an immature adolescent, holes up at home, exchanging text messages and talking to "stakeholders" on the phone. and is too afraid to show up for work.

for god's sake. *this* is courageous and ethical leadership? *this* is the kind of leader you want to picket for at City Hall and sing "Amazing Grace" with Storm Large?

but hey, let's just forget it and move on, shall we?

Thank you, Mercury, for being a fair representation of the people. I am tired of hearing other people's opinions about this issue, who are from other parts of the state or country and are only seeing the issue in black and white. Nobody has listened to us, the people, the people that voted for him, the people that live in this city. I despise the fact that for the past week I have been hearing nothing but journalistic knee-jerking trying to tell us what we should do with our politics. Thank you for taking the time to actually listen and respond accordingly.

I was at the support rally. It was amazing.

to sign a petition to the local media asking them to take a step back from their witch hunt..

http://www.petitiononline.com/SamAdams/

In just about every facet of our society there are clear ethical rules that recognize that it is an abuse of power for mentors to have relationships with those entrusted to them -- teachers are fired, therapists lose their license, clergy are no longer clergy. What Adams did was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. He did it clearly while acting in his role as a representative of our city. So, yes, it is our business.

I didn't expect to agree with your editorial, but I guess I do. There is no one ready to fill his role and there is much to be done. But he needs to be taken to task in some way. And he needs to be replaced as soon as we can smoothly and effectively do so.

I am not a resident of Portland, and I do understand the sense of betrayal many Portland residents must be feeling, but I agree with this article. Sam Adams had a relationship with an 18 year old man, which is controversial, but really just LEGAL and CONSENSUAL sex. Beau DID NOT WORK for Adams, and he was an adult at the time of the relations. I don't see anything illegal about Adams' actions. He lied about it, but how many politicians have lied about sexual relations, or much worse? I'm not justifying his actions, I am just being pragmatic. He shouldn't have lied, but I'm sure we can all understand WHY he denied the affair. Homophobia is alive and well in this country, and even though it has been made clear that the relations were legal, no one seems to care. Several media sources have claimed that Beau was 17 at the time, and have implied that Sam Adams took advantage of a "young boy" who should not have been in that kind of situation, which is not true (HE WAS EIGHTEEN, people, get it right) and incredibly misleading. These kinds of "mistakes" and generalities fan the flames, and twist facts into sensational declarations. Suddenly Sam Adams is a devious pedophile and/or sleaze, instead of a man who had sex with a younger man and lied about it to shield himself and Beau from the barrage of outrage and speculation that they are experiencing right now. He was wrong to lie, but the deed itself was not wrong. Like I said, I do not live in Portland so I do not have a first-hand experience with this situation or Sam Adams. But I think that, considering the enormous scale of our country's issues and the fact that Sam Adams didn't technically break the law at any point, he should stay in office and get to work.