Should Trey Radel resign?

[swamp]

After his arrest for purchasing cocaine, he now says he is an alcoholic and made a bad choice.

Should he resign?

[Jaguar]

Oh geez another one, is there a special on idiots going around. I'm dealing with the Ford crap.

Here is a link on Trey Radel:

www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/21/florida-representative-trey-radel-cocaine-congress

[whoisjohngalt]

I don't see why he would have to resign.

We don't really expect our leaders to have any morals or high values or anything.   So, what's the problem?

[Jaguar]

Well I was holding them to a better standard, but I gave up on that; reality set in.

[mmhmm]

Nov 21, 2013 13:14:15 GMT -5 swamp said:

After his arrest for purchasing cocaine, he now says he is an alcoholic and made a bad choice.

Should he resign?

I believe he should.  At this point in time, he's admitted to being impaired.  If, at some future time, he finds he's pulled himself together and is no longer choosing alcohol, or cocaine over his responsibilities, perhaps he could be considered capable of representing others.  Right now, he's just not, IMO, and it would show decency and honor, on his part, to simply say so and resign.

[NancysSummerSip]

Well, if both sides agree, he and Rob Ford can be rehab roomies at a nice, cozy, country club-type place somewhere.

[billisonboard]

Should the people of Florida's 19th congressional district be left without representation for an extended period of time?

[NancysSummerSip]

Nov 21, 2013 14:22:59 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Should the people of Florida's 19th congressional district be left without representation for an extended period of time?

Well given that he was snorting and swigging, it seems like the district was without the representation they voted for anyway. A representative can be appointed until a special election is held; I realize you cannot just throw together an election for next week.

[Deleted]

another potential job opening I can apply for!

doesn't seem quite as fun as the Toronto gig, but I can make the best of it

[mmhmm]

Nov 21, 2013 14:22:59 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Should the people of Florida's 19th congressional district be left without representation for an extended period of time?

As Nancy says, an interim representative can be appointed until an election can be arranged ... just as would be done should someone die in office, or become too ill to fulfill his/her duties.

[swamp]

I'm torn on this one.

He hid his alcoholism and drug issues from the electorate, but I also find it hard to believe anyone can hide them that well in these days of twitter, fb, instagram, etc.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2013 13:14:15 GMT -5 swamp said:

After his arrest for purchasing cocaine, he now says he is an alcoholic and made a bad choice.

Should he resign?

Will you pay attention! He needs to hold multiple press conferances, sue everyone he ever worked with, start brawls in chambers and do the talk show circuit! Or is that just a Canadian thing?

[Tennesseer]

I don't know if he should resign, but he should probably abstain from voting on any future legislation regarding drug use by others.

"WASHINGTON -- In September, Rep. Trey Radel voted for Republican legislation that would allow states to make food stamp recipients pee in cups to prove they're not on drugs. In October, police busted the Florida Republican on a charge of cocaine possession."

Trey Radel, Busted On Cocaine Charge, Voted For Drug Testing Food Stamp Recipients

[swamp]

Nov 21, 2013 15:36:29 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I don't know if he should resign, but he should probably abstain from voting on any future legislation regarding drug use by others.

"WASHINGTON -- In September, Rep. Trey Radel voted for Republican legislation that would allow states to make food stamp recipients pee in cups to prove they're not on drugs. In October, police busted the Florida Republican on a charge of cocaine possession."

Trey Radel, Busted On Cocaine Charge, Voted For Drug Testing Food Stamp Recipients

And that is the republican hypocrisy that I've come to know and love!

[billisonboard]

Nov 21, 2013 14:32:12 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Nov 21, 2013 14:22:59 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Should the people of Florida's 19th congressional district be left without representation for an extended period of time?

Well given that he was snorting and swigging, it seems like the district was without the representation they voted for anyway. A representative can be appointed until a special election is held; I realize you cannot just throw together an election for next week.

Nov 21, 2013 14:59:30 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Nov 21, 2013 14:22:59 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Should the people of Florida's 19th congressional district be left without representation for an extended period of time?

As Nancy says, an interim representative can be appointed until an election can be arranged ... just as would be done should someone die in office, or become too ill to fulfill his/her duties.

I coulda/shoulda been more clear. What I meant to suggest is a re-framing of the question asked in the title by making it an issue of representation not a judgement on his actions. I should have done a little research first however. There does not appear to be a procedure in which "an interim representative can be appointed".

"When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies." -- Article I, Section 2, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution
usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/blvacancies.htm

Some more information for Florida specific:

The dates fixed for qualifying shall allow a minimum of 14 days between the last day of qualifying and the special primary election. ... The dates fixed by the Governor shall be specific days certain and shall not be established by the happening of a condition or stated in the alternative. The dates fixed shall provide a minimum of 2 weeks between each election. www.leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0100/0100.html

With the 2 weeks standard established above, it seems like a two week filing period from announcing the opening/election dates to the last day of qualifying would be reasonable. So about a six week minimum from resignation to new person elected (add at least a day before to get dates established and a few days after to certify the election). How long is a reasonable treatment period in which he would be on his announced "leave of absence"? Seems eight weeks (2 months) would be about a wash. Any longer than that and it would be reasonable to question if he is leaving those in the district unrepresented for an inappropriate length of time.

[NancysSummerSip]

Interesting points, Bill. Isn't inpatient treatment usually 30 days? He could theoretically be treated as an outpatient, or as a weekend inpatient - work Monday through Friday and go for inpatient treatment on the weekends - but if he has a legit problem with drugs/alcohol, I don't see the outpatient/ sort-of inpatient thing working, either to actually help him or re-establish any credibility.

[swamp]

Nov 21, 2013 16:14:26 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Interesting points, Bill. Isn't inpatient treatment usually 30 days? He could theoretically be treated as an outpatient, or as a weekend inpatient - work Monday through Friday and go for inpatient treatment on the weekends - but if he has a legit problem with drugs/alcohol, I don't see the outpatient/ sort-of inpatient thing working, either to actually help him or re-establish any credibility.

30 day treatments don't work.  they're more like a detox. 

[mmhmm]

If you look at the statistics, billis, treatment for alcoholism is rarely successful the first time it's tried.  When it's coupled with drug use, the odds go down.  If I were represented by this guy, I'd want him to do the right thing and step down.  He's not responsible to/for himself.  How in the heck can he be expected to be responsible for others?  Step away, Radel.  It's the right thing to do.

[billisonboard]

Nov 21, 2013 16:14:26 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Interesting points, Bill. Isn't inpatient treatment usually 30 days? He could theoretically be treated as an outpatient, or as a weekend inpatient - work Monday through Friday and go for inpatient treatment on the weekends - but if he has a legit problem with drugs/alcohol, I don't see the outpatient/ sort-of inpatient thing working, either to actually help him or re-establish any credibility.

Radel, 37, plans to start "intensive inpatient treatment" immediately. abcnews.go.com/Politics/florida-rep-trey-radel-leave-absence-cocaine-charge/story?id=20959897

[Jaguar]

So does it look like he is taking responsibility for his addictions ?

[billisonboard]

Nov 21, 2013 16:22:22 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

So does it look like he is taking responsibility for his addictions ?

His addictions are his and, at least to some degree, he does seem to be taking responsibility for them.

His duties to those who hired him to do a particular job are not something that I think he is taking responsibility for.

[Jaguar]

Nov 21, 2013 17:08:31 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Nov 21, 2013 16:22:22 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

So does it look like he is taking responsibility for his addictions ?

His addictions are his and, at least to some degree, he does seem to be taking responsibility for them.

His duties to those who hired him to do a particular job are not something that I think he is taking responsibility for.

Well politicians are crazy like that.

[mmhmm]

That's how I view it, as well, billis.  He says he's an alcoholic.  That's not something one "gets over", and it's rarely amenable to treatment in the first go-'round.  On top of that, he's been caught with cocaine.  I don't figure this is the first time he's had that, either.  People aren't usually caught their first time out.  Could be, but I doubt it.  If I were he, I think I'd realize I've got a long, hard battle ahead of me with my own demons.  I can't, at this point or in the near future, be responsible for the best interests of others.  I need to step away and let someone more able take over.

[swamp]

Nov 21, 2013 17:52:00 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

That's how I view it, as well, billis.  He says he's an alcoholic.  That's not something one "gets over", and it's rarely amenable to treatment in the first go-'round.  On top of that, he's been caught with cocaine.  I don't figure this is the first time he's had that, either.  People aren't usually caught their first time out.  Could be, but I doubt it.  If I were he, I think I'd realize I've got a long, hard battle ahead of me with my own demons.  I can't, at this point or in the near future, be responsible for the best interests of others.  I need to step away and let someone more able take over.

It was on the news before that a guy who had been arrested for coke possession told the cops Radel bought coke. So they set up a sting.  So there is at least 2 times. Sounds like this was a regular activity for him. 

[swamp]

Nov 21, 2013 16:22:22 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

So does it look like he is taking responsibility for his addictions ?

No, he's doing what everyone who gets caught does. 

[Tennesseer]

Nov 21, 2013 19:32:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

Nov 21, 2013 16:22:22 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

So does it look like he is taking responsibility for his addictions ?

No, he's doing what everyone who gets caught does. 

"I have turned over my life to Jesus."

[mmhmm]

Nov 21, 2013 19:32:23 GMT -5 swamp said:

Nov 21, 2013 17:52:00 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

That's how I view it, as well, billis.  He says he's an alcoholic.  That's not something one "gets over", and it's rarely amenable to treatment in the first go-'round.  On top of that, he's been caught with cocaine.  I don't figure this is the first time he's had that, either.  People aren't usually caught their first time out.  Could be, but I doubt it.  If I were he, I think I'd realize I've got a long, hard battle ahead of me with my own demons.  I can't, at this point or in the near future, be responsible for the best interests of others.  I need to step away and let someone more able take over.

It was on the news before that a guy who had been arrested for coke possession told the cops Radel bought coke. So they set up a sting.  So there is at least 2 times. Sounds like this was a regular activity for him. 

Thanks, swamp.  I hadn't read that, but I figured as much.  Who knows how long the guy's been escalating his addictions?  He's certainly not fit to hold public office, IMO.