I went on vacation and missed the development this news. Googled it today. It is almost comical. But on the other hand, the whole stint op and the arrest just made no sense to me. Craig had to be either an moron or worthless low-life to be caught like that. I am not surprised if he is the later. But, on another note, couldnt he make up some story!? How dumb was that? I am now worried about lie skills of our politicians in DC. Here is the link to the police report. Looks to be authentic http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0828071craig1.html
Judge denies Craig motion to revoke plea "Because the defendant's plea was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and because the conviction is supported by the evidence ... the Defendant's motion to withdraw his guilty plea is denied," Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter wrote. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_go_co/craig_senate Guess he's gonna have to quit afterall. [edit] couldn't find the other thread http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=133922&page=1&pp=20
No, just a sad pervert. I wish people made as much fuss over someone like Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson (oops, I forgot he is a Democrat).
Sex sells. Corruption not so much. Obviously Jefferson's crime (I am assuming he's guilty) is far more serious than Craig's and I think he should resign and go straight to jail but this isn't a partisan thing. Jefferson's gotten at least as much attention as the various corrupt Republicans associated with Abramoff. We don't hear a whole hell of a lot about Ted Stevens either.
Oh goodie! Craig vows to stay despite court loss http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_go_co/craig_senate I'm sure the GOP is just pleased as punch with this decision.
Concur. My point is that we shouldn't slam an offender because of party affiliation. We should slam ALL the offenders period. BTW, how the heck are you doing these days? M.
I'm mostly doing well. A close friend died yesterday morning, but apart from that I'm swell. How are you? I agree with your point, but I'd insert a caveat. The party that stakes its fortunes on claims to promote traditional family values deserves more sweat for their transgressions in those areas than the one that doesn't. I think likewise that the Democrats, who have talked so much about cleaning up corruption in Washington, should be held to a higher standard in that area. And I think they generally hold themselves to a higher standard, though I agree they ought to be harder on Jefferson. The most telling thing to me about the Craig scandal though is the disparity in response to it and the Vitter thing. Vitter returned to the Senate to a round of applause from GOP colleagues after admitting regular visits to a prostitute. And what's the difference between him and Craig there? The GOP's special relationship with homophobia.
Excellent -- may health and happiness abound. I still have not had the heart to replace Gracie and my business has really kept me hopping lately. I came close to buying a Jack Russell from a breeder in Pennsylvania but there wasn't a pup that gave me the warm fuzzies like Gracie did when I first saw her. I guess I'll always be a Springer sort of guy.
Sorry to hear about your friend. We never have enough friends to lose even one. Even though I tend toward Republicanism, I've never held to the "better family values" or "holier than thou" tactics because individuals all have their little foibles. I'm old. I still want to be able to respect my elected officials whether I agree or disagree with their policies. As to homophobia, that is a problem with Americans, not with party affiliation. I've been to some extremely Democratic neighborhoods where same sex unions are vilified. Stupidity knows no boundaries on race, sex, creed or religion.
Thanks for the condolences, man. Again, I basically agree that there is guilt across party lines, thumbs. But we have a blatant example of institutional homophobia in the Vitter/Craig thing. And while there is still ignorance and discrimination in all quarters, one party actively pushes anti-gay rights legislation and the other merely includes members who are guilty of complicity. We all know how gays and homophobes (for whom it is an important issue) vote and we all know why. Even a group of gays officially supportive of Republicans are regularly shunned by the party. We all know that the Dems all appeared at a gay issues candidates forum and signaled their support and we all know that not one serious Republican candidate would do the same. (Romney has gone from saying he'd be better for gays than Ted Kennedy to running radio ads pushing the importance of DOMA.) We all know that DOMA, etc. played a large role in 2004. And, again, we all know that the fallen hetero senator got applause from GOP colleagues while the fallen gay one is considered poisonous. Please don't insult my intelligence by asserting it's a zero sum game.
My condolences as well Mr. Jones. Craig can't resign because then he's admitting he's gay. (I know, he's essentially done it by admitting guilt, but he's had time to rationalize that and blame it on his political enemies.) If he does resign because of this, in his mind, he'll be the closet gay. If he doesn't, in his mind, he can pretend to be straight. If anyone's really interested, I recommend this book from one of my college Sociology classes: http://www.amazon.com/Tearoom-Trade-Impersonal-Public-Observations/dp/0202302830
I certainly would never insult or demean your intellect. But perhaps our definitions of zero sum game may be different. For example, I have always resented the word "gay" being appropriated by a group. I can never use it to mean blithe or happy as in Roy Rogers' early movie "The Gay Ranchero." That does not mean that I have anything against friends of mine who enjoy the same sex. It is just a word stolen from my vocabulary, and I am generally inarticulate enough without having one fewer words to use. As far as Democrats and/or Republicans using the issue one way or the other to gain votes, I believe that both are hypocritical. Peeking in stalls for lewd purposes has nothing to do with sexual union preferences. And, as far as hookers go, in my younger days I've done that in Vegas myself so I certainly can't cast any stones.
