After more photos emerged including one of him bare-chested in his congressional office the married congressman eventually owned up to exchanging racy messages with several women, saying he'd never met any of them.

WSJ: Anthony Weiner launches bid to become NYC mayor

" Mr. Weiner, who over the weekend asked for a leave of absence and announced he was seeking treatment, says the women who got his racy photos and online chats were adults, "to the best of my knowledge.

WSJ: Crovitz: The Internet Lets It All Hang Out

While other female-centered hits, with more likable heroines, are ignored or patronized, these racy fables agitate audiences, in part because they violate the dictate that women, both fictional and real, not make anyone uncomfortable.

NEWYORKER: Hannah Barbaric