Brian Clark, in his CopyBlogger article entitled, “How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ to create engaging content” suggests that things that happen in threes are somehow more effective. As a technique using humor, the Rule of Three renders a joke more memorable, more enjoyable, and somehow funnier.
Recently, disgraced Democratic politician, Anthony Weiner, was caught in his third sexting scandal. Contrary to Clark’s article, this revelation is neither memorable, enjoyable, nor funny.
When the news broke, it was accompanied by details and rumors about Weiner’s sexting ways, including that the woman he was sexting is a Trump supporter, and that Weiner had sent her a picture of himself in a state of undress while his child lay next to him. Because this was Weiner’s third sexting scandal in a row, the details aren’t important. What is important is the response and aftermath of the revelation.
In the wake of this scandal, Weiner and his wife, Huma Abedin‒who also happens to be the vice president of Clinton’s presidential campaign‒are separating. Though there have been considerable supportive responses, there have been a number of sexist responses, too, ranging from “It’s about time,” to “How could Huma have let this go on for so long?” While it’s no joking matter, the situation is quite funny, for two reasons: (1) it’s not a woman’s job to keep her husband in line and/or somehow “fix” him; and (2) the decision for a woman to leave her husband isn’t a simple one, especially when there’s a child involved.
One of the more astonishing comments on the situation was made by Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, himself, and involves Hillary Clinton. Says Trump, “I only worry for the country in that Hillary Clinton was careless and negligent in allowing Weiner to have such close proximity to highly classified information…Who knows what he learned and who he told? It’s just another example of Hillary Clinton’s bad judgment.”
The comment makes absolutely no sense. Anthony Weiner isn’t running for president, and his sexting scandal relates in no way to Clinton’s campaign. The accusation is far-reaching enough to rival even the most absurd of conspiracy theories.
To reiterate: Anthony Weiner’s sexting is not a campaign story, nor should it be associated in any way, shape, or form with the presidential race. Weiner’s only connection to Clinton is via Abedin, which, in and of itself, is nowhere near grounds for the accusation of “bad judgment” on Clinton’s part. The reason for this is because Abedin, Clinton’s right-hand woman, wife to one of the most public ex-politicians in the nation, has learned how to separate her personal and professional lives due to her role in the public spotlight.
It’s unfortunate that Weiner is in the news again, and for the same infraction as before, but Huma Abedin should not have to shoulder any blame for the scandal. Nor should Hillary Clinton. As for Weiner, who most likely believes he can get away with sexting and scandals‒he can’t. Let’s hope that by now he’s learned, three is not the charm.