Anthony Weiner photo row: How the Brits got there first
Perhaps it was years of teasing about his name that drove Congressman Weiner to tweet his underpants.
It could be taken by some as a moment in the country's decline. After all, the picture shows no evidence of American exceptionalism, let alone manifest destiny.
But then again, perhaps it is a testament to national purity and moral vigilance.
After all, posting pictures of one's undergarments is the sort of thing you expect 12-year-olds to get up to, not rampant politicos.
Still "lewd" has such a nice ring to it.
And I am rather ashamed to admit, we Brits, got there first. A Labour politician called Chris Bryant once did something similar.
He said it gave him many sleepless nights at the time of his exposure, but he now regards it as a "charming scar" on his career.
It didn't stop him rising to the dizzying heights of minister for Europe. But remember, it's not big , and it's not clever.