Through it all, a proud Kilpatrick has defended himself and refused to step down yet again. Although those text messages — which show Kilpatrick and Beatty’s sultry affair as well as some other shady dealings — are damning evidence, the mayor stated earlier this week he’ll continue to lead the city and intends to be exonerated of all charges against him because of a legal technicality.

Reports, video and police mugshots — taken of Kilpatrick and Beatty when they were indicted Monday — have quickly circulated through news wire services. Newspapers and TV stations, with readers who’ve probably only heard about Detroit as it relates to cars, Super Bowl XL and rapper Eminem, are jumping all over this story.

The Los Angeles Times, for example, characterized Detroit’s embarrassment as a “civic soap opera” in a Tuesday article. Breaking the situation down into one of its crudest forms, the United Kingdom’s Sky News wrote: “ ... Kilpatrick denied having the fling in court, but a trove of raunchy text messages has been revealed that contradicts his sworn denials.” And Time Magazine stated in the Monday article “Texts, Lies and the Mayor of Detroit” that “... it’s hard to imagine how Kilpatrick can lead one of America’s largest cities, even if he is exonerated of the charges, as he says he expects to be.”

Of course, journalists and online readers alike are opining as well. Many of them claim Kilpatrick’s resignation is the best solution for the scandal-ridden public official whose face is appearing on countless news Web sites.

And quite frankly, they might be right. The fact Kilpatrick hasn’t resigned is the only reason Detroit has taken the media by storm. When other politicians would have stepped out of the limelight after a scandal broke — much like former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig did — Kilpatrick has stubbornly kept a death grip on his mayorship. As a result, Michigan’s largest city is greatly suffering from the scandal’s public presence.

Then again, many have argued public officials shouldn’t be tried and judged outside the courtroom. And as far as the law is concerned, Kilpatrick is innocent until proven otherwise.

In State News editorials and commentary about this and other political scandals — including Spitzer and the recently resigned ASMSU Vice Chairperson for External Affairs Nigel Scarlett, who faces a sexual assault charge — it’s been made clear that those who hold office sometimes are held to a different social and legal standard.

People have certain expectations of how an elected official should behave while in office.

But whether Kilpatrick is fit to represent Detroit is a different matter. Although it’s unclear if Kilpatrick will be convicted of the charges against him, the events and behaviors that led up to those charges should show whether he can and deserves to be mayor.

And if sexy texts, felony charges and the current portrayal of Detroit is any indication, he doesn’t appear to be capable.

It’s easy enough to dismiss all the negative attention as inconsequential. Really, who cares what people in California and Alaska think about Detroit? Well, as Michigan’s economy continues spiraling down the toilet, residents here have learned to be very forward-thinking.

Businesses looking to locate or invest here might be put off by a sex scandal of this magnitude. Politicians might be hesitant to associate themselves with Michigan. State residents could jump ship and look for a living outside Detroit. It’s been said before — if Detroit goes, so does Michigan.

Hopefully with all eyes on our state, Kilpatrick will figure out what he has to do and cut Detroit loose. He might be the one going to court, but Detroit is being judged.

Lindsey Poisson is the State News opinion writer. Reach her at poisson4@msu.edu.