Las Vegas Sun

November 22, 2009

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Letter to the editor:

Hampton wrongly portrayed as a villain

Frank Beaty, Las Vegas

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 | 2:03 a.m.

Many things have surprised me in my 55 years, and I must confess that the reaction to the Sen. John Ensign affair is one of them.

More than a week ago Gov. Jim Gibbons said he feels for Ensign and his family. Should we be surprised that Gibbons has sympathy for men who cheat?

I have sympathy for Ensign’s and Gibbons’ families, but what about the family of Doug Hampton? I shudder to think of myself in Hampton’s shoes. He has to be angry and humiliated.

Since when, in this type of situation, does the offended-against party become the villain, as Ensign’s people, with the help of some local media, are attempting to do to Doug Hampton?

No matter what we think of Hampton, he has been wronged by his powerful ex-employer, who slept with his wife repeatedly while preaching to the public about family values. What a sordid mess. You would think Gibbons would have the good sense to stay out of it.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

  1. By jlb101
    6/30/09 at 6:08 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    There is a lot the public does not know about the Ensign affair but from what I understand Hampton was trying through his attorney to obtain money from Sen. Ensign. One of the stories I read said Sen. Ensign had been contacted numerous times about a payoff. This sounds like blackmail to me. It is illegal to blackmail someone but not illegal to have an affair with someone elses wife.

  2. By CynicalObserver
    6/30/09 at 6:31 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Doug Hampton is a villain, because he demanded money for his silence, when he didn't have any legal grounds to sue Ensign. Call him a shake down artist or a black mailer. It's wrong to make demands for money when there is no legal basis upon which you are entitled to it.

    Cyndy Hampton is obviously a villain, for cheating on her husband, with the husband of her best friend.

    John Ensign is obviously a villain, for cheating on his wife, with the wife of an employee.

    This is the kind of tacky crap I expect to see on daytime soap operas, not from the office of a U.S. Senator. A pox on all of them.

  3. By StanG
    6/30/09 at 9:47 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    The only way you think you know that Hampton was extorting Ensign, is that is what Ensign said and what the RJ then reported he said.
    I don't know any more than you do, but I'm unwilling to take this philanderer's word on face value.
    I suspect the full story will come out eventually as extortion is a felony and if US Senator Ensign's story is true, he would be able to prove it. At the initial contact he would have notified the FBI.

  4. By Justmy02
    7/1/09 at 2:25 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    They're all villains for participating in illicit behavior. Hampton obviously forgave his wife or he would no longer be with her, so one has to ask why he brings this out now and why he did not bring it out while it was going on?

    The obvious answer is money or to stop Ensign from succeeding in going into higher office. But then the exact same questions can be asked for that situation as well.

    So why now, Doug?

  5. By Frosty
    7/5/09 at 9:09 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    My guess is that in two years John Ensign will be with a different woman.

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