So, you have probably seen the news about the former White House intern’s book about her relationship with President Kennedy. 

I hate reading about stuff like that. The only book I can recall reading that comes close to being described as a “tell-all” about such personal things is I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon. He was one of my favorite singer/songwriters, and indeed it was a very interesting book, but I still felt dirty reading the parts about Zevon’s sordid personal life.

I believe that character does matter for politicians, don’t get me wrong. And when a current politician is found out to be involved in such a personal scandal, it is worthwhile to investigate, and the public deserves to know about it. The Newt Gingriches of the world may object, but such is the price you pay when running for office.

Some object on the grounds that this story is rather old news. Well, yes, but I like history, and I believe it’s important that the truth about historical events be told. I don’t believe in censoring such information to preserve people’s reputations. So, there’s no harm in bringing it up now.

But with all that said, it kind of bothers me that people are so fascinated by the story. I guess because it feels so shallow to me, I can’t help but feel that the press coverage of it is a bit much when you consider the relative unimportance of the story. It’s not like it’s news that Kennedy had affairs; it’s just news that now we have a detailed account of one of them. And frankly, I find it kind of weird that anyone would want the details.

It does, however, confirm my long-held opinion that Kennedy was rather overrated as a President. I always felt he was too cavalier about serious matters–e.g. nuclear war–and this kind of corroborates that. But there was plenty of evidence for that already, in my opinion.