An analysis of Wogen's statement

The following quotes have been taken directly from Alderman Wogen's statement before the City Council on Monday, September 28, 2009.

"I know that being in the public eye that everything is public, but it would be nice to have some privacy, to not get drug through the mud every time something happens to me. I don't expect sympathy from anybody, just a little bit of respect and privacy."

Yes, Alderman Wogen, you are a PUBLIC servant, and that means whatever you do will be held up to PUBLIC scrutiny. Also, it's very telling how everything that goes wrong "happens" to you, as if you don't have any control over your life. YOU lied about the mailer. YOU allegedly pushed your wife. YOU chose not to tell your constituents when YOU originally left the ward. What "happens" to YOU is YOUR fault. Respect?!?!? Where's your respect for Steve Kapitan and the council, your wife and family, your constituents and the city?

"I hate to be nailed down to a date, but I'm trying to get back into the ward as soon as I can. I'm doing my due diligence, trying to find a place that me and my children and my dog can live."

Of course you don't want to be specific about a date because then you'd be on record promising to resolve the matter by a specific deadline - a condition we all know that you wouldn't keep (just like you didn't follow the established conditions when you filed bankruptcy). Moreover, if you don't want people's sympathy and you do want some privacy, then why are you making reference to your children and dog?

"I did check with the City Attorney before I did this. I did check with the state statutes. As the blogs say and the websites say there's no law against - I'm doing nothing absolutely wrong."

When did you speak with the City Attorney and why didn't you come forward about your current address sooner? Furthermore, there is a difference between an act being illegal and it simply being wrong. While it's not illegal to leave the ward without telling your constituents, that doesn't make your course of action right. You had an obligation to tell people, especially since you knew it would take weeks to find a new place to live.

"An example I had is what happens if one of the alderman's houses burned down? What do you do then? It's going to take three to six months to rebuild a home."

Alderman Wogen, are you serious about this analogy? When someone loses his or her home to fire, it is usually unintentional and unexpected (unlike your irresponsible behavior). In addition, the people directly involved are 'victims' because they are displaced and have lost their personal belongings. For you to equate your situation with theirs is insulting.

"So, you know, I understand why people pick on me - I totally understand that, and respect that."

Unfortunately, no you don't, and that's part of the reason why you keep making poor choices that only cause you more public humiliation; assuming that you have a conscience and the capacity to feel embarrassed about what you've done. These words are a blatant attempt to evoke sympathy, to portray yourself as a victim, and communicate a false submission to moral authority. You're being totally disingenuous.