The "ethics" of a hypocrite

by: Scott Weingart

Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 09:58:55 PM EDT

All of the evidence so far indicates that the "No Civilians At Earle" campaign was the coordinated effort of Jennifer Beck's legislative and campaign offices.  The letter from the legislative office directs constituents to a campaign website.  The Beck, O'Scanlon and Casagrande campaign registered the domain on July 13, 2007; the letter from the legislative office was likewise dated July.  Furthermore, the text of the letter is essentially identical to the text on the website.  Beck asks constituents either to sign an online petition at the campaign website, or to sign a paper petition and send it to the legislative office.

There is already enough evidence against Beck to sustain a serious ethics complaint.  At this point, she can't get away with dismissing Karcher's complaint as "frivolous".  She needs to address the evidence and the substance of Karcher's complaint.  She owes the voters of the 12th district answers to a long list questions, some of which Karcher raised in her press releases.

But the most important question this incident raises is this: Does Assemblywoman Beck understand why it is unethical to use official resources for campaign purposes?  Either Jennifer Beck doesn't understand why political and legislative activities must remain separate, or she is a hypocrite who will campaign on ethics while campaigning unethically.

Either way, she's certainly not fit to legislate.