Site Navigation

News Sections

Your Account

Related Links

Display Options

The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

Sam Adams Apology

Sam Adams writes "January 19, 2009

I want to publicly acknowledge a mistake I have made and I want to apologize for it.

In the past, I have characterized my relationship with Beau Breedlove as purely non-sexual. That is not true. Beau Breedlove and I had a sexual relationship for a few months in the summer of 2005 after he turned 18 years of age.

I should have been honest at the time about the true nature of my relationship with Beau Breedlove when questions about my relationship with him first surfaced publicly in October 2007. In fact, Beau encouraged me to be honest about the facts of our relationship. I am deeply sorry that I asked him to lie for me.

I lied at the time because I was afraid that people would believe untrue rumors, being circulated by an undeclared mayoral opponent, that I had broken a law involving sexual relations with a minor. But this is not a good excuse.

Until today, with the exception of Beau, I have not discussed with anyone the true nature of my relationship with him: not with my colleagues, staff, friends or family.

I apologize to Beau for asking him to lie for me. I apologize to my colleagues for my poor handling of this matter. I apologize to the people of Portland for my dishonesty. I should have been truthful from the beginning.

Mayor Sam Adams"

Buy Local

Kalista Salon and Spa

Kalista Salon & Spa is dedicated to giving Portland a wellness experience more...

on this story

Sam Adams and lies (Score:1)

by 1105 (419) on Sunday January 25, @08:49AM (#1009)
I don't think this is just about lies. It's also about a grown man wanting and having sex with a child. He clearly thought about it while the boy was still 17, waiting until the boy was 18 is squeeking through on a technicality. I think this kind of behavior is epidemic in our society, is a sign of extreme selfishness at best and mental illness at worst and should not be tolerated. I am a liberal Democratic so my view can't be dismissed as politics. I don't want a man with this kind of lack of moral fiber to run Portland.

    Re:Sam Adams and lies (Score:1)

    by TinyDancer (1406) on Sunday January 25, @10:27AM (#1010)
    Please read Richard Ellymer's opinion on this matter. You may reconsider your position. I would like to add to his commentary that my best friend was allowed to go to Viet Nam to kill and be killed when he was seventeen, because he had his parents' permission. Wars are fought by children and we all allow that. What does that say about us?

    Go to parent comment

      Re:Sam Adams and lies (Score:1)

      by Ryan76 (1402) on Thursday January 29, @02:12PM (#1014)
      Up front I'm a moderate Democrat. I do agree that it's unsettling to me that our Mayor made a personal decision as bad as this one (or at least as questionable) nonetheless, it was a personal issue, not public. There's a ton more things that lighten this for me. A) Throughout the history of sexual relationships in regards to age of participants, while this is less common now, it certainly is not unknown. Well into the 19th Century, young girls were married off to older men. We don't look back on them with distate; just acknowledgement. B) Considering no law was broken (as far as we know currently) and considering both were willing partners, the legality is a non-issue. C) When is a child an adult? Many states and nations define this differently and I don't think there is a clear moment in each persons life when they "grow up". It's a growing curve that starts at like 15 and goes well into the 20's. Couple this with the fact that every person is different and really it's on a person by person basis. D) Politicians and those in the public eye are scrutinized in ways that most of us never have to experience. The Media likes nothing more than to poke holes and point out flaws. Since the 1920's the news has become less and less objective and more and more sensational, no matter who their victim is. Ultimately what I think is: Focus on the big issues, and don't get distracted by the side show.

      Go to parent comment

      Re:Sam Adams and lies (Score:0)

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 11, @02:59PM (#1015)
      TNgoJg kyayvmrzmmuf [kyayvmrzmmuf.com], [url=http://vbjxrgvhavxt.com/]vbjxrgvhavxt[/url], [link=http://fvebfyuzqvbr.com/]fvebfyuzqvbr[/link] , http://oktalhrougaz.com/

      Go to parent comment